Evening Star Newspaper, November 25, 1934, Page 52

F-2 GROUP OF CTZENS IN RICHNOND PARK ORGANIZED IN 1923 After Marked Improvement of Section Unit Now Pushes Rerouting. On the evening of November 8, 1923, seven conscientious men, faced with the same problems, met together to unite their strength toward their solution. All had purchased homes in a new, outlying subdivision of the growing city. Lighting was inade- quate, the roads unfinished and gut- terless, transportation facilities were insufficient, there was no school near enough for their young children to walk to alone. The meeting was held at the home of John G. Harlan, 3427 Quebec street, in the new development called Richmond Park. Besides Mr. Har- lan, legal adviser in financial mat- ters to the Secretary of the Treasury, there were present Charles Linkins, Lieut. Col. H. L. Cooper, Horace Smith, W. G. Hoyt. Milton Schwab and Alfred E. Hanson. small beginning of the Richmond Park Citizens’ Association. Two weeks later an assembly of their neighbors met in the Cleveland Park Congregational Church for the formal inauguration of the body. Here the association has met during most of its life, molding the grow- ing community. Get Switch Change. The first point the association ever ‘won, though small, must have seemed quite a triumph. The switchover at Connecticut avenue and Macomb street was successfully changed to_its present position in front of the Bu- reau of Standards. By 1926 the association had achieved paving and gutters for its streets, alleys and lighting. It could turn its attention to more general matters. Always a member of the Federation of Citizens' Associations, in 1926 it joined with neighboring groups in the St. Alban’s Council of Citizens' Asso- ciations. At this time a projected bond issue for District improvements was being talked about, and the asso- ciation turned it down. At this same time they were urging the creation of a public park near the Bureau of Stand- ards, much desired by all in that section of Washington, and a memo- randum was sent to the National Cap- ital Park and Planning Commission. In return they received a letter from Freedrick A. Delano of the Park Com- mission, suggesting that if they and their fellow associations had sanc- tioned the bond issue, tnere might have been some hope of giving them a park. But as it was—no money, no park. The association immediately changed its mind, and in 1929 indorsed the Cramton appropriation bill, but never got its park, however. Favor Vote for District. The association has voted yes on several important issues. In 1927, it was the compulsory automobile liabil- ity insurance. In 1928 they advocated the still-awaited national stadium, and in 1929 first moved from its old stand against any change in the system of the District Government to advocate the election of the School Board. Since then they have come out in favor of District representation. On January 14, 1931, Richmond Park attained its chief desire when the Phoebe Hearst School was dedi- cated. It was built on land pur- chased from Admiral Cary T. Gray- son for $80,000. Next to it was a playground site. It has remained a site ever since, which is the com- munity’s greatest disappointment. The association bas finally, in de- spair of any other way, asked the land to be turned over to the Federal Government in the hope of getting an appropriation for its completion. Most important business before the association now is the question of re- routing. Most urgent is the request for a cross-town bus connecting Cleveland Park with Mount Pleasant, by way of Rock Creek. Bus service is recommended in place of the street car along Wisconsin avenue from Massachusetts avenue to the Line, and a continuation of the Woodley road bus down to Connecticut ave- nue and R street. Communication with Chevy Chase Circle, by way of Reno road, Thirty-fourth street, Cleveland avenue, to and from some- where in the downtown area, is also desired. WASHINGTOI;I HIGHLANDS PLANS DECEMBER RALLY ‘W. Earl Nair Named Chairman of Group to Arrange Special Program of Interest. Plans are under way for a rally to be held at the next meeting of the ‘Washington Highlands Citizens’ As- sociation in the home of the presi- dent, W. Earl Nair. Besides Nair, who is chairman of the affair, the others on the commit- tee are Carrol Wall, Roy Clark, H. D. Butler and W. B. Lovejoy. The rally is planned primarily to stimulate interest in the association and increase the membership as well as the attendance at meetings. S S HILLCREST PRESIDENT NAMES HEADS OF UNITS Delegates to Newly Formed South- east Council of Associations Also Are Appointed. Rudolph Malth, president of the Hillcrest Citizens’ Association has named 10 committees for the year besides delegates to the newly formed Southeast