davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-04-29
Better Homes Contest
A Popular Civic Movement.

IF THERE ever was a civic move
ment which met with a more
ready and hearty response
from organized Washington and
the metropolitan area than the
Better Homes Contest no one
seems to remember anything about
it. AS the organizations meet it
appears to be the uniform order
to Immediately indorse the move
ment and pledge active support.
Citizens associations in the Dis
trict and adjacent Maryland and
Virginia are actively organizing
committees to handle the job in
their sections. Many of these
committees are now being an
nounced. Included in such or
ganizations are the flying squad
rons that are going to ring door
bells, make the personal contacts
and sell their neighbors the idea
of entering the contest. Improv-
ing the neighborhood and the
Capital community and at the
same time making a try at the
valuable cash prizes is generally
considered a worthwhile under
taking. The appointment of the
committees and judges in the va
rlouS sections is, of course, an i'm
portant and necessary preliminary
of the campaign, but the associa-
tolls that are going to have a
chance at the $100 association
prize will have to do more than
merely appoint committees.
Leaders of the movement are
watching with interest to note
which will be the first association
to get off to flying start. Some
of the home owners in these neigh
borhoods are already sending their
entry blanks direct to the Better
Homes Contest editor with the in
formation that they do not know
who is on the committee in their
section and that they have not
been solicited.
Some citizens association lead
ers are impressed with the idea
that quick neighborhood service
for this contest will arouse an
active interest in the associations
and result in enrolment of new
members. They point out that it
has been their experience that the
neighbors are ready to affiliate
with a live militant organization
which is doing more than merely
airing the deficiencies of the Sec
ton at its monthly meetings. An
other good is expected to come
from the association having this
job on hand to keep them busy
during the Summer instead of be-
coming dormant until the Fall.
Public Works Loan for
Pressing District Needs.
)IVIC organizations have here
I tofore been divided in opin-
ion as to the advisability of
the District going into debt. For
a number of years bond issues or
advances from the United States
have had their advocates for the
purpose of number of projects
badly needed by the District. The
opponents of such legislation have
always found enough sympathetic
souls in Congress to hold the Dis
trict to q cash policy.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
Will Meet Thursday.

The Central Northwest Citizens
Association, covering the area bounded
by Florida avenue, Seventeenth street,
K street and North Capitol street,
will hold its regular meeting in Gar
net-Patterson Junior High School
Thursday at pm. George w. Beas-
ley, president Of the Federation Of
Civic Associations, is also president
of the Central Northwest Citizens
Association. p. A. Beaman is the
recording secretary.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
TO HOLD GARDEN SHOW

The annual tulip show of the
Woodbridge Garden Club. an affiliate
of the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens
Association, will be held Saturday in
the Woodbridge Branch Library,
22O6 Rhode Island avenue.
Entries may be made from 2:30
until pm. and Judging will begin
at $50 pm. The show will be open
to the public at pm. A plant sale
will also be held, proceeds Of which
will go to the Garden Club.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
Admitted to Federation.

Shortly after the name was changed
to the Dahlgren Terrace Citizens
Association and the association was
admitted to the Federation of Citi-
Zens' Associations.
The organizations name was taken
from the name of a public circle
park originally projected on the plat
books OF the city at the intersection
OF Twelfth street and Rhode Island
avenue northeast, to be known as
Dahlgren Circle. AS further real es-
tate development advanced the COM
munity itself was given the name
of Dahlgren Terrace.
Among the associations early prof.
ects were adequate school facilities
and zoning Of the area in keeping
with the beauty and dignity of a
model residential locality such as this
was. Under the leadership of Presi-
dent Barnes, the community obtained
a zoning of its residential areas as
"A-restricted, that is, only detached
family residences.
Through efforts Of its members and
under leadership by Mrs. j. G.. Kings
bury, the association was successful
in having the city purchase a school
site and during the administration
of William j. Weber the first unit of
the Crosby S. Noyes Elementary
School was dedicated. This school
was named for a great worker in
civic affairs of the city.
Among the outstanding leaders in
its progressive life have been Mr..
Pickering, DR.. Radcliffe, Mr.. Barnes,
Mr.. Kmgsbury, DeloS P. James, Will
liam H. LuerS and A. F. E. Scheer.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
Membership Committee Feted.


