Evening star., 1949-08-21
If Home Rule Comes
Better Use of Citizen Groups Urged as Important Aid
in Self. Government Training

Better Use of Citizen Gro
in Self.Gover
To the Editor Of The Star:
The Star of June carried brief report Of
the meeting Of the Connecticut Avenue Citi-
zens' Association to vote on the proposed
revision of the constitution and bylaws.
The brief, factual report failed to present
and to interpret to the citizens of Washing
ton the deep significance to our democratic
process of the action taken at this and
previous meetings.
The District seeks home rule. Is 1t using
its citizens associations to prepare for home
rule?
The report noted that among other
changes proposed and adopted the revision
limited continuous term Of ONCE to three
years in lieu of the previous unlimited term;
provided for the election Of the nominating
committee in lieu of the appointment by the
President and instituted the secret ballot
in elections in lieu Of the vive voce vote as
at present.
The purpose of these changes is evident.
Similar changes are being sought IN the
constitutions Of labor unions. These limita-
tions will tend to prevent the perpetuat1on
in power Of the same administration over an
indefinite period of time.
AS in many labor unions, SO in the Con-
necticut Avenue Citizens Association. the
same administration has maintained itself
in power q length of time sufficient to bring
about the evils against which Lord Acton
and Abraham Lincoln warned us. Both
emphasized the evils of concentrated or long
continued authority.
:, y
A student of government and philosopher
might have obtained from this meeting and
those preceding some very interesting side
lights on democracy In action. He would
have noted confirmation OF Lord Acton's
statement and a demonstration that human
nature and its effects on the problems OF
government are about the same In the
operation of a neighborhood citizens asso-
citation as in national or international politi-
cal assemblies. Also some interesting con-
clusions might have been drawn as to
whether self-government in Washington
would find its citizens ready and willing to
take an intelligent and active part In the
government or inclined by their indifference
to allow the government to be taken over by
individuals or small groups.
OF the over 60 citizens associations in the
District. the Connecticut Avenue Association
is one Of the largest in membership. covers
one of the most favored areas Of the District
and stands among the highest in the
cCOlOIulC SLdLuS ana tIle cQuCdIlOUdl quail
ihcations Of its residents.
Since there Is tendency to look upon
person criticizing the status quo as q red or
at least pink. hasten to state that am
ultra conservative on the moot questions of
civil rights, the New Deal, anti-communism
segregation and home rule. My conscien-
tious convictions on these questions would
line me up with the old guard.
To clear myself of having ulterior motives
in making these statements, may I add that
I seek no office, publicity. power or prestige.
At my age and in my position am beyond
that.
However, I am a firm believer in the
Jeftersonian principle Of absolute tolerance
for all honest opinions; for giving each per-
son absolute freedom to voice his viewpoints
and to vote his convictions; for keeping the
control of government (reaching from local
citizens associations up to the National Gov
ernment) out Of the hands Of individuals or
small groups and in the control Of the people
as whole. I believe that difference, dis
agreement, discussion decided by democratic
processes are required to bring out the best
in citizens and that this best can be accom-
plished in local citizens associations when
properly run.
The following are some Of the highlights
of my observation of the Connecticut Avenue
Citizens Association.
Cd found that the association in no way
represented the ! 400 paid members and the.
additional several thousand potential menu
bers. On the contrary. it had in effect be-
come the personal organization Of the presi-
dent who had been in office 10 years. He
and few faithful followers practically ran
the association. The fault in this lay not
with the president and his faithful few who
kept the nag flying. but with the indiffer-
ence Of the 400 paid members and the ad-
ditional several thousand potential members.
About 90 per cent Of them never attended
meeting. Great credit is due the president
and the faithful few who took upon them
selves the burden and responsibility OF con-
ducting the affairs Of the association In face
of the indifference of the many. This same
indifference Of good citizens is one OF the
greatest dangers to our democratic system.
It gave Mussolini and Hitler their first toe
holds, and 1t is primarily responsible for boss
rule in the cities Of the United States OF
America. Due to this indifference in the
area Of the Connecticut Avenue Citizens
Association. an average Of only about 40
attend the monthly meetings.
4
The president and not more than a half
dozen OF his faithful group determine in
general the action of the association. Thus
when the association passes a resolution and
Congress or the President Gas is sometimes
done), a false impression is conveyed that
several thousand people are back Of it, when
in actuality not one citizen out Of hundred
in the area has had any knowledge OF the
matter. Possibly some Is or 20 people took
positive action in the matter.
The cure is to break down this citizen in
difference. 49,.
(2) Upon joining the association asked
for copy Of the constitution and was told
by the president that there was but one copy
and that he didn't let that out. I asked If
I might borrow the copy and mimeograph
it for the members The answer was INC" !"
At my suggestion that I would consider it
my duty to publicize this situation, the copy
was loaned and mimeographed
l3l Although SO required BY the conStitu-