Evening star., 1934-09-02
First Meetings of Fall
Season Scheduled
by Four Units.
PREDICT BUSY YEAR
District Reorganization
and Rerouting Among
Acute Problems.

After a two-month idle season,
washington civic organizations are
about to resume active work.
Four groups already have an
nounced this week will mark reopen
ing of activities. The Federation of
Citizens Associations is meeting Sat-
urday in special session to consider
plans for rerouting street cars and
buses. The three other bodies meet
ing this week are, Association of Old
est Inhabitants, Chillum Heights
Citizens Association and the Bur-
roughs Citizens Association.
Since the close of the season in the
Spring, many problems of city-wide
Importance have arisen, among which
are the proposed reorganization of
the District government, the proposed
rerouting of street cars and busses
and The Stars Better Homes Con-
test.
Recruiting to Come Up.
James G. Yaden, president Of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
said, THE rerouting question is with
out doubt the one of outstanding in
terest Just now. In other ways, also,
this promises to be very busy year
for citizens associations, offering
problems in which I am vitality in
terested"
Rudolph Malth, president Of the
Hillcrest Citizens Association, ex-
pressed his belief that the coming
year will be big season for civic
activity. He said he expects the Hill
crest group TO do its part in gaining
improvements for its section, but
pledged the aid Of the body in any
fight for any worthy cause Of CITY,
wide Importance If they feel their help
Is needed.
In a statement issued last week.
Raymond L. Gilbert, president of the
Burroughs Citizens Association, de-
clared
II am profoundly convinced that the
citizens associations of Washington
have more opportunities for genuine
community and municipal service this
year than ever before. With the In
tense, personal interest manifestly
taken by President Roosevelt and the
active work and interest shown by
Mrs. Roosevelt in the city's welfare
problems, it Is Immediately apparent
that the associations banded together
for the common good Of the citizenry
have a heavy mission to perform.
Reorganization Plans.
First Of all, the President has In
mind very definite ideas on a reor-
- k-4.
The Burroughs group drew up a COM
prehensive plan on local suffrage and
participation in national affairs as
well as a proposed set-up of q local
form of government. Far more in
terest should be taken by the several
citizens associations than has been
shown to date. True, there are sew
eral very sensitive issues involved in
local plans, particularly where the ele-
mert of elective offices is concerned,
bul the problem cannot be solved by
dodging it. 1t must be met and
studied.
Another source of increased oppor-
tunity for organized citizenry this year
Is that of more intimate and less theo-
retical cooperation such as has beer
exemplif1ed by the Northeast Subur-
ban Conference of Citizens Associa-
tions and the new alliance Of Associa-
tions of Southeast Washington in
spired by their demand for a new deal.
I'VE have recently welcomed q new
Engineer Commissioner into our gen.
eral community. He Is no stranger
here. He Is more or less Washing
tonian. Furthermore, he is q man of
remarkable reputation for being fear
less. Probably Col. Daniel I. Sultan
will fulfill that fond hope of many
years standing-the courage to ascend
Capitol Hill with his annual recon-
mendations for the District budget, de-
termined to defend his items and their
estimates instead of explaining and
compromising them away to the disas-
trous consequences the District tax
payers have suffered for the past num-
Der of years. 1t is the duty Of or
ganized citizenry to give the new En-
gineer Commissioner wholehearted
support. 1t will be wise investment.
Associations Seem Stronger.
with the foregoing opportunities
mentioned it is apparent there is
work for the citizens associations to
do this year, and lots Of 1t. Let
us shoulder the wheel with our Presi-
dent and Board of Commissioners for
a greater Washington and let our as
sociations affiliate into groups where
organized effort will focus the public
spotlight where there Is most need for
or development. The
Federation of Citizens Associations
will support us and our associations
where there is merit in our efforts,
and where the need Is urgent in our
community"
A. ]. Driscoll, president of the Mid
City Citizens Association declared that
as a result of the successful mem-
bership drive last year" civic groups
are stronger now than at any other
time in their history He stated
than an improvement secured by one
association is to the benefit Of all
others in the city.
Aside from the four associations
scheduled to meet this week, other
groups will resume activity in succeed
ing weeks, and by the end of October
all will be meeting in regular session
again.