Evening star., 1950-12-09
D. {. Civic Federation
lnstaIIs Thompson,
Presents ; Awards

Gerhard P. van Arkel, general
counsel of the Senate District
Committee. last night called for
increased friendly human rela-
tions" among racial and religious
groups in Washington.
Mr.. van Arkel was principal
speaker at the annual dinner of
the Federation of Civic Associa-
tions, which also saw the installa-
tion OF Leon A. Thompson, an in
Surance salesman, as new presi-
dent of the Federation. The
event was held in Margaret Muir
ray Washington Vocational High
School, Is o street NV.
Mr.. van Arkel stressed that
friendly relations between the ra-
cial and religious groups would
aid in eliminating horrible dan
gers" ever present in this society.
Emphasizes 'Real Democracy"
He also emphasized that home
rule for the District is important
in the development of a real
democracy" here, since Washing
ton is both the Nations capital
and that of the world. There
fore, he reasoned, democracy
must be shown here as an indica-
tion of the peoples real faith in
it. as well as to show others the
Districts citizens really practice
democracy.
The retiring president, Wool
sey w. Hall, who is a member of
the Board of Education, intro
duced Mr.. van Arkel by describ-
ing him as lone of the greatest
friends to the citizens of the Dis
trict and to the Federation.
Mr.. Thompson, who was master
OF ceremonies, was elected to Of
flee on December / to succeed
Mr.. Hall. who could not run again
because of his new duties with
the board. Mr.. Thompson, IS,
was president of Garfield Douglas
Heights Civic Association. He
works for an insurance company
here. His term of Office is one
year.
Three Awards Presented
Attorney John B. Duncan, who
is first vice president of the Fed
Grafton, presented three awards.
including The Evening Star
Trophy.
1t went to the East Central
Civic Association, and was re-
ceived by its president, Frank D.
Mckinney.
The association received the
award, on recommendation of a
committee representing the %
member groups, for it's contribu-
ton to the effort to obtain two
new schools for colored students
in its area, which have recently
been built. They are the VIM
field Scott Montgomery School,
AIS P street NV, and the Wal
ler-Jones School, First and l.
streets NV.
The citation said they were
built as a result of East -Centrals
long-range program to alleviate
overcrowded school conditions.
The group also was commended
for getting 60-day postponements
of eviction notices served to 800
families who had to be relocated
because of the construction and
seeing that adequate housing was
provided for those families unable
to obtain new places by them
selves.
Mrs. Haywood HOnored
The trophy of the National AS
sociation for the Advancement of
Colored People was awarded to
Mrs. Margaret A. Haywood, a |
local attorney. for the most out
standing individual service to the
Federation during 1850. Her
citation said she contributed legal .
talents in several cases without
charge in her capacity as chair
man OF the Federation's legisla-
tive committee and performed
other outstanding jobs.
Mrs. Velma c. Williams, a
member of the school board, re-
ceived the Federations award, a |
plaque, for furthering construc-
tive educational and civic activi-
ties during the last several years
In Washington. Her long service
was praised by Melvin c. Sharpe,
president of the school board, who
was present at the dinner.