Evening star., 1933-12-03
BUSY DAYS AHEAD
IN PRINCE GEORGES
Chamber of Commerce, With
Notable Record, Begins
Membership Drive.
BY a Stan Correspondent Of The Star.

tne dlnner meeting OF tne fTlnce
Georges Chamber Of Commerce Mon
day night in the Lord Calvert Inn at
College Park, members of the organiza-
tion are at work actively on plans for
future activities on scale broader than
that undertaken before the chamber
changed its name last month from the
Chamber Of Commerce Of Hyattsville.
An energetic membership campaign,
in which two teams are striving TO out
do each other. is in progress under the
Of the Membership Committee. In this
connection mayors and presidents OF
boards of town commissioners in the
area served by the chamber will be in
vited to attend another dinner meeting
TO be held January 29.
Organized in 1924.
Since its organization in the National
Guard Armory here December 8, 1924,
the chamber has been directly respon-
sible for or has taken an active part in
obtaining numerous public improve
ments and more favorable rates from
public utilities.
The organization was first known as
the HyattSv1lle Chamber Of Commerce,
but was renamed because so many of
the members lived outside the limits
Of Hyattsville. and because the improve
mentS sought by the group were often
for the county as well as the town.
One Of the early important projects
In which the chamber took a leading
part was in obtaining the extension of
Rhode Island avenue from the District
line at Mount Rainier to johnson ave-
nue.. Hyattsville, and elimination OF the
dangerous railroad grade crossing here,
which claimed many lives. The cham
Der centered its activities during its
first year largely on organizing the sue
cessful campaign for these improve
ments. The chamber arranged for the
celebration December Z, 1929, marking
the opening of the Rhode Island avenue
extension. The overhead bridge, built
so the grade crossing could be closed,
was opened short time later Gov.
Albert C. Ritchie headed the parade
that was feature of the celebration
and attended the exercises. The late
Lemuel L. Gray was general chairman
in charge of the celebration.
Obtains Gas Rate Reduction.
One of the most notable achievements
Of the chamber has been its success IN
obtaining reductions in gas rates in this
community. Its fine Public Utilities
Committee, headed at various times by
the late Morton T. May and other lead
ing members of the chamber, has es-
tablished splendid relations with the
gas company Three reductions have
been obtained. The third was made
voluntarily by the gas company last
year In line with its policy of reducing
rates when its business increases. Cae,
sar L. Aiello and Russell Hardy, who
have served as attorneys for the Pub
lie Utilities Committee; Nicholas Oreni
and other members did yeoman WORK
In the campaign for lower gas rates.
The chamber from the outset has
been convinced that the merger of some
Of the towns in this section is prob
able in the future and with a view to
this some years ago gave much study
to proposition looking to the estab-
lishment of Maryland City" This
movement later lost its momentum bu.
committee has been engaged in get
ting together data to be used as q
basis of study in connection with a
suggestion that Hyattsville, Riverdale
and University Park merge.
SIAOilS llOW Is DclIlS ndQG
by the chamber to obtain a central
distributing post Office, to be located in
Hyattsville. to expedite the delivery of
mail in this section.
Through the chamber, former Mayor
William P. Magruder presented to the
town in 1927 a tract for use as a town
recreational park. The tract has been
gradually developed until now, with its
fine base ball field and other improve
ments. it is one Of Hyattsvilles leading
assets.
Among other accomplishments for
which the chamber has been largely re-
sponsible, or in which it has been
largely interested, are:
Accomplishments Listed.
Improvement of the Hyattsville High
School Fairgrounds and the raising of
money to this end, establishment Of a
uniform lighting system along Rhode
ington- Baltimore boulevard, widening
Of the Washington. Baltimore bole.
ward: creation of the county police
ton of the territory now known as
the fourth ward to the corporation of
Hyattsville, legislation regarding retire
nent and pensions for Maryland pub
lie school teachers, creation of the
Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. construction of
River road from Bladensburg to Kenil-
worth, extension of New York avenue
from lexington place to Bladensburg
road northeast, Washington; killing of
the bill in Congress that would have
prohibited Maryland children from at
tending District of Columbia schools,
legislation requiring licensing by the
county of road houses and dance halls,
improved bus and railroad service, an
appropriation to the ambulance fund of
the rescue squad, opposition to the al
teration Of the "Y" track system which
would have permitted the passing of
fast freight trains at grade over the
Washington Baltimore boulevard, i'm
proved telephone service, sponsoring
oratorical contest of Maryland and
District Of Columbia colleges, obtain
ing dedication Of property for sidewalks
on Rhode Island avenue, widening of
Rhode Island avenue at johnson, Hy-
attsville; Sunday delivery of special de-
livery mail in Hyattsville, opposed sep
aration Of the Washington and Mary
land properties of the Potomac Electric
Power Co. as q basis for rate making
so the rate in the District and Mary
land would continue uniform, location
of Metropolitan District Building in
Hyattsyille, obtaining funds contributed
by county residents to the Community
Chest in Washington for relief work Il;
Prince Georges County, opposed reduc-
ton of school teachers and Federal
Government employees salaries, widen
ing further of Rhode Island avenue
from the District line to Hyattsville,
opposed proposed substitution of punch
cards for Communication tickets m thu
City g. Suburban Railway, assisted
Associated Charities of Hyattsville and
vicinity in finding work for the idle,
indorsed bill providing for referendum
on Sunday movies, and Endorsed build
ing 100000 cubic foot gas holder
In Chillum, near here.
Brooks Was First President.
william A. Brooks was the first presi-
dent Of the chamber, and serving with
him were DR.. H. T. Willis, vice presi-
u