Evening star., 1923-03-22
SEEK UNITED FRONT
FOR SCHOOL FIGHT
Citizens Start Formation of
Central Body to Push
Campaign.

Determined to present a united front
of citizenry in the efforts to obtain
from the next Congress the pressing
school needs Of Washington. repre-
sentatives of civic bodies met at the
Franklin School, last night and ef-
fected the tentative organization of
a citizens central committee <of
schools"
John S. Beach of the Park View
Citizens Association. who presided as
temporary chairman, emphasized that
the new organization should serve
two purposes, first, as a clearing
hcIse for bringing the lis civic bodies
ond, as the single authoritative mouth
piece to express the concerted opin-
ion of the citizens to Congress.
Form Central Body.
The central committee is out
growth of the citizens committee of
five appointed during the last session
of Congress to seek justice for the
District in the appropriations for
schools. At that time it was recon-
| mended that a permanent citizens
central committee on schopl appro-
priatfons be formed. A steering COM
mittee appointed in that connection
resulted in the initiation last night
OF the steps preliminary to formation
of permanent body.
Final organization Of the commit :
tee will be completed at a meeting of
the delegates called for April in the
franklin School. A nominating COM
mittee named last night by Chairman
Beach was instructed to present a
slate of nominees for officers at that
may be elected and the work of the
committee started. Representatives
of eighty.one civic societies attended
last nights meeting.
! Schools Sole interest
Discussion as to the scope and
authority of the proposed committee
resulted in the adoption of a resolu-
tion setting forth that the commit
tees sole purpose be to work for
school betteEment. BY a vote of the
delegates the recommendation of the
steering committee that the new or
ganization have broader purpose
than merely to work for appropria-
tions was adopted. Chairman Beach
and several others pointed out that
at first the committee should, per-
maps, confine it's activities to seeking
school appropriations and If deemed
advisable later. extend it's work
toward a general plan Of school bet
| terment.
A. NJ Edwards Of the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association inter-
posed that the association which he
represented would object to other
bodles attempting to mix into purely
local matters that could be handled
by the community association, and
urged that the central committee
concern itself solely with policies and
appropriations of a broad, city wide
nature.
Would Demand Rights.
). T. Ansell Of the Force Parent
Teacher Association stressed the
point that the committee should not
be backward in standing up for the
rights of the city before Congress-
If The committee, he said, fails to
strike determined attitude and
adopt an aggressive, constructive
program 1t will constitute merely
"another organization in an already
overorganiZed city"
We must muster our forces CEN
trally," declared Mr.. Ansell. This or
ganization should speak for all the
citizens. We should not be afraid OF
iZation which thinks we may be in
croaching on it's field, but should go
forward resolutely in our efforts, un-
trammeled by timidity or entangling
policies"
julius Peyser of the Cook Home and
School Association advocated the
formulation of a complete plan for
going before Congress and urging ap-
propriations. He agreed with Mr.. An
sell that the new body should dc
something other than pass resolu-
tions.
"The papers are filled with pictures
of officers of organizations, who are
elected annually, but do nothing. he
stated.
The steering committee, which
brought in it's recommendations foI
a permanent body, was composed OF
Mrs. Laura G. Williams, chairman
Walter c. Balderson and U. ]. Dan.
iels.
The nominating committee was
named as follows: julius Peyser
chairman; Mrs. Joseph Sanders. Mrs
Julia West Hamilton. Sheridan Fer
rec and DR.. w. B. Bell.