Evening star., 1934-01-07
FOREST HILLS UNIT
ACTIVE IN SCHOOL
AND TAX AFFAIRS
Association, Though Only
Five Years Old, Has Pushed
Many Improvements. 2

The Forest Hills Citizens Association
Is one of Washington's most youthful
civic organizations, but its record of ac-
compliShments compares favorably with
those of many older groups.
Although founded less than five years
ago, the aSSociation-through vigorous
campaign of concerted action-has been
instrumental in bringing about numer-
Gus improvements in its territory.
Under leadership of George ESch,
the organization was founded in May,
1929, with Al charter members. Since
then its membership rolls have grown
to $50, and its area has been increased
accordingly.
These enterprising citizens, feeling
they we're too far from the Chevy Chase
center to have interests identical with
the Chevy Chase Citizens Association,
realized another group located in their
vicinity could better handle their i'm
mediate problems of street and other
civic improvements.
School Facilities Demanded.
From the first they have been not
only instrumental in correcting the un-
desirable conditions in their territory,
but they have time and again foreseen
many of the city's needs and have faith
fully labored for their consummation.
Adequate school facilities have re-
peatedly been urged by this body. This
together with the lowering Of assess
ment values Of property, have formed
the main problem OF the organization
Minor ones have consisted of sup
porting the police force. getting lights
in Rock Creek Park bordering their
territory, regulating the speed OF auto
mobiles around schools, establishing
traffic lights. particularly at Connect
cut avenue and Albemarle street; OBJ
tanning police protection for the chill
dren and enforcing the zoning law or
Connecticut avenue.
Their area now embraces Rock
Creek Park on the east. Rodman street
on the south, Thirty-eighth street on
the west, and Elliott street on the north
The first officers Of this organiza-
ton were: Mr.. Esch. president: Edward
c. Potter. vice president; Gen. Mason
M. Patrick, treasurer, and Mrs. Leslie
B. Wright, secretary.
Suggested School Name.
Following Mr. Esch as president have
been Mr.. Potter and Col John O.
Johnson, who is now the presiding Of
ficer.
Instrumental in the development Of
the schools in this area, Wilbur La Roe
and Mrs. Wright have repeatedly
furthered their ends by appearing be-
fore Congress to obtain adequate edu-
cational facilities 1t was Mrs. Wright
who first conceived the idea OF nam
ing the new Reno High School for
Woodrow Wilson and the Forest Hill
Association was the first civic body to
go on record requesting this name.
Joseph Sanders and L. A Carruthers,
the associations delegates TO the Fed
Grafton, have been the leaders in the
fight for the lowering Of the assessment
values of property in the District. Mr..
Carruthers is also on the committee for
the regulation of distilled spirits.
Among their prominent members
are: Gen. Mason M Patrick. George
White. Col Arthur O'Brien. DR.. Hobart
C. Dickinson, Miss Helen Gantley
Charles Hamel, Mr.. and Mrs John
Morrison Kerr. Herbert S. Wood and
Henry A. willard
Upon subjects which they have
wished information the group has in
vited many prominent speakers. among
whom are listed Senator Gerald P.
Nye. S. S. Van Duzer and Representa-
tive Jefferson Busby.