Evening star., 1934-09-16
NEW JOINT GROUP
IN SOUTHEAST TO
MEET OCTOBER 16
Leaders Say United Action
Will Speed Improvement
of Section.

The newly organized Joint Confer
ence Of Southeast Citizens Associa-
tions, which leaders predict will be
cur most effective weapon in our fight
for improvements in Southeast Wash
ington," will meet October Is, at which
time the delegates from the areas
nine associations are expected to out
line a program Of objectives and
neede d Improvements. This date was
selec,e ed because the leaders expect by
that time to have the formal approval
of the memberships of all the associa-
tions. The Hillcrest Association al
ready has voted to join the new con-
ference.
Plans for drawing up a constitu-
tion and bylaws for the new organi-
ration also will be made at the meet
ing. and permanent officers will be
elected. The organization is tempo
farily under leadership of William A.
Maio, who, with Vernis Absher and
l.. H. Davy, all of the Southeast Citi-
zens' Association. was instrumental In
bringing about the formation of the
rev joint conference.
Main Projects Listed.
The main projects which delegates
expect to include in the program OF
oojectives are new bridges. a modern
sewage system for the entire area, i'm
provement OF major highways. con-
st-uct.on of new highways, elimination
OF the garbage transfer plant at New
Jersev avenue and X street, more
schools. recreation centers, swimming
pools and the development Of Gov
ernment-owned property along the
Eastern Branch.
DELEGATES who attended the meet
ing held recently in the Buchanan
School have many hopes for the new
organization. The opinions expressed
bv some of the delegates on the new
conference follow:
A. n. Bacus Of the Randle High
lands Association: 81 sincerely believe
this is a big step in the right direc-
ton because we must unite or we
won't be able to accomplish any
thing"
Rudolph Malth. president Of the
Hillcrest Association: such confer
eace cannot help but make for better
harmony and more cooperation be-
tween the different groups. Take, for
instance, the bridge question. Some
groups favor q bridge at the END OF
Massachusetts, avenue southeast across
the AnacoStia River, others want one
constructed at the end Of East Capitol
street, still others want one at South
Capitol street, and many more have
been fighting for new Pennsylvania
Avenue Bridge. This conference will
enable the citizens to discuss each
project, decide which bridge is needed
more, and then go ahead and work
toward that end"
Sections Chances Better.
Or. Il. D. Richardson, president Of
the Congress Heights group: when
the National Capital was planned the
major development Of the city was
evidently expected to be in the East
ern section because the Capitol Build
Ing was constructed facing the East.
! believe that with this new confer
ence we stand more Of o chance Of
getting part of those improvements
and developments the city's planners
meant we should have" -
John p. Kern, president Of the Lin
coin Park Association: IT feel certain
this is the greatest forward step
Southeast citizens have taken In the
last 80 years. and you can expect the
full, cooperation of the Lincoln Park
Citizens Association"
L. H. Davy of the Southeast Associa-
ton: Although the Southeast Cit
izens' Association played q large part
in the formation of the Joint Com
mittee, wish to stress the fact we
did not do this with the thought of
personal gain in our minds, but with
the idea that joint organization is
the only solution to the problems we
of the Southeast face in our campaign
for improvements"
w. e. Nair, president Of the Wash
inston Highlands group and w. ].
Harman, president Of the East Wash
ington Heights Association, also
praised the new organization, and
promised the full cooperation of their
associations in the work Of the Joint
Committee.