The nearly 80 members of the
Washington Board of Trades Mem
bership Committee were honored at
the annual meeting of the organiza-
ton in the Mayf1oWer Hotel Thurs
DAY night.
Claude w. Owen, president of the
board, presented each member of the
committee with an engraved certifi-
cate as personal tributes to their un-
selfish cooperation" In making the
presentation Mr.. Owen pointed out
that the committee had held more
than hundred meetings during the
year, and has been responsible for
adding more than $50 new members
to the roster of the organization dur
ing that period.
Fred A. Smith is chairman of the
committee Other officers are Harry
H. r. Helwig, first vice chairman;
Wallace B. Robinson, second vice
chairman; Robert ]. Cottrell, secre-
tary; Archie K. Ship, assistant secre-
tary; Karl E. FARRELL, treasurer, and
Joseph c. McGarraghy, sergeant at
arms.
The directors of the Board of Trade,
of whom 10 new members were elected
at the meeting Thursday, will meet
shortly to elect officers of the board
for the coming year.
Blossom Festival Successful.
''The Cherry Blossom Festival from
the standpoint of entertainment and
the size of the crowds attracted, was en-
tirely successful" said Curtis Hodges,
executive director of the Greater Ma
tional Capital Committee of the
Washington Board of Trade, which
handled the promotion of the festival.
Undoubtedly, festival program will
be presented again next year. 1t will
be probably even a greater success.
"The Cherry Blossom Festival
brought a very large sum of outside
money into the city and it gained for
Washington a large volume of Nation
wide publicity. 1t might be said also
that it served as window dressing for
the efforts that are being made in
Washington to build up the travel
business to the most profitable point.
1.-The Cherry Blossom crowds piled
into the city within short period of
time and the people living here could
not help observing that there was a
large crowd in the city and that they
were spending money. There is little
doubt that the amount of outside
money expended in Washington in
the month of April will run between
S4,O00,000 and $4,000, ,000."
Evening star., 1934-04-29
TO HOLD LAST MEETING
Chillum Heights Group to Ad-
journ Until Fall.

The Chillum Heights Citizens As
sociation will hold its last meeting
this season Friday night at the Keene
School, Thomas w. Joy, the president,
announced yesterday. He declared it
is the policy Of the association to
adjourn in May Of each year and to
convene again in September.
The North Cleveland Park Citizens
Association Is to decide Tuesday
night, when it meets at the Reno
Esther Hall, If that is to be its last
meeting this Summer, j. A. Bresna-
ham, president, announced.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
WINNER OF ELECTION
QUITS AFTER ONE DAY

LA PORTE, Tex, April % (P).-A
disillusioned offceseeker is E. E. Sea-
men of La Porte. He ran for public
office, was elected, worked one day and
quit.
Seamen was elected to the con-
solidated position of city secretary,
treasurer, tax assessor and collector
and Corporation Court judge. At the
close of his first day he rendered his
resignation to the mayor, explaining
the duties of his Office were more
than care to assume"
His opponent in the election, I. w.
Rust, was appointed to succeed him.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
THURSDAY, MAY 3.

Burroughs Citizens Association, 8
pm, Burroughs School. Program
Action to secure modernization Of fire
fighting equipment at No. II Engine
House; discussion of the cleanup
campaign with an address from
representative from the Chamber of
Commerce; discussion of the widen
ing Of F street between Seventh and
Ninth streets; address by Deputy
Chief o. E. Fearn, superintendent Of
machinery Of the Fire Department,
on the departments appropriations;
Legislation Committee report on the
taxicab liability insurance bill: plans
for securing a child health center in
the Burroughs area.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
J. v. MORGAN TO TALK
1nha bitants to Hear Address on
Tercentenary,

The Association Of Oldest In
habitsnts of the District will hear
an address by Joseph v. Morgan on
THE Maryland Tercentenary" when
it meets at the old Union Engine
House Wednesday night, James F.
Duhamel, the secretary, announced
yesterday. He added that members
will hear of the aims, progress and
many other interesting features con-
corning the tercentenary.
Evening star., 1934-04-29

Friendship Citizens Association, 8
pm, Janney School. Program-Action
to secure the opening of Forty-second
street from Albemarle street to
Brandywine street; action to secure
settlement Of the boundary line be-
tween the North Cleveland Park and
the Friendship Citizens Associations;
nomination of officers; action on The
Stars Better Homes Contest; report
from Fairgrounds Committee; COM
mittee report on the development of
Fort Reno area as affecting the pro-
posed Woodrow Wilson High School.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2.

