New-York tribune., 1914-11-22
Nearly 81, ,OO0Already Sub
sCribed for S. |. Civic
League Campaign.
PROGRAMME OF
ACTIVITY DESCRIBED
Project to ReOrganize and Cen
tralize Postoffice
System.

The recent announcement Of the pro-
grammc and aim Of the Staten Island
Civic League for 1915 has brought an
immediate response from its members
and the community generally. Secre-
tary NJ. X. Nash announced at n meet
ing of the general and womcn's com
mittees of the league on Tuesday nlght
that nearly $1,000 had already been
subscribed. almost before the campaign
for funds had begun in earnest.
Mark Wiseman, executive secretary
Of the Civic League, said yesterday that
the people of Richmond were respond
inc TO tho "wake-up" movement IN a
way that surprised the members OF the
executive committee. some OF whom
were at first a little doubtful as to
whether the citizens realized what the
Civic League had done and was capable
Of doing.
"What Staten Island needed" said
Mr.. Wiseman, "was a real local issue.
The plan to reorganize and centralize
the postoilice system has given them
that issue. The people feel now that
the Civic League is going TO put across
Il proicct that will benefit every man
and woman i'm the borough. They have
Leen complaining for years about poor
postal service. but heretofore no or
ganization with the power and influence
TO eliminate the evils has ever taken
the matter up.
81 have lust had a letter from the
Postofrice Department az Washington
which has given us great encourage
meut. The policy of the department Is
decidedly progressive. 10 has been
hampered for some time by several con
ficting laws. but If the bill which has
already been passed by the House ana
has been referred 20 the Senate ls
PASSED these will be repealed. This oul
provides that tho Postmaster General
may establish branch offices. stations,
etc. for the transaction OF such postal
business as may be required for the
convenience Of the public. and that all
laws i'm conflict with this regulation De
repealed.
"In his letter +. L. Frazier. acting
First Assistant Postmaster General
said chat the enactment of this pro-
vision would give the department the
authority needed for the proper organ
izauon of the postal service on staten
Island
"Thc work preliminary 20 the pro
mitigation of a scientific city plan Tot
Richmond is progressing encouraging
Is. Nr. McAneny, who rs chairman OF
the Board Of Estimates Committee ON
CITY Plan. last week referred me TO the
working force Of the committee FOR
advice and guidance. Secretary Robert
II. Whitten said he would be more than
clad TO cooperate with us, and we are
now examining the work done m other
cities 10 find out just what steps are
Immediately necessary. ..
"Thc planning of Richmond VIII be "a
most interesting problem TO tackle
Within its borders are forty-two dis
tinct centres of population. Before
consolidation i'm the greater city these
places were all independent towns and
villages. With the exception OF a. few
small ones in the interior Of the island
they are scattered around the water
front. and the tendency has been with
i'm the last decade for their residents
TO depend upon the magnan.mity OF the
Board of Estimate for dcveiopmenI
The stimulus provided by the organi-
yation of the Civic League mas begun
10 change this attitude, and they are
berinninc to feel now that it is time
to do some real independent work.