davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-01-27
PERSONAL ACTION
BY CITIZENS URGED
Yaden Tells Federation
Work at Meetings and Pub
Iicity Is Not Enough.

Personal appearances by standing
committee members before the Presi-
dent and members of Congress as a
means of gaining more needed civic
improvements is urged by James G..
Yaden, president of the Federation of
Citizens Associations.
Mr. Yaden recently stepped from the
chair long enough to urge members OF
the Federation'S standing committees
to strongly represent themselves be-
fore the Senate Subcommittee on Ap-
preparations in an effort to have items
approved by these committees included
In the 1886 District budget.
Hope Is Expressed.
This is my last year as president" 4"
Yaden declared, but before Novem-
ber arrives I hope to see inaugurated
an intensive campaign whereby not
only the federation's committees. but
committees of the various citizens
associations will appear before public
officials in behalf of their respective
projects.
I'VE have got to stop depending en-
tirely on resolutions and newspaper
publicity for results" he declared
This must be maintained but We must
augment these resolutions and this
publicity; We must appear in person
before the President and members of
Congress-.
Two delegates framed a resolution
asking the Senate subcommittee spe-
ciically for the inclusion Of funds for
the $4,000 study item for the pro-
posed replacement of Pennsylvania
avenue southeast bridge and the $780,
900 construction item for the proposed
Franklin street northeast bridge across
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad tracks.
Objection Is Raised.
Representatives of associations from
other sections of the city. however,
objected to the specifying of these two
projects and succeeded in passing a
substitute resolution providing for all
committee chairmen to procure from
the federation's secretary a list Of all
the Endorsements of the federation in
the past and to appear before the sub
committee with requests for the items
recommended by their respective COM
mittees.
I'VE have too long considered that
action taken three months ago or
three years ago is sufficient action of
this federation regardless of whether
a new Congress has met" Mr.. Yaden
explained, adding that all legislation
before the Congress last year is dead
in so far as the present Congress is
concerned. 1t is necessary, he en-
phasized, for the citizens associations
and the federation to present anew
to this Congress matters that were
presented last year or previously.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
SOUTHWEST APPROVES
PUBLIC UTILITIES BILL
Association Was Enormously Re-
ported as Having Opposed
Measure at Meeting.

A bill to amend the public utilities
act of the District of Columbia as in
troduced In the House Of Representa-
tives was unanimously endorsed by
the Southwest Citizens Association
at its last meeting. 1t was enormously
stated in The Star last week that the
association opposed the bill.
The purpose of this bill in general
is to substitute for the present statu-
tory appeal, which gives to the courts
legislative and administrative author
ity, a strictly judicial appeal which
will preserve to the appellant all Of
its legal rights.
ANY proposal to give the District
Commissioners control over the Board
Of Education and Public Library
trustees was strongly opposed by the
association. The group, however. ap-
proved the general purpose of the
current bill to broaden the power Of
the Commissioners.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
SEEK IMPROVEMENT
OF EIGHT PARK SITES
Randle Highlands Committee
Head Points Out Now Is Time
to Prepare for Summer.

In an effort to create safe areas
in which children of the area may
play, the Randle Highlands Citizens
Association is laying plans for beau
tifying and equipping eight public
parks and Fairgrounds.
c. A. Barker, chairman, Public
Areas Committee, recently presented
a report and resolution saying "the
condition of our public parks during
the coming Summer depend very
largely upon the attention they re-
ceive in the immediate future"
The two larger areas considered
Fort Dupont Park, the former having
about 1,700 acres and the latter about
$50 acres.
At present L'Enfant Square, Mime
sofa and Pennsylvania avenues south
east, is neither an ornamental park
or a playground" in the opinion OF
Mr.. Barker This could be made
into a playground or planted with
flowers and shrubs" he said.
Similar treatment is also recon-
mended in the resolution at the fol-
lowing public areas: A small triangle
at Pennsylvania avenue and Twenty
eighth street southeast, and one far
ther down at Thirtieth street; two
areas bounded by Twenty-second
street, Minnesota avenue, Naylor road
and @ street southeast.
A triangle bounded by Massachu-
sets and Texas avenues and o street
southeast, is in the woods and has
never received attention, Barker de-
ciared.
These parks are under the control
Of the director of the National Parks
Service of the Interior Department,
he said. and q copy Of the resolution
adopted was directed sent there.
The resolution further provided that
the Orr School playground, which is
already equipped, be kept open after
school hours and on holidays and
Saturdays.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Enlarging the Powers
OF the Commissioners.

