Evening star., 1934-09-02
CITIZENS OF SOUTHEAST
MAY FORM CONFERENCE
Delegates of Nine Units
to Hold Meeting
Wednesday.
SEEK TO HELP AREA
Program Will Call for
Cooperation With
Federation.

Inc possibility OF the 1OrrndllOH VI
q new civic organization in South
east Washington, similar to the Joint
Conference of Northeast Suburban
Citizens Associations, was revealed
yesterday when it was learned this
plan would be considered by repre-
sentatives of the nine citizens asso-
Citations in this area when they meet
Wednesday to discuss a camapign for
improvements in Southeast Wash
ington.
Vernis Absher, chairman of the
Civic Committee of the Southeast
Citizens Association, said the idea of
such an organization has been in
the minds of many southeast civic
leaders for a long time, but that this
meeting affords the first opportunity
they have had for an open discussion
by representatives from each Of the
nine groups.
Member Groups Listed.
"This new organization would be
composed of a certain number of
delegates, probably three, from each
of the nine groups, namely the South
east, Washington Highlands, East
Washington Heights, AnacoStia, Sum-
init Park, Hillcrest, Randle Highlands,
Congress Heights and Lincoln Park
Citizens Associations" Absher said
This is following the style of the
Northeast Joint Conference, which is
composed of delegates from the
Dahlgren Terrace, Brookland. Bur-
roughs and Michigan Park Citizens
Associations.
Absher emphasized the fact these
associations in Southeast do not
intend to withdraw from the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations. He
said:
"All Southeast groups are members
in good standing in the federation
and it is not our intention to with
draw or in any way work against the
federation.
What we want is a permanent
Joint committee, which will at all
times be representative of all the
citizens groups, that can meet to
discuss and act on matters which
affect the whole area. So many
times situations which confront in
dividual associations could be ironed
out by getting the ideas and views
Of other groups.
Furthermore, I believe such joint
committee would have more power to
carry on fight for some needed i'm
provement than does a single as
ISOLATION"
Delegations Of Three.
Meanwhile, plans are going forward
to have three representatives from
each of the associations at the We'd
nesday meeting, in the Buchanan
School, Thirteenth and D streets
southeast, which has been called
chiefly to get the views of the differ
ent groups on series of proposed
improvements in Southeast Washing
ton.
These representatives plan to dis
ments in this section, but more specif-
ically, the 14-point program drawn
up by the Southeast Citizens AS
sociation last March, and the IS,
point program of improvements for
which the Southeast Business Mems
Association has been fighting during
the Summer months.
One of the important points which
will come up for discussion Is the
proposal to remove the trees and
center parking on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. between Eleventh street SOUTH
east and the bridge. Several Of the
citizens associations are on record as
opposing this, while other groups, in
eluding the business mems group, ia
vor the proposal.
VIII Discuss Bridge.
Another important matter will be
the proposed new Pennsylvania ave-
nue. bridge. While all the associa-
tions concede the present Pennsylvania
Avenue Bridge is in bad condition and
should be replaced, several groups
have been fighting for bridge to be
built from South Capitol street across
the Anacostia River.
Another matter which affects, prin-
cipally, the Southeast Citizens Asso-
ciation's area-the removal of the gar
bage transfer plant from New Jersey
avenue and K street southeast to an
entirely industrial section-is ex-
pected to be a major point in the
discussion.
Other matters which will come up
include the repairing and widening Of
certain streets; paving Of sidewalks;
widening of Minnesota avenue from
Central avenue to Pennsylvania ave-
and Central avenue; cleaning up Of
slum alleys, and the enlarging Of
Eastern High School.