The Washington herald., 1922-01-08
MERGER OF RIVAL
CAMPS BIG HELP
TO COMMUNITY
Associations Unite and
By Concerted Effort
Achieve Much.
JOURNAL is ISSUED
Two Years Battle Does Much
To Improve Chevy
Chase Section.
JOURNAL is ISSUED
By Mary M'Duffe Hampton.

5y Mary MDufhe Hampton.
The Chevy Chase Citizens Asso-
citation is very much like the pro-
verbal mustard seed. 1t began
with the smallest possible unit, and
has grown into one of the largest
and most active associations OF
Washington. Its rapid growth was
as phenomenal as its beginning was
small The association Is only two
years old.
This needs explanation, for there
are many citizens Of Chevy Chase
who recall having attended citizens
association meetings for well over
ten years, indeed To conquer their
doubts IL must be said that the or
ganisation as IL stands now IL .
different thing. While II Is a con-
unuance Of that old organization in
one respect, 1t on the whole is a
new two-year-old association.
More than ten years ago when
that suburb was not half as popu-
lated as II Is now. a few citizens
living in hve blocks just south of
Chevy Chase Circle were impelled
by the usual motive for forming an
oFganizstion-the attempt for uni
fed appeal and effort in achieving
pavements, lighting and other such
necessities always absent and al
ways hard-won In newly-settled re-
Kions. And this little handful OF
men called their group the Citizens
Association of Chevy Chase, d. C.
Rival Grssps Formed.
In the meantime the inhabitants
Of the section just across Connecti-
cut avenue also t.gan to feel the
need of pavements, lights and sew.
erage. AMI realized the futility OF
Individual effort They sought to
Join the little association, but for
some obscure reason now buried in
the past, were rejected. They then
banded together into a rival or
sanitation. taking the name of the
Connecticut Avenue Citizens Asso-
ciation-
These two organizations grew
rapidly meantime and both extend
ed their territory. The Chevy
Chase Association added to its orig
insl ave blocks all OF the territory
east Of Connecticut avenue and up
to the Maryland line. while the
other organization extended its
scope south to the present Connec-
ticut avenue bridge. But II soon
became apparent that a land d.
vided against itself cannot stand.
Almost every question which arose
In that community was found to
concern both associations equally.
And. therefore, all steps were con-
stantly delayed by preliminary
truces and treaties of cooperation.
Two Camps Merged.
There was one man in Chevy
Chase at that time who saw the
weakness of these rival camps, and
looking beyond petty animosities
toward the good Of the entire COM
munity, determined to combine the
two into a strong and united Chevy
Chase. He finally gained the con-
sent of the two organizations for
a joint meeting of ten representa-
tives each to discuss the possibil-
tiles Of amalgamation. On Feb
ruary 25. 1920, these delegates met
at Mr.. Lincoln's home. They came
TO immediate agreement and at
that meeting agreed TO unite forces.
Their new territory was mapped
out. 1t included all Of the old
Chevy Chase Association and as far
south as Albemarle street. The
new constitution was drawn up and
complete arrangements made for
the unification of Chevy Chase civic
organizations.
February. 1920. was a momentous
date for the association of Chevy
chase for another reason. That
was the birthday of its local civic
paper which began its career exact
ly parallel to the new organization,
and under the energetic Fred s.
Lincoln. A little paper to record
local news and handle all civic
matters, in other words, to be the
recognized organ OF the Citizens
Association, was proposed by Mr..
Lincoln. and the proposition was
accompanied on his part by an offer
TO assume complete responsibility.
Has Circulation of 5000.
In April the hrst issue appeared
proudly bearing the name the
Chevy Chase News In its initial
address il said for itself: This
publication is to be issued monthly.
Its purpose is TO weld more closely
the community spirit, and to this
end it is TO be aelivered gratis to
every resident in Chevy Chase"
The little paper has nobiy lived
up to every word of its declaration,
and today has a circulation of over
5000, being read by every citizen of
Chevy Chase. 1t Is wholly due to
the efforts Of Mr.. Lincoln. who from