Evening star., 1934-09-30
Present Commerce Secretary
Vas First Head of Chic Unit
Sixteenth Street Heights
Group Organized
in 1917.
Paving, Lights, Trees
and Transportation
Early aims.

Commerce as its first president.
No street lights aided the belated
commuter in reaching his home in
those days and houses dotted the
roadways only at odd intervals.
The association was founded to Sc
cure needed civic Improvements and
to more closely band the residents OF
community which today stands as
one of the most attractive residential
sections of the city.
William N. Holmes, a retired busi-
ness man, residing now at 1923
Lanier place, was one of the prime
movers in establishing the association,
and it was in his home at 1925 Holly
street that the first meeting was held.
1t was here, too, that the constitu-
ton of the association was drafted
by a committee, of which Mr.. Holmes
was president and John w. Staggers,
prominent Washington attorney, was
a member.
Early Officers Recalled.
In those early days Mr.. Roper was
president of the association for sew
eral years. Mr. Holmes was secretary,
Claude Wright was treasurer and
George w. Bonnet was first vice pres
ident.
Approximately dozen residents OF
the Sixteenth Street Heights section
were instrumental in establishing the
association during its formative years,
when membership also could be dele
gated to a person by virtue OF being
an owner of property in that district,
not necessarily by residence.
The first project taken under ad-
visement was the planting OF trees
At that time the terrain was consld-
erably covered by scrub growth and
the streets were unShaded. Througn
the efforts of the association numer-
GUS shade trees were planted for shade
and to improve the general beauty.
About the same time drive was in
augurated to secure lights for the
street corners. 1t was thought that
lighting just the corners would be SUI
ficient to mark the roads at night and
give some protection from sneak
thieves. Throughout the minutes OF
the association this project OF better
lighting runs like a thread. 1t con-
tinually has been source OF conten-
ton between the association and the
District Commissioners until today
the section is well lighted in almost
every part.
Street paving was another of the
early problems of the association, and
as each new project became reality
another was brought before its men,
Monolov etnrch for the
streets were strenuously sought and Sc
cured for most of the thoroughfares
during these early years Of develop
ment.
Meetings were held at first in the
homes of the more enthusiastic men,
bers, but as the membership grew it
became necessary to secure a larger
meeting place and several meetings
we're held in the old Brooke Tea
House, at Eastern and Georgia ave-
nues. This property has since been
acquired by the Government. Then
came few years when meetings were
held in the old Northminister Presby-
terian Church until October of 1882,
when the Shepherd School was COM
pleted, and since that time the meet
ings have been a monthly part of the
school buildings functions.
The Shepherd School was project
fought for by citizens of the COM
munity for many years and much OF
the credit for its erection is due to the
Parent-Teacher Association. although
the citizens association also indorsed
and aided in securing it for the COM
munity.
Among other prominent residents of
the city who formerly were active
members of the association is Alvin
w. Hall, director of the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing, who was pres
ident and secretary Of the association
in early years.
In 1928 it was through the associa-
ton that the bus line was extended
from Sixteenth street up Alaska ave-
nue. to Holly street. Since that time
other lines have been extended and
today there is no part of the city bet
ter serviced than this district.
An amusing reminiscence of the
early periods of development is found
in the minutes of meeting where it
is recorded that the association Sc
CuTeO SIldQSS 1OT lIle Jus W
protect its citizens from the brolllng
Summer sun.
Mail Collection Improved.
Mail collections were made but once
q day until recent years, when con-
tinued protests have now effected a
four-a-day collection system. Express
companies formerly refused to deliver
packages in this section without
charge. but today they have the usual
free delivery Both of these projects
were fought for by the association.
The triangle at the intersection OF
Thirteenth and Hemlock streets and
Alaska avenue, which has shrubs,
trees and flowers planted, is a direct
result of the associations efforts.
Traffic hazards have been reduced
in recent years by repeated requests
for stop signs and other traffic signals
at the behest of association members.
The resumption of meetings this
Fall is expected to find the associa-
ton keenly interested in the develop
ment of more adequate fire protection,
residents have said.