CEVERAL civic leaders have sug-
y gested that the Commission.
ers should incorporate in their
bill to enlarge the powers Of the
District Commissioners an item of
great Importance which they seem
to have completely overlooked.
This item would give the Commis.
sioners the power to send their
estimates direct to the Congress
without passing in any way through
the Bureau of the Budget. These
citizens can see no reason why
clerks in the office Of the Budget
Bureau shall make any decisions or
recommendations whatever on the
budget as approved by the District
Commissioners. who are in q far
better position to know the needs
of the District than these budget
employees, who now decide whether
we have enough police and school
buildings and whether streets re-
quire repaying or repair.
Such power item should prove
popular one, if the Commissioners
will include 1t, and organized civic
Washington will back them to the
limit,
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Status of Bills
District of Columbia Leg.
islation Of Civic Interest
Is Reviewed.

The congressional status of District
bills of interest to Washington citizens
associations Is as follows:
National representation for District
Of Columbia Is. j. Res. 81. In Senate
judiciary Committee.
District appropriation bill for 1886
fiscal year III. r. 3973). House:
Passed. Senate: In appropriations
subcommittee.
Regulation Of small loan business
Oh. r. 3463). House: In District
Committee.
Requiring financial responsibility OF
motor vehicle operators Oh. r. 3457--
8. 408). Senate: Passed. House: In
District Committee.
Creation Of commission to control
rents Oh. r. 3809). House: In District
Committee.
Provide pensions for the needy
blind (H. r. 4510). House: In District
Committee.
Strengthen gambling laws Is. 398)
Senate: Passed. House: In District
Committee.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Conventions Become Industry.

Conventions have become one of the
principal industries of Washington,
according to Curtis Hodges. executive
director of the Greater National Capt.
tai Committee of the Washington
Board of Trade
To support his statement Hodges
| cited figures on the 1928 national con-
/ clave of the Ancient Arabic Order OF
Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine, and fore
| cast that the conclave here in June
| will be even larger than that. All OF
last year proved to be good conven-
ton year, with attendance at many
of them being larger than in 1928,
banner year for annual gatherings.
The figures on the last Shrine con-
| vention here were compiled, Hodges
said, by Robert P Smith, newly elect
ed potentate Of Almas Temple and
director general of the Conclave Com
mittee. Some of the figures cited by
Smith and Hodges follow:
Passengers entering the Capital by
train and boat, $4,000.
Number OF special trains. l53.
Pullman cars parked in yards here,
1924.
Attendance, 100000.
Stores reporting increase in business
| for conclave week, 2,200.
Increase in bank clearingS for con-
clave week, $12,000,0O0.
Increase in newspaper circulation.
five dailies, $4,000 to 10000 each
day.
Increase in street car passengers for
week, 100000.
Visitors to Mount Vernon for week,
$4,000.
Increase in telephone calls, so per
| cent.
Increase in telegraph business, 20
per cent.
Total estimated increase in business
for week, $4,000, 900.
Estimated per capita expenditures
by delegates (baSed on population
of 100000 in 1929, sl2.
In addition" Hodges said, "nearly
every point Of interest in the city
including the Washington Monument,
the museums, the Zoo, Lincoln Me-
mortal and the others-reported new
record figures during the conclave on
the number of visitors.
"If the business gained here that
week was s12,OO0,O 900, it is reasonable
to assume that that much and pos
sibly more will be spent here by the
Shriners next June.
Every hotel in town was filled.
Even the school buildings were con-
verted into temporary sleeping quar-
tiers and were filled More than
1,500 Pullman cars were used as living
quarters and thousands Of Shriners
and their families spent the week in
private homes.
This, of course, is one of the larg-
est conventions to be held annually
in the country, and Washington
should be proud of the opportunity
to play host.
"As big as 1t is, the Shrine conclave
gives an excellent insight into the
possibilities of conventions here as
an industry"
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Observance of 115th Birthday
OF Susan b. Anthony.
NUMBER of local organ,

