The Washington times., 1915-02-16
BROWNLOW FLAYS
BORLAND MEASURE
Commissioner, In Address to
Georgetown Citizens, Says
District Is Unequahy De-
veloped.

Assailinr the Borland amendment to
the District bill as unfair to property
holders who had been so unfortunate as
not to have their streets improved. and
declaring that in many cities 1t was an
insidious thing that permitted wealthy
property holders on the best streets to
ret improvements which did not come
to poorer sections, Commissioner Lofts
Brownlow. in an address before the
Georgetown Citizens Association last
night. asked the citizens to make the
II trust" he said. that this associa iation
will not undergo the change OF heart
that has been apparent in other sections
because Of the amendment. Where
bCeore the Commissioners were petit
toned for the pavement OF all streets,
we now receive protests against such
improvements from citizens and from
associations
Sees No Chance of Change.
The Commissioner said one thing
stood out prominently in his mind. and
probably the minds of other citizens.
and that was the fact that the city had
been so unequally developed. Fine
pavcments and sidewalks have been laid
on streets that had no houses, while
older and greatly improved sections Ike
your own were passed over. l don't
say that this was deliberate govern
mcnt intention, but now that many sec
sections, after contributing to the gen
eral fund for this paving, must pay
for your own, in part, at least
here Is something to be said on
he continued, land we have 1t with as.
! don't think that there Is any possibil-
THE provisions Of the Borland amend
,,A h,,N Sr,{t ~
the fullest respect for its author and
those who passed 1t, l am opposed.
Street paving should be cared for out
Of the general fund. because 1t Is the
benefit, and which wears out the street.
1t IL the person whose wagon or auto
mobile comes from distant point, who
benefits most by the improved streets.
THE Borland amendment principle
was invented for cities having vote
and controlled by the city council. The
wealthy residents living in such cities
and towns could get no better streets or
more improvements than any, other sec,
ton. because the voters would not stand
for it. Consequently such a provision
was brought into play 80 that wealthy
residents could get the best paving by
paying part cost. 1t was invented for
special privilege to the wealthy. 1t Is
an insidious thing.
Sorry For Georgetown.
Nevertheless, We have the Borland
amendment. l am sorry that it came be-
fore the neglected portions of the city.
such as old Georgetown, got their share
Of street improvements, but l hope this
citizens association will not undergo a
change OF heart. and protest where we
used to get petitions. II this keeps up
Washington will lose it's reputation for
fine paved Streets
Commissioner Brownlow was intro
h.,
The Commissioner told members Of tho
association that he consented to address
them SO that he could get acquainted.
He contrasted the appointment Of Com:
executive officers in other cities. and
declared that he was in favor Of the
plan, under which man had to 80 be-
lore the people, and earn the job OF be-
he said. that the man who became mayor
was necessarily acquainted with every
section and it's needs. On the other
hand he said the only way, that the
Commissioners can get this knowledge
is through association.
You see," he said. I'VE don't 80 to
Georgetown to see what Georgetown
reeds to carry 1t in the convention. It
is your duty to check up on US and
guide U.s."
The Commissioner volunteered to an
swer questions, If any member wanted
information. In response to one he said
that he could not go into the Aqueduct
bridge question at this time. George
Y. Worthington asked about the single
tax. and the Commissioner said that
while he was a single taxer. he would
not advocate this measure for the Dis
trict. The fundamental idea. he said.
is to remove all tax penalization from
industry.
Want Comfort Stations.
The public health committee Of the
association presented joint report
from DR.. II. f. Ames and Samuel Artz.
recommending the establishment Of
public comfort stations at the intersec-
tion Of Wisconsin avenue and p
streets. A letter was sent the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company,
asking for the establishment Of a wait
ing room at Wisconsin avenue and =
street. The association voted to crcu-
late petitions for the two public COM
fort stations.
On motion Of Spencer Gordon an in
Quiry was addressed to Postmaster
Praeger asking information as to why
there are no mail deliveries in George
town later than 2:30 o'clock in the at
ternoon.
Resolutions asking for the better
lighting of NJ street. presented by B.
A. Bowles. were unanimously passed,
as was one by Fl. w. Fisher, asking
that the necessary repairs to the Curtis
School making the assembly room
available for use. be made
John H Hanna, superintendent Of the
Capital Traction Company power pant,
was elected to membership.