The Washington times., 1917-03-27
.MID-CITY CIVILIANS
AID GARDEN CAUSE
President Of Association Cult
Yates Eight Otherwise Vacant
Lots to Help. movement.

Impetus was given the backyard
gardening movement In fwashington
last night when A J. Driscoll, presi-
dent of the Mid-City Citizens Associa-
tion made a report on accomplish
ments Of that organization toward
converting vacant property into pro-
ductive truck farms.
President Driscoll, the first man IN
Washington to adopt the suggestion
made by the Department OF Agricul-
ture that baclxyards be utilized as
gardens. said eight lots-fve or six
acres-had been turned over to him
for cultivation.
The property at the disposal OF
Mr.. DriscoIl for farming was turned
over to him by real estate agents and
other members OF the Mid-city citi-
zens' Association.
The lots are at 2042 Georgia avenue,
1928 Twelfth street northwest, 2324
Georgia avenue, 1921 NJ street north
west, adjacent to o13 v street north
west, adjacent to 1889 California ave
nue. northwest and adjacent to 2214
Ninth street northwest. Driscoll also
viii farm his own backyard at 1919
II street northwest
-Four Lots Cultivated.
Mr.. Driscoll reported that four Of
these lots are under cultivation
cleared, fenced, plowed, and fertfl-
lied. The four lots. are at 2o47
Georgia avenue, 1925 Twelfth street
northwest, 1921 N street northwest
and 1919 n street northwest.
The plots have already been turn
ed over to men with practical farm
ing experience, pledged to stay on
the job. Mr.. Driscol donated the
seed to sow the Georgia avenue prop
erty. and the MId-city citizens' AS
ISOLATION contributed the seed for the
Twelfth street lot
Members OF the association wers
enthusiastic over the success which
had crowned Mr.. Driscolls efforts as
pioneer In the backyard gardening
movement. Pledges of four or five
additional lots were given by real
estate agents.
II Is the purpose OF the Mid-City
Citizens' Association to cooperate
with every organization and indIvid.
ual In Washington In the movement,
but the property within the terrftor-
lal limits OF the organization will be
handled by residents of that district.
with the aid OF the home and school
associations and officials OF the De-
partment of Agriculture.
]. z. Bouisseau, publicity manager
Of the Chesapeake and Potomac Tele-
phone Company, delivered an address
before the association on the Lewis
bill providing for Government own
ership OF telephones in the District
He reviewed the development and ex-
tension Of the telephone industry if
this country as compared with that
In Europe.
Congressman Lewis addressed the
association In January. Mr.. Bouisseau
q large number of questions
which attested the interest Of the citI-
'ens and indicated that they had given
he Lewis bin careful and earnest con-
Declares UnwaverinS Loyalty.
Resolutions declaring unwavering 10y
Ilty to President Wilson in this hour
II crisis" were unanimously adopted
Members Of the association. 10 per cent
If whom are Of German extraction.
roted by rising and remaining erect .
'ull minute to assert their patriotism
The resolutions said the association
wished to 90 on record as supporting :
without exception every act Of the Pres
dent In the present international crisis"
Because OF the existing situation. both
and local. the association
agreed to defer the Seventh street car.
rival. planned for May L. The car
iival committee. OF which Joseph Ber.
,erich Is chairman. reported q post
,onement was advisable.
President DriscoIl said today that
Z the situation changed for the bet
er q date would be fixed for q car
lival.
A report was made by President
0riscoll on Congressional legislation
affecting the District He said Con-
,ress should be thankful for appro-
,riations for q new bathing beach
md hospital
A letter from the District Commits
ioners requesting the association to
designate desired improvements was
cad and referred
President Driscoll called attention
o the fact that George Coleman, Of
Boston, will speak at the Central
Iigh School Sunday afternoon and
Irged members of the association to
ttend.