Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-08
RIVAL TONGS PLAN
TO SEPARATE ON
LEAVING AVENUE
On Leongs Hope to Build New
Headquarters in North.
western Area.
HIP SINGS MAY SEEK
Different LOCATION
Government Projects, Forcing Evac-
uation of Pennsylvania, Likely
to Divide Chinese.

The On Leongs and Hip Sings, who
have dwelt in sort.of quasi-amity on
lower Pennsylvania avenue for some
thing like two score years, likely will
go their separate ways, locating in
different sections of the Capital.
This development is coming as the
result of the forced evacuation of
Chinatown. due to the prospective
establishment of the Government and
municipal building program on the site
now occupied by the row of Chinese
business houses on Pennsylvania avenue
between Third street and John Marshall
place.
Leaders of the On Icons, reputedly
the Weather association, have site
in prospect in the northwest section, 1t
is understood, but the location is being
withheld to avoid any boost in the price
asked. There they hope to erect a
headquarters building similar to the
100000 structure where the leaders OF
forth. There too, their business houses
again will spring up.
"Skeptics" Air Views.
It was said by members of the Hip
Sing organization that they have not
yet made any definite move in the
matter of selecting site for their future
headquarters and merchandise houses.
While members both OF the On Leongs
and Hip Sings have expressed a desire
for a location far remote from each
other there are skeptics.
when the time comes TO make
move" said one of the merchants, L
think all will be found in the same
neighborhood."
In addition to the headquarters of
the two organizations. stores and
laundrieS, it was pointed out that &C
commodations will have to be provided
of opposing forces being connected
with the fraternal organization.
While officers of the On LeongS, hold
ing conferences and discussing the loca-
ton of future home for their organ
ization, are looking forward to the erec-
ton of a building here similar to the
structure in Chicago, the local men,
bership is not sufficiently large to en-
able the construction Of so costly a
building as that one. George Wen. one
of the leaders of the On Leongs, ex-
planned.
Start Held ProblematicaL
He said that the big structure in
Chicago is used exclusively by Chinese,
there being no sleeping quarters in It..
The ground floor is occupied by mer-
chants. while on the upper floor is the
large auditorium. Then there are rooms
for conferences and Others in which
Chinese schools are conducted.
Just when preparations for the con-
struction Of such a building in this city
will be started and completed is prob
fematical, but officers of the local
branch Of the On Leongs, of which
Sing Shue is president, feels certain
it will be accomplished in the near
future.
1t has been the hope of Sing Shue.
George Wen. Charlie 500, Charlie Moy
and others of the On Leongs, to have
such building in readiness for the an
nual meeting of the organization, to be
held in this city next Spring. They
however. but may have large building
more suitable for the entertainment of
the delegates than their present struc-
ture.
Older residents of the city are able
to recall the doings in Chinatown every
Fourth Of July, until the adoption of
the safe and sane method of celebrat-
ing Independence day. the Chinese
spending hundreds of dollars on such
occasions to give the people pyro-
technic display well worth viewing.
First Tong Disputes Recalled.
They also recall the Tong difficulties
that occurred from time to time the
past IS or more years. It is said the
first Tong difficulty occurred about 80
years ago, when there were several
Chinese places on the then Four-and-
one-half street, between Pennsylvania
and Missouri avenues. some laundries,
merchandise establishments and Chi
nese restaurants.
The first Tong trouble members of
the police force were able to recall oc-
Cured about 80 years ago, when All
Sing, a dimunitive Chinese, who lived
with his wife and children on Four-and
one-half street, just south of Pennsyl-
vania avenue, was selected as pros
pective victim of Chinese gunner be-
cause he cut the laundry rate.
Difficulty between opposing factions
of the Chinese lasted a number of days
and ended in the shooting of All
Sing. He was shot in the leg, however
and when he had fully recovered from
the wound, he entertained numerous
American friends at Chinese dinner
served in Four-and-a-Half street res
taurant.
All Sing later took his family to
Philadelphia.
The latest national trouble had no
echoes here, and local leaders called
before u. S. Attorney Rover yesterday
afternoon said that the peace pact
signed earlier in the day in New York
would guarantee peace in the Capital.