Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-11-01
BOYS CLUB VALUE
SHOWN IN REPORT
Southwest President Re-
views Work of Association
for Past Year.

Southwest Washington is now reap
ing the rewards of its efforts Of a
little more than year ago-the es-
tablishment Of Police Boys Club No. 4.
Juvenile delinquency and crime of
all sorts has a marked decrease since
the formation of the Boys Club, Jacob
M. Schaffer. president Southwest Citi-
zens' Association, reveals in his annual
report. The association, he feels, was
behind the Boys Club idea more than
any other group in the CITY,,
The initial drive for funds Melted
the association slightly more than
1000 and today the club boasts q
membership Of 1880 members out OF
q community of about 1900 boys.
Elevator Inspection.
A more rigid inspection of elevators
in public buildings is the result of
action started last year by the asso-
citation, Schaffer believes.
Outlining period of public service
by the association, Schaffer declared
that inspection recently has revealed
178 elevators in Government buildings
need attention to be in absolutely safe
condition. The association last year
adopted resolution of Harry S. Wen
der, calling for more rigid inspection,
and then carried the fight to the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations. After
passage by the federation, Schaffer
told a recent meeting of the asso-
citation, the issue was taken to the
District Commissioners, with the re-
suit that the inspection was made.
showing the great need for improve
ment of many lifts.
The Hoover Playground, only such
area in Southwest for white children,
was for many years too small and
underequipped. Last year the aSso-
citation was successful in securing the
purchase by the District Of the James
Creek Canal property adjacent to the
playground. The area was filed in
and more recently a protective wire
fence has been constructed around it.
The matter of equipping the play
ground remains before the group for
the coming season.
Exceed Chest Quota.
Speaking of the Community Chest
drive, Schaffer declared theirs was
the only section of the city last year
to go lover the top" having sub
scribed 100 per cent of its quota.
The Police Boys Club was Spon-
sored by the association and the mi
tial drive for funds netted more than
$1,000. Today the club boasts about
1880 members out of a community
OF about 1900 boys. The decrease in
crime and juvenile delinquency Is a
record to be proud of, he believes.
The group is proud of its close as
ISOLATION and support of Peoples
Counsel William A. Roberts, Schaffer
stated. Roberts efforts to secure lower
rates for gas, lights, street car and
other public utility items were always
strongly supported by the association.
Listing the associations activities in
the federation, Schaffer declared he,
as a delegate, and Harry S. Wender
were serving on these federation COM
mittees: Education. public health, leg
islation, public utilities, safety and
public welfare.
Center Is Started.
Though poor facilities in Southwest
are available for community center,
such activity has recently been start
ed in the Jefferson Junior High
School. The attendance jumped from
10 boys and girls on the first night
to so on the third night it was opened.
Activities include bowling, table ten
mis-, chess, checkers and other recrea.
tional games. Schaffer limited that
further study should be made 50 the
various recreational facilities such as
the Boys Club and Neighborhood
House should not overlap.
Practically no progress can be re-
ported, but unbounded hope remains
in a proposed new Jefferson Junior
High School site. The association
has for several years convinced the
District Commissioners of this need,
and they provide for it in their an
nual budget recommendations how
ever, this item somehow is lost either
in the Budget Bureau or in the
House or Senate Committee on AID.
preparations. This latter project re-
mains before the group as its prin-
cipal goal for the next year.