A NUMBER of local organiza-
~ tions are to join on Friday
evening, February Is, in eel
ebrating the 115th anniversary of
Susan B. Anthony. This is an an
nual event which is of special in
terest this year. The meeting will
be held at o'clock in the audi
torium of the First Congregational
Church, Tenth and G streets, and
will be attended by four members
of Miss Anthony's family.
Arrangements for this celebration
are in charge of committee head
ed by Mrs. Anna E. Hendley,
founder of the Anthony League
and honorary vice president of the
Society of Natives Of the District
of Columbia. Mrs. Hendley and
her associates, who annually OBJ
serve the birthday of this great
leader for the emancipation Of
women, hold that Miss Anthony's
work remains unfinished until the
women of the District Of Columbia
and likewise the men are en-
franchised as full fledged Ameri-
can citizens.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
Susan B. anthony Celebration for February IS
tiles Commission for Gas Rate Reduction.

Immediate diScontinuance of the
demand charge to domestic users
under schedule B Is also asked as
being "unconscionable and unscien-
tific." Investigation is asked of
the cost and efficiency of the natu-
raj gas going into the manufac-
ture of the local product. Such
investigation of efficiency, it is re-
quested, should be with respect
both under existing plant condi-
tionS and the equipment Of its
users. Further inquiry is suggested
as to the possibility Of using such
natural gas in larger quantities to
further reduce the cost to District
consumers.
The association also wants to
know whether the consumers ip
the District are in any way bear
ing costs or losses arising out Of
gas to communities outside of the
District.
Finally the association asks a
report from the commission on the
effect of the violation of the La
Toilette act including complete
statement of all charges for financ-
ing. engineering and other serv-
ices, interest and dividends. So
long as the evasion of the anti
merger act continues, the commits
sion is asked to fix rates for the
local companies so low as to allow
no funds for the payment of such
charges, interest and dividends.
The resolutions have gone for
ward to the Federation of Citizens
Associations, District Committees
of Senate and House, Commission
ers of the District, Public Utility
Commission, all of the member
bodies in the federation and to
the gas light companies.
This is one of the most COM
prehensive and far-reaching de-
mands made in recent years by a
civic body.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Wanted-Loud Speakers
To Demand Fair Play for District.

n ECENT news items have told
IN Of a movement in the House
of Representatives to install
loud speakers so that members may
hear what is going on during a
session of the House. In this con-
nection it has been suggested that
the consideration of the District of
Columbia budget by mere handful
Of members of the House points
to the necessity for a number of
redblooded loud speakers" i'm
bued with the American sense of
fair play, who will attend the ses-
sions of the House when District
legislation is being considered and
demand the presence of a quorum
for the purpose Of hearing their
loud speaking. Such loud speakers,
it has been suggested, might so far
violate the custom and recognized
propriety as to discuss District
affairs during general debate on a
pending District measure. Gus
tom seems to require, during the
general debate, the discussion of
everything under the sun but the
pending question.
Senator Thomas of Oklahoma
seems to consider it hopeless to
get members to understand the re-
lation Of the rate of assessment Of
property to the tax rate. If this
is true. such public spirited, con-
sctentious legislative loud speakers
might not prove so effective and the
outlook for intelligent national leg
islation rather gloomy.
The whole situation, however,
is proof conclusive that no legis-
lature can be depended upon to
legislate properly and with fair
ness for any people who are not
represented in that legislature.
Surely Lincoln was right when he
said, mo man is good enough to
govern another without that mans
consent" On every hand within
the ranks of organized citizenry
of the District the sad plight of the
District Is laid to the ignoring of
American fundamental principles.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Mrs. Roosevelt Luncheon Guest
OF V0telesS d. c. League.

