Evening star., 1955-05-11
THE METROPOLITAN VIEWPOINT
Typical Family Finds
Suburb Life Pleasant,
ButItHos Its Problems
BY JOHN v. HORNER

ago, 1t didn't occur 10 MIN ne
would help build a great metrop-
oils.
He was a carefree bachelor
of 20, with a job at the Interior
Department and a bed in his
uncle's apartment. This suited
Claude fine. His expenses were
low and the apartment was con-
venient to work.
Although Claude remained
loyal to South Carolina. he be-
gan to like his new surround
ings The people he worked
with were pleasant and he
formed some warm friendships.
When he learned of a better
job at Agriculture. he took it.
In time he and a friend decided
to batch it" and moved into
a rooming house that fit the bill.
The young men got along well
together, won promotions on the
job and had fun socially. Then
they got around to the apart
ment stage.
Became Engaged
Not long after Claude fell in
love with G-girl at Agriculture.
he went to work for another
Government agency and his
pretty fiancee dated regularly
and became engaged.
In 1943, Claude joined the
Navy and left town for his train
ing. But he came back in 1914
to be married before going over
seas for the Pacific war.
At the beginning of 1916, when
he returned to civilian life, he
and Mrs. Franklyn lived in her
rooming house. But they had
been saving their money and
they set out Immediately to buy
a house.
The Franklyns were far
sighted. Although they had no
children at the time, they de-
cided to buy enough house for
future needs. They looked all
over Washington and the nearby
communities in Virginia and
Maryland.
1--WE wanted a community life
situation" said Mr.. Franklyn.
1--WE wanted a place not too far
from my work yet close to
schools. a church and shopping
We wanted to feel a part of the
whole makeup.
Living in Washington we
didn't even know the people next
door. We thought it would be
nice to know some of the neigh
bors."
Arlington Was 1t
They found what they wanted
in Arlington. 1t was a two-story
brick house with three bedrooms
a basement, garage and fine
yard.
The couple did not immediate
ly realize their ambition OF
meeting many neighbors. Mrs
Franklyn continued to work in
town and did not often come in
contact with other women in
the community. She finally re-
signed from Agriculture after
Claude, jr., was born in 1948.
What really makes a differ
ence in meeting people here, u
she said. "is children. They
play with the other children and
parents get to know each other
Claude, jr., now has two sis
ters, one of them 4 and the other
Z months old. He also has a
dog which leads a merry chase
around backyard inclosed by a
storm wire fence.
The Franklyns are typical OF
many Serenely happy young
families. Their comfortable home
is on a shaded street within two
blocks of the Cherrydale busi-
ness center, and two or three
blocks from schools the children
will attend. Thanks to the
George Washington Memoria,
Parkway, Mr.. Franklyn's cal
pool gets him to the office in
Is or 20 minutes.
Enjoy TeleviSion
They don't come into town
much at nights. They enjoy tel
evision with the children, read
ing and working around the
yard. Occasionally they attend
a neighborhood movie, and now
they have Joined with friends to
form a card club.
Mrs. Franklyn does most Of
her personal shopping at the Ar
lington branches of Washington
department stores and in the
earby independent shops
Sometimes she shops in down
town Washington after having
lunch with the girls she knew
at Agriculture.
This family is but one of many
thousands which have settled
here in recent years, convert
ing Washington and its small
suburbs into a densely populated
ever-growing metropolitan area
For the Franklyn household,
there are distinct advantages OF
living in Cherrydale. Yet, they
admit, they must pay through
the nose for the privilege.
Taxes" said Mr.. Franklyn,
ARE awful"
When his children get into
school, he'll be more watchful
of the county education program
its administration. the cur
riculum and school building
Wanting a voice in community
affairs, he undoubtedly will
participate in civic organiza-
tions. Like others. he will be
working for better local services
traffic control, highway improve
mentS.
Still Moving In
He will find other families
still moving into the Washing
, ton area and new problems con-
!; fronting the local government