Council of Citizens' As- sociations. The chairmen of the committees are as follows: Public utilities, James Reed; streets and alleys, J. J. Mac- Gregor, sewer and water, George W. Absher; police and fire, Mrs. Charles Foster, improvements, George H. Sise- moore; schools, B. H. Patton; health and sanitation, George W. Absher; publicity, H. R. Townsend; entertain- ment, R. H. Worrell, and membership, Mrs. Otho R. Davidson. Charles Fos- ter is chairman of the delegates to the Boutheast Council. SHIFT MEETING PLACE North Capitol Unit Moves From School Library. The North Capitol Citizens’ Asso- ciation, which was to have met per- manently in the library of McKinley High School, will resume its meetings in room 130 tomorrow night, Jesse W. Morgan, the secretary, has announced. ‘The library was very unsatisfactory to members, he said, since it is on the third floor of the structure and no elevator service is available. This was the | The officers of the Rich Citizens’ Association, wkich meets on the second Wednesday of the month. Joseph R. McCuen, sec- retary; George E. Clark, president, and W. J. Calnan, delegate to the Federa- tion of Citizens’ Associations. Left to right: Park OVEMBER 25, BACKING S SOUGHT FOR PROGRAM 0 CHANGES FOR CITY Northeast Official Would —Star Btaffl Photo. DRIVE FOR BRIDGE 10 BE REOPENED Brookland Head Says Need of Children Should Be Filled at Once. With the drive against crime here in mind, Marvin M. McLean, presi- dent of the Brookland Citizens' Asso- ciation, has reopened the fight for construction of a bridge to save chil- dren the danger of crossing railroad tracks rather than one which gives easier access to a nearby Maryland gambling establishment. At a recent meeting of his asso- ciation, Mr. McLean announced his intention of again carrying the mai- ter before District authorities. A. E. F. Scheer, president of the Dahlgren Terrace Citizens' Association and the Joint Conference of Northeast Citi- zens' Associations, announced he would bring the subject before the conference meeting tomorrow night so that members might take the fight back to their respective associations. “For five years we have been seek- ing a bridge over the railroad tracks at Franklin street between Seventh and Ninth streets northeast,” Mr. Mc- | Lean declared. “This would save children attending the Crosby Noyes School at Tenth and Franklin streets northeast the danger of crossing six pairs of B. & O. Railroad tracks.” At present the children must walk more than 2 miles to schcol, if not wanting to risk crossing the tracks. There are no transportation facilities for this trip, as it is very winding. Instead of having $130,000 left over after completion of a bridge in north- west Washington used towards erec- tion of a bridge on Eastern avenue between Bladensburg road and Rhode Island avenue northeast, Mr. McLean advocates spending this money for the bridge which would be used by the children. Estimated cost of the erec- tion would be about $146,000, accord- ing to a statement of the Engineer Commissioner two years ago, Mr. Mc- Lean declared. “The bridge would have but little use except to make easier access to the gambling establishment,” he de- clared. ‘The matter was to be taken before District authorities the first of the week, as announcement for the letting of bids has already been made. MORE POLICE PROMISED A promise to increase the police force in No. 9 precinct has been made by Maj. Ernest W. Brown, superin- tendent of police, in a letter read at a recent meeting of the Northeast Citizens' Association. In the letter, Maj. Brown expressed appreciation for the action of the association at a previous meeting in indorsing his request for a larger po- lice force. It further states that if “we are successful in obtaining an increase in the personnel of the de- partment, it is my intention to in- crease the personnel at No. 9 pre- cinct, as well as other precincts which personnel at this time.” R T Membership of 365 Reported. Three new members joined the Northeast Citizens’ Association at its November meeting. This makes a total of 365 members, Joseph Notes, the secretary, said. ‘WPRO to Be Congratulated. Plans for a network program dedi- cated to WPRO in Providence, R. I, congratulating the station on the new frequency and increased power under which it is now operating, are being arranged by executives of the Amer- ican Broadcasting System. This spe- cial program will be broadcast in the near future, George B. Storer, presi- dent of the new major network, will be one of the principal speakers. Petworth Membership 851. Six new members admitted Tuesday night at & meeting of the Petworth Citizens' Association brings the total membership of that group up to 851. The new members are Mrs. F. W. Strieby, R. F. Haugh, Harry C. Kim- ball, Ernest