Evening star., 1935-11-03
YADEN Hobby SEEN
ASA|D TOCH|LDREN
Career of Retiring Head of
Federation Reviewed
by Friends.

Being the eldest son OF IamlIy oi
nine children is probably one reason
why James G. Yaden, retiring head
of the Federation of Citizens ASsocia-
tions, has chosen children as hobby.
Yaden'S interest in youngsters
dates back many years when he was
q youth In his native London. KY.
To the underprivileged child he has
always exhibited sympathy which
in many instances has cost him
money from his own pockets.
Acquaintances say it is not rare to see
Jim" as his closest friends call him,
standing by a playground intently
watching youngsters romp and play.
Sometimes. it is said. he cannot re-
frain the urge to join with them in
. game Of base ball.
London Incident Recalled. i
A native of London relates that on
many occasions young Jim" came
into a store with youngster from
one of the families of tenants on
nearby farms Yaden would give
instructions to the store clerk to COM
pletely outfit the child from head to
foot. and add, as an afterthought:
PUT it on my account, Ill take care
OF 1t later"
This same friend of Yaden's relates
an occurrence which happened here
in Washington On some days, when
Yaden is forced to work late at the
Civil Service Commission, and when
his wife returns home without him
in the car, Yaden will use the street
car to 60 home. If he passes play
ground on which children are play
ing, he has been known to get off at
the next car stop and return to play
with the children. He is usually the
last one to leave to go home to
cold dinner.
Asked why he has such an interest
in children. he will say it is because
a child has a spontaneous frankness
and sincerity in his answers that is
found lacking in the usual studied
reply of an adult.
In 1910 he came to Washington
and became an examiner in the Civil
Service Commission. having remained
with this Government department
since this time. but having worked
himself up to the position today of
chief of the Examining Division.
Joins Petworth Group.
In 1916 he moved to the territory
of the Petworth Citizens Association
and became a member of that body
the same year. In 1922 he was elected
delegate to the federation from the
Petworth body and has served in this
Office every year since that time.
He was first elected president of
the federation in 1927 and reelected
again in 1928. In 1893 and in the fol-
lowing two years he was again re-
elected to the office which he has held
for one year longer than any other
man.
When not president of the fedora
tion he has served as member and
chairman OF the Education Commit
tee. Today, he says, Il am particu-
larly interested in neighborhood play
grounds-properly supervised-so that
the underprivileged children may be
given an equal opportunity and so
that all the children will be kept out
Of mischief"
Yaden is one of the Districts
strongest advocates Of national repre-
served for two years in the Kentucky
State Legislature, he is strong be-
1iever in the vote. Since he would be
denied this American privilege should
he transfer his legal residence from
Kentucky to the District, he has |
maintained his residence in Kentucky |
and goes home each year to vote. He |
has for the past week been in Ken |
lucky voting and because of this was |
unable to be at the federation meet
ing last night. However before leav-
ing, he was emphatic in his refusal
to again be a candidate for re-elec-
ton to the Office.
Post Requires Time.
He says he believes he has held this
Office long enough. The obligations
attached to the Office have required |
him to be absent from his home on |
an average of four nights a week,
making addresses, attending meetings |
or dinners.
Yaden Is married and has two chill
dren. A daughter, 10, now attends
Kentucky University, and son, 16,
attends Roosevelt High School. He
lives at 4119 Illinois avenue.
The organizations with which va
den is affiliated are as follows:
Chairman, Community Center Coun-
ell of the District; Petworth Lodge No.
At Of the Masonic Order; Webster
Lodge No T. Knights of Pythias: Odd
Zellows; Spanish War Veterans: Cit
liens Joint Committee on National
Representation for the District.
He is . member of the Methodist
Church and teaches the Mems Bible
Glass Of the Petworth Baptist
Church.