Evening star., 1921-04-07
BACK CRUSADE ON
GUN-TOT|NG IN D. C.
ef4E
Association of Oldest lnhabit-
ants Also Would Restrict
\, Sale of RevoIvers.
POLICE BATTLES AN EVIL
Increased Water Rents Opposed.
Organization Hears Story Of
Early Fishing Days.
POLICE BATTLES AN EVIL

The Association of Oldest Inhabit-
ants of the District of umbia,
meeting in Union engine house. at 10th
and H streets, last night. joined in
the campaign to restrict the sale and
'toting' of revolvers.
Washington Topham called atten-
tion to the several occasions recently
on which the police have had to bat
tie with armed desperate characters.
He told the members of the efforts
being made by The Star to obtain a
more drastic weapon law for the Dis
trict and urged that resolutions be
adopted supporting the movement
His suggestion was followed.
Oppose Water Rent Raise.
On motion of John Clagett Proctor
the association went on record unanl-
mously against any proposal to meet
the urgent needs of the school sys-
tenn by increasing the water rent. Mr..
Proctors resolution called attention
to the $4.500.000 of surplus District
revenue in the Treasury which should
be used before any other plan is con-
sidered.
Benjamin w. Reiss told the associa-
ton that the flag. which flew from
Fort McHenry and inspired Francis
Scott Key to write THE Star Span
gled Banner" is draped in a remote
corner of the old museum. where the
average visitor would have dlfnculty
in finding it. At his suggestion 1T was
voted to ask the authorities in charge
of the building to give the flag more
conspicuous place.
A committee of three-Capt. George
To-
Matthew Trimble-was appointed to
cooperate with other organizations
in the movement to have the statue
of Abraham Lincoln. which formerly
stood in front of the District Supreme
Court building erected at Fort stew
ems, Brightwood. where Lincoln
watched his Army in action during
the civil war.
On motion of Capt. Evans. the as
sociation adopted resolutions con,
James F. Oyster on their appointment
as District Commissioners
Mr.. Proctor presented to the asso-
citation photograph of the old James
White sulphur spring. near Georgia
avenue and 1ngraham street. Whlcn.
he said, was recently walled in and
connected with a sewer. John b. Nc
Carthy added the explanation that the
spring is still available for drinking
purposes He said experts found,
is the strongest in sulphur OF any
spring in this vicinity.
J. W. Palmer presented to the as
sociation photographs OF the War De-
partment building in 1871. George
Spransy placed number Of old news
papers in the archives Of the asso-
citation.
Tells Of Early Fishing.
John Clagett Proctor entertained the
association with a paper on the early
history Of fishing in the District. He
said. in part!
I'm the early days of Washington.
the tidewater Of the Potomac flowed
to a distance of three miles beyond
the city and rose to the height of
four feet. In all the streams in and
around Washington, abundance of
fishes could be caught with the line
and the net.
Rock Creek and the Tiber. and the
smaller streams running into these.
furnished large supplies of herring
and other fish. Where Educational
Hotel now stands fish in abundance
were caught, and as far up as the Old
Masonic Temple. corner of 9Th and F
streets, angling afforded favorable re-
suits. On Pennsylvania avenue be-
tween 9Th and 10th streets. seine once
was hauled and fish taken with the
line as well. Watterson says that
shad. pike. herring. perch. etc. often