F. Henry, J. R. McDonald and Miss Annie P. Orthip. JOB’S DAUGHTERS The semi-annual election of officers of Bethel No. 1 will be December 1 at the Masonic Temple. The dramatic club will meet tomor- row night at the home of Miss Cath- erine Norris, 1014 M street southeast, to plan an entertainment for the next meeting. Miss Lois Lainhart will be co-hostess with Miss Norris in enter- taining the group. A hike into nearby Vi was participated in by girls of Bethel No. 1, preceding a supper tendered them by Mrs. Poss. The girls then attended | the meeting of Bethol No. ¢ at Alex- andria. ‘ are very much in need of increased | Civic Calendar Change in Meeting Date of Two Groups Made This Week. HIS week two associations wi] meet on dates not regularl scheduled. The Sixteenth Street Highlands body permanently changed its regular meetings from the first Monday to the fourth Wednesday of each month and the Conduit Road assocaition is meeting Wednesday be- cause its meeting night conflicts with Thanksgiving. Associations meeting this week are: Monday, November 26. Georgetown Citizens’ Association, 8 pm., St. John's Church parish hall. Program—Annual election; committee report and discussion of rerouting ! problems. | Joint Conference of Northeast Citi- zens’ Associations, 8 pm., No. 12 pre- cinct station. Program—Election of officers; study of the crime situation; discussion of the following: Proposed merger of the Park and Metropolitan Police Departments to obtain greater co-operation, abolition of Traffic Bu- | reau, proposed elimination of parking | restrictions south of Pennsylvania ave- | nue in an effort to relieve the Police Department of enforcement of minor traffic regulations, proposal to replace | patrol wagon drivers and telephone operators in the Police Department with civilians, so that the officers now on duty may be available for police work: discussion ~f proposed plans for | the construction of an airport with District funds; recommendations that ) member bodies oppose the Chain Bridge project; talk from William A. | Mato, president of the newly-named | Southeast Council of Citizens’ Associa- tions. Mid-City Citizens' Association, 8 pm. Thomson Community Center. | Program—Address by E. Barrett Pret- | tyman, corporation counsel, on pro- posed legislation for the District; re- | port from the Executive Committee |on crime prevention and the re-es- | tablishment of No. 2 police precinct; discussion of methods of financing the new Municipal Center: appointment | of standing committee members. North Capitol Citizens’ Association, 8 pm., Room 130, McKinley High School. Program—Nomination and annual election of officers; report on crime report submitted by George E. Sullivan at the last meeting of the Federation of Citizens' Associations; Executive Committee report and dis- cussion of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library ‘Trinidad Citizens’ Association, 8 pm., Library of the Wheatley School. Program—Action on the crime pre- vention movement; efforts to secure a traffic control light at Eleventh and H streets northeast; discussion of inadequate police force with action to secure additional police protection; action to better street car service; ac- tion on proposed indorsement of Northeast civic groups in their efforts to secure the completion of the Sher- wood Playground and also action to secure a playground in Trinidad. Tuesday, November 27. Logan-Thomas Circle Citizens' As- sociation, 8 pm. Northminster Church. Program—Action to retain the present Board of Trustees of the Public Library; discussion of the crime situation; motion pictures on traffic problems. Southeast Citizens’ Association. 8 p.m., Buchanan School. Program—In- auguration of a three-month member- ship drive; report from delegates to the Southeast Council of Citizens’ Associations; By-Laws Committee re- port on proposed revisions of the by- laws including the creation of the office of financial secretary; appoint- ments of standing commmittee chair- men; report from the Executive Com- mittee on the crime situation; discus- sion of the following: The need for better school facilities in Southeast, proposed comfort station at Seven- teenth street and Pennsylvania ave- nue southeast and discussion of the needs for a recreation center and street improvements. Wednesday, November 28. Conduit Road Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m., Community Church. Program —Discussion of proposal to change the name of Conduit road to I'Enfant] drive; inaugurstion of a membership drive; report on the Chain Kridge project; moving pictures from the Aetna Life Insurance Co. showing the causes of automobile accidents; re- port of George E. Sullivan's crime report at the last federation meeting and appointment of a Vigilance Com- mittee