Evening star., 1934-01-14


directed campaign they succeeded in
securing abandonment Of the project.
This organized effort Is thought to
have led to organization Of the Co
lumbia Heights Citizens Association
June 10, 1894. The purpose Of the
association was to foster all public in
terests. The boundaries of the associ-
alton were Florida avenue on the south
to Shepherd street on the north and
from Georgia avenue on the east to
Sixteenth street on the west.
Christian G. Schneider, original own
er OF the land where Garfield Hospital
now stands, served as temporary presi-
dent, and Fred J. Berger as temporary
secretary until election Of the first per-
manent officers, Gilbert Towles, presi-
dent. and George Simmons, secretary.
1t was during this first regime that
the association successfully opposed
the proposition Of the old Belt Line
Sherman avenue to Kenesaw avenue
and thence to the Zoo. The citizens
contended the streets were too narrow.
AZ q result, the tracks were extended
up Eleventh street.
In 1896. M A. Ballinger was elected
president and served until 1898 w. B.
Todd was elected secretary in 1899 and
served continuously in that capacity for
Is years. Mr.. Simmons was chosen
president to succeed Mr.. Ballinger In
1898 and was himself succeeded by
Alonzo Hart in 1901. The next presi-
dent, Judge Bundy, was installed two
years later and served continuously for
nine years.
improvements Recalled.
removal Of telephone and telegraph
wires and poles from the streets was
accomplished; important thoroughfares
paved; extra charge for express de-
dveries north of Florida avenue done
away with; the alley-opening and the
building-line laws passed; schools built,
and the streets Of Columbia Heights,
which hitherto had been . labyrinth
Of perplexity, renamed.
In 1912 William H Saunders was
elected president, holding that ofice
until 1914. George c. Gertman was
chosen secretary to succeed Mr.. Todd
and served until 1916. In 1914 William
II. Hart headed the association and
served until 1915, when Frederick J.
Rice was elected. j. Clinton Hiatt
was elected secretary and served until
1918.
The election Of 1918 appears to have
been one Of the most lively in the his
tory Of the association. Seven ballots
were cast without electing q president
and the election finally was postponed
until the next meeting, when Mr.. Rice
was reelected and DR.. L. r. Kebler
chosen as secretary.
During the period from 1912 to 1918,
the Wilson Normal School was built,
and other new schools and additions
to schools, as well as arc lights on
Fourteenth street, were secured.
Afdliation with the Federation Of
Citizens Associations was voted Febru-
cry IA. 1919. In that year Mr.. Todd
succeeded Mr.. Rice as president.
Women Are Enrolled.
During the same year membership
in the association was thrown open
to women for the first time. Six months
later there were $50 women on the rolls,
among whom was Mrs. Margaret Hop
ktns Worrell, now president, and the
cnly woman ever elected to that office.
In 1921 Harley v. Speelman. one
time register of the Treasury, was
elected president and w. I. Swanton
secretary. Mr.. Todd and Mr.. Speelman
were designated delegates to the fedora
ton. Herbert L. Davis was chosen
president In 1928 and served until 1924.
In the same year Mr.. Swanton was re-
elected secretary. He succeeded Mr.
Davis as president in 1924 and II. C.
Phillips was selected as secretary.
During the period from 1921 to 1924
the association worked for purchase of
the Maryland watershed of Rock Creek;
marking of trees in the Capitol grounds
and the Mall; removal Of the fence
around the Botanical Garden; pur-
chase Of the Hamilton tract; construc-
ton Of the Arlington Memorial Bridge;
the Fort driveway, linking 40 forts
which encircle the city; golf links in
Rock Greek Park; censorship of moving
pictures; reduction Of high rentals, and
q branch library in Columbia Heights.
Alton B. Carly was elected president
in 1926 and Mr.. Phillips was reelected
secretary. Both served until 1928, when
Mr.. Hiatt was elected president and
Mr.. Swanton secretary.
Under the regime Of Presidents
Swanton. Carty and Hiatt the associa-
ton worked for the extension of Four
teenth street through Walter Reed
Hospital grounds: new fire engine at
the Piney Branch Parkway; q new fire-
proof building for the recorder of
deeds; Government development Of
hydro-electric power at Great Falls;
appointment Of bona fide citizens only
to District offices; regulation OF motor
traf1c; popular election Of the School
Board, and swimming pools and better
school facilities. It opposed bond is
sue by the District and payment Of high
salaries to public utility officials. 20
Purposes Are Listed.
w. W. Adams was elected president
In 1929 to succeed Mr.. Hiatt and Mr..
Swanton was reelected secretary and is
still serving In that Office. Lewis D.
Peppler and Mr.. Hiatt were chosen as
delegates to the federation.
In 1880, A. z. Westrater was elected
president and Mr.. Rice replaced Mr..
Peppler as delegate to the federation.
In 1882, Mrs. Worrell was chosen
president. She still heads the organi-
zation. Mr.. Westrater and Albert e.
Stephan are the present delegates to
the federation. -.
Among the things not heretofore
mentioned which the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association has worked for are
the following: More trafic lights, half.
holidays for Government employees,
meals to be served school children.
Buy In America" movement. merger OF
street car lines, appropriations for the
District on 60-40 basis, public con-
venience station at Fourteenth street
and Park road, planting Of additional
trees ON streets, removal Of trolley poles
on Georgia avenue and paving Georgia
Avenue, establishment Of o school for
crippled children, incinerators for refuse
disposal, establishment Of . municipal
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