Evening star., 1942-08-30
Roper Began Building D. C.
Civic Consciousness in 1893
Former Commerce
Secretary Headed
10th Street Group
BY BAINBRIDGE CRIsT.


Back In 1893 a young man who
was destined to take an active part
In the civic life of this community
came here from South Carolina.
Much has happened to Washington
since that time and much has hap
pened to that man-Daniel Calhoun
Roper.
For one thing, the Capital was a
city of less than $4,000, and the
question of moving the seat of gov
ernment to st. Louis was being de-
bated. AS Mr.. Roper observed In
his autobiography. Fifty Years of
Public Life" only the main streets
were paved. and automobiles had
not made their appearance.
Cycling was in vogue, and up and
down Pennsylvania avenue bicycles
were seen amid a variety of vehicles
drawn by horses. The Pennsylvania
avenue cars were pulled by an
underground cable, which often
failed to work, delaying passengers"
AS the former Secretary OF Com
merce leaned back in his chair at
his ofice in the Tower Building yes
terday, he recalled that back then
Washington was quiet, honey,
comfortable community, having all
the advantages of city improve
ments." But, generally speaking, he
said the population was not yet
conscious of its responsibility to the
upbuilding of the civic life Of the
community"
The reason for this, Mr.. Roper ex-
planned, was that civil service pro-
cedure had not advanced to the
point Of security" Most of the Gov
ernment workers - Including my
self"-spoke of the time of return
ing home, he said. 1t was not until
after the Spanish-American War,
he added. that the civic life of the
city took definite, constructive
turn.
1T Is my opinion" he continued,
that Theodore' Roosevelt gave con-
siderable impetus to civic RESPONSE
bility."
Mr.. Roper was the first president
Of the Sixteenth Street Heights Cit
liens Association. He referred to
Jesse G. Suter, civic columnist of
The Star, as one Of the "early pio-
neers who advocated citizens or
ganizations," adding that he felt
such groups offered an excellent way
TO get acquainted with your
friends"
The associations, he declared, were
started at an opportune time. They
ntted. Mr.. Roper explained, into
the needs of the growing and broad
ening opportunities of the Nations
Capital. The questions they studied
were very valuable" relating to the
cutting through of streets, sewage,
water facilities and to everything
that helps to make the community
more secure and attractive. These
things, he argued, contributed to
the building Of homes and, there
fore, to the fundamental welfare of
the Nation"
Last October, when he and Mrs.
Roper attended the silver anniver-
sary Of the Sixteenth Street Associa-
ton, he recalled that mud forced
them to hide overshoes in the bushes
by the car stop to wear home at
night. Mr.. Roper built in the area
before Sixteenth street was cut
through. Anticipating the direction
1t would be cut, he built his house
so that 1t then faced the woods.
Some of his friends were puzzled,
but the street was cut through and
his Judgment vindicated
Although his duties in Govern
ment service have been many and
varied, he has tried to keep in
touch with the civic life of the COM
munity. He is at present vice presi-
dent Of the Association of Oldest
Inhabitants and was named this
year honorary chairman for the
District United China Relief drive,
and, with Mrs. Roosevelt, holds a
similar position In the Russian War
Relief.
On the death OF Or. Charles r.
Carusi, chairman OF the Board of
Education, In February, 1881, Mr..