Evening star., 1934-12-30
Citizens Groups Complete
Heavy 1884 Slate of Work
Federation President Predicts Euen
More Actiue Season for I935-Actiui-
ties of Past Year Are Reuiewed.

One Of the most active years of
organized citizenry in the District
draws to an end tomorrow night.
However. the new year in civic work
promises to hold more problems and,
according to James G. Yaden, presi-
dent of the Federation of Citizens As
sociations, is potentially the busiest
year ever faced by civic organs.
This has been one of exceeding
activity in civic work, Mr.. Yaden de-
clared. The projected sewage dispo-
sal plant and the anti-crime measures
sponsored by the federation are two
he holds among items Of major impor-
tance in 1884 civic activity.
The open hearings on the budget
held by the Commissioners was for
few months responsible for the great
activity of the citizens associations.
Practically all groups had local items
which they sought for inclusion in the
new budget. In some cases conflicts
arose which brought forth the con-
solidation of some Of the groups into
the conferences.
The organization Of the Public
Works Administration was cause also
for much activity on the part Of those
groups which had the cleaning up OF
parks. Fairgrounds and other such
projects in mind.
These and other activities of the cit
liens associations for 1884 follow in
summary:
Laws and Legislation.
A nine-point legislative program was
drawn up by Corporation Counsel E.
Barrett Prettyman and the subject
matter Of each point personally pre-
sented by Mr.. Prettyman on the floor
of the federation.
Each item Of the program was con-
sidered separately by the Laws and
Legislation Committee Of the fedora
ton, some of which have already been
presented and approved by the group.
Others are to be presented in the
future.
The matter of broadening the powers
Of the District Commissioners also re-
ceived considerable attention.
Liquor Control.
At the opening of the year the
Alcohol Beverage Control Board was
holding hearings on local liquor
licensing.
The reactions to "off" and "on"
sale of liquor in local establishments
met with different views by various
groups.
A referendum on this question was
attempted by citizens Of the Takoma
Park area, but the matter was taken
before the courts by opponents to
the injunction and restraining order
was issued.
The federation adopted q report
by G. E. Sullivan proposing vigilance
committees and appointed its own
committee soon thereafter.
Many groups opposed this plan,
feeling it made citizens into snoop-
ers and instead asked more police.
Others expressed satisfaction with
present police protection.
The Randle Highlands body, whose
report to the federation brought about
the vigilance plan, did not vote to
organize its own committee, although
it will do so should future conditions
warrant. Others approved the plan
and named vigilance committees.
As a result of The Stars drive
against the numbers racket" many
associations passed resolutions con-
demning this racket, which aided
greatly in arousing public sentiment
to abolish the evil.
Maj. Ernest w. Brown, superin-
tendent of police, requested additional
men for the police force. Most groups
Endorsed this request. Others pro-
posed the abolition Of the Traffic
Department, so that more men would
be available for police protection
duty.
The federation frequently voted for
reduction in tax rates, cutting as
sessments, abolishing assessments for
road improvements against abutting
property owners, and opposed the
Smith bill to raise the gasoline tax
from to 4 cents per gallon.
The Northeast conference and sew
eral civic groups in other sections
have proposed some new taxes to
bring to the District greater reve-
nue..
Traffic.
All rerouting plans proposed by
Peoples Counsel william A. Roberts
and various civic groups to the Pub
lie Utilities Commission were studied,
as were measures to provide greater
traffic safety.
The Public Utilities Commission
requested the groups to list changes
in car lines.
The federation adopted q report
Of WillAm NICK. Clayton, chairman
Of the Public Utilities Committee, on