Association Of Oldest Inhabitants
of the District, 7:30 pm, Old Union
Engine House, Nineteenth and H
streets. Program-Address by Joseph
v. Morgan on THE Maryland Tercen-
tenary; address by a representative
from the District Commissioners Of
fee on Cleanup week"
Evening star., 1934-04-29
FRIDAY, MAY 4.

Chillum Heights Citizens Associa-
ton, 8 pm, Keene School. Program
Discussion Of subsistence gardens;
discussion Of zoning problems; discus
sion Of bus problems; discussion Of
The Stars Better Homes Contest;
moving pictures.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
GROUP
AWA|T|NCHEAR|NG
TO URGE BUILDING
Long-Sought Library and
Roosevelt Addition to Be
Asked.

Members of the Petworth Citizens
Association are looking forward to a
hearing before the Senate District
Committee to give them opportunity
to plead for a seven-room addition
to the Roosevelt High School and a
branch Of the Public Library to be
built in the section.
Both projects have long been
sought and urgently requested in
resolutions adopted at regular meet
ings of the association.
Recently, John T. Thomas, presi-
dent of the association, and Harvey
o. Craver, chairman of the associa-
tion's Committee on Education, to-
gether with representative Of the
Roosevelt High School Parent
Teacher Association, interviewed Sen
ator William H. King. chairman Of
the Senate District Committee, to
request hearing on the two
projects.
Hearing Awaited.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Thomas and other
members are awaiting definite word
of a time to be set for such a hear
ing.
The Petworth group and the Roose-
welt Parent Teacher Association,
along with other groups in the Pet
worth section, want the library
branch erected on the Roosevelt High
School and Mcfarland Junior High
School tract. 1t has been suggested
by these groups that the branch
be built at cost approximating the
sum of Sl25,O00. This amount is
believed necessary to erect branch
library which would be in keeping
with the school buildings and sur
rounding territory, as well as enabling
the erection of a building which
would be a credit to the section COW
cred by the Petworth Citizens Asso-
ciation.
Economy Plan Defeated.
A suggestion at a recent meeting
Of the association that a sum Of only
s50,000 be set aside for the building
of the library branch-in keeping
with economy-was automatically
turned down when the question was
referred back to committee making
the latter suggestion.
Members Of the Petworth Citizens
Association feel generally that the
library should be a credit to the
section and that an adequate sum to
insure that it is such should be
provided for its erection.
The seven-room addition to Roose-
welt High School is needed. 1t is
pointed out, to do away with an
already crowded condition at the
school. as recently has been pointed
out by school officials.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
Unit i'm Chillum
Heights Gives
Survey Data.
FEDERAL APPROVAL
OF PLAN PREDICTED
Flowing Already Begun
on Lots at Disposal
of Officials.

A tract Of land large enough for
approximately dozen gardens, each
so feet wide by 100 feet deep, has been
offered the Emergency Relief Division
by the Chillum Heights Citizens As
sociation, for use In the subsistence
gardens program.
The offer was made In response to
an appeal for more land by r. L.
King, who is directing the gardens
project for Leroy A. Halbert, head Of
the Emergency Relief Division. {.
Decision to make a survey of the
Chillum section, with view to max
ing such an offer, was reached at the
last meeting of the organization.
Cyrus T. Bright, one Of the most ac-
tive members of the association, called
attention to the gardens program and
pointed cut:
There is a great deal Of Govern
ment-owned land in this section which
could be used to good advantage by
the Emergency Relief Division"
Survey Is Completed.
Thomas w. Joy, president Of the
organization; A. w. Cline, secretary,
and Mr.. Bright were authorized to
make survey of the area and take
whatever further action they deemed
advisable.
The survey was completed Wednes-
day and MessrS. Joy and Bright re-
ported their findings to Miss Mary
Edith Coulson, welfare and recreation
~ h. 1F ioI
Agencies.
Accompanied by Mr.. King they took
Miss Coulson to the tract, located
near Riggs and Rock Greek Church
roads. After a tour Of inspection,
Miss Coulson and Mr.. King agreed
the tract was very desirable"
The only thing that remains to
be done," said Mr.. King, sis to OBJ
tain the Governments permission to
use the property. 1t has been set
aside for use in the proposed forts
we shall have any difficulty in get
ting it. Our use Of it would not in
terfere in any way with its future
development along the lines plan
ned"
Flowing Is Begun.
Both Mr.. Joy and Mr.. Bright said
they would be glad to cooperate with
Miss Coulson and Mr.. King in an
attempt to obtain the necessary per-
mission.
Meanwhile, blowing Of the tracts
already at the disposal Of the Emer-
gency Relief Division is nearing COM
pletion, and it is expected all avail
able gardens will be planted before
the end of the week.
Vegetables raised in the gardens
will be the property of the garden
ers-to eat Immediately or to preserve
for use next Winter. Plans for the
canning are being made by the Ad-
visory Committee on Subsistence Gar
dens. headed by Mrs. Frederick II.
Brooke.
Mrs. Brooke's committee, consisting
Of representatives of the Emergency
Relief Division, the District Work
Planning Committee and the Council
Of Social Agencies, also Is working
hand-in-hand with Mr.. King in su-
perviSing the cultivation Of the gar.
denS.
Evening star., 1934-04-29