GONE months ago Mrs. Franklin
y D. Roosevelt, already mem
Der of the New York League
of Women Voters, became a mem
Der of the Voteless District of Co.
lumbia League Of Women Voters.
Recently the local body had the
pleasure of Mrs Roosevelt's COM
pany as guest and speaker at a
luncheon.
The First Lady expressed the
hope that many of these present
were. like herself. mot really
votelesS. but merely voteless in
the District Of Columbia. Again
referring to the lack of the vote
here. she expressed the view that
Washington women can still ex-
ercise a good deal Of influence
without it.
1t is not known just what per-
centage of the women attending
this meeting are voters in the
States or how many are of the
voteleSS variety Of inmates of the
District. The National Women's
Suffrage Association, of which this
league is the successor, was not at
all satisfied to simply exercise "a
good deal of influence without the
vote" They kept on demanding
and after many years of fighting,
obtained the rights of voting
American citizenship. District
women were prominent and very
active throughout this extended
campaign and when success finally
crowned their efforts with the
nineteenth amendment to the
Constitution they alone of all the
women of the United States were
left Ito exercise a good deal of in
f1uence without it."
The National League of Women
Voters and the local body are
definitely committed to the cause
of national representation for the
District COR, as they call it, Fed
eral suffrage for the District of
Columbia). Organized civic Wash
ington. which overwhelmingly sup
ports this proposal, is hopeful that
the VoteleSs D. c. League of Wom-
en- Voters will be able to arouse
and enlist the active interest of
Mrs. Roosevelt in putting District
women on an equal plane with the
women Of the States and in the
doing also Americanize the men of
the District.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Gas Rate Reduction Urged
BY Citizens Of Takoma, ID. C.

ISCUSSION In several citizens
- associations Of the rates
charged by the Washington
Gas Light Co. and the Georgetown
Gas Light Co. seem to have crystal
nzed into q definite demand by the
Citizens Association Of Takoma,
D. c., in document filed the latter
part of the week with the Public
Utilities Commission. The COM
mission is asked, pending the con-
clusion of the rate and valuation
orders, for an immediate reduction
in rates similar to that granted
to patrons of the Washington Gas
Light Co., or its subsidiaries, by
the Virginia Public Service Com
mission.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Stop Sign Obtained.

The request of the Northeast Citi-
zens' Association for a stop sign for
west-bound traffic at Ninth and D
streets northeast has met with sue
cess. Traffic Director w. A. Van
Duzer wrote the association saying
it will be installed "as soon as pos
sible."
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Crowded on Radio.

Because of the widespread interest
in the Bruno Richard Hauptmann
trial at Pennington, N. j., the Better
Business Bureau was crowded off the
radio last week. Consequently, neither
Louis Rothschild, director, nor Mrs.
Sallie P. Muchmore, assistant direc-
tor, we're given the opportunity to
deliver their weekly broadcastS.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
BY JESSE C. SUTER.

~ N THE surface there ap-
pears to be less civic ac-
tivity during the past
~ week than in the week
preceding. The appro-
priation bill passed by the House
and the hearings before the House
subcommittee furnish much Of
vital interest to citizens of the Dis
trict. Passage Of the bill so shortly
after being reported and the re-
lease of the report of the hearings
gave no opportunity for civic ac-
ton.
The Senate District Committee
has held a hearing on the modified
plans for the sewage disposal plant
and, it appears, will not interfere
with the carrying out of those
plans by the Commissioners. 1t is
rumored that unless the subcom-
mittee on reorganization of the
District government gets started
Chairman King will name another
committee.
The special subcommittee of the
House District Committee to inveS-
tigate crime conditions in the Dis
trict, under Craftsmanship of Rep
resentative Jennings Randolph of
West Virginia, has held several
meetings and is striving for funds
and full authority. Speaker Byrns
is quoted as favoring the granting
Of both the funds and authority.
Chairman Randolph promises a
thorough investigation free from
sensational publicity.
While the Commissioners have
receded from their position as to
asking for power over the Board of
Education and Board of Library
Trustees they are now confronted
by an objection from the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
= mission to giving veto powers to
the Commissioners over that body.
Added force is given to this action
by the park and planning body by
reason of the fact that Engineer
Commissioner Sultan is a member
VI tiiot bOuy dllu ID odIu W IldFc
joined in such action.
The expected report from the
President on the tax burden of
Washington in comparison with
other cities, which was looked for
early in the week, has not made
its appearance as this is written.
Some leaders attribute the hasty
action of the House on the Dis
trict appropriation bill to a desire
10 act before any message on the
subject was received from the
President.
Senator Thomas. chairman Of
the District of Columbia subcom-
mittee of the Senate Committee on
Appropriations has announced
that for several reasons his COM
mittee will not begin hearings on
the District bill for about two
weeks. He is not at all optimistic
as to getting a larger lump sum
payment by the Federal Govern
ment or material improvement in
the bill
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Gets Four New Members.

