Evening star., 1941-09-21
Southeast Civic Leader
FIGHTS for New Schools
Maio Wants Hine
And Cranch.T Tyler
Requirements
By CAMBRIDGE CRIST.

Under the guidance of William A.
Maio. veteran civic leader, the
Southeast Citizens Association will
continue it's efforts this year for
new schools.
Specifically, Mr.. Maio said his
group favored a new Hine Junior
High School-the present one being
about 50 years old-one building to
replace the present Cranch and
Tyler Schools and additional land
for the Chamberlain Vocational
School.
In the l943 budget estimates re-
Gently submitted to the Commis-
sioners, the Board of Education
asked for $4,000 for plans for a
new Hine School at Ninth and c
streets Sc. and s17500 for the pur-
chase of a site. The board also
asked for a 100000 appropriation
for beginning construction of new
elementary school at Eleventh and
G streets Sc, to replace Cranch
and Tyler Schools.
More Space Needed.
Mr.. Maio said he felt the Cham
berlain Vocational School needed the
entire block, which it now has ex-
cept for a few houses, to allow for
expansion of building and recrea-
tional facilities.
Mr.. Maio's interest in schools goes
back for some years. He was the
first president of the Southeast
Council of Citizens Associations,
which had as one of its primary
objects the extension of school
facilities. He is now on its School
Committee
Serving his eighth consecutive year
as president of the Southeast cit
liens group, Mr.. Maio's rise has
been fairly rapid. He recalled in
an interview that he joined the
association at the request of men,
ber. Successful in his first job as
chairman of the Membership Com
mittee, during which time he per-
sonally went from house to house
to talk with people, he was elected
vice president and then president.
Was a Council Founder.
1t was during his first term as
president, he said, that the South
east Council was formed. There
were seven associations at the first
council meeting, which had been
called after talks between Vernis
Absher, Orrin Davy, two other vet
eran civic workers, and Mr.. Maio
Mr.. Absher named Mr. Maio tempo
rary chairman and was later elected
president, serving for five years. HI
is now honorary president.
"It was formed" Mr.. Maio said
''to unite on major projects, such a.
the new John Philip Sousa Bridge
Before" he pointed out, various
groups were divided on the loca
ton and they didn't get anything.
One of the association projects II
which Mr.. Maio said he was yer,
much interested was the widening
of Independence avenue from Sec.
ond street Sc. to First street S.W
He said he would like to see a par
of the Capitol grounds used for tn,
project.
"It is a bottle neck and ought te
have been widened long ago." HI
added.
Favors Suffrage.
Another one of Mr.. Maio's civit
interests is suffrage. He is founder
of the District Suffrage Association
and is at present one of its vict
presidents. In 1887 he recommended
a plan under which "one membel
of city council would be elected
from each police precinct" Tht
Commissioners would be appointed
as at present. Such a government
Mr.. Maio pointed out, would com.
bine representatives of the Fedora
Government and of the people.
Il personally still favor the plan,
he said.
Mr.. Maio, an Italian by birth, ta
been resident of Washington TO
more than 40 years-sincs 1901. HI
went to school here and nrst workes