Evening star., 1912-11-19
OPPOSE RIVER DAMS
No Obstruction In Anacostia
South of Benning Bridge.
EAST WASHINGTON'S VOICE
Matters Discussed at Association
Meeting-Merger Of Utilities
Considered.
EAST WASHINGT0N'S VOICE

The East Washington Citizens Associa-
tion at a meeting last evening in Dono-
hoes Hall, 314 Pennsylvania avenue
southeast, discussed the question of
widening and Sdeepening Of the Anacostia
river and the reclamation of the flats.
The association opposed the building Of a
dam across the river at any point south
of the Benning bridge.
The subject OF the merger of public
utilities was before the association on
motion of Capt. w. NJ. Potter. who sug-
gester that the committee on assessments
and taxation make an investigation and
report on the questions involved in the
probe conducted by the George commit
tee Of the House of Representatives into
taxation in the District of Columbia.
Both resolutions of Capt. Potter were
referred to committees. In the resolu-
ton favoring the merger Capt. Potter
expressed the belief that the object
sought by the citizens Of the District OF
Columbia Is universal transfers and in
creased street car facilities He pointed
out that repeated efforts had been made
to get crOss-town lines built.
Resolution Favors Merger.
The resolution concludes:
THAT in consideration Of the declared
intention of the companies seeking the
merger to grant the concessions long
sought by the citizens of the District Of
Columbis the East Washington Citizens
Association Is in favor Of the merger"
The executive committee will consider
the resolution and report at the next
meeting of the association. The COM
mittee is composed Of James l. Parsons
Vow Il NJ
Emmons. A. Girouard. Thomas W. Smith,
NJ. l. Weller and Albert Schultris.
Thomas w. Smith, chairman Of the
committee on Anacostia river. submitted
short verbal report from the commit
tee. He explained that the channel Is to
be from 200 to 400 feet wide and said
the work had progressed south of the
Anacostia bridge so that it is easily seen
also explain that there will be basin
near the bridge which will be large,
enough to enable big steamers to make
a turn.
plan to dam the river in order to make
a big lake in which will be numerous
islands. but the idea did not appeal to his
committee, he said, because 1t would
mean the destruction Of the commercial
value Of the river.
Anacostia Flats Improvement. !.
labored a great many years to secure
what is so soon to be a reality-reciama-
ton Of the Anacostia flats and river i'm
provements-told Of the vast amount of
work that the East Washington Citizens
Association had done in the matter He
read memorial Of the association to
Congress dated 1879, and explained that
disputed titles to land along the river
had delayed the work. The titles soon
| will no c1a rod Ho 0tof nd
priation for the coming year will enable
work to be done north Of the Anacostia
bridge.
Mr. Weller said the citizens association
had tried to get the work done at the
expense Of the United States the same
as other river and harbor work is done.
Congress was unwilling to do 1t, however,
and 1t became a question of accepting 1T
under the hanf-and-half plan or not get
ting 1t.
Mr.. Weller recalled that there was
time when vessels went as far as Bla-
densburg, got loads of tobacco and went
directly to foreign ports. The present
condition Of the stream, he said, has re-
suited from neglect on the part of the
United States. The Anacostia and Ben
ming bridges, he said. were formerly toll
bridges. and he declared that the asso-
citation favors a bridge at Pennsylvania
avenue. The construction of such a
bridge, he said, is in line Of the original
plans of the city.
Mr. Shields said he hoped a bridge
across the river at East Capitol street
will be included in a written report of
the committee to be submitted at the
next meeting Of the association.
Capt. Potter thought it was not wise to
ask too much at this time. When the
river is improved, he said, 1t might be
an easier matter to get an appropriation
for bridge.
Exclusion Of Dam Favored.
Mr. Schulteis insisted that the associa-
ton should go on record as being opposed
to the construction of dam at any
point south of Benning bridge. His mo-
ton to such effect prevailed.
DIR. Charles NJ Emmons and s. w.
Curriden participated in the discussion.
and Chairman Smith promised a written
report on the river work at the next
meeting
Capt. Potter, chairman Of the commit
tee on streets and avenues. submitted
report showing the street improvements
recently made In East Washington.
Mr.. Shields asked the committee on
water to give some thought to the ques-
ton of water meters and increased rates.
The installation of meters. he said. will
cause endless trouble. He cited an in
stance in which the bill under the meter
system for a house renting for $13 a
month amounted to charge of about $14
a year. and pointed out that dissatisfied
tenants might easily let the water run
for spite. making it necessary for the
landlord to pay exorbitant sums for water
waste
Mr. Weller said he hoped to live to see
the day when water will be as free as
the air. The question of free water, he
suggested, is Of more Importance than
parks.
Mr. Smith said the committee should
also give some thought to the question