should the report be adopted. Rhode Island Avenue Citizens’ Asso- ciation, 8 p.m., Sherwood Presbyterian Church. Sixteenth Street Highlands Citi- zens' Association, 8 p.m., Brightwood School. Saturday, December 1. Federation of Citizens’ Associations, 8 p.m., board room, District Building. Program—Report from Thomas Ellis Lodge, chairman of the Laws and Legislative Committee, on several proposed bills submitted by Corpora- tion Counsel E. Barrett Prettyman, in- cluding laws governing small agencies and the numbers racket. loan ' Imperfect.” CITIZENS SUGGEST REVENUE MEANS Inheritance and Sales Taxes Brought Up at Various Group Meetings. A number of suggestions for open- ing new sources of revenue to the District government have been made | by members of various citizens’ asso- | ciations. Heading this list is a proposal that | an inheritance tax law be enacted for | the District government. This ides | was suggested recently by A. P. E Scheer, president of the Joint Con- | ference of Northeast Citizens’ Associa- | tions, and also of the Dahlgrea Ter- | race Association. Scheer pointed out that at present | the Federal Government provides that | any State which has such a law re- ceives 80 per cent of the tax on in- heritances in the State, while the Fed- eral Government receives the remain- ing 20 per cent. He declared he sees no reason why the District should be deprived of this revenue. Almon C. Barber, secretary of the West End Citizens’ Association, made several suggestions at a recent meeting of that group. He presented them, he said, not in the hope of any action being taken immediately by the asso- ciation, but “as food for thought.” | His suggestions included: A 10 per cent tax on retail sales in the District, food exempted. ‘The personal tax be combined with the tax on automobiles, which would be assessed according to weight, the | minimum assessment being $8 and | the maximum $15. Income tax, to start at $5,000, with $2,500 exemption to married persons and $1,00 for each dependent. Active Citizens Praised. ‘The highest type of citizen is found attending the citizens’ associations, James De Force of the Community Chest told the Petworth Citizens’ As- sociation at a recent meeting. Mr. De Force said he had spoken for the Community Chest before many citi- zens' assoclations and always found in attendance only those who have the betterment of the community at heart. . AUl Describe . . Congress Heights Presi- dent Also Is Author of Several Books. He Has Headed Group for 18 Years. DOCTOR, preacher, writer A and educator—these are the Richardson, president of the Congress Heights Citizens’ Association. Few men have had the honor to to give their services in the interest of their fellow men so unstintingly, as Dr. Richardson. He was born at Rockingham, Vt. uated from the Vermont Academy in 1892, with high honors. In 1904 he ‘was awarded a B. S. degree by George Washington University, the M. 8. in Leaving the medical field in 1908, and turning to philosophy, he became instructor in philosophy in 1906 and has been professor of philosophy University. Is Ordained Minister. He has always taken a very active interest in church matters, having Baptist Church in 1911 and ordained in 1913, and has been pastor of the Congress Heights Church since that time. Baptist Ministers’ Conference held in Washington, and since 1921 has been trustee of the Baptist Bible Institute of New Orelans. equally well known, for he was awarded the degree of M. D. by the Columbia University in 1885. He was the valedictorian of his class. Richardson gave to the world certain of his ideas in reading form, as that year saw the publication of “Problem of the This he followed & year Despite Rivals’ Politics accomplishments of Dr. E. E. fill all these positions so ably, or February 19, 1873, and was grad- 1905 and the Ph. D. in 1907. since 1914 at George Washington been licensed to the ministry of the In 1922 he was president of the In the field of medicine he is It was in 1908 that Dr. later by acting as editor of “Memoirs 4 Drop Traffic Bureau, Junk Many Regulations. Abolishment of the Traffic Bureau, consolidation of the United States Park Police with the regular metro- politan force, opposition to the spend- traffic regulations are subjects to be brought before all member associations of the joint Conference of Northeast Citizens’ Associations for action in the near future. A. P. E. Scheer, president of the conference, and also president of the Dahlgren Terrace Citizens' Asocia- tion and joint Conference of North- east Suburban Citizens' Associations, announced his intention recently of carrying the fight for such to the re- spective organizations. Included in the lot will be a request for disapproval of replacement of Chain Bridge. Reasons Are Cited. Mr. Scheer