Evening star., 1952-02-08
D. {. ClergyI1ler
Back Drive by
Civic Groups
Urge All to Join
For Greater Voice
In City's Affairs

Civic Associations are conducting
a concerted campaign all this
month to bolster their member
ships as much as possible.
Statements supporting the drive
issued by several ministers this
week include the following:
The Rev. L. Maynard Catchings,
pastor of Plymouth Congregation
al Church: Good citizenship de-
mands participation of every citi-
zen in civic affairs of q connmu-
nity.. Where there Is no vote, the
need for citizen participation is
even greater. Every one should.
therefore, become active in civic
affairs in order to serve his COM
munity."
Says Groups Deserve Help
Rabbi Norman Gerstenfeld Of
the Washington Hebrew Congre-
CATION: "I am always heartily
In sympathy with all efforts on the
part Of any individual or groups
of persons endeavoring to improve
the welfare Of our citizens. The
Citizens and Civic Associations
work along this line. They deserve
every ones help"
Rabbi Emeritus Solomon Fl.
Metz ct Adas Israel Congregation:
"No one is secure without faith.
No nation is stronger than its
moral strength. Now is the time
for all men and women to work
together in unity for the revival
of our spiritual ideals, the sure
foundation of our Republic. I
heartily agree with this effort :"
DR.. Stephen Gill Spottswood.
pastor OF John Wesley A.M.E. Zion
Church: 'No city can progress
without active interest Of it's cit
izens. Good city government also
depends largely on such activity.
It is, therefore, imperative to cre-
ate civic and citizen participation.
or our city is doomed to retarda-
ton. thus impeding progress and
making good government inn
possible"
Must Awaken Interest.
The Right Rev. John K. Cart
wright. rector of st. Matthew's
Cathedral: "The aim of the Fed
Grafton 10 awaken the lively in-
terest Of all citizens In affairs Of
public importance is very laudable.
The attainment Of this aim is
vitally necessary 3 fact which be-
comes more evident with each
passing month"
DIR. Harry L. Bell, pastor Of Co
lumbia Heights Christian Church:
"I heartily indorse the present
membership drive as it is i'm
portant to the welfare of the city
that its residents interest them
selves in its problems. These as
sociations are our only means Of
solving our problems. and If the
citizens of Washington will take
the proper interest in them, we
can make this city better place
in which to live. Certainly Chris
tian people should take an interest
In civic affairs"
The Rev. J. Artley Leatherman,
pastor of Hamline M. E. Church:
"Although citizens of the District
are not represented in Congress
nor privileged to choose their city
officials, they should use every
available means to express civic
interest and insure good Govern
ment in the Nations Capital. The
Citizens and Civic Associations
provide a means of expression and
influence for the responsible
citizen.
"The Responsibility Is Ours"
DR.. G. E. Lenski, pastor of Grace
Lutheran Church: eve cannot
have a decent city by always turn
ing its care over to some unnamed
other fellow. The responsibility
for our city's welfare is ours. =.
We only meet it when we do our
part In our own city groups. ;"
The Rev. Frank Blackwelder,
pastor Of All Souls Memorial
Church: Although the citizens
of the District have no vote, they
do have q voice privilege which
may be expressed in any Of the
citizens and civic associations by
being q member. 1t Is real op-
portunity for them to be Of real
service to the best interests OF
the city. :"
DR.. Carl Heath Kopf. pastor OF
the First Congregational Church:
''It is especially in the District
where we have no vote that all
of us should work together in civic
groups to see that we have the
type of city we want for our
selves and our neighbors. -"
Cites Service to City.
The Rev. ]. w. Jones, assistant
pastor of Calvary Baptist Church
"I am heartily in accord with the
present drive to get every good
citizen not already q member Of
some civic or citizens association
to join at this time. I am always
behind every movement that ]
feel will better conditions in oul
city and make it a better place In
which to live. I believe that the
citizens and civic associations are
doing q real service to every
one"
DR.. Edward o. Clark, pastor oi
Chevy Chase Baptist Church
"Most heartily do I recommend
the work of our citizens and ciVie
associations. We all want to be &
clean city morally and physically
we want a safe and properly gov.
erned city; we want Fairgrounds
parks, schools, decent housing and
many other things which contrib.
ute to our needs and advancement
''But we need to realize that re.
sponSibility for these things h
upon all citizens, and it Is through
our citizens and civic association
that we can make our influences
~lHArkSryn % ~