Evening star., 1935-11-03
District Civic Problems and Civic Bodies
Topics Many Dese-Tade Board Committees Unusually
Actve-Interea in Inebriate Frm Grow-Whdt Of
IN Schools?
BY JESSE c. SUTER.

BY JESSE c. SUTER.
~ RGANIZED civic Washing
1 ton has surely had matters
J a-plenty for consideration
during the week. For
space occupied in the local press,
the continued barrage on the pub
lie school officials for their sane
and sound attitude regarding in
struction as to what communism
is. led all others. The proceedings
before the Alcoholic Beverage
Control Board, the Chevy Chase
bus problem and the investigation
of the charges against the inspec-
tor of buildings also claimed con-
siderable space.
Other high lights were the well
sustained interest in the Safety
Council Campaign of The Star,
the launching of movement by
the Washington Board Of Trade
for erection of a great civic audi
torium, and appointment by the
Commissioners of committee to
study and report regarding the
proposed farm for the treatment
of habitual drunkards. The Alley
Dwelling Authority had a little
clash with. the Washington Tax
payers Association and District
Commissioner HaZen is reported
to have discovered that the District
of Columbia official flower is the
American Beauty rose, which was
developed in the garden of Ban
croft, the historian in this city.
Outstanding in all this civic
kaleidoscope is the informal ton
that a long sought and much
needed project has at last gotten
under way. Citizens of Brookland,
Michigan Park and neighboring
communities are today rejoicing in
the knowledge that at last con-
demnation proceedings are under
way for the elimination of the
Michigan avenue grade crossing.
1t is believed that much better
job will be possible in that UNDER
taking through the flexibility per-
mitted in the acquisition of land
under authority of the recently
enacted law on excess and incl
dental condemnation.
Board of Trade Reports
Committees Specially Active.
THE Board of Trade committees
never functioned with greater
activity and interest than at the
present time. The committee or
ganiZation was completed during
the Summer recess and now are
making exceptional progress The
committee work has been greatly
facilitated through having the
services of a full time committee
secretary who is an experienced
and trained civic worker. OF how
many years experience it would
not be fair to say, as this secre-
tary is q bright and able young
woman familiar with local prob
lens and with Q wide acquaintance
among the people who do things in
the District.
The Traffic Committee is trying
to do something to prevent ex-
termination of the pedestrian, and
the special committee is work.
ing for the great civic audi
torium to seat at least 10000
people. The Industrial Inter-
ests Committee is planning to in
augurate Buy in Washington"
campaign, the Insurance Commit
tee is making intensive studies of
the insurance and social security
acts, the committees on Public
Health, Rivers and Harbors and
Public. and Private Buildings are
also very busy and will soon be
ready to push very constructive
campaigns.
The Membership Committee of
the Board of Trade never lets up
in its efforts to maintain the men,
bership at a high and wholesome
level, which is so necessary to sup
port a business organization and
activities Of such large proportions.
The Committee on Municipal FL
nance IS always busy at budget
making times and this time is no
exception. There are no more ar
duous committee duties than de-
wolves upon those. earnest men,
bers to whom is assigned the task
of studying the District budget, To-
cal taxation and the fiscal relations
between the United States and
District governments. It is their
job to do what they can to get
through needed appropriations.
hold local taxation to a reasonable
amount and get the Federal Gov
ernment to pay an equitable share
toward the running, developing
and beautifying of its own Capital
City.
l.