advocates abolishment of the Trafic Bureau as an economy measure. Twelve per cent of police in the city are used in this branch, he said, causing a vast expense for un- needed officers when the privates could easily be under supervision of the reg- ular police heads. In argument for such abolishment Mr. Scheer points to the statement of Corporation Counsel E. Barrett Prettyman that out of 55,000 informations handled last year between 26,000 and 29,000 were for minor infractions of traffic regula- tions. Consolidation of the park police force with the regular metropolitan orce would also save a great cost in expenditures, he said. This would eliminate a large amount of over- lapping of duties and save good sums by not having to pay many of the | larger salarfes to the heads of the park_system. “There are five different police or- ganizations in the city,” Mr. Scheer sald, “which is entirely too many for an area this size.” Referring to the downtown section of the city, he said, “Traffic condi- | tions could be no worse if there were ! no regulations at all.” be abolished. They are commercial organizations. he pointed out, ana | should operate from commercial bases on the order of parking lots owned by the separate corporations or garages. | Member associations of | posal to abolish all parking regula- tions south of Pennsylvania avenue, | except House. “I propose that this be done,” Mr. Scheer asserted, “thereby making the area a model one. By this I mean a complete change, putting into effect only those regulations absolutely nec- essary and petitioned for by the peo- ple and commercial establishments. This could then be used as a model in changing other parts of the city. The city is now far too full of regulations | which are not absolutely necessary.” Airports are commercial projects, Mr. Scheer stated, and District funds should not be used to construct them. Besides the construction cost, the District would be deprived of between $200,000 and $400,000 yearly for up- keep. Opposes Bridge Plan. Opposition to the replacement of | Chain Bridge by another to be built | by District funds was also advo- | cated. This bridge is merely a con- | nection from Maryland to Virginia, Mr. Scheer said. vet they want to pay for none of the cost of erecting it. “The present estimated cost is $2,500,000, which means that by the time it is finished the cost will be about $5,000,000,” Mr. Scheer de- clared. “Through the savings from these suggestions,” Mr. Scheer declared, “the District can have many of the things, such as schools, which it needs 50 badly. We need the money for many things and don't seem to have it, so why not save in these and other ways for the things we need so much. Doctor, Minister, Educator, Dr. Richardson DR. E. E. BI_CHA.-DSON. o‘fm',;n Society for Philosophical In- On a world tour he lectured at the Madras Christian College, Madras, India; the Shanghai (China) Univer- sity and at the Judson College, Ran- goon, Burma. New Book Announced. “The Way of the Orient.” a book written by Dr. Rithardson, will be released at the end of the year, he said. In 1911 he was elected president of the Central Union Mission. He held this office until 1924. So far as civic activities are con- cerned, Dr. Richardson has been ex- ceptionally active. In 1916 he was elected president of the Congress Heights Citizens’ Association and still holds that office despite efforts of rival “parties” to overthrow him. Among the improvements for the community for which Dr. Richardson has been partly responsible, either as a member of a committee or as & representative of the association at various meetings of the Board of | It was further proposed that all taxicab stands in the downtown area | the two | | conferences will also consider a pro-, in the rear of the White| 1934—PART FOUR. Civic Problems, Civic Bodies Efforts to Increase Interest of Meetings Widespread Among Associations — Conflicting Views Arise on Traffic Bureau. BY JESSE C. SUTER. IVIC work is going strong just now throughout the metropolitan area. Inten- sive study of the many civic problems is under way by the organizations and by some of the folks on Capitol Hill who really take an interest in their jobs as local legislators for the National Capital community. ‘The most striking feature of the present civic activity appears to be the grouping of neighborhood units into larger sectional joint committees (conferences and coun- clls) for unified work for their sections. These joint efforts are expected to produce real results through the ironing out of the differences and thus eliminating the working at cross-purposes which has in the past defeated many a needed project. Through this sectional teamwork, President Yaden of the Federation of Citi- zens' Assoclations sees an increase of opportunity for the federation to add effectively the weight of its influence in behalf of the several sections of the District. Women’s Club Federation Department of Legislation. 