Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-01
Citizens MEETING
ATTENDANCE URGED
Federation Delegate Outlines
Work Which Should Be Done
in Radio Talk.


zens' association meetings in order that
the interests of the District as a whole
may be forwarded was made late yes.
terday by Allan Fisher, a delegate to the
Federation of Citizens Associations. il
an address over radio Station WMAI,.
Some time ago during a conversation
relating to neighborhood citizens asso-
Citations" Fisher declared "a friend OF
mine remarked, You ask about the as
ISOLATION TO which I belong, do you
Wen, it exists; but that is all that 1 can
say for it,
You mean ventured, that it is
not actlve?'
Yes, certainly. You see. our neigh
borhood has every improvement that ii
desires, and since there is no longer
anything to fight about I. at least, don't
waste my time in attending association
meetings
"A short time after this incident 1
heard another person-one in public Of
fce--expresS the same sentiment re-
garding another association, adding, in
that instance, however, that efforts were
being made to restore with cultural pro-
grams a former large attendance.
Makes Personal Investigation.
BY this time my interest in this
matter was thoroughly aroused, and 1
began TO make certain inquiries. AS a
result OF that personal investigation l
soon learned that attendance at citi-
ZenS' association meetings decreases ma
terially If the particular section requires
no immediate improvement or if there
is no urgent need of defending some
property interest. accordingly reached
the conclusion that many of these as
soclatlons are being used almost ex-
cluslyely as sounding boards for radi-
atlng nelghborhood grievances and that
problems affecting the District of Co.
Iumbia at large tend to be neglected.
without question, first place should
De given to the consideration of neigh
oornood needs when they exist, but
after they have all been satisfied. or
when for certain reasons these matters
are unavoldably held in allegiance, then
an association has ample opportunity to
dlrect Its attention to public affairs of
wider scope. What l desire to make
clear is that at present this thing is not
generally being done, despite the fact
tnat the constitutions of many local
citizens associations doubtless contain
a provision to the effect that the objects
OF the association shall be to promote
the interests of that part of the District
OF Columbia lying within certain defined
territory as well as the interests of the
District of Columbia. This latter pur-
pose, however. appears to be overlooked
or ignored. In either event the effect
upon the particular association is harm
full. -
In short. meetings have degenerated
INTO formality. In the meantime, con-
templated projects affecting the entire
District, like sore thumbs, await atten-
tlon-matters, let us say. relating to
Wash1ngton'S Fire or Police Denart-
ment, traffic regulations, public schools
their personnel and equipment). spe-
cial assessment laws; perhaps. also. con-
templated public utility mergers, and so
on NO expression of opinion regarding
these important local affairs, however.
comes from the bulk of the associations
membership for the reason that a large
proportion of the members by their ab-
sence have made composite judgment
nj that character impracticable.
Officials Not MisIed.
:, In time, the association falls under
the control of a very small active eroun
nos necessarily with designing motives in
view, put with the intention of seeing
70 y tnat the organization at least os-
teLSlply functions. On irregular occa-
slons this minority group. using the
name OF the association, goes on record
q iaVorlng or opposing a program af-
1ectlng the whole District, and the as
soclatlon, as SUCH does. indeed Obtain
recognltlon to that effect in the public
press: put obviously the opinion of the
association has not in the proper sense
ueen expressed. However, persons. like
ouI own district officials, whose task it
- 10 keep IN touch with the real trend
OF PUBLIC opinion, are not misled. They
Watcn Tor the decisions of the strong
active civic units
observe, Furthermore. the effect unor
neighborhood needs when reouesfed hv
an association that has succun1bed to
control. Its rep sentative viii
1uIy visit the proper District authority
and make known the associations de-
sne' say. 1or playground. better light
ing along certain streets or the closing
d public alley. During the confer.
Tnce Mr. Public Official may ask, Mr..
6lank, now many persons compose the
membership OF your association
rive hundred Mr.. Blank may
Indeed; and how many members
we're present at the meeting that de-
me about?' 'e
Right there Mr.. Blank begins IN
neoge. 'Well-ah,' he responds. there
we're not so many present at that meet
ng-aoout 40, should say-but let me
assure you, sir, that my ASSOCIATION is
sTong organization, etc, etc.
Mr.. Public Official smiles indulgentIv.
promises consideration, and the inter-
new Is over. He has probably already
mace up MS mind that the request does
loC represent the desire of the bulk of
ne ASSOCIATION members, with the re-
SUIT that the requested improvement is
1ot supplied nor is the Objectionable |
'onultlon removed. There is nothing
startling about that sort of reaction
inder these circumstances. Government |
lonlnlstrators cannot properly recon- 1
mend the ALLEGATION of public funds !
very time few persons in a particu-
ar Sectlon OF the city are struck with |
disturbed frame of mind. They must /
know-that the resi-
lents OF that locality, in its organized |
'apaclty as neighborhood citizens as
ISOLATION. demand the reournd rr-S
ma stand ready, if necessary, to cause
considerable annoyance if that request |
mould not be satisfied"
Have Two Major Detectives.
How best may improved conditions
,e Drought about? In the first place
here must be widespread recognition Of |
ne fact that neighborhood citizens as
oclatlons have two major detectives.
namely to look after the problems of
heir own immediate section and to give
loequate consideration to those of a /
character. Neither objective
Iostered by a policy of remaining at
home and merely contemplating it from
he serenity of a comfortable Armchair
On the contrary these detectives cali
or vigorous, affirmative action in public
assembly.
In the second place, there must be
recognition on the part of each citizen
hat he is vital factor in creating and
holding public opinion. He shoIiid
ealize the need of transmitting his
'PIIilon through some organized body
Wiling to lend him its support,
Furthermore, the presidents of neiob-