Central Citizens Association, pm,
Blake School. reorganization on
the question of tax assessments on
property along North Capitol street;
discussion Of the parking situation as
affecting North Capitol street; action
on The Stars Better Homes Contest.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
SEEK CIVIC VIEWS
0NP.W.A. DISPUTE
Controversy Menaces Job
That Must Start in
Two Weeks.
BY staff Correspondent of The Star.

BY Stan correspondent OF The Star.
CLARENDON, Va, April 2S-Ar-
lington County's numerous civic or
ganizations are being requested to &C
lively enter the controversy over the
county's proposed $2,50O,0OO sewerage
system in an effort to force prompt
action by the county board in COM
plying with requirements of the Pub
lie Works Administration that work
be started within the next two weeks.
Point of Contention.
The Civic Federation has already
gone on record as favoring the stand
of the three elected members of the
county board, that the two proposed
disposal plants be erected as a part
OF the systems, in accordance with
the plans of the engineers who have
been directing the work, and Chair
man M. Kelley of the county board
addressed both the Lyon Village and
Ballston Citizens Associations on the
subject during the past week.
Interest of the civic bodies is large
ly from the point of view of commu-
nifty betterment. The two appointed
members of the county governing
body have advocated that the con-
Struction Of the disposal plants be
delayed until last for fear there will
not be enough money for these, the
installation of the trunk and lateral
lines and the necessary engineering
work.
Seek River Publication.
Should it be necessary to eliminate
any part Of the proposed system be-
cause there is insufficient money, they
claim, the disposal plants should be
left off, especially since raw sewage
is turned into the Potomac River by
the District.
The Civic Federation feels Arlington
County can and should be the first
to take steps toward river publication
through treatment of sewage. The
county is swiftly assuming the propor-
tionS of an urban community, it is
claimed, and it's citizens and those of
the District should combine to make
the river fit for the enjoyment of the
people of the two localities.
Evening star., 1934-04-29

Washington Highlands Citizens As
sociation, 8 pm, 4235 Nichols avenue
southeast. Program-Action on The
Stars Better Homes Contest; discus
sion on Cleanup week.; action on
Evening star., 1934-04-29
With Civic Organizations
Associations Unanimous in Belief That D. c. Supply
Bill Slash Was Unjmst-Better Homes
Contest Interest Spreads.

