Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-12-21
Southwest Citizens
Told Of Goals Of
Health Center
Dr.. Seekineer Speaks;
APPOINT Program
Is Adopted

DR.. L. Daniel Seckinger, assistant
health officer of the District OF
Columbia, last night told members
of the Southwest Citizens Associa-
ton that they should be duly proud
of the first health center established
in Washington. He stated the Dis
trict now could be compared with
other cities having this service.
Sketching the benefits of the CEN
ter. DR.. Seckinger said: I'VE are
now concentrating strongly on
tuberculosis. Venereal diseases are
being fought more severely now
than ever before because of the
terrible results from these diseases.
In a recent check-up at st, Eliza
beth's Hospital it was found that
between 700 and 800 cases of nerve
and brain syphilis are being treated,
for which the District is paying
In the neighborhood of 100000 a
year. With this center we want
the citizens to look upon it as a
school and let it guide and keep
them in good health as people
equipped to maintain our fine Gov
eminent"
Health Program Adopted.
After DR.. Seckinger's talk the Rev
Harry Porter, executive committee
man, introduced the following reso-
lutions, which were adopted: Cd
That a new health center" be built
in the central area of the city; CD
that an addition to Gallnger Hos
pital be erected for children only;
go that a mental hygiene clinic be
established in the District at an
early date, and a. that an addition
of 80 public health nurses and 3
supervisors to the present nursing
staff be made.
The association also adopted q
resolution favoring enactment OF
such laws as will require physical
examination and, if necessary, the
subsequent treatment for contagious
diseases of those employed as maids
and nurses in the private homes in
the District.
The association commended the
steps that have already been made
in the reduction of court charges
and the allotment of more time to
the defendants in the Landlord
Tenant Court and favors the holding
of the court in the afternoon, as
suggested by the Washington Hous-
Ing Association.
In this resolution The Star was
thanked for its recently published
series of articles dealing with the
conditions existing in the Landlord
Tenant Court The Board of Judges
voted a drastic reduction in fees
charged in this branch, following the
series.
Playground Aide Thanked.
Lewis Mitchell, in charge of the
Fairgrounds and Community Center
in the Southwest, spoke briefly on
the work which is being done in
that area to promote good-fellowship
and clean sports among children
He was thanked by the association
for his cooperation and work.
The association Endorsed a plan
by the Traffic Advisory Council fol-
a central traffic control system. It
was pointed out by Harry S. Wender
association president, that this
would be the only way to take care
Of the traffic jams and congestions
that are growing worse in the Dis
trict every year
A complaint by Charles G.. Meyer
against the loading zone at the
southeast corner of Fourteenth and
D streets S.W. as being "inaccessi-
BILE to approach by light control
was referred to the Executive Com
mittee for consideration.
A motion that the question OF
funds for the proposed Jefferson
Junior High School recreation CEN
ter be looked into was passed. The
center has been held up for some
time and immediate work on it is
asked
A communication from the Dis
trict Commissioners was read thank
ing the association for the Coop
Grafton shown in its drive for an
adequate police flreboat for the Dis
trict. If the present old-style boat
is aba. Toned, the association was
assured, one to suit the desired speci-
flcations would be put into service.
The meeting, presided over by Mr..
Wender, was held in the Jefferson
Junior High School.