Evening star., 1937-02-21
CIVIC LEADER, 83,
HITS COURT PLAN
J. P. Barse, Active 80 Years
With Association, Still
a Busy Man.

With an active mind and still able
to do carpentering at SO years of age
John William Barse, one Of the Oldest
members Of the Lincoln Park Citizens
Association, believes it is ridiculous
to force members of the United States
Supreme Court to resign after they
reach the age Of TO-"
Barse, who will be "a March 2, be-
lieves a man should be at least rs
years old before he Is forced to
retire. Although he retired from the
Government service in 1925-a car
penter at St. EliZabeth's Hospital-he
is able to keep three houses in good
condition and do odd jobs around the
neighborhood.
Drafted Liquor Reform Bill.
Barse has worked hard all his life
having his activities in the Lincoln
Park Citizens Association as his rec
reation. His main object in life Is to
sponsor anything for the best inter-
est of humanity. During the last ses-
sion Of Congress he drafted a bill
which received the support of his as
sociation, providing a special tax on
retail liquor sales in the District to
establish a suitable home for inebri-
ates; to maintain dependent wives
and minor children Of inebriates; to
provide home relief for widows and
orphans of inebriates and to pay ad-
Indicated claims for injury or death
caused, in part or major degree, by
persons under influence of intoxi-
eating liquors within the District.
The bill failed to pass, but plans
are under way to have it presented
again. Barse said he feels that per-
sons who drink should pay for the
damage it does to their families or
other persons.
Never Smoked or Drank.
While Barse was young and on a
farm in Prince Georges County he
was cured of the habit of chewing
tobacco after becoming sick. During
his SO years he has never smoked or
drunk any intoxicating liquors.
Born on a farm near Plum Point
Md, he moved to Croome, Md, a few
years later and spent some time in
Upper Marlboro, Md, and Noting
ham, Md. before coming to Washing
ton, in 1888. His father was a farmer
and Barse spent much of his boyhood
raising crops.
He received his education in one of
tn one-room schools OF Prince
Georges County.
His first job in Washington was as
a carpenter on the old PENNSYLVANIA
Railroad round house at Second and
Canal streets southeast. After that he
worked for several contractors on
building projects before going into
the Government service.
Home on B Street.
For the past 80 years Barse has
lived at 1868 B street southeast. When
his son, George P. Barse, who is the
chief counsel for the controller of
currency, married he purchased the
nome next door to his father, and
when his daughter Cora married Capt.
M. A. Willard, assistant paymaster of
the Marine Corps. retired, they pur-
chased the home on the other side.
The three families lived next door to
each other until after Barse's wife
died, in $780,
Since they moved, Barse has kept
the houses repaired. When the roof
needs repairing he climbs to do the
work. Despite his age he still mounts
ladders.
Barse has another son, William F.
Barse. who works for the Southern
Railroad. and daughter, who is mar
ried to Arthur C. Frost, consul gen.
eral for the United States, stationed
at Zurick, Switzerland.
For 80 years member of the Lin
coin Park Citizens Association, Barse
has watched it grow from a few mem
bers to an organization with more
than 300. At its meeting Monday
night Barse was presented with an
ebony cane in recognition of his CON
sistent, loyal service"