Evening star., 1934-09-09
GEORGETOWN UNIT.
SAYS It IS OLDEST
D. c. CIVIC GROUP
Records Lost, but History
Has Marked Progress
of Its Section.

They have no records to prove their
actual date of organization because
somewhere through the years the
minute books were lost, but members
of the Georgetown Citizens ASsoci-
alton believe they belong to the Oldest
organization of its kind in the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Georgetown, after all, is older than
Washington proper, and that fact
alone might give the claim priority
over any other association in the city.
The Georgetown group has another
historical distinction it relishes with
great pride. That Is, no women can,
have or ever will belong to it. In
1926 there was a great fight staged.
with the women on one side and
the adamant males of the community
on the other, revolving around the
question of recognizing the feminine
residents of the sector.
Women Not Members.
The men held their ground, and
their proclamation, mo woman ever
has belonged to this group, they will
not now, and that's that" became
law. The women organized their own
unit, the Georgetown Progressive
Citizens Association, title which in
itself was a mild slap at the attitude
of the males.
The association, however, has
meant much to its home area. From
the time it began to fight for the
commonplaces of street improve
ment, better lighting and schools the
organization has had also its larger
aims. They began with proposals for
treatment of the Rock Creek Valley
between Georgetown and the city
proper. The Georgetown citizens Of
fered three plans. Either the treat
ment of the valley as an open park
connection, the building of a closed
viaduct or the compromise. Eventu-
ally the open plan was adopted, and
its elimination came in the recent
construction of the new P Street
Bridge.
The association was one Of the first
to enthuse over the idea Of new
bridge over the Potomac in extreme
northwest.
The Key Bridge represents the full
fillment of that idea. Then the old
Viaduct Bridge was left standing. and
the citizens wanted it torn away as
an eyesore. For years the commit
tees fought for this achievement, and
finally gained their goal when the
P. w. A. appropriated funds for the
demolition of the structure.
Montrose Park Obtained.
Montrose Park, one of the most at
tractive in the city, is another monu-
ment to the spirit of the Georgetown
association. Its members believe
their home section should have a
park center for the children to play
in, for recreation for adults. Mont
rose now offers splendid playground
tennis courts, a bathing pool and
other facilities which have made life
more pleasant for residents of the
district.
There is also a regular children's
playground at P. street, Volta place
and the block between Thirty-third
and Thirty-fourth streets. This is
equipped with swings, chutes, slides
and all the accoutrements of the per-
feet recreation spot for the young
sters.
Within the last year the George
town outfit has seen not only the
construction of the p Street Bridge,
but granting of an appropriation for
branch library. A sum Of $780,
900 was allowed by Congress for the
structure, giving the community the
educational benefits enjoyed by other
sections of the city.
Prominent Members.
Joseph A. Oliver, George w. King.
Smith Thompson, Riley Deeble and
other distinguished residents of
Georgetown have been numbered
among the presidents of the as
sociation, and today the group is
headed by B. Agee Bowles, who has
been in Office half a decade; has had
for the chairman of its Executive
Committee Frank p. Leetch, who
has held so many Offices and been a
member for so many years he can't
remember all the details" John
Small is first vice president and
William S. Conant the second vice
president. John Paul Jones, attorney
and civic worker, has long been Sec
retary of the organization, his youth
Notwithstanding, and the treasurer
is Maj. Wallace Streater. The Execu-
tive Committee includes G.. L. Nichol-
son, Isaac B. Nordlinger and John
Hadley Doyle, with Mr.. BowleS as an
ex officio member.