Evening star., 1934-03-22
79 NEW MEMBERS
ADDED TO ROLLS
Chevy Chase Citizens As.
sociation Will Continue
Drive This Month.

SeVenty-nine new members were
added to the rolls of the Chevy Chase
Citizens Association at its regular
meeting last night in the E. v. Brown
School as a result Of the activities OF
a Special Membership Committee.
Chairman Lewis Radcliffe received
permission from the association to
continue the membership drive this
month after explaining that the re-
cent severe weather had handicapped
the committee in its neighborhood
canvassing. He gave Mrs. F. F. Es-
penschied special credit for obtaining
the greatest number of names.
A resolution was approved COM
mending the Traffic Bureau and the
Metropolitan Police Department for
increased activities in breaking up
the practice Of motorists parking
abrest on Connecticut avenue. Con-
ditions in the shopping areas were
reported much improved for traffic
as a result.
Reports A. b. C. Activities.
Edwin S. Hege reported on the re-
suits of his appearance before the AL
cohol Beverage Control Board to pre-
sent the associations views in oppo-
sition to the granting of liquor sales
permits to stores in the close prox-
unity of schools and libraries. Despite
the objections of the trustees of the
Public Library he said an off-sale
license had been issued to a store
within 100 feet Of the Chevy Chase
Branch Library. where. he pointed
out, majority of library readers are
school children.
He suggested it might be worth
while to appeal to the board to ac-
cord to the libraries and Fairgrounds
the same protection as that given
school areas, but added his belief that
petitions had little influence.
Financial responsibility for taxicab
operators was discussed with the re-
suit that resolution, on motion OF
President George E. Strong. chair
man of the Legislative Committee.
was adopted putting the association
on record as favoring this measure
OF protection.
M. Strong pointed out that one
reason why taxicab transportation in
washington was so cheap is because
few OF the cab companies or operators
carried insurance. Suggestions that
such law should apply to all owners
and operators of cars, whether private
or public, failed to meet with ap-
proval.
Chief Watson Remembered.
At previous meeting, the associa l.
ton had directed that a resolution
be drafted on the death OF former
Fire Chief George S. Watson. This
was reported and adopted. Copies
will be forwarded to the District Com
misSionerS and to Chief Watson's
family.
Capt. H. c. Whitehurst, director OF
highways in the District. and Richard
Hall Of the Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, guest
speakers. explained what is being done
and contemplated in improving high
ways in the Chevy Chase and Rock
Creek Park areas.
The association has been interested
in the development of new thorough
fares into the city to relieve the traffic
load from Connecticut avenue. Capt
Whitehurst said the question of keep
ing traffic constantly moving was a
prime problem with the District au-
thorities. He admitted there was
still great deal to do in the Chew
Chase area, but that Broad Branch
road was expected to be completed
within l8 months. He also reported
that the District had received the
dedication of the last parcel of land
for the completion of Reno road and
that this important thoroughfare
would soon be paved its entire length
Explains Bridge Work.
Capt. Whitehouse explained how the
work on Calvert Street Bridge was
to be done with least interference to
traffic. He said the District govern
ment was going to considerable
expense and trouble to move the old
bridge for the convenience Of traffic
during the operations and that ii
behooved the riding public to CO.
operate. He complained that autoists
do not always obey directions to slow
up over sections of streets or bridges
under repair.
The District is attempting to COM
plete the paving Of Western avenue
with c. w. A. funds, he said. but the
work has been slowed up not only BY
weather conditions. but by reason OF
reduction in the hours of work per-
mitted weekly. 1t was possible to dc
only two days Of work during Febru-
ary, he said.
The Districts share Of the public
works road fund, he pointed out, was
sl,9l8,000 and the program involved
% projects. Four of these. he said
were already completed and the two
remaining projects would be started ir
the next 80 days.
President Strong pointed out that
residents in new areas being developed
were anxious for the District to plant
trees along streets cut through. ever
though the curbing had not been put
in place. Capt. Whitehurst said II
was better to wait until after the
curbing was in place, although most
of the trees in the District had beer
planted previously. He said there
would be no objection to property
owners planting their own trees, just
so they were not of the root-Spreading
variety. Permits, he said, could be
obtained on application.