The p. w. A. 1890 system of
advances by the Federal Govern.
ment, with repayment on an easy
payment plan, and the District
with a number of pressing needs
of large magnitude, has put a new
slant on the borrowing question.
One of the most consistent oppo-
nents Of the District going into
debt has been the Federation of
Citizens Associations, which at its
recent meeting recorded its ap-
proval Of the proposal to have
Congress authorize the Commits
sioners to ask an advance from the
P. w. A. of $40 1000 900, Of which
80 per cent would be a grant and
the remaining 70 per cent would
be repaid, with interest at 4 per
cent per annum. In making this
radical departure from its estab-
lished policy, great care was taken
to state that such action was not
to be considered as a precedent.
The federation also was specific
In urging that the authorization
definitely name for what projects
or type Of projects the money is
to be used. The schedule it rec
commended includes those which
have been advocated as the most
urgent and are as follows:
Schools and grounds 81 oOo ooo
tuberculosis Sanitarium . 500 600
Ward for Gallinger Hospital 100000
sewage disposal plant . 5000 600
Municipal center building 1000 600
enclosure at reformatory. 100000
Michigan avenue grade
crossing abolition go. 45O 600
Petworth Branch Library. 100000
pennsylvania Avenue Bridge 1000 600
New branch libraries. -. 100000
$4,000. 600
There seems to be rather uni
form agreement as to the fedora
tion's schedule except as to the
municipal center item, which,
while conceded to be urgently
needed, has. as a rule, been regarded
as in a class by itself because it
is part of very elaborate plan
prescribed for the District by the
United States to fit into the Gov
ernment building scheme. Some
OF the gentlemen in Congress. who
take an interest in District affairs,
have in the past indicated there
should be definite plan provided
for the financing of the elaborate
municipal center, in which the
United States would have a sub
stantial financial part. Because Of
this and due also to the threat
against the municipal center by a
member Of the House. who at
present seems to be clothed with
the full power Of exclusive legisla-
ton. so far as the House is con-
cerned, there has been a sugges-
ton that this item be omitted.
The attitude of the federation
further seems to be that if these
funds are authorized and the ad-
Vances are made, there should be
every safeguard surrounding the
expenditures so as to absolutely
insure the money being economic
ally used. The sentiment is that
the Commissioners must not feel
compelled to expend all this money
just to create work, no matter
what primitive methods Of opera
ton may be employed. The one
idea it is believed, should be to get
the most and the best for the
money to help the District catch
up on its major pressing needs.
And by all means the Commission
ers should afford the citizens amble
opportunity to be heard regarding
the projects before they are un-
dertaken.
Evening star., 1934-04-29
|
Drive Ties Up With
Better Homes
Contest.
TRADE BOARD FETES
MEMBERSHIP GROUP
Blossom Festival Proves
to Be All.'ROund
Success.

Tying in with The Stars 81 900 Bet
ter Homes Contest, which will con-
tinue through September Is, with
the primary objective of improving
Washington residences and beautify-
ing the city generally, the Cleanup
week program of the Washington
Chamber of Commerce will be for
mally launched next week.
Publicized through newspapers, the
radio, service clubs, civic associations,
trade bodies and other groups, the
chamber has issued call to all citi-
zens to cooperate during the week of
May Z to II in the movement.
In letter to various civic groups,
William c. Miller, president of the
chamber, said:
Aid in Recovery.
"It is our feeling that observance
OF Cleanup week this Spring is of
particular Importance to the recovery
program as Stimulant to business.
as means of increasing employment
and as method of making Washing
ton still more beautiful and attrac-
tive city in which to live"
James G.. Yaden. president of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
also has called upon the member asso-
Citations of the federation to do
everything they can to insure the
complete success of Cleanup week"
Needless to say" Mr. Yaden said
"our organization is whole -heartedly
behind all constructive moves of this
kind, which have as their aim the
improvement and Identification of our
National Capital"
The District Commissioners have
issued a proclamation officially set
ting aside the period as Cleanup
week
Evening star., 1934-04-29
CITIZENS OFFER TRACT
SUITABLEFOR TWELVE
Observation-Disclosures
Civic Calendar
Interest Continues in
Better Homes
Contest.
MONDAY, APRIL 80.

Joint conference Of Northeast Sub
urban Citizens Association, 8 p.m.,
No. IL Precinct, Seventeenth street
and Rhode Island avenue northeast.
Program-Discussion of District ap-
preparation bill, action to secure en-
forcement of District health laws with
emphasis on sterilization of drug store
and restaurant eating utensils; dis
cussion Of the proposed all-nsght park
ing ban; discussion Of daytime park
ing ban in downtown area; discussion
of District residence rule for police
and f1remen; action on, with recon-
mendations to the constituent asso-
Citations, The Washington Stars Bet
ter Homes Contest.
Trinidad Citizens Association,
pm, Wheatley School. Program
Action on The Stars Better Homes
Contest and appointment of a COM
mittee to direct participation; address
by a representative from the Chamber
Of Commerce on Cleanup week."
with plans for participation; action
on all-night parking; renewed action
to secure a branch public library;
discussion Of Northeast Boys Club ac-
tivities.