Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-16
Street Railsoay Merger,
Ne,c Schools, $3.50 Tax
PLar, Among Objectives.
CLAYTON A LEADER
IN FORMING BODY
NeighbOrhOOd Or CUP .
Feared Joint Program,
Would Be Harmful.

with an enviable record Of pas
| accomplishments the Federation, OF
Citizens Associations enters upon its
thirteenth year prepared to advocate
| before Congress a number OF legis.
lative matters OF vital interest to
| the community.
Here Is the ambitious program
| which Charles A. Baker, president
| believes the federation should sci
out to accomplish:
National representation In Congress
and in the electoral college for the
$4,000 disfranchised residents OF
Washington.
Favors $3.50 System.
Retention of the time-honored GUS
tom OF the federal government in
| the annual cost of maintaining the
city. The federation favors the half.
and half plan, but, whatever the pro-
portion. the organization believes II
should be definite.
legislation to bring about g
panies.
Liberal appropriations for scho
| buildings until there are ADEQUATE
classroom accommodations for every
child.
These are not all Of the goals to.
ing, but they are the most importan,
ores in the opinion Of President
Baker
II Unique Organization.
Aside from its aims and accom-
pllShments, the Federation OF Citi-
zens' Associations IS in itself q UNIQUE
organization. from national as we'll
as a local standpoint.
While non-political associations OF
citizens are not unheard of in other
American cities, they assume an un.
usual Importance in the life of Wash
ington for the reason that govern
ment OF the National CAPITAL is vest ed
In Congress and the people must pc
tftion through neighborhood organi-
cations for their new streets lamp
posts and all the other improvements
Prior to 1910 there were approx
matelv twenty-five neighborhood cit
liens associations In the District,
each working independently for its
particular locality.
The civic leaders in these organiza-
tons had for a number Of years felt
the need for central forum, sort
or town council. wherein Spokesman
from the various sections could sit
together and produce concerted ac-
ton.
The old question of state rights that
cropped up so often in the early his
tory of the United States arose
among the citizens associations when
federation was first discussed.
Feared for Rights.
Fear that central body might alb
sorb the prerogatives OF the neigh
borhood organization all Of which
had We'll defined community boun-
daries. checked some Of the early at
tempts to form a union of the cit
Finally. in the spring Of 1910. vii.
liam NICK. Clayton. still an active flg-
ure in the federation. prepared a
tentative plan for central clearing
house wherein all OF the associations
could unite in working for better
ments not confined to any one section.
ator GallfnGer of the Senate District
committee. Representative Smith, then
head OF the House District committee,
and the Commissioners at that time.
its doors as meeting place for the
new organization and more than
score OF neighborhood bodies sent
representatives.
Forty-One in Federation.
Out Of the twenty-six associations
then organised. eighteen ratified the
original constitution of the fedora
ton. As the federation has progress
ed in its task OF acting as senate"
for the city. new organizations have
come In. Today forty-one, or prac.
tically all of the citizens associations,
are members.
Mr.. Clayton was the first president
and served three terms Those who
served with him at the beginning
Eugene Thompson. secretary, and
William Nelson Cromwell, treasurer
Others who have led the federation
through its decade Of rapid growth
are: Daniel A.. Edwards. Edward F..
B. westlAke and MI Baker. All of
them had two terms, excepting Mr.
Westlake, who was given third
term.
At the outset the federation did not
work through committees. All mat
tiers that originated among the dele
gates were discussed, referred to the
affiliated associations for action and
then returned to the federation to be
advocated to Congress-.
Asked Utilities Body.
The first big task undertaken by
the federation was to further the
passage of the act creating the Pub
lie Utilities Commission In this Mr..
Clayton took an active part and has
since represented the federation in all
matters before the commission.
The federation was instrumental in
having crossing policemen given all
the benefits OF regular patrolmen and
also labored arduously for the two
platoon system for the fire depart.
ment. Formerly fremen remained on
duty twenty-four hours q day, with
one day off in five. Now they alter
nate weekly on day work and night
work.
Soon after the Utilities Commission
was created the federation began its
fight for universal free transfers be-
tween the street railway lines.
Won Wage Increase.
This central body of citizens was
largely responsible for an increase in
wages granted a few years ago to the
street cleaners OF the city. The dele
gates have In the past two years ad-
vocated an increase in the salaries
of the clerical force in the District
building.
Although working for a merger Of
the car Companies, the federation has
opposed legislation intended to allow
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company to consolidate with the Po-
tomac Electric Power Company be-
fore merging with the Capital Trac-
tim Comnapv Tho fadorot{or ~.