Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-18
CITIZENS ATTACK
coming CHANGE
Federation Hits Amendment
Giving Power to District
Commissioners.
Continued From First Paae.l

mission transfer its own functions to
the District Commissioners.
I'VE think as a protection to the
public" Quinn said, that the Zoning
Commission should pass on the prop
osition and only after . unanimous
vote"
It was far better for the public in
terests II the taxpayers Of the District
would have to pay 5000 or $4,000
more for fire engine house site, Quinn
contended. than to have the house 10
Gated in some neighborhood where it
would decrease the value Of property
and result in an injury to a residence.
In connection with the recent con-
troversy over the House of Detention,
Quinn cited also the attitude Of the
District commissioners with respect to
the proposed playground In Cleveland
Park. He declared the Commissioners
in this case as in others diSregarded
public opinions.
Public Hearing MinimiEed.
Mr.. Quinn characterized the proposal
Of public hearing by the Commissioners,
as sop to the public" and ridiculed
the idea that the Commissioners in au-
thoriZing money for the purchase Of
fire engine site would pay any heed to
a protest from citizens.
Quinn declared that it Is improper
that the District Commissioners should
be the final judges Of the necessity in
each case. The Zoning Commission
itself. he contended, should pass upon
each case separately, which would per-
init Col. U. S. Grant, Sd. director of
the once Of Public Buildings and Pub
lie Parks. and David Lynn, architect of
the Capitol, to exercise the veto power.
These men, he added had the welfare
Of the community at heart.
President Havenner OF the Federation
Of Citizens Associations was the first
protestant against the amendment. He
said that the federation ct its day meet
ing had unanimously voted against the
amendment as phrased. He protested
particularly against the location of fire
engine houses in residential sections
without full hearing in advance.
Cites an Experience.
Mr.. Havenner cited an experience of
his own as a property owner some years
ago. He declared his residence was
next to q pumping station and the vi
brations from the engines caused the
ceilings in his house to fall. He cited
this merely as an example, he said, Of
what might occur II public wishes were
ignored.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Quinn's pro-
test. Engineer Commissioner Ladue,
chairman of the Zoning Commission,
requested him to submit his counter
proposal in writing. He expressed him
self as impressed with the proposal for
Unanimous hNy hn kor ~ kNn
loning Commission as contrasted with
the proposition in the original
The coming Commission had before it
today 80 proposed changes in coming
which are likely to keep the commission
in session all day. No. 10 provides
changing both sides of Calvert street
from Eighteenth street to Twentieth
street to commercial zone. This pro-
posal has been before the commission
repeatedly on former occasions.
Rhode Island Avenue Plea.
The commission heard for the third
time to-day the application Of property
owners on both sides of Rhode Island
avenue from Fourteenth street to Iowa
Circle to have their property changed
from residential to commercial zone.
Twice before the commission has turned
down the proposal.
/, Vincent L. Toomey, attorney for the
property owners, said all were in favor
of the change since there was a great
demand on the part of automobile
concerns to locate on Rhode Island
avenue.
The commission recessed Just before
reaching the application involving CAL
vert street, which will require consid-
cradle time owing to the controversy
involved.