Evening star., 1934-09-02
UNIT
ORGAN|zED|N 1901
TO IMPROVE AREA
Pavements, Water System,
Lights and Gas Among
Things Obtained.

Back in the days when Kenilworth
had no paVements, street lights, water
system, sewers, telephones or gas, 43
citizens of that area met at the resi-
dence of j. H. Voorhees, and pledged
themselves to promote the interests
and development "of all that subur-
ban portion of the District OF Colum-
bia lying east of the westerly shore
of the Anacostia River and north
of Pennsylvania avenue extended
Thus the Kenilworth Citizens Asso-
citation was organized.
officers elected at the first meeting,
December IL, 1901, we're Allen w.
Mallery, president; w. B. Shaw, vice
president; B. w. McKeen, secretary,
and j. r. Porter, treasurer. Many
of the early successful endeavors of
the KenilWorth Citizens Association
are traceable to the relentless efforts
of these men.
One of the first achievements of
the association was successful petit
ton to Congress for an appropriation
of $4,000 for Improvements on the
roadway from the old Benning race
track to the Maryland line.
Grade Crossing Protested.
Since 1908 the group has been striv-
ing to secure safety measures for the
dangerous grade crossing at Quarles
street over the B. e. o. and Pennsyl-
vania Railroad tracks. While the as
sociation has obtained a watchman
from am. to pm, and warning
bells, the citizens do not feel they
are adequately protected and still are
working for improvements.
Street lights were first secured for
the community in 1903, and each
year has seen improvements in the
lighting system. Adequate telephone
service has been maintained in that
vicinity since 1904.
A gambling house and pool room
was opened in the old club house in
Kenilworth just across the Maryland
line in 1905. After much work and
with the aid of Prince Georges County
officials, the association succeeded in
closing the establishment.
District residents we'll remember
the fight the Kenilworth Citizens
Association waged before its efforts
20 abolish the prizc-f1ght arena, just
over the line from kenilworth, were
rewarded in 1924. The same year a
monument to the ex-Service boys of
the World War was erected in Henil-
worth through fund raised by the
association.
Schools have always been an item
of primary consideration with the
members. A new public school build
ing was recently secured for the vii
lage by the association and the old
school was Immediately turned over
to the residents of the vicinity for a
community center. Better conditions
in the schools have been obtained for
the children of Kenilworth and the
association is ever on the alert to see
that modern and sanitary facilities
are maintained.
Boys Club Formed. ~-.-
During the last year one of the
most noteworthy achievements of the
association was the organization of
the Metropolitan Police Department
Boys Club. Herbert A. Wardius con-
ceived the idea and worked out his
plans with the help Of the associ-
alton. The police of the fifth pre-
cinct became interested and worked
hand in hand with Wardius until
their objective was achieved. The
boys Of Kenilworth now have two
well equipped former portable school
buildings for recreation.
Street COR carvina nor,a. -. -
good deal of discussion at practically
every meeting. The association is
aiming. for better schedules and i'm
provements in the roadbed on the
Kenilworth line.
Some Of the presidents responsible
for the success of the Kenilworth
Citizens Association are Allen w,
Mallery, j. H. Voorhees,, w. H. Rich
ardsoh, DR.. Mcleod Harvey, A. j.
Waskom, S. Joseph Clarke, j. T.
Barber. William P. Linkins, j. S.
Driggers and Fletcher V. Shipley.
John S. Driggers served as president
for seven terms and Fletcher v. Ship
ley served as secretary for IL years.
Shipley has presided for the past two
years.
Although the association came near
passing into oblivion this year when
a close vote of the group decided in
favor Of restoring the Benning race
track in the event of legalized horse
racing in the District, the association
has stuck together remarkably well.
always placing the development of
keniworth ahead of personal tri-
umphS.