The Washington times., 1938-05-26
Citizen Group Hears
Sen. Capper at Banquet
Rhode Island AUe.
Body Has 3Oth
Birthday Fete
By A. ]. DRISCOLL
Citizens Associations Editor

GAH0ONA~NAN@@e
With Senator Arthur Capper, Of
Kansas, as principal guest speaker,
the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens
Association last night observed its
thirtieth anniversary with q re-
.ception and banquet in Sherwood
Presbyterian Church Hall, Twenty
second Street and Rhode Island
Avenue Northeast.
introduced by Freeman Weiss,
president and POSTMASTER, Sena-
tor Capper expressed interest in
the work Of citizen associations
for the voteless residents Of the
District, and declared should an
attempt be made to deprive the
citizens of his home State OF the
right of suffrage as now exists in
the Capital City a civil war would
be in prospect.
The Senator congratulated the
association for its part in making
the plebiscite of April 80 success,
and predicted favorable action
would be taken at next session OF
Congress on the appeal of the
people for the right of the vote.
TALKS ON LIQUOR
Pointing out that prohibition
by State law was still in effect in
his home town of Kansas, and that
he was glad of it, the Senator com.
mended the association in keeping
down liquor licenses within its
territory, and declared there are
five times more liquor places in
the District than there should be.
Senator ,Capper praised the
Woodbridge Garden Club, COM
munity group, as one O.. the out
standing organizations of it's kind
in the District.
DR.. George F. Bowerman. Pub
lie Library, told the association
of pressing needs for a full-time
library in the community, but said
d. that unfortunately there was a
stipulation in PWA funds made
available that any branch library
must be erected on District-owned
land. No such site seemed avail
able in the Woodbridge section.
DR.. Bowerman suggested such
things would move much faster
II the citizens had control over
local affairs, instead Of being COM
PEELED to make representations
to Congress.
OTHERS ON PROGRAM
Other speakers included Miss
Sibyl Baker, District playground
director; Mrs. Elizabeth K. Peoples,
director Community Center de-
partment: Miss A. Grace Lind,
supervising principal division S,
public schools; Henry Gilligan,
former member Board of Educa-
ton; Frank. T. GartSide, office
National Capitol Parks; Washing
ton I. Cleveland, American Auto
Association, the editor Of this
column and representatives Of the
Post and Evening Star, and Dr.
Melvin P. ISaminger, of the Dis
trict health service.
Among the special guests were
Miss Abbie SiSson, retired princi-
pal Of Langdon School, and Rep
resentative Charles G. Benderup
Of Nebraska and others.
During the banquet Schuyler s.
Symons, former president of the
association, presented the follow
ing with prizes as winners in the
membership drive led by Fred T.
Devine, chairman: j. E. Duerksen,
DR.. H. H. Rowland, John G. Nc
Creight and w. E. White. Sixty
new members we're received during
the drive.
IA special testimonial was pre-
gSented William S. Torbert, a past
president and member of the asso-
citation for % years, who recently
retired as treasurer after serving
II consecutive years. Flowers
were given Mrs. Fred T. Devine.