Evening star., 1934-09-23
TRINIDAD CITIZENS
FORMED TO FIGHT
PLANT FOR REFUSE
19.Year History Filled With
Accomplishments for
Section.

arms l9 years ago ana was Responsible
for the formation of the Trinidad
Citizens Association.
Led by Don H. York, small group
of irate residents, who felt that drastic
action must be taken to combat a
menace to the future welfare of their
community. met July 27. 1919, in the
chapel of Gallaudet College
They elected Mr.. York president,
adopted the name Trinidad Citizens
Association" and campaigned vigor-
ously against location of the refuse
set up-AnacoStia River on the east,
Benning road and H street on the
south, Pennsylvania avenue railroad
tracks on the west and north. Sidney
S. Tolson was named financial secre-
tary and treasurer and Harry c. Muir
ray recording secretary.
Refuse Plant Moved.
A temporary refuse plant was eStab-
lished in the Northeast despite the
protests of the civic group, but it was
later abandoned when a permanent
plant was erected in Southeast Wash
ington.
Until the association could be more
completely organized, only three COM
ritteeS were named-membership,
Welfare ard Organization They were
beaded by A. G. Southworth, H. H.
F-'crs and Louis L. Hooper, respec-
lively.
The nc':t meeting Of the association
was held at the Northeast Masonic
Temple in August, 1919, at which
time definite policy with respect
to needed street and alley improve
ments and street illumination was
adopted. A month later, it was an
nounced, the membership had grown
to more than 200, and a house-to-
house canvass was made to arouse
enthusiasm of the residents and get
them to join.
The first formal annual election
of officers was held in October, 1919.
The membership at that time was
$50. Mr. York was elected president,
Joseph H. Hurley, vice president;
Victor H. Skyberg, secretary. and Mr.
Tolson, treasurer
The meeting place was moved from
the Northeast Masonic Temple to the
Manual Training School at Eighth
and I streets northeast in February.
1920. to accommodate the increased
membership, which had passed 700.
In that year the same slate of officers
was named with the exception of DR..
Percival Hall of Gallaudet College,
who was elected vice president.
In the Fall of 1921 the association
entered into the city-wide member
ship campaign of the federation. In
seeking new members the association
sent out circulars showing what had
been accomplished up to that time.
Among the items included were:
Accomplishments Listed.
Has secured an appropriation of
$4,000 to pave Bladensburg road.
Has secured the Merritt field
(Third and streets as playground.
Has established Trinidad Athletic
Field.
Opened Trinidad Community Gen.
ter.
zoned important streets and ave-
nues
Established the Staples estate, ex-
tending from Mount Olivet road to
H street as restricted residential
area.
Obtained SLOW" signs for schools.
Obtained repair and better lighting
of alleys.
Obtained better ash and garbage
collections.
Filled in the swamp on Staples
street.
Peecta Llieba5 tha r-ro1ftI, ,,l II
streets curb market.
Co-operated with the police officials
IN curbing vicious carnivals.
Effected the painting, cleaning,
better draining and lighting of the H
street tunnel.
Secured a classified postal station
at Eighth and H streets.
Aided in securing appropriations
for enlargement of Wheetley School
and repair of Hamilton School build
ing.
Working for the removal of the Bo-
tanic Garden to Mount Hamilton.
Secured removal of refuse dump
from Botanic Garden area.
Working for the permanent relo-
cation of the refuse plant.
hO VIC dlllludl clcCIlUIl Ill lSZl MT
York and DR.. Hall were reelected to
their respective Offices, Frank C. Mer-
r1tt was elected secretary and J. o.
Garden was elected treasurer.
During the ensuing year, in addi-
ton to giving attention to usual street
improvements and other local better
ments the association interested itself
in the organization of Parent
Teacher Association of the Wheatley
School, 1t also adopted a resolution
vigorously assailing the daylight-sav-
ing proposition.
The next election, November 23,
1922. saw the succession of DR.. r. w.
Mccullough to the presidency of the
association. DR.. Hall was reelected
vice president, Mrs. Fred w. H.
Weishaupt was elected secretary and
Julian o. Garden succeeded himself
as treasurer.
Executive Changes Made.
DR.. Mccullough and DR.. Hall sue
ceeded themselves at the next annual
election of officers, but there was
change in the positions of secretary
and treasurer, Charles T. Hennessy
being elected to the former and R.
Wander Schaaf to the latter position
Apparently there were no further
monthly meetings after that Of De-
cember 7, 1928, however, the minutes
show a special meeting held on jan
uary 81. 1924, attended by IS mem
bers at which $3.50 was raised by SUBJ
scription among this number to de-
fray expenses in proceeding against
the District permanently establishing
a refuse disposal plant in the Trinidad
section.
The Trinidad Citizens Association
then passed out of the picture for q
period Of three years, there being no
further record of any monthly or
special meetings.
At a meeting of citizens of this
section held at the Blair School on
January 27, 1927, the association was
reorganized President Mccullough
who had been the last duly elected
presiding officer rendered his resigna-
ton and a new set of officers were
elarted aS ual1 oc deloOo foe m tho