Evening star., 1934-11-18
B||ENN|NG CITIZENS
ORGANIZED IN 1915
TO IMPROVE AREA
Many Betterments Obtain
ed, Group Now Seeks to
Get Safety Underpass.

owned and operated by Capt. ana
Mrs. william Benning, may be con-
sidered the source Of the name for
what was then q little community
outside of Washington, and where
in 1915 this same community founded
the Benning Citizens Association.
In 1880 Capt. Benning built this
bridge over the Eastern Branch OF
the Potomac River for the use Of
the farmers carrying their products
to market in washington.
After the death of Capt. Benning
his wife took charge and made her
living with the bridge until 1910,
when the burden became so great
that she leased the bridge jointly to
the nearby farmers.
Just 19 years ago the residents OF
the town of Benning, what is now
known as Benntng, D. c., were called
together for a meeting to discuss
the needs of the town. The meeting
was presided over by William Curtis
at the Keyser Hall, later taken over
by Masonic order.
Association Formed.
A little later, on December 8, 1915,
the residents again met at the home
of James w. Brown to form citi-
zens association with an aim to bet
ter their community. The meeting
was attended largely by men promi-
nently identified with the larger in
dustries Of the town.
The officers elected for that year
were: Charles N. Farr, president;
Andrew D. Loefner, vice president;
Max Oppenheimer, secretary, and DR..
Harry Epps, treasurer.
At that time the citizens wanted,
as q form of property improvement,
O subway for steam railroad tracks
which were not only unsightly, but
created q hazard. Among other
problems discussed at this meeting
were the widening of Benning road
and the enactment Of bad check
law for the District Of Columbia
as q protection to merchants. They
were also opposed to prohibition in
the District.
The association voted to join the
Federation Of Citizens Associations,
electing M. A. Dean and Charles N.
FAIR as delegates.
With the community growing, there
was greater need for the extension Of
gas and electricity. 1t was then that
the Benning Citizens Association sent
requests to the District Commissioners
urging these Improvements. Much
credit for these improvements is
given to Warner Stutler, who was at
that time president and who remained
In office until 1926. Mr.. Stutler was
president of the association for 10
years.
During Mr.. Suffers stay in ONCE,
It was decided not to hold the associa-
tons elections the first meeting of
the year, but wait until the first meet
ing held after the general congress
sional elections throughout the coun-
try. This Is still in effect.
Street Repairs Urged.
The residents urged that the streets
IN Benning be repaired. They asked
in particular that Kenflworth avenue
be resurfaced and rewtdened, claim
ing trucks had made 1t unusabIe for
private vehicles.
Kenilworth avenue, formerly q dirt
road, was donated by an old resi-
dent, Susan B. Sheriff, to be used as
an entrance to the Benntng race track.
At the present time Benning road Is
being resurfaced and rewidened, this
project being started many years ago.
One Of the associations most vigor-
Gus campaigns was one to have an un-
derpass built under the eight railroad
tracks, from Calf street to Kenflworth
avenue. These tracks run parallel to
Minnesota avenue.
It has been proven by the number
Of deaths at this crossing that the
underpass Is needed badly. It Is said
that 100 to $50 persons must cross
these tracks each day either to school
or to church.
The association Is still seeking this
underpass.
Among other improvements made
for the Benning community are ad-
ditions to the Benning Elementary
School, including playground. In
stead Of subway for the steam rail-
road tracks which pass through Ben
ming, an overhead bridge for both We
hicles and pedestrians, on Benning
road, was constructed, thereby elimi-
mating hazard which had been the
cause of many deaths. In 1882 the
association requested a white line be
put in the center Of this bridge. The
white line was painted Immediately.
Police Precinct Sought.
A police precinct for Benning was
urged by the association, claiming
that No. 8 precinct at Ninth street and
Maryland avenue northeast was too far
away to provide sufficient police pro.
lection.
The return of racing and the open
ing Of the old Benning race track is
favored by the association as an aid
to the unemployed citizens of their
community.
The use Of territory in Benning
for the burning Of the city's trash was
vigorously opposed by the association
under leadership Of their president,
Frank e. James. It was considered
q great fire hazard.
The present officers of the essocia-
ton are: Frank E. James, president;
r. j. Heckmen, vice president, and
Carl Beale, secretary and treasurer.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clement Sheriff. have
been delegates to the Federation of
Citizens Associations for the past 10
years.