Evening star., 1915-02-16
BROWNL0W NOT T0ASK
SINGLE ELEG|SLAH0N
Opposes Borland Amendment Idea,
But Advises Acceptance Of,
Law by Citizens.
Tells Georgetown Citizens Associa-
ton Also That He Favors New
Aqueduct Bridge.

Three facts concerning Commissioner
Brownlow's attitude on District gov
ernment problems were developed at
meeting last night of the Georgetown
Citizens Association. They are:
That the new Commissioner favors
the single tax but does not propose to
seek legilation of this kind for Wash
ington during his administration.
That he is opposed to the so-called
Borland amendment taxing property
owners with portion of the cost of
street improvements. but thinks Wash
make the most of it.
That he favors a new Aoueduct
bridge.
Guest of Association,
Mr. Brownlow was the guest of the
association and made these statements
our1ns the course of an address which
was enthusiastically received.
Discussing the Borland amendment,
the new civilian head of the District
stated that practically all cities in this
country have d similar law but that
the legislation works hardship in the
National Capital by reason of the fact
that many of the more prosperous sec
ions or the city already have obtained
street improvements at the expense of
tne government, whereas the cost of
developing streets in the poorer sec
tons Will now fall, in part, upon in
dlvldual property owners.
But the law is here, he pointed out,
best of 1t. In this connection he called
attention to the fact that since the
adoption of the amendment citizens
associations which formerly had made
extensive REQUESTS for street improve
ments had reduced such requests to a
minimum. The Commissioner expressed
the hope that the Borland amendment
would not cause these organizations to
change their policies with respect to
street Improvement work, declaring
that unless citizens continue to mani
fest the same interest in the improve
ment OF their respective sections
Washington will soon lose its boasted
glory as city of beautiful streets.
l. Believes in Single Tax.
At the conclusion of his address the
Commissioner said that he would be
members of the association might de-
sire to ask. and this request Immediate
~ brought forth query as to his atti-
tude on the single tax. He explained
ory because it proposes to remove the
penalty placed upon enterprise and in
dustry by. existing taxation methods.
But the single tax Is something that
who believe in it are satisfied with the
progress that Is being made, he said,
ihere was applause when the Com
missioner announced that he would not
recommend any single tax legislation
during his term of Office.
But one other question was asked Of
the speaker. and this had to do with
his attitude on the -Aqueduct bridge
question. Mr. Brownlow promptly re-
sponded that he strongly approved of
the suggestion for a new bridge, but
he had not looked into the matter
suiiclently to form an opinion as to
where the termini of the proposed
structure should be established.
Commissioner Brownlow stated that he
always had had deep interest in
Georgetown. as his great-great-grand-
father, who came to this country from
England was the. founder of Brown
lows LatiH-Academy, one of George
towns first schools.
improvements Sought.
Prior to the arrival of the Commits
sioner. the association held business
session and referred a number of mat
ters\ to committees. 1t was decided to
investigate lighting conditions on NJ
street and also to ascertain the cause
for the delay in the improvement of P
street from the bridge to 2sth street.
The committee on public health pre-
sented a report favoring the locating
of public comfort stations at M street
and Wisconsin avenue and street and
Wisconsin avenue, which was adopted.
John H. Hanna, engineer of the Capital
Traction, Company. was elected a
member.
At the conclusion of the meeting an
informal reception was held in honor
of Commissioner Brownlow., "A buffet
luncheon was served.