Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-08
The Citizens Associations

Washington's citizens, barred from
participation in the national election:
and from representation in the legis.
lative body that makes their laws, as.
seSses their taxes and controls the ex.
penditures of their funds for municipa
purposes, are still participating in som.
measure of activity in their own behalt
as residents and home owners. They
do this through the medium of the as.
sociationS that have been formed coy.
ering the entire District and that pro-
vide forums of discussion and agencies
for the exertion of public opinion, TO.
the guidance of the Commissioners and
indirectly Of Congress itself These
| citizens associations, which have grown
from small beginnings, now embrace
the whole territory of the capital and
include in their membership many
thousands of people, men and women.
They are doing good work. They are
stronger in numbers than ever before,
and are steadily increasing in influence.
1t is the duty of all the residents OF
the District to join and be active in
the work of these associations, not
merely to attend meetings but to take
direct part in the programs adopted for
discussion and action. Just at present
the associations are starting on the sea-
sons work, laying out their lines of in
quiry and debate, considering the par
ticular projects that are to be studied,
and, if approved, advanced. Their
membership committees are engaged in
drives" for members, seeking to enroll
those who have thus far failed to join
AS consequence of this endeavor sew
eral thousand newcomers will be added
to the rolls before Congress assemblies
and the result will be an increase III
the influence and the effectiveness of
the organizations.
There are two lines along which the
citizens associations can and should
proceed. to the end of gaining better
ments for their immediate areas and to
the end Of advancing worthy projects
and propositions for the good of the
District as a whole. Originally it was
the purpose of these bodies to care par
ticularly for the needs of their imme-
date areas. In time they came to
broaden their scope of action. and, while
not renting in their endeavors to OBJ
tain Immediately beneficial develop
mentS, to engage in District-wide en-
deavors. On that wholesome basis they
are now proceeding, and while at times
their strictly local interests occupy
them primarily, they are always factor
in the formulation of policies and the
expression of public opinion on ques-
lions of general importance to the Cap
ital as a whole.
To the extent that the membership
Of the associations is inclusive, they are
influential at both the District Build
ing and the Capitol. Through the Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Associations they
now operate effectively on general mat
tiers, and the influence Of this body has
been definitely recognized and has In
the past been decidedly factor In the
arrangement of improvement programs
and the direction Of economic policies.
To the extent that the associations are
comprised Of representative member
ships, numerically and in point Of ac-
tivity, the federation in turn becomes a
force for the good Of the District
through the formulation and effective
direction Of q sound and clearly defined
public sentiment.
It is to be hoped that In point Of
numbers Of members, in the matter of
the selection Of subjects for considera-
ton and in that Of full and well direct
ed debate and Of distinct action the Dis
trict's citizens associations this coming
season will function beyond the point
Of highest efficiency of the past and
thus make q new mark Of citizenship
participation for this community.