Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-10
OPPOSE ABOLITION
OF $3.50 SYSTEM
BrookIand Citizens Defend
HaIf-and-HaIf Plan of
Financing District.

The proposal of the House to abol-
| ish the half-and half plan OF hnanc-
ing the National Capital and to in
crease local taxes by &c 2-3 per cent
was attacked by the Brookland Citi-
zens Association at meeting In Ma
sonic Hall, 18th and Monroe streets
northeast, last night.
W. s. Ayres brought the question
before the meeting, declaring ina! IN 9
proposed increase in taxes Wouic 2e
excessive and unWarTanted. ne
told the members they should oppose
vigorously the latest attempt to apol-
ish the fifty-ffty arrangement OF ap-
propriating for the upkeep o. we
capital city.
Mr. Ayres. Lee r. Wilson and r. W.
Turner were named committee 70
draw up resolutions setting forth the
associations view in favor OF retain
ing the half-and- half and opposing
the increase in taxes Copies VIII pc
sent to the House and Senate Distrlct
committees and to Henry B. F. Mac
farland of the citizens joint commit
tee on the fiscal relations between the
United States and District govern
ments.
OMcers Elected.
E. W. Turner was unanimously
elected president of the association
for the ensuing year. succeeding Lee
r. Wilson. who announced that ne
could not consider another term. Mr.
Turner also is president of the brook-
land Brotherhood and one of the
active civic workers of the suburb.
Arthur Iansdale was elected vice
president and c. Brooks Fry. secre-
treasurer.
Following the election. Mr.. Turner
told those present that the president
of a citizens association can accom-
plish little unless he has the active
cooperation of the whole community.
He appealed for that cooperation.
Urge Increased Water Supply.
Upon request of the Piney Branch
Citizens Association the Brooklyn or
ganization adopted resolutions urging
Congress to take steps Immediately to
increase Washington's water supply.
1t is unsafe. the resolutions declare,
to rely upon a single conduit from
Great Falls.
The presence of stagnant water on
low piece of ground on Michigan
avenue near Otis street was brought
to the attention of the association by
the matter up with the health depart
ment and was told that the standing
of the drainage there constituted
source of danger to the health of the
community. Miss Burr said it might
cause an outbreak of sickness.
She said the engineer department OF
the District estimated it would cost
$4,000 to provide for the drainage of
the land mentioned and that that de-
partment has no fund available for
the work. 1t was decided to circulate
a petition in Brookland for signatures
the community is united in asking for
the draining of the land mentioned.
Public Utilities Discussed.
W. S. Ayres. chairman of the utili-
ties committee, announced that be-
cause of the small patronage on the
two express cars which run to Brook
land by way of lexington he Is ar
ranging with the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company to have
these two express cars routed up
North Capitol street.
He said he also is endeavoring to
have William F. Ham, president of
the company. run three more cars
from Brookland to 14th or 18th street
in the morning rush hours. Mr..
Brookland cars up 11th street north
west was proposed Mr.. Ham promised
at least six cars would go west of
18th street in the morning. Only three
have been so routed, Mr.. Ayres de-
clared.
Purchase Of Civil War Forts.
Upon receipt of a letter from the
Board of Trade. the association again
Endorsed the proposal to have Con-
gress purchase the sites of num-
Der of old civil war forts on the out
skirts Of the city to carry out the
Mcmillan Park plan.
Following the business meeting, Mr.
Wilson. the retiring president, gave
an illustrated lecture on Alaska,
showing how a railroad is being built