Evening star., 1916-01-01
CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS.

The year just ended was one of
conservative growth and developme mt
for citizens associations throughout
the District. Not only did the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations carry for
house" for the individual associations
of the city. but the separate associa-
tions themselves spent profita Bile
months working for the benefit of their
different localities. Those acquainted
with the associations for many years
have expressed the opinion that dur
ing the year 1915 more interest was
taken generally in association work
than was manifest during the year
1914. pointing to the increased attend
ance during the year just closed over
1914 in practically ever association in
the District.
Notable among the accomplishments
of Washington's civic organizations
was the 7th street paving, secured
largely through the efforts Of the Mid
city Citizens Association, composed
largely of merchants along that thor
oughfare. At the completion of the
paving IN the fail parade was held,
which was witnessed by perhaps the
largest concourse of people which ever
crowded the streets of the city for
any other demonstration other than an
inauguration.
New Lighting System.
Another notable event was the cele-
oratlon by the East Washington Citi-
zens' Association September l of the
new street lighting system on Penn
sylvania avenue in that section Fol-
lowing parade, the old lights being
used for the trip up the Avenue and the
new lights being flashed on for the trip
back, the citizens held formal celebra :
ton, at which the District Commits
sioners and other prominent men de-
livered addresses.
In the interest of civic spirit the
Mount Pleasant Association held a
series of "pleasantries," to which the
residents of Mount Pleasant gener-
ally were invited. On June Il the asso-
citation held community picnic at the
18th street reservoir
The first few months of the year saw
practically all the associations of the
city contributing sums of money to-
ward the work of the citizens commit
Tee winch investigated the fiscal rela-
tions of the District of Columbia and
the government of the United States
To join the Federation of Citizens AS
sociations, or not to join, that was the
question which bothered the Columbia
Heights Association during the year.
This influential association finally re-
fused to affiliate with the federation.
Early in December the federation ap-
proved prohibition for the District,
after it had been approved by MANY
associations and disapproved by sew
eral.
Numerous Interests.
The interests of the various associa-
tions were numerous. The Takoma
Park Association favored placing a
ban on weapons in the District; the
East Washington Association contin-
ued it's efforts to secure the site for
the new Eastern High School; the Pi-
ney Branch Association indorsed "neu-
trality"; the Columbia Heights Asso-
citation indorsed pensions for firemen,
and celebrated in June the twenty
first anniversary of its birth: various
associations indorsed the "half-and =
half plan for the finances of the Dis
trict: garden contests were conducted
by many associations: the Cleanup
campaign in the spring was aided by
practically all, and flies received many
knock -out blow from work done by
members of various associations: and
in the fall every association sent to the
Commissioners its requests for i'm
provements desired for the coming
year.
Among the new associations form ed
were the Benning Citizens Association,
and another association in the south
west. The Cathedral Heights Associa- :
ton was reorganized.