Evening star., 1934-10-14
CONFERENCE PLAN |
OF CIVIC EFFORT
GROWS IN FAVOR.
Federation Head Approves
Projected Formation of
Two New Groups.

Voteles Washington citizenry more
and more is trying to make its voice
heard in the citadels Of Government
through the joint conference plan Of
civic action.
Commenting on the projected found
ing of such conferences in the North
east and Southeast sections Of the city,
James @. Yaden, president Of the Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Associations, yes
terday pointed out many advantages
to be gained.
The idea is not a new one. It
began about 10 years ago, and a num-
ber Of active organizations of this
type have been functioning for years.
Included among these are the Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Associations, the
Interfederation Conference, the Mont
gomery and Arlington County fedora
tions and the Joint Conference of
Northeast Suburban Citizens Associa-
tions
Each is made up of representatives
Of neighborhood and community or
ganizations who meet regularly to
further the achievements Of their
home groups.
Advantages Listed.
Scanning accomplishments Of these
bodies southeast and northeast lead
ers found many advantages:
I. Coordination Of effort re-
sulting in unison Of many voices
to get some one thing desired
by all, rather than the con-
fusion of the same voices seek
ing many things.
2. Speeding of action through
having one subject presented to
delegates from many groups at
the same time, also resulting in
greater unity.
8. Extension Of the scope of a
neighborhood group to questions
OF city-wide Importance.
4. Elimination Of minor OBJ
jects in favor Of those that
bring the greatest benefit to the
largest number of citizens.
S. A more orderly presenta-
ton of wishes before city and
Federal authorities.
These conferences will increase IN
terest in individual associations, A. r,
Z. Scheer, Dahlgren Terrace president,
said yesterday.
Since being chairman of the 9-year-
old Joint Conference of Northeast
Suburban Citizens Associations he has
found conferences could in some cases
keep small associations from drying
up" by furnishing pertinent questions
of city-wide Importance.
The suburban conference came into
existence, he said, as a result Of the
banding together of Michigan Park,
Brookland and Dahlgren Terrace Citi-
zens' Associat tions to participate in a
celebration for the paving and re-
lighting Of Twelfth street northeast.
Since then, he added, the Burroughs
group organized and joined the con-
ference. -
There will be more conferences in
all sections of the city" Mr.. Scheer
stated. after the different citizens as-l
sociations begin to see the benefits
gained from those now IN existence. I"
The need for conferences Is not con-
fined to any quarter of the city, he
believes, as any section would profit
equally well from such organizations.
Favored by Yaden. i-
Mr.. Yaden said he is strongly in
favor Of the conferences. The trouble
in the past, he declared, is that the
groups have not been able to agree
upon what they want in many cases.
One group sometimes fights the pro-
posal of an adjoining association, he
said, and he thinks it will ''be fine
thing if they can agree before they
come to the federation with their
views"
"The bridge situation in southeast
is a good example of this" Mr.. Yaden
declared. He expressed the hope that
the associations in the projected
southeast conference could come to
an agreement on bridge project and
then present their views in con-
certed effort on the floor of the fed
Grafton. They would get further II
this was done, he believes.
On being questioned as to whether
conferences would interfere in any
way with the work Of the federation,
he replied definitely: SIT will not
provided they stick to their original
aims and seek betterment in their own
territories" He believes the fedora
ton will encourage the idea in any
associations that plan to form con-
ference.
The Anacostia River Park was made
what it is today largely through the
efforts of conference" of citizens
associations similar to those now in
existence or in stages Of formation.
C. A. Barker, many years member
Of Randle Highlands Citizens Associa-
ton, related to members at recent
meeting the experiences Of the Ana
costa River Park Conference, which
came into being seven years ago.
Mr.. Barker praised the projected
Joint Conference Of Southeast Citi-
zens' Associations and told members
that citizens usually accomplished
more when the associations Of a given
locality band together in o single
group and fight for civic improve
ments. He cited improvements gained
by the old conference as encourage
ment to member associations of the
Southeast body.
Composed Of Five Groups.
The Anacostia River Park Confer
ence was composed Of five groups:
Congress Heights, Anacostia, Randle
Highlands, East Washington Heights
and Kenilworth Citizens Associations.
Mr.. Barker said the groups were pri-
marily interested in the development
of the fllled-in area along the Potomac
River between the Anacostia bridge
and the Pennsylvania avenue south
east bridge.
Each Of the component member as
sociations sent two delegates to the
conference, Mr.. Parker declared. DR..
George G. Havenner Of the Anacostta
Citizens Association acted as chair
man of the group, Barker added.
The group sent delegates before the
House and Senate District Commit
tees, the District Commissioners and
the National Park and Planning Com