Evening star., 1923-05-11
10TH STREET HIGHLANDS CIVIC
BODY HAS ACHIEVED NOTABLE
AIMS IN FOUR YEARS OF WORK
More Schools, Higher
Pay for Teachers
Among Objects.

Four years ago this month the Six
teenth Street Highlands Citizens AS
sociation became an active repre-
sentative of one of washjngtons
fairest subdivisions. By conscien-
tious endeavor the association today
holds record of many constructive
achievements, and its members
proudly affirm that it stands for
boosts, not knocks.
The associations fourth and pres
ent president r. r. WoodSon. one
of the charter members of the or
ganization, has served as an officer In
one capacity or another with each
administration of the association, is
desirous of further usefulness to the
community and the city as we'll. A
summary of the viewpoint he has ac-
quired through his own experience
and as the result of discussions held
with various representative citizens
throughout the city Is herewith dis
closed:
1T may or may not be significant
that only about 10 per cent of the
citizens in the District of Columbia
are members of the various citizens
associations, but l am imbued with
the idea that the effectiveness of this
form of activity depends inevitably
upon Il reasonably complete repre-
sentation by the organization or or
EaniZationS that undertake to speak
for the citizens.
Method Democratic.
TT is the general practice for each
citizens association to have a
monthly meeting, to which all MEM
bers are invited and in which all
members are urged to participate
This is a very democratic method and
IS intended TO foster utterance to the
views OF those concerned. Whether
1t is necessary or desirable to bring
the citizens together in small groups
once a month for discussion of vari-
Gus matters may be subject to some
difference of opinion.
Prom time to time, subjects come
up that are of interest and concern
TO citizens in the District generally,
and that require, or should have, in
tensive, comprehensive study upon
conclusions. Under the existing order
of things these studies are made by
people who are busy and are able TO
devote only incidental time to this
phase of the work.
My suggestion is that the people
of the District of Columbia institute
a bureau or organization maintained
by the taxpayers in the District of
Columbia. entirely independent OF the
government, to make studies and
gather data on every subject in any
way dltCllHS lne interests OF the
people in the District. Such an or
ganization could be administered by
a board of directors elected by the
taxpayers. and the relation of the
be analogous to that of stockholders
in corporation. The suggested or
ganization would employ specialists
to gather the necessary data from
people Of the necessary caliber
to represent the taxpayers, where
necessary. and would have available
the appropriate facilities for keeping
the taxpayers informed of the sub
jects affecting their interests. The
cost of maintaining and operating
such an organization should run
something less than per cent of the
taxes now paid by the taxpayers In
the District of Columbia.
Not New Suggestion.
There is nothing new or novel
In this suggestion, as there is such
an organization in Arizona, repre-
senting the taxpayers of that state.
and there Is another such organiza-
tipn in New Mexico. representing the
taxpayers of that state. The results
accomplished by the taxpayers or
ganiZations mentioned have been very
remarkable and worthy of CONNIE nda-
tion, but the plan, successful as II
has been in those states. Is much
more adaptable to the conditions IN
the District of Columbia. and prob
ably would prove even more success
full here"
officers of the association besides
Mr.. Woodson are John ID. Rhodes,
first vice president; Jesse Benjamin.
second vice president; George Z.
Shoemaker, secretary, and f. l.. Bur
ton, treasurer. The association has
q membership of 800. an unusually
complete representation in view of
the somewhat restricted boundaries.
and that the section Is newly developed.
The association was organized
March %, 1919, and held its first reg
ular meeting April II. 1919. at the
Sixth Presbyterian Church. Kennedy
street near 10th. where all subse-
quent meetings have been held.
At the time of organization the
limits of the association were defined
as follows: Beginning at the corner
of 14th and Gailatin streets, thence
north on 14th street to Colorado ave-
nue., theme northeast on Colorado ave-
nue. to Montague street. thence west
on Montague street TO 14th street,
thence north on 14th sreet to the
Military road, thence west on the
Military road to Rock Creek Park,
thence south to Gallatin street, thence
east on Gallitin street to place of