Evening star., 1942-10-27
Society Of Natives
Honors Civic Work
Of Three Members
Organization Hears Talk
By Col. BoIIes at
First Fall Meeting

Three members of the Society of
Natives of the District, including a
judge, a lawyer and civic leader,
were honored for outstanding con-
tributions to Washington at the So
ciety's first meeting of the season
last night.
Honorsd at the meeting held in
the Women's City Club, were Chief
Judge William E. Richardson of
the Municipal Court of Appeals,
Paul B. Cromelin, recently elected
president of the District Bar As
sociation, and Evan H. Tucker, pres
ident for the past 48 years of the
Northeast Citizens Association.
Judge Richardson was presented
by Fred E. Emery, who declared,
I'VE believe that leadership is based
upon moral and intellectual strength
in turn based upon high principles.
We have such man in Judge
Richardson. .-...4
"Judge Richardson's entire career
exemplifes his ideals and integrity"
Mr. Emery said, "and his conduct
and vision mark him as a fine type
of American citiDen-one who is
loyal to Washington and to the
United States"
In presenting Mr. Cromelin,
recently elected president of the
District Bar Association, John
Clagett Proctor said the Washington
bar made no mistake in electing
Mr.. Cromelin as its head.
Commenting on his past record
Mr.. Proctor said that Mr.. Cromelin
had been an honor student in the
Georgetown University Law School
and during the World War he
served in the Signal Corps and later
in the Air Forces. Since then he
said, Mr.. Cromelin served with dis
tinction as assistant United States
district attorney.
Associations Work Recounted.
Pointing out that Mr.. Tucker is
now serving his 49th term as presi-
dent of the Northeast Citizens
Miss Eta H. Taggart said that dur
ing his long term Mr.. Tucker had
been responsible for most of the i'm
portant civic improvements in the
District.
Mr.. Tucker" she said, "has the
outstanding record of having missed
only one meeting of the North East
Citizens Association during his long
term as the head of the organiza
ton, which recently observed its
50th anniversary"
In replying, Mr.. Tucker said his
organization is unique in that ii
does not confine itself to the North
east section of Washington alone
but has had major part in i'm
provements which have benefited
the entire city.
Some of the improvements spon-
sored by the group he listed as the
elimination of grade crossings in the
District, promotion of the Union
Station, sewage disposal, water fl
tratlon plant, the eradication of the
flats on the Anacostia River and the
erection of District Building.
Civilian Defense Stressed.
Speaking to the society on civilian
defense, Col. Lemuel Bolles, execu-
tive director for the Co-ordinator OF
Civilian Defense, said that he die
not believe that the naked horror OF
war has come to the people yet, and
added that when we become hurt
enough by the sacrifices of the mer
who are bleeding on battlefelds, ther
our disadvantages will stop, and not
until that time"
"The defense Of our cities depends
upon our people," Col Bolles said
1--WE can no longer hire an army tc
do this for us, but must depend upon
the training and ability of our citi-
zens. The enemy can only succeed
if he can create panic. If we are pre-.
pared this can never happen"
| Declaring that there is no roya
road to recovery" COL Bolles told the
society that the people must be con-
ditioned to take the full impact OF
war. He added that that impact
would become greater as time went
on. and predicted that we will know
more of the privations of war by
March Is than we do now"
In introducing Col. Bolles, Charles
H. Bates, president, emphasized the
desire of the society to aid in the
war effort. We are behind our fight
ing forces and our great President
100 per cent" he said.
Answering request from the Fed.
Grafton of Citizens Associations thai
two delegates be elected to represent
the society, Mr.. Bates and Mrs. Au.
gusta H. Brown were appointed a.
delegates for the coming year.
In two resolutions adopted las
| night the society expressed sorrow a
the death Of Miss Mamie D. Sobotka
former corresponding secretary, ant
moved to remember with gifts tn,
four nephews Of James F. Duhamel
historian, who are now serving will
the armed forces, two presumabl,
being held by the Japanese.
| The society also moved to approx,