Evening star., 1934-12-09
CIVIC FEDERATION,
ORGANIZED IN 1921,
IS AcT|vEF CITY
Anti. Crime Work and Fight
for Vote Are Part of
Notable Record.


The Federation OF Civic Associations
Is the concentration Of . widespread
and progressive interest In civic Affairs
by the colored community in Wash
ington.
Since its organization, November 10,
1921, It has grown In influence and
popular appreciation, until today 1t
has been accorded unprecedented rec
ignition at the hands Of the execu-
tive officers Of the District and has
received most noteworthy cooperation
from the Federation Of Citizens Asso-
citation and Its president. James G.
Yaden.
DR.. George II. Richardson, president
of the Public Interest Citizens Asso-
citation of Northeast, was elected
president at this first meeting
and continued to hold this office
for IL years, missing but one meeting
during that period.
Previous to this oficial organiza-
ton meeting November 10, however,
George T. Beason, president of the
Georgetown Civic Association, called
a meeting to set forth plans designed
to bring about the federation Of the
several civic associations of the COL
ored community and outlined the OBJ
ject Of such a conference. The meeting
was called on october 81, 1921, at the
Wendell Phillips School. The follow
ing civic associations were represented
at this meeting: Anacostia, Benning-
Glendale Oakland, Georgetown, Pleas
ant Plains, Potomac and Reno.
Second Meeting Held.
The second meeting called to fur
ther organization plans was on Oc-
tober 20 at the Twelfth Street Y.
M. G. A., and In addition to those
represented at the first meeting, the
following also sent delegates: Howard
Park, Northeast Boundary, Northeast
Improvement. and q pledge Of support
by letter from the GARFIELD Civic As
ISOLATION.
Mr.. Beason was elected temporary
chairman at this meeting and John
T. Bowles temporary secretary. The
first regular meeting was set for
December 6, but on November / Mr..
Bowles was requested to call q meeting
Of The Civic Alliance" for November
10. The Central Association was also
represented at this meeting, at which
a committee was appointed to revise
the temporary constitution and by
laws. Other officers elected than DR..
Richardson were Ellie 8. Hoffman,,
vice president; George e. Jackson,
recording secretary; w. w. Cohran,
corresponding secretary, and z. ].
Morton, treasurer.
The federation meets the fourth
Friday Of each month In the board
room o. the District Building. It Is
composed Of 18 associations, two dele
gates representing each group. For
seven years 1t sent delegates to the
Citizens Advisory Council, consisting
OF DR.. Richardson, Mr.. Beason and
alternately between w. w. Hall and
william Lewis.
Cooperate With N. r. A.
Last year the federation appointed
q special committee to canvass various
sections and secure approval Of the N.
r. A. The committee exceeded its
quota in placing the posters in homes
OF residents. National representa- ton
has been favored by the federation
since its founding and more recently
1t has Endorsed the movement Of the
Federation Of Citizens Associations In
its movement against crime. A Vigi-
lance Committee under the chairman
snip OF George w. Beasley has been
appointed.
The most recent important project
engaging the attention Of the fedora
ton is the abatement Of q nuisance
on land adjoining the George Bell
Public School. The federation con-
tends this is q junk yard which is
ugly and menacing and has made
hideous the environment Of . public
school in what Is termed an already
underprivileged community. The
Board Of Education, at the insistence
Of the federation, sought relief In the
matter in May, 1884, without result.
On October AZ Of this year the body
petitioned the President of the United
States for relief and won the sympa-
thetic interest Of the White House.
Although no definite success has been
made, the group is to continue its ef-
forts until success Is realized.
Ohicers are Named.
Omcers Of the federation were
elected recently. They are George w.
Beasley, reelected for third term as
president; Mrs. Jacqueline Cuney, re-
elected first vice president; r. B.
Woodson, elected second vice presi-
dent; Benjamin T. Montgomery,
elected corresponding secretary; Mai.
Howard D. Queen. reelected treasurer
and Rev. G. B. Ashton. elected chap
lain. DR.. George H. Richardson,
president emeritus installed Mr.. Bea-
sley in the chair.
At the present time the federation
consists Of l8 civic associations. They
are Benning Glendale Oakland,
Bloomingdale, Capitol View, Central
Northwest, Deanwood, East Central,
Eastland Gardens, Garfield, Hillsdale,
Ivy City, Kingman Park, Northeast
Boundary, Northwest Brightwood,
Pleasant Plains. Public Interest Citi-
zens' Association Of East Washington,
Rock Greek, Southeast Civic League
and Southwest Civic Associations.
At the last meeting, the Marshall
Heights Civic Association applied for
membership but was refused because
it was held this groups area lies within
the territory Of the Capitol View as
sociation. Instead, the Marshall
Heights body was advised to consoli-
date with the Capitol View association.