Evening star., 1934-01-21
CONDUIT ROAD UNIT
FORMED TO OBTAIN
COMMUNITY NEEDS
Lack of Pavements and
Water Caused Organization
in October of 1916.

Need for high pressure water mains
in the extreme western section Of the
District. coupled with the fact that
residents of that area had no pave
ments on which to walk, resulted in the
formation Of the Conduit Road Citi-
zens' Association
That was back in 1916 Lots Of water
has gone through those high-pressure
mains since then, and thanks to the
concerted efforts of the organization.
residents Of the area have had their
sidewalks, too.
On cold, rainy night in October,
1916, so residents Of the section, fear
full of the fire hazards surrounding
their homes as the result of lack Of
adequate water supply, met in the
parish hall Of ST. Davids Church. On
recommendation of Frank Shull, the
group decided to call itself the Conduit
Road Citizens Association.
Projects for Public Interest.
Since then the aim of the members
has been to sponsor and help all pub
lie interests within the District of
Columbia and particularly those af-
fecting the territory in the vicinity
of Conduit road and thus make their
territory a model one In which to live
The association embracing the area
bounded by Wyoming avenue on the
north, Arizona avenue excluding Fox
hall VILLAGE on the east, the Potomac
River on the south and the District
line on the west. started its first meet
ing with about so members. and since
that time has grown to around $50
with record attendance on November
23 1898, of 116 participating In the
meeting.
From the beginning these energetic
residents have labored for the better
ment of the civic conditions in their
locality, first foreseeing the need of
high pressure water mains for fire pro-
lection and then rapidly entering a
needed by the children of this area.
which ended with the acquisition of
public parks No 400 and No 504 Next
they vigorously demanded that their
territory should be zoned into IA re-
stricted with the exception of certain
places already of a commercial nature
along Conduit road This reached sue
cessful fruition in 1927
Then the group sought successfully
for the widening of Conduit road from
its present status to a double boulevard
starting at Reservoir road and ending
at the District line with the attendant
condemnation proceedings for acquisi-
tions of property on both sides of the
road.
In conjunction with this thev asked
for the installation of ornamental light
ing poles with underground wiring.
While this met with the approval of
the Park and Planning Commission 1t
will not be effected until later, due to
the lack of necessary funds.
Accomplishments Reviewed.
Other civic Improvements gained
for their territory by the association
consist Of better street car service,
obtaining Washington Railway g. Elec-
trio Co. bus line to Norton street, the
starting Of a kindergarten at Reservoir
School in 1922, the obtaining Of the
Francis Scott Key School in 1928, estab-
lishment of branch public library
fighting the Belt Line Railroad In the
battle they were aided by the Montgom-
cry County Civic Federation d Mary
land. The extension of gas lines for
home cooking and water heating also
has been obtained.
Besides these major problems, they
have at all times recommended street
openings, repairs, grading and police
and fire improvement.
Later they were successful In having
Potomac avenue included in the plan
for the George Washington Memorial
Boulevard and also in getting an ade-
quate high power lighting system for
Conduit and Chain Bridge roads.
The group has time and again ex-
pressed their opinion and sent recon-
mendations on all matters Of public In.
terest- Included in these are person
ages recommended for commissioner
ships. recommendations on public
health, on pending legislation in Con-
gresS, work toward school improvements
and recently the sending of a petition
to Congress on the liquor control bill
and the Chain Bridge project.
Not alone has their attention been
turned to matters OF serious aspect.
They have largely helped to establish
recreational institutions in the locality,
among these being public parks and
Fairgrounds. tennis courts and base ball
fields and the organization Of the Boy
Scout Troop No 81.
The first president of this organiza-
ton was Charles A. Baker, who served
four years. He was succeeded BY L. E.
White, j. D. Smoot, Miss Cora Van
SAINT, Robert E. Adams William F.
Dement,, Samuel P. Hatchett Col. Clyde
S. Bailey. William Arthur Smell. Ernest
S. Hobbs, Lucien Jordan and Ellis r.
King, the present presiding officer.
Leaders In Recent Plans.
Mr.. King has been working in civi7
matters in both Maryland and the Dis
trict since 1920, having been secretary
Of Cabin John Park Citizens Associa
ton and delegate for them to tn
Montgomery County Civic Federation
Since then he has been chairman @
several committees in the Condu.
Road Association.
Closely associated with him durin
the past year In furthering the neet
Of the community were Col. Clyde s
Bailey and Mrs. Harry P. Steiner, dele
gates to the Civic Federation: Fran
Schulz, Ernest Hobbs, chairman of tn
Public Utilities Committee; Grady P.
Oakley, chairman of Publicity Com
mittee; c. ]. Petersen, chairman OF
Water Main and Sewers Committee
j. P. Cochran, Rev. F. Ernest Warren
Of ST. David's Episcopal Church and
Rev. Father Vaeth of Our Lady Of Vic
tory Catholic Church.
The names of many prominent per-
Sonages are listed among the rolls Of
this group. some of whom are Charles
A. Baker, William A. Roberts, assistant
District corporation counsel and Linn
c. Drake, corresponding secretary OF
Conduit Road Citizens Association.
who is an executive officer Of the Boy
Scouts.
Suffrage has consistently been advo-
Gated by the body. but the present sys-
tenn Of government is desired in prefer
ence to q city manager.