Evening star., 1933-12-21
CITIZEN GROUPS y
PRAISED BY HAzEN
Source Of Needed Informa'
ton, Commissioner Tells
Southwest Meeting.

Lauding the work of various citizens
associations. Commissioner Melvin G.
Hazen, speaking before the Southwest
Citizens Association last night in the
Fairbrother School, at Tenth and E
streets southwest, declared that "only
through such organizations can the
Commissioners learn of your troubles"
The meeting. which was a celebration
Of Homecoming night" in honor of
Mr.. Hazen and Judge Robert Mattingly,
both former residents of the Southwest
section, was also featured by talks by
Judge Mattingly and Maj. Ernest w.
Brown, superintendent of police.
"A citizens association Is in q much
better position said Mr.. Hazen, ITO
know what is actually going on in its
territory than we could possibly be-
Mr.. Hazen said further: II am GER
tain that we have as good a city gov
ernment as any in the country, but to
Keep good government requires public
ofncials to be informed of the wishes Of
the public"
The Commissioner paid a high
tribute to the services rendered by the
departments Of the District govern
ment. He also praised very highly the
Civil Works Administration, pointing
out that through it 10000 persons In
the District have been put to work. He
listed numerous street and alley i'm
provements which are being made, or
soon to be started, in the Southwest
section, made possible through civil
works funds.
Honest Service Promised.
In concluding, Mr.. Hazen told the
members: Whatever we do in our term
of offce-and feel can speak for the
whole board as well as for myself-we
Will do honestly and to the best of our
ability"
"reminiscences of South Washing
ton" was the subject Of a talk by Judge
Robert Mattingly, who spoke as one Of
the Oldest residents Of the Southwest
area.
My first impression of the Island"
said Judge Mattingly, dates back to
the streets Of mud, and COWS roaming
over them
The earliest and most regular visitor
to our home on street, between
Four-an-a-half and Sixth streets, was
The Evening Star, and my grandfather,
George Mattingly, and my father were
undoubtedly among the first subscribers
OF The Star. In~my grandfather's old
age my father had to read The Star
to him each evening"
Recalling some of the oldest land
marks OF the Southwest area, he pointed
out the old jefferson School, which
still stands, at Sixth and Virginia ave-
nue.. Another landmark is the old two
story building on the southeast corner
Of Sixth and E streets, the first fourth
police precinct"
Scenes Hard to Forget.
Possibly the most amusing of old
acquaintances of my childhood was a
Negro minstrel known as Black Joe, a
giant in stature. who strolled around in
the evening singing old Southern melo-
dies. And who can forget the old
Hokey Pokey ice-cream vendors, Bueh-
ler's Confectionery opposite Jefferson
School, the numerous huckSterS on the
streets, and the root-beer waponsp"
In concluding his "Reminiscences he
said: The greatest improvements in the
Island since my youth Is found in the
removal Of all grade crossings, in the
submersion of the railroad tracks, and
Improvement along the wharves and
river front"
In a short talk to the association,
Maj. Brown announced that Number 4
Precinct would be reopened January /,
at 8 am. establishment of the
precinct came as a result of protests
by citizens of Southwest washington,
who claim that the present fourth pre-
cinct station at Fifth and Z streets
southeast is too far removed from their
section. Members are planning to the
attended opening New Year morning.
Seven members were admitted to the
association. They are: Harry Wender,
B. Kliban. Thomas j. Kelley, Joseph ".
Heany, William .Willers, S. w. Gordon
and Alvin Morganstein.
The musical part of the program was
furnished by Miss Jean Bishop, who
sang two solos. Immediately following
the meeting refreshments were served.