Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07
Benefit Assessments for Pub
lie Improvements Opposed.
DISCUSSED BY CITIZENS
Criticism of Commissioner Bill for
Anacostia Section.
ATTACK MADE ON THE SYSTEM
Protest by Federation Against the
Application Of Principle in
District Legislation.

Suggesting test case for sounding out
the sentiment Of the community regard
ing the system of providing for street
extensions and park improvements
through the assessment of adjoining
property for benefits. members of the
Federation of Citizens Associations, at
the April meeting, held in the rooms of
the Chamber Of Commerce last night,
discussed a proposal that a bill be intro
duced in Congress stipulating that GER
tain portions Of Pennsylvania avenue be
paved and that the cost be assessed
against the abutting property.
What they termed the "evils'' of the
assessment system have fallen entirely
upon the suburban residents, the men,
bers declare, the result being that proper
ty owners in the downtown sections have
not realized the inequalities of the sys-
tenn While the federation did not act
on the proposal, an informal discussion
that followed the meeting indicated that
an EFFORT might be made by members OF
the body as individuals to bring about the
Introduction of such a bill.
The federation unanimously adopted a
resolution protesting against the applica-
tion of this principle in future street ex-
tensions and park improvements. and
authorized the appointment of commit
tee to draft a bill for presentation to
Congress looking toward the complete
eradication of the system. The men,
G. McGrath of the Park View Associa-
ton and ]. w. Dyre Of the Takoma Park
Association.
Anacostia Park and Highway.
While the federation devoted a greater
part Of the meeting to discussion of the
assessment for benefits plan with respect
to its general application, representatives
of citizens associations, at q meeting
held in Ingram Memorial Church, voted
in favor of a new bill providing for the
acquisition of land along Anacostia river
for highway and park purposes in place
Of the bill prepared by the District Com
missioners, the latter measure embodying
the assessment for benefits principle.
Such adjectives as 'disgraceful," "ridic-
ulous" and discriminatory were en-
ployed by the federation delegates in
their discussion of the system of assess
ing benefits. President William NICK
Clayton charged that the system has not
been followed uniformly and that it has
been the means of working great dis
elimination against citizens of the Dis
trict. The bill providing for the extern
sion Of 18th street did not provide this
principle, he asserted. while similar ex-
emptions have been made in the case Of
eo asness the is Of he
the Anacostia river improvement against
property owners when the assessment
principle has not been followed uniform
ly In improvements undertaken in the
District.
Instance of Alleged Injustice.
Il Mra.rofh oil cfx ho
property owner who built and improved a.
street at his own expense, only to have
his property assessed at higher rate
because the street was declared TO have
increased its value.
w. ii. Richardson of the Benning As
sociation declared the assessment plan
has thwarted improvements in Benning
and prevented that community from ad-
vancing as it should. Practically all Of
the delegates participated in the discus
sion.
The resolution to have a committee
appointed to ask Congress for relief
was the result of recommendation to
that effect made by committee which
has had the matter under consideration
several weeks. The committee which
Is composed of Messrs McGrath and
Dyre, was continued, with instructions
to prepare bill for presentation to
Congress-
Other business transacted by the fed
erat-on was the adoption of resolu-
tons urging the retention in the Dis
trlct appropriation bill Of the item pro-
vldlng an increase in the wages of
District of Columbia street cleaning
employees from s1.50 to 81 day and
recommending the dredging of Ana
costa river to a depth of twenty-four
Ieet as iar as the navy yard. The lat
ter resolution was introduced by Lem
ueI Fugltt, representing the Southeast
Washington Citizens Association
Discussion of Eight-Hour Law.
James NJ. Wood, former superintend-
ent OF the street cleaning department.,
and E. w. Oyster of the Petworth As
ISOLATION engaged in a spirited dis
cussion as to whether the eight-hour
law is applicable to employees of the
District. Mr.. Oyster holding that it is.
Mr. Wood suggested the appointment
of committee to settle the contro-
versy. but the federation decided to
let Mr.. Wood and Mr. Oyster reach an
agreement between themselves
Edwin C.. Dutton presented a resolu-
ton indorsing the plan of the citizens
central committee for a week of city
cleaning, the federation unanimously
adopting 1t.
J. w. Dyre presented a resolution from
the Takoma Park Association, authorizing
an amendment to- constitution of the
federation which Will require that before
any matter can be definitely acted upon
thirty days notice shall be given
The resolution will not be voted upon
until the next meeting.
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