Evening star., 1934-07-22
TWO PRESIDENTS
AMONG MEMBERS
Of WEST ENDUNIT
Group Actively interested
Throughout District in
Civic Improvement.

residents had many things 70 consider
IN order 70 complete the advantages
70 be enjoyed IN their community.
There was the necessity of adequate
street csE service a proper telephone
system. the establishment Of an I'M
proved lighting system, the paving OF
streets and sidewalks and many other
details.
with these ideas in view a group
Of about so citizens gathered ct the
old Hahn Shoe Store. 1914 Penn
sylvsnia avenue. October 10. 1912,
and formed the West End Citizens
Association. George W Evans WAS
elected president. IN which Office he
served until 1918 The other officers
elected At that FIRST meeting were:
Judge II Randall Webb first vice
president Hugh +. Harvey, second
vice president DR.. II. M. Dickson,
third vice president, A. J Dickhaut,
secretary. Morris Hahn. one Of the
founders Of the Hahn Shoe Stores.
treasurer. and Alex J. Schwarz, as
sistant secretary.
Since its formation. the association
has continued its activities under the
presidencies OF DR.. Mark T. Finley,
isl5-lof7; Judge H. Randall Webb,
lel7-ls20. Dr. william P. Herbst,
lo20-l925. Luther w Llnkins, 1925
1926. Frank Van SAINT. l9I6l928,
Charles L. Norris. l928-l93l, and to-
day is headed by Robert D. Lyons.
The other officers at present are
Charles l.. Norris, first vice president
and delegate 10 Federation Of Citizens
Associations; A. C Barber, secretary;
William r. Brown. treasurer, and
Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter, delegate TO
the federation. Mr. Brown has served
as treasurer since 1920.
Territory Is First Ward"
The territory OF this association
includes the section west OF Fifteenth
street TO Rock Greek, and from N
street south 10 the Mall. probably
better known to older residents Of
Washington as the first ward, ." which
was its designation in the days when
residents had suffrage rights,
From the start the organization
adopted a conservative policy, steered
its course away from politics and de-
veloped the intention to get back OF
the real interests of the city in
general and the West End section in
particular. The association which
has among its members representatives
from many trades and professions,
seldom, II ever, has taken official
action without referring the matter
under question to an appropriate
committee to study issues impartially
Since its beginning this body has
fought earnestly for improved street
pavements and better lighting IA
cilities, and members now can point
with pride to their many accomplish
ments in this direction. They also
were very active in enlisting their
strength in the citizens fight for in
creased pay for school teachers, Hard
battles have been fought and won for
such advantages as the continuance
of the public market at Twenty-hrst
and K streets. the acquisition Of
additional school and playground
facilities. and to prevent the location
OF certain types OF Objectionable
establishments in the section.
School Building Urged.
One OF the hardest fights this unit
has waged, and one 1t is still carrying
on, is its fight in trying to have the
60-year old Grant School replaced
with a modern building.
West End always has been opposed
TO the Borland amendment affecting
the paving Of public thoroughfares.
Its membership has expressed itself
as feeling this law imposes undue
hardship upon the property owner,
especially in the matter of increased
taxes. Those persons intent upon
advocating suffrage for the District of
Columbia always have found great
encouragement when appealing to the
support of this body, for the group
long has been on record as fayoring
national representation in Congress
for the District.
The elimination of alley dwellings
IN the National Capital, for which
appropriations already have been
made. has long been favored by this
group, and the members now feel
their aid in the fight to do away with
these dwellings has not been in vain.
Opposed Prohibition.
During pre-prohibition days the
West End group was the only as
sociation which consistently opposed
prohibition in the District, and, after
a memorable contest. withdrew from
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tionS because OF its difference On
that subject The group has since
returned to the federation Today
this association still is in the fight
for temperance. opposing subterfuges
by which efforts are made to defeat
the intent OF the District alcoholic
control act, opposing the issuance of
some types of licenses near schools.
and urging that the wishes OF the
majority of the residents of any given
section be respected If they object to
the issuing of licenses in their
neighborhood.
Other matters for which this as
sociation stands are proper police
and fire protection and regulations.
and certain improvements for several
OF the FIRE engine houses, proper
electric light, gas and telephone rates
and proper attention to the parks
The members have long favored I'M
provement of Potomac Park and its
extension to Rock Greek Park and
further north.
The group can point with pride 10
the many distinguished men and
women whose names are on its men,
berShip rollS-a list which includes
two Presidents Of the United States
President Franklin D Roosevelt be
came a member in March. during the
recent membership campaign. and
the wartime President, Woodrow
Wilson, became a member during the
membership drive in November. 1919
Another distinguished member is
Gen. John Joseph Pershing. who was
elected 10 membership in November
1925 Many other persons noted for
their accomplishments in public af-
fairs, including Theodore w. NoyeS
editor Of The Evening Star. Repre-
sentative Louis L. Ludlow Of Indiana
and Mrs Giles Scott Rafter. organizer
of the Girl Scouts in the District
are included in its membership rolls
One Of the big problems Of the