Evening star., 1939-01-20
Eugene Meyer Given
Medal for Promotinu
Anfi-Crime Club
Cosmopolitan Clubs
Award to Publisher
Made at Luncheon

Eugene Meyer, publisher of the
Washington Post, was awarded the
Cosmopolitan Clubs distinguished
service medal at luncheon at the
Carlton Hotel yesterday for his out
standing civic work in organizing
and promoting the Washington
Criminal Justice Association.
The medal goes annually to that
citizen who in the last year has
performed the most outstanding
civic work for his community" In
bestowing the honor on Mr.. Meyer,
DR.. J. Rozier Biggs, chairman of the
clubs Distinguished Service Medal
Committee, spoke of the effective
work the organization which the
publisher heads has done in its brief
history to reduce serious crime in
Washington.
1T is because of his outstanding,
unselfish service to the city and its
people through the work of the
Criminal Justice Association said
DR.. Biggs, that Mr.. Meyer has been
selected to receive the clubs medal
and citation.
Served u. S. With Distinction.
"Mr. Meyer is nationally known,
not only for his charitable and civic
services and as owner and publisher
of the Washington Post, but he has
served his country with distinction.
He was managing director of the
War Finance Corp, commissioner
of the Federal Farm Loan Board,
Governor of the Federal Reserve
Board and the first chairman of the
Reconstruction Finance Corp. If
the Cosmopolitan Club did not
strictly avoid politics, I could find
it in my heart to say. What man
for the presidency of these United
States"
In accepting the medal. Mr.. Meyer
disclalmed credit for all the work
of the association, explaining that
he received the honor not only on
behalf of it's Board of Directors and
others citizens who have supported
the movement, but also in behalf
of the small and able staff of the
association, headed by our director,
DR.. James A. Nolan"
Mr. Meyer added obviously these
awards of the Cosmopolitan Clubs
to citizens of their respective COM
munities are intended to promote
good government by developing in
creased interest in public service.
All governments, including democra'
cies, must stand or fall by the sue
cess with which they direct public
affairs and promote the public
welfare.
Fine Encouragement.
"Those of us who are interested
in the Cosmopolitan Clubs OF the
Nation in preserving American de-
mocracy are pleased to have the
groups of local leaders throughout
the country that make up your men,
bership show their interest in pro-
noting public welfare by comforting
their citation and distinguished
service medals each year on men
and women in their own commune
ties. And may say, as one who has
had some experience in government
tai administration, as well as one
who is striving in his own way to
promote the public interest in his
capacity as private citizen, that
recognition from ones neighbors,
while not the object of service, is
nevertheless a fine encouragement
to increased devotion to that service.
.''It helps above all to bring to the
younger generation greater con-
sciousness that the public interest is
worthy of their time and thought.
Only by such increased conscious
ness on the part of the young as we'll
as the more mature among our citi-
zens can we successfully maintain
our democracy"
The medal previously has been
awarded to the late Martin A. Leese,
Maj. Ernest w. Brown, superintend-
ent of police; Theodore w. Noyes,
editor Of The Star; E. c. Graham,
Miss Mary v. Merrick, Robert "
Fleming and Thomas P. Littlepage
The custom was started while DR.
Biggs was president of the club and
he since has served continuously as
chairman of the committee In
charge.
Edmund o. Carl, president of the
club, read telegram from Mr.. Noyes
regretting that he could not be pres
ent and congratulating Mr.. Meyer
on receiving deserved honor for
an important civic service, Those
at the speakers table included Mai
Brown, Mr.. Littlepage, Bishop James
E. Freeman, Rabbi Norman Gersten-
field, Mr.. Graham, Mr.. Fleming and
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