Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-19
Commissioners Flabbergasted
by Proposal of Rev. John
Van Schaick.
URGED AS A GALA EVENT
FOR PEOPLE OF CAPITAL
Thinks General Public Would Take
Keen Interest in Progress
and Casualties.

How would you like to walk the Dis
trict's boundary lines when the mer'
curry is down to zero?
No less a distinguished Washing
tonian than Rev. John Van Schaick
jr, former president of the Monday
Evening Club and a recent worker IN
the European war zones, has proposed
to the District Commissioners that
they try this as a constitutional, and
declare a holiday in celebration of the
achievement.
The Commissioners were surprised
when they received this suggestion
from DR.. Van Sehaick. Secretary Don
ovan read the communication at the
session Of the board yesterday, and 1t
created more of a sensation than any
document which the District heads
have considered since they have been
in Office.
Referred to Diplomatic Adviser.
Commissioner Brownlow moved that
the matter be referred to Frederick
Lee, the Commissioners confidential
adviser in diplomatic negotiations, and
It is probable that a note VIII pc
framed for transmission to DR.. van
Setback within the next Few Gays. ne
Commissioners were silent as to what
might be the nature of the reply
though it is rumored the suggestion
might have been more agreeably re-
ceived had it been made in the sum-
mer.
Here is the full text of the COM
munication: -.
line of the northeast boundary of the
District of Columbia. from the eastern
corner of the District. near Chesapeake
Junction, to the northern corner, near
Woodside, Nd. a distance of ten miles
as the crow flies, but somewhat longer
as man is compelled to walk.
II now desire to extend to your non
orable board an invitation to walk the
boundary line with me at some date IN
the near future agreeable to you.
walking is the oldest and most hon
orable of all methods of moving from
place to place. 1t is essentially demo-
cratic. Such walk, taken by the Com .
missioners in these degenerate days OF
motor cars, and made known. as 1t
would be. through the public press.
would endear the Commissioners to all
of the inhabitants of the District.
Just a Little Stroll.
THE walk would take the Commits
sioners from Chesapeake Junction to
Burrville. to Kenilworth, to Mount
Rainier. to Takoma Park. to the out
skirts of Silver Spring and other small
hamlets.
TT would enable them to inspect con-
ditions on the line, state OF preserva-
tion Of historic boundary stones and
other markers. wash of District soil
over into Maryland. deposit Of Mary
land trash on District territory. FEAST
bility of the line boulevard project.
and call their attention to one of the
most dangerous and demoralizing prob
lens of our day. hybrid houses. half in
Maryland and half in the District.
1T would enable the honorable Com
missioners to meet, In a natural way.
residents along the line. Arrange
ments could be made for delegations
from different sections to attend at
favorable points and await the passing
of the Commissioners. Brief stops
could be made for the presentation of
resolutions and addresses of accept
anee.
Moreover. as the line cuts all the
.s1in arteries of travel leading to the