Evening star., 1934-04-08
Incorporated Unit
Holds Federation
Distinction.
KEPT A.C. HERMANN
25 YEARS AS HEAD
Association Is Active i'm
Trying to Get Vote
for District.

the many civic organizations in vote
less Washington, of being the only in
corporated association member Of the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
The organization was incorporated
in 1907, although for years previously
it had contended for improvements in
the section which it covers-bounded
by South Capitol street on the west,
East Capitol street on the north, and
the Anacostia River on the south and
east.
A. G.. Hermann was the organizer
responsible for incorporation of the
association, and served as its president
for 25 years, retiring in 1882. During
his long term in Office he became rec
ognized as the mayor of Southeast
Washington" and retired only because
| of i'll health. He was voted a life
membership and made honorary presi-
dent of the group on retirement by
unanimous vote Of the citizens OF
Southeast Washington.
President Hermann left the Office
he had held for 25 years in an auspi-
ciouS manner, for membership drive
during his last term in Office netted
l65 new members to the associations
roster. For this and the many other
projects on which he had worked for
the betterment of the Southeast, he
was given the associations certificate
Of civic distinction.
Officers of Association.
George w. Bell succeeded Mr.. Herr
mann, serving the term of 1928.
The present roster of officers is headed
by William A. Maio, president, and in
cludes:
Mrs. Arthur H. Bryde, first vice
president; George C. Click, second vice
president; Miss Frieda Thume, secre-
tary; Richard j. Jones, treasurer; Will
liam j. Carey, sergeant-at-arms, and
Allan Davis and John C. L. Ritter,
delegates to the federation.
Chairmen of standing committees
are: Education. Mrs. Morgan Otter
back; Public Buildings and Parks,
John V. Schmitt; Fire and Police, Or
rim j. Davy; Navy Yard, Bernard G,
Ladd; Employment, George E. Echols;
Civic. Vernis Absher; Utilities, Mr..
Ritter; Street and Alleys, Paul r.
| Donley; Southeast Community Center.
Mrs. Alice Thume, and Membership,
| Mr.. Click.
| Most recent and one of the most
/ publlclzed events sponsored by the as
soclation was held Just a little more
than a year ago-February IA, 1888
when the group honored the memory
]
the section, John Philip Sousa, with
an entertainment, An Evening With
Sousa"
The entertainment was held in Bu-
chanan School auditorium, and in
cluded many Of the stirring marches
from the pen of the march king,
played by the United States Marine
Band, formerly directed by the COM
poser. Mrs. Sousa and their daughter,
Miss j. Priscilla Sousa, now residents
OF Long Island, N Y, were the hon.
ored guests, and among those present
were Representative Sol Bloom and
Mrs. Bloom and other prominent per-
sonages.
Arrangements for the affair were
| in charge of a committee of which
Mrs. NJ. w. Davis was chairman,
Seeks Vote for District.
For many years the association has
been active in efforts toward "Ameri-
canization" of the residents of ballot
less washington, and has joined with
other civic organizations in attempt
ing to give franchise to the District
residents so they may vote for Presi-
dent. Vice President. their own Rep
resentativeS in Congress and District
Of Columbia officers.
Among other standing resolutions
which the organization is continually
working on are those which advocate
selection of qualified unemployed res
ldents of the District for jury service,
the building of an armory for the
District National Guard and others.
At the present time, as for some
time past, one of the projects for
which the association is working to
the fullest extent, is the construction
of bridge across the Anacostia River
at East Capitol street, to relieve con-
gestion over Pennsylvania avenue
bridge. In connection with this the
group also advocates, and is exerting
| its influence toward. construction Of
a new bridge across the river at Penn
| sylvania avenue to replace the present
| 44-year-old structure. The present
Pennsylvania avenue bridge is limited
to loads of 10 tons and heavier ve-
hicles are forced to detour over Ana
costa bridge, although it is estimated
$4,000 vehicles pass over the present
bridge every day.
With the completion of a new
Pennsylvania avenue bridge the as
sociation seeks also the improvement
of Barney Circle, on Pennsylvania
avenue at the west end of the bridge.
Last May "a the association pre-
sented a certificate of civic distinc-
| ton to Maj. D. A. Dawson, for sew
eral years assistant engineer commits
sioner of the District, now in Fort
Leavenworth, Kans.
1t was Maj. Dawson who met with
special committee of the Southeast
group to discuss construction of an
| incinerator in the section for dis
poSal of trash, and who aided in the
selection of the site at Second and o
streets southeast where the building
was erected.
Helped Organize Club.
The association also was intru-
mental in the new Southeast Boys
Club which was opened in the fifth
precinct February %.
Among recent resolutions passed by
the group are those asking:
A vocational school on ground now
owned by the District on Potomac av-
enue between Thirteenth and Four
teenth streets southeast.
Reopening Of the incinerator men,
toned above, temporarily closed be-
cause of lack of appropriation. This
was advocated by C. G. Degman,
chairman of special committee from
the association, at a Senate hearing
recently.
Continuation of improvements
along the west bank of the Anacostia
River between Pennsylvania avenue
and Benning Bridge, and the crea-
ton thereby Of a parkway.