71111! November meeting of the District of Columbia Feder- ation of Women's Clubs to- morrow will have its program in charge of the department of leg- islation, of which Mrs. Edith L. Phelps is chairman. Speakers will include E. Barrett Pretty- man, corporation counsel, who will present his nine-point legis- lative program, and Paul E. Lesh, who will speak on national rep- resentation for the District. The meeting will start at 10:30 am. and there will be a luncheon after the morning session. Inclosed with the notice of this meeting, sent out by the president, Mrs. Harvey W. Wiley, is a very comprehensive outline of the leg- islative program and other mat- ter prepared by the department of legislation. There was also inclosed a reprint of the article in The Star by Theodore W. Noyes, “The Day, November 6, 1934 in which was made a strong plea for the granting of national repre- sentation to the District of Colum- bia The department of legislation has some very definite plans for getting tne women of the country interested in the national enfran- chisement of their voteless and unrepresented fellow Americans of the National Capital community. More Interesting Meetings To Increase Attendance. NUMBER of the citizens' as- A sociations are planning to vary programs so as to in- crease the interest and attendance. The plan of simply having speak- ers from the outside has not always proved a drawing card. In many quarters the chief criticism of these meetings is that there is too much talk. A certain amount of talk is necessary and good for any such organization, but very often it is too much of a good thing, especially much which is reiteration. Col. E. Goring Bliss, the new president of Dupont Circle Asso- ciation, says an association “must act as a clearing house by (1) in- forming the citizens of current matters and problems which con- cern them and (2) informing the District and Federal Governments of the views. desires and wishes of the citizens. If a citizens' asso- ciation does not perform this im- portant function,” continues Col. Bliss, “it loses its value as a civic body and can be classed no longer as such.” He further believes that if the association committees are active and thorough in their work much needless discussion can be avoided In association meetings. The most experienced civic leaders recognize the fact that even “snappy,” thoroughly pre- pared meetings will not continue to draw a substantial attendance unless some other features are in- troduced.. This is simply to rec- ognize a human characteristic expressed in the homely old saw, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Some years ago a well known sociologist, who was engaged in organizing the farmers of various sections into groups for their mu- tual benefit, addressed one of our citizen bodies and advocated mix- ing a little play with the work. He told how the first alm in or- ganizing the farmers was to get them to playing together. He said that they always found that if they would get to playing together they would become better ac- quainted and just naturally drop into working together. Randle Highlands Association, having probably the largest per- centage of attendance, is to have surprise programs and its meeting last week ended with a dance. The new president of Stanton Park Association, James P. Farmer, be- lieves in making the meetings something moré than mere matter- of-fact gatherings. He threatens to surprise the members with en- tertainments, interesting and in- structive speakers, debates and spelling bees. The new order will become effective at the December meeting. Other associations are planning new features to increase the at- tendance and heighten the interest. It is even heard that some will ar- range neighborhood family-style dinners to help get the neighbors acquainted. Evening Star Night At Dahigren Terrace Association. AST Wednesday evening was observed by the Dahlgren Ter- race Citizens' Association as “Evening Star night.” This asso- ciation holds its meetings in the Crosby 8. Noyes Public School at Tenth and Franklin streets north- east. This building is named for the late Crosby S. Noyes, for many years editor in chief of The Star and a leader in civic affairs. The association has established the cus- tom of annually holding & meeting in honor of Mr. Noyes. The policy of encouraging the formation and the work of these citizen groups was established by Crosby S. Noyes and has been eon- tinued to the present day. With- out this continued sustaining sup- port, civic leaders recognize that these associations would never have atained their present