Evening star., 1934-11-25
BY JESSE c. SUTER.


~ sive study of the many
civic problems is under
way by the organizations and by
some Of the folks on Capitol Hill
who really take an interest in their
Jobs as local legislators for the
National Capital community.
The most striking feature OF the
present civic activity appears to
be the grouping Of neighborhood
units into larger sectional joint
committees conferences and coun-
cis) for unified work for their
sections. These Joint efforts are
expected to produce real results
through the ironing out OF the
differences and thus eliminating
the working at cross-purposes
which has in the past defeated
many a needed project. Through
this sectional teamwork, President
Yaden Of the Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations sees an increase
of opportunity for the federation
to add effectively the weight Of its
influence in behalf Of the several
sections OF the District.
Women's Club Federation
Department of Legislation.
"HE November meeting of the
District of Columbia FEEDER
alton Of Women's Clubs to-
morrow will have its program in
charge of the department Of leg
islation, of which Mrs. Edith l..
Phelps is chairman. Speakers
will include E. Barrett Pretty
man, corporation counsel, who
will present his nine-point legis-
lative program, and Paul E. Lesh.
who will speak on national rep
resentation for the District. The
meeting will start at 1890 am.
and there will be luncheon after
the morning session.
Inclosed with the notice Of this
meeting, sent out by the president,
Mrs. Harvey w. Wiley, is a very
comprehensive outline Of the leg
islative program and other mat
ter prepared by the department
of legislation. There was also
inclosed a reprint Of the article in
The Star by Theodore W. Noyes.
The Day, November 6, 1884" in
which was made a strong plea Tor
the granting of national repre-
septation to the District Of Column
bia.
The department Of legislation
has some very definite plans for
getting the women of the country
interested in the national enfran-
chisement Of their voteless and
unrepresented fellow Americans
of the National Capital community.
More Interesting Meetings
To Increase Attendance.
4 NUMBER of the citizens as
~ Sociations are planning 10
vary programs so as TO in
crease the interest and attendance.
The plan Of simply having speak
ers from the outside has not
always proved drawing card. In
many quarters the chief criticism
of these meetings is that there
is too much talk. A certain
amount Of talk is necessary and
good for any such organization,
but very often 1t is too much Of
good thing, especially much
which Is reiteration.
Col. E. Goring Bliss, the new
president of Dupont Circle Asso-
citation, says an association must
act as a clearing house by Q in
forming the citizens of current
matters and problems which con-
Germ them and (2) informing the
District and Federal Governments
of the views. desires and wishes of
the citizens. If a citizens asso-
citation does not perform this i'm
portant function" continues Col.
Bliss, lit loses its value as a civic
body and can be classed no longer
as such" He further believes that
If the association committees are
active and thorough in their work
much needless discussion can be
avoided in association meetings
The most experienced civic
leaders recognize the fact that
even "snappy," thoroughly pre-
pared meetings will not continue
to draw a substantial attendance
unless some other features are in
troduced.. This is simply to rec
ognize a human characteristic
expressed in the homely old saw,
'all work and no play makes Jack
q dull boy"
Some years ago a well known
sociologist, who was engaged in
organizing the farmers of various
sections into groups for their mu-
tual benefit, addressed one of our
citizen bodies and advocated mix
ing a little play with the work.
He told how the first aim in or
ganizing the farmers was to get
them to playing together. He said
that they always found that if
they would get to playing together
they would become better &C
quainted and just naturally drop
into working together.
Randle Highlands Association,
having PROBABLY the largest per-
centage of attendance, is to have
surprise programs and its meeting
last week ended with a dance. The
new president of Stanton Park
Association, James P. Farmer, be-
lieves in making the meetings
something more than mere matter
of-fact gatherings. He threatens
to surprise the members with en-
tertainments, interesting and in
structive speakers, debates and
spelling bees. The new order will
become effective at the December
meeting.
Other associations are planning
new features to increase the at
tendance and heighten the interest.
1t is even heard that some will ar
range neighborhood family-style
dinners to help get the neighbors
acquainted.
Evening Star Night
At Dahlgren Terrace Association.