Evening star., 1935-11-24
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
Budget, Utilities, Taxation, Traffic and Educational
activities Make Front Page-Why Citizen
Groups Are Regarded as Deficient.

cut and definite presentation Of It's
objections to the use Of certain text
books and references used in the
public schools in the incidental in
struction regarding communism
and Soviet Russia. The handling
of the matter by the committee
showed that its study had not been
merely superficial for. while it con-
demned certain books in use, it at
the same time commended others.
The federation memorandum set
forth three Objectionable books,
making extensive quotations of the
matter favorable to communism
and derogatory to the United
States and asked that the use of
these books be Immediately dis
continued. In addition 1t was re-
quested that the School Board in.
vestigate and find out who was
responsible for the introduction Of
the books in question. Further the
board was asked to make public
the name Of the responsible per-
son or persons and also action
taken against such person or per-
sons and to broaden their study to
include other adopted books.
The board was much impressed
by the courteous and thorough
manner in which the matter was
presentation and appointed DR..
Robert A. Maurer, Mrs. Philip
Sydney Smith and DR.. J. Hayden
johnson to investigate and report
to the board.
The federation's committee and
memorandum was authorized by
the newly elected Executive Com
mittee at its meeting November IL.
1t was the desire of the Executive
Committee to present the matter to
its fellow citizens Of the Board of
Education in q definite, dignified
and forceful manner, free from
all of the recent hysteria which
has characterized other representa-
tions regarding communism IN the
schools.
Thomas z. Lodge, the new fed
Grafton president, has expressed
himself that he wants the public
to get the idea that these citizens
associations and the federation are
constructive forces in the COM
munity and not merely groups Of
"aginners." This action Of the
Executive Committee so effectively
carried out by its subcommittee is
considered an excellent start for
the new administration.
The Stars Safety Council
Like Established Institution.
REGINNING as a mere campaign
and regarded as just another .
safety campaign, the council idea
has grown to be a regular institu-
ton. II one Is to judge by the
demand for pledge cards and the
large number of letters being re-
ceived the interest continues with
out any signs of running out.
Out of the great number Of sug-
gestions being received it is be-
lieved that way will be found to
improve conditions in many ways.
The director of this movement is
G. Adams Howard, The Stars au-
tomobile editor He has been study
ing the multitude Of letters which
have come to him and devised a
series Of recommendations which
he believes would be both practic-
able and helpful. He urges that
an amber light be provided for the
pedestrians and then to regulate
the movement Of pedestrians.
He also urges strict enforcement
by the police, heavy penalties
and no "favoritism. This latter
idea is a very difficult problem In
this community of so many impor-
tant people with real power on the
one hand and q larger number on
the other with no power other than
to obey the law and pay their taxes.
There are q number of our civic
leaders who regard this inequality
before the law the real cause Of
most Of our traf1ic difficulties. The
fellow with the pull gets away with
all sorts of careless driving and
disregard for regulations and
breeds many imitators. The civic
wizard who will offer q workable
solution of this problem should be
awarded the biggest loving cup or
the finest gold medal ever pro-
duced. There are some in the civic
ranks who think that any one
could safely offer such award for
there would be no one to qualify,
Some No Parking Signs
Nearly Bisect Narrow Sidewalk.
THERE has been much criticism
at the Designed" appearance
Of Washington which some claim
has marred the beauty of the city. .
That Is one thing, but when mo
Parking" signs are placed almost
In the middle of a narrow side
walk, they add neither to the citys
beauty, nor the safety Of the
pedestrian.
Loud criticism has been heard
Of the recently placed signs on
Blair road between Cedar street
and Piney Branch road. Here the
sidewalk is about feet wide
and with no parking next to the
curb. Tall iron posts with signs
mo Parking at Anytime" are
planted near the middle Of the
sidewalk. The space left is too
narrow for two to walk abreast and
makes the carrying Of an umbrella
over ones head on o rainy day O
real achievement.
Critics have denounced these
signs without offering q remedy.
This observer suggests as a solution
that the sign posts be moved to
the extreme inner edge Of this mar
row pavement. This idea would
have probably occurred TO the
men who placed the signs If they
had noticed that the sidewalk was
not as wide as that on Pennsvl-