Evening star., 1935-04-14
SOUTHEAST CIVIC
CAMPAIGN 0FPAST
| YEAR IS REVIEWED
WhirI of Activity Begun by
Adversely Continues-Re-
suits Widespread.

approximately a year ago, a small
group Of civic and business leaders Of
Southeast Washington appeared be-
fore District officials to protest plans
which had Just been announced for a
new bridge to be built In the North
west area
The citizens felt the construction Of
a new bridge in the Southeast area,
to replace the old and hazardous
Pennsylvania avenue bridge across
the Anacostia river, was a far more
urgent project.
Their opposition, however, was not
effective; the new Northwest bridge
was started and the Pennsylvania
avenue bridge is still to be replaced.
This protest. instead of just dying
down. was followed by sudden wave
Of civic pride which started South
east Washington on a campaign for
not only a new bridge but long list
Of civic improvements campaign
which in uniformity. intensity and
stick to-it -ive-ness" is probably un-
rivaled in Washington civic history.
Started by Business Men.
The real root of this fight may be
found in the Southeast Business Mems
Association. Richard B. English, who
had just been elected vice president
and chairman of the executive COM
mittee of the group, called upon the
citizens to submit any suggestions
they might have for needed improve
ments in the area. At the May meet
ing, the business men drew up an 18-
point program Of suggested improve
ments and these were submitted to
the District Commissioners.
This idea was Immediately followed
up by several citizens associations.
Other projects were added; other sug-
gestions were made. The business
men and civic leaders joined together
In mass meetings, executive meet
ingS, on the street corners. The
word seemed to have passed around
that new deal for the Southeast"
was under way and the whole area
seemed to unite in one concentrated
effort toward that goal.
That fight has continued up to the
present time and Southeast shows no
signs OF letting up until they get a
new deal"
Civic-minded citizens of this large
area will now admit that up until
!; their awakening" the lack of civic
Improvements in their section was
to some extent attributable to the
failure Of concentrated effort on their
part to obtain what is justly due the
area.
Such has not been the case, how
ever. during the past year. Probably
the greatest feature Of this fight is
the way in which the citizens have
stuck together and worked so harmo-
niously to gain what they believe is due
the Southeast through its proportion
ate share Of expenditures.
Leaders in Campaign.
Obviously. in such a campaign in
which united effort" has been the
by-word. it is difficult to pick out
those who have been outstanding as
leaders. But there must always be
some persons to assume leadership,
to take the initiative in arousing a
group to action.
Among those who might be said to
have taken the lead in the fight in
awakening the citizens to a deeper
sense of civic pride are found such
names as English, Adelbert w. Lee,
president of the Randle Highlands
Citizens Association and a member
of the Southeast Citizens Association
and the business mems group; Will
liam A. Maio. president of the South
east Citizens Unit; Vernis Absher.
member of the Highways and Bridge
Committee of both groups; Louis F.
Frick, legal counsel for the business
men and also a member of the Citi-
zens' Association. and Clarence F.
Donohoe, president of the business
| men
In this group of men may be found
the motivating spirit of the drive.
They have taken the leadership in
planning meetings, drawing up lists
of needed Improvements. in appearing
before District and Federal Govern
ment officials. in launching extensive
advertising campaigns and, in general.
awakening Southeast Washington to
realization Of the needs of its
more than $1,000 residents.
Through the efforts of these men
and others, Southeast citizens have
been moved even to the point. at one
time, of threatening to resort to court
action unless officials paid more at
tention to their demands. A threat
to refuse payment of taxes If certain
| public Improvements are not made in
the section was made in 5000 hand
bills circulated throughout the area
by the business men.
Campaign Result Recalled.
An example of the, earnestness of
these citizens is shown in recent
happening in connection with an ad-
vertising campaign the business men
started in Washington newspapers
with the idea of placing the needs of
the section before all Washington
residents
The business men simply announced
their plans and called upon citizens
| to give money to help finance the
campaign. Within 48 hours, the as
sociation had received contributions
totaling $500. Moreover, a number
of business men and citizens called
officials of the association protesting
because they had not been called
upon to contribute.
To gain further unity in their
campaign, the various Citizens Asso-
Citations in this section were moved
to form a central group, in which
they felt they would have more
strength in fighting for a single
project. This new unit is the South
east Council of Citizens Associations,
and includes the AnacoStia, Congress
Heights, East Washington Heights,
Hillcrest, Lincoln Park, Randle High
lands, Summit Park, Washington
Highlands and Southeast Associations.