At the last meeting Of the Petworth
Citizens Association, four persons
were admitted to membership. They
are Louis Barsky, Angeloe H. Bacas,
Z, T. williams and w. B. Belfield.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Ladies Night Planned.

The business of the February meet
ing of the Manor Park Citizens ASso-
citation will be turned over to the ladies
of the association and wives Of Off
GERS. Ernest H. Pullman announced
recently.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
new CHAIRMAN NAMED
Hege to Head Federation Fiscal
Relations Unit.

Relations Unit.
A new chairman of the Federation
of Citizens Associations Fiscal Rela-
tions Committee has been announced
Edwin s. Hege, new president of the
Chevy Chase Citizens Association,
succeeds L. A. Carruthers to the office.
MIR. Carruthers resigned, explaining
that private matters made it impossible
for him to handle this work. He ex-
pressed the desire to remain as a
member of the committee, however, at
q recent federation meeting.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Have Over 1000 Members.

The Chevy Chase Citizens Associa-
ton voted membership to more than
200 persons at its last meeting. bring
ing its total membership to well over
], 1000. -
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Civic Association Calendar
Eleven Meetings Scheduled This Week With
Federation to Act on Proposed Bill to
Enlarge Power of Commissioners.

tee on Appropriations, requesting $l5,-
900 study item for a proposed new
Pennsylvania avenue southeast bridge;
report on proposed smoke law: report
from Alyce Thume on results of men,
bership drive; report from delegates
to Southeast Council of Citizens AS
sociations.
Evening star., 1935-01-27
Monday, January IS.

GEORGETOWN Citizens Association, 8
pm, st. Johns Church Parish Hall.
Program-Address by John H. Hanna,
president Of the Capital Transit Co.,
on Some Transportation Problems
in Washington; report of Laws and
Legislation Committee on proposed
bill to increase the powers of District
Commissioners.
Mid-City Citizens Association, 8
pm, Thomson Community Center.
Program-Address by Inspector Ben
iamin A. Lamb, superintendent Of
Traffic Department. on Traffic Prob
lens; action on proposed bill per-
mitting police and firemen residence
outside the District: action on pro-
posed income tax measures: report
and action on proposed bill to enlarge
the powers of the Commissioners;
musical program by Ray Baine Of the
Estelle Wentworth opera Co, assisted
by Miss Wentworth; refreshments.
North Capitol Citizens Association,
8 pm, room 1870, Mckinley High
School. Program-Dscussion of pro-
posed bill enlarging powers OF Com
missioners with reference to veto
power over the Board of Education
and Public Library trustees; election
of delegate to succeed the late Will
liem G. Henderson as delegate to the
Federation of Citizens Associations;
address by Florence Vining Of the
Federal Housing Administration on
plans for securing home improve
ments; Transportation Committee re-
port on proposed rerouting plan.
Trinidad Citizens Association, 8
pm, library, Wheatley School. Pro-
gram-Action on proposed bill to en-
large Commissioners power; action
on District Motor Clubs traffic safety
measure; renewal of request for
bridge over railroad tracks to con-
meet Woodbridge -Brookland area with
Trinidad; action 10 secure playground
site; action to secure traffic lights on
H street at Eleventh and Twelfth
streets northeast; action to secure
improved transportation facilities on
Eighth street northeast car line: ac-
ton to secure a proposed community
center.
Tuesday, January 20.
Logan-Thomas Circle Citizens AS
sociation, 8 pm, 1920 Rhode Island
avenue Program-Annual banquet at
the home of the president, Mrs. Ella
M. Thompson; report by M. A. Rob-
bins on proposed bills to increase
r,nUarS 0f tho C0YnnniSciOnarS
Southeast Citizens Association, 8
pm, Buchanan School Program
Report by Laws and Legislation Com
mittee on proposed bill to enlarge pow
ers of the Commissioners; section to
appear before the Senate Subcommit-
Evening star., 1935-01-27

committee work and has greatly
reduced the time required for con-
sideration of business in the fed
eration's meetings, which are held
monthly.