Evening star., 1915-12-14
Loss TO MERCHANTS
OF CONGRESS HEIGHTS
Strong Protest Entered Against
Closing Of the South !,
Asylum Gate. s. II

That the action OF the officials of the
government hospital for the insane IN
closing the entrance to the ground known
as the nurses gate. located in the east
wall near the south wall. is causing loss
to the business people OF Congress
Heights amounting to more than $1,000
annually. was the opinion expressed by
members Of the Public Improvement AS
sociation of Congress Heights at its reg
ular meeting last night in the town hall
on Alabama avenue.
A resolution was adopted asking DIR.
William A. White. superintendent of tho
hospital TO reopen the same, and II neces-
sary station watchman there E. J.
Newcomb stated the gate had been used
the employees OF the institution because
it made the walk to the various buildings
much less. He said when the gate was
locked employees desiring to reach Con-
mile or more, while by using this gate
they could reach the Heights with a walk
of from three to five minutes. Mr.. New
comb said he had presented a petition to
the Secretary of the Interior. signed ny
more than 80 0employes Of the institution,
asking that this gate be reopened. but
that the only reply received was to tho
effect that the gate was closed for admin
istration reasons. The business people
feel they are entitled to this trade which
they have enjoyed so long and the asso-
citation is also determined that the gate
shall be reopened IL ii is possible to do
SO.
Fire Department Criticised.
That the fire department in the sub
urb is not living up to its full duties
was another complaint made last even
ing by several of the members 1t was
stated that on several occasions brush
fires had been discovered by citizens
and reported at the fire engine house
and no response was made specific case
was cited when few evenings ago, nre
was discovered on the grounds at the rine
range on Alabama avenue about
o'clock It was reported to the engine
house. but no response was MADE Ins
fire gained such headway during the
night that it was absolutely necessary
for the company to respond. The matt
| ter will be referred to the proper Or
fcials u
The Commissioners will be asked to
urge the railroad company to compIeee
| its extension along Nichols avenue
from Alabama avenue southwark. This
extension, it was stated. should nave
been completed by June. 1t VIII pc re.
| ouested of the railway company tnat y
operate all of it's cars on the Anacos-
tia line through, to Congress Heights,
and that the running time between
Congress Heights and the center OF the
city be shortened.
said. from the fact that a definite sys.
tenn of numbering the houses had not
been established in the suDurp. SOME
of the houses bear the original mum.
bers. while others have been changed
to conform with the numbers used
since the section was included n
southeast Washington. A request VIII
be made to the authorities ASKING thaI
every house in the suburb be given q
proper number, beginning on Nicnoss
avenue.
For Honest Advertising. +
The association voted to take an activS
mart in the efforts of the Retail Merchantf
Association to eliminate false advertiset
ments in the District, and to this END
appointed E. J. Newcomb as oeleeaIS
to represent the association at the ne.au
Merchants body when this matter is ais-
cussed. Edward Blaine and A Z. Mckay
spoke on this subject
| The Commissioners viii be asked 70
grant the citizens of the suburb a public
! hearing in the near future for the dis
cussion of the question Of extension OF
sewer mains in sections now without that
service The request will be made for an
early approval in order that the question
NAV be considered before Congress ad-
| journs. -.
condition of some of the streets In the
suburb since the laying of the new stde-
walks In some places 1t was stated,
the walks are far above the roadwayA
while in others they are below. A request
will be made that the appropriation OF
50, 800 made for improving 7th street. and
available July / last be used at once.
| letter was read from the Commissioners
stating that the alley in the rear OF the
engine house on Nichols avenue woufu
| be paved in the near future; also that
at alley crossings throughout the suburb
asphalt blocks would be laid. Vice Presi-
dent ]. S. Lyon presided in the absence
| of President w. w. Price.