Evening star., 1915-11-25
ASK CONGRESS TO KEEP
EF-AND-HALF IN FORCE
Rhode Island Avenue Suburban Citi-
zens Adopt Resolutions Indors-
ing the Organic Act.
Every Member at Meeting Complains
of Crowded Condition of
the Street Cars.

Believing the continuance of the
half -and-half principle" as embodied
in the organic act of 1878 would be for
the best interests of the District of
Columbia as the capital of the nation,
the Rhode Island Avenue Suburban
Citizens Association at a meeting last
night at the Sherwood Presbyterian
Church, 22d street and Rhode Island
avenue northeast. indorsed that plan.
The association resented statements
made at the recent hearing by the joint
committee of Congress on the fiscal
relations of the United States and the
District of Columbia, where it was de-
clared varying statements were made
as to the attitude in the premises of
the residents of the District of Co
lumbia
The indorsing of the "half-an-half"
plan was in the form of a resolution,
introduced by A. J. Kause, in which 1t
was declared the best available means
of ascertaining such attitude is by ac-
ton of the various citizens associa
tions and other civic bodies. 1t was
decided to forward a copy of the reso-
lutions to the chairman of the joint
congressional committee.
Complain Of Crowded Cars.
Practically every member in attend
ance last night put in a. word of criti-
cism of the crowded condition of the
street cars on the City and Subur ba n
line, especially during the morning and
evening hours and in the middle of the
day Sundays. 1t was declared by one
member that on numerous occasions he
had to wait until three cars passed be-
fore he could get on one which was not
overcrowded. Secretary James p. Ben :
fer was instructed to forward a COM
plai int to the public utilities commission
and ask that the Washington Railway
and Electric Company provide addi-
tional cars ON the line.
President S. S. Symons appointed a
committee to call upon Corporation
Counsel Syme to ascertain the status
of the plan to fill in and surface with
on Rhode Island avenue northeast. 1t
was stated the matter has been before
the corporation counsel for some time.
and it was declared the delay in the
work is a detriment to the neighbor-
hood. The committee appointed last
night consists of D.. C. Vaughn, chair
| man; A. J. Kause. J. L. Knopp. E. J.
Patch, J. T. Benfer and H. p. Baldwin.
Resolutions in respect to deceased
member, Harry D. Beach, who died No
vember 9, were adopted.
Want More Street Lights.
The District Commissioners are to
be asked to installstreet lights on
Thayer street, which, 1t was declared
has been poorly lighted for number
of years.
| That sidewalks are badly needed in
the section was the statement of several
members. and it was suggested that
the attention of the Engineer Commits
,, sioner be called to the fact that side
walks, which were ordered for more
than a year, have not been laid. Some
| of the streets with new houses built
along them. it was declared, are un-
occupied because no sidewalks have
| been laid ...
There is no good excuse why these
| sidewalks have not been laid" said a
member. The people want them and
are willing to pay for them. and they
should have been laid some time ago.
| Gustav Fluto and Howard A. Turner
| were elected to membership.