state of use- fulness and influence. Conflicting Views on Police Traffic Bureau. ! A BOLITION of the Police Traf- fic Bureau is advocated by A. P. E. Scheer, president of the joint conference of Northeast Citizens’ Associations and also president of the Dahlgren Terrace Citizens’ Association. In this ad- 4 vocacy he is joined by the Dahl- gren Terrace body. The committee report adopted unanimously by that association, urged legislation transferring men from this bureau to the precincts and making all members of the force act in enforcing traffic regu- iations. Consolidation of the park and metropolitan police forces were advocated by Mr. Scheer to in- crease the personnel of the Police Department 10 per cent. ‘The vice president of another association in the Northwest sec- tion, who has given considerable study to traffic and police mat- ters, takes practically the same po- sition. The matter has been pre- sented to the Brookland Citizens’ Association and is now before & committee. The Lincoln Park Association has voted confidence in the traffic officers and seems to favor the continuance of the Traffic Bureau. Other leaders favor reducing the personnel of the Traffic Bureau by sending a number of the men to the precincts for more important duty than the marking of automo- bile tires with chalk. War Against Crime Having Wholesome Effect. HERE is a feeling throughout organized civic Washington that, while there have de- veloped wide differences of opinion as to method, the mere pausing to consider the question of law en- forcement and crime reduction has had a most wholesome effect. Right at a time when the tendency was to consider crime and lawlessness 4s & mere matter of course it has been well to introduce a discussion which is producing a different state of mind Those who have been pushing this movement against crime recognize that an aroused public sentiment will be the greatest stimulus to increased activity among officials charged with the responsibility of enforcing the law. Such an aroused public opinion against crime, they hold, is also sure to be reflected in the attitude of citizens serving on our juries. They further believe that this broad discussion of ways and means of reducing crime and up- holding the majesty of the law will produce some self-examina- tion and cause some good citizens to be better citizens by stopping the committing of numerous petty offenses. If these enforcement officials and members of vigilance committees will just remove the mote from their own eye they may better be able to see the beam in the eye of some of the big of- fenders. Montgomery County Federation Large Results on Small Income. EFERENCE has been made in this column to the very businesslike methods of the Montgomery County Civic Feder- ation. This is far more impres- sive when the small annual in- come is known. Its digest of the November meeting contains a re- port of the treasurer for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1934. The income, dues from 39 member bodies, was $577.50 and there was a balance carried- over from the preceding year of $143.94. The expenses for the year were $608.36, which left a balance of $113.08. The largest single items of expense are $282.37 for the Calendar of Business and Digest, including postage on the same, and an honorarium of $100 to the secre- tary. On this small income the dele- gates are kept fuily informed as to business to come up, measures before committees and action at the meetings. Much of the suc- cess of this federation is attributed to its efficient business system. SILVER STAR AWARD MADE T0 KAUFMAN Gallant Conduct in Soissons Bat- tle Earns Citation—Boards to Be Known. A silver star citation was presented to lsrael Kaufman of the Quarter- master Department, Marine Corps, who rendered outstanding distin- guished and gallant conduct in the battle of Soissons, Prance, October 1, 1918, by Brig. Gen. Hugh Matthews Tuesday at headquarters, Maj. Gen. Russell will shortly an- nounce the names of those higher officers of the staff and line who will be assigned to the new staff and line selection boards, respectively. Due to the detachment of several high offi- cers of the line during the past year to distant points of duty. the compo- sition of the new selection boards will comprise more than 50 per cent of new members. The deliberations of these boards will have far-reaching influence on the promotion list of the corps in that in the year 1936, when several of these boards will have passed over the names of hundreds of officers of the corps in not naming them as eligible for promotion, auto- matic severance from the active list will be the result, with future re- muneration on the retired list to be computed on the new basis of pay for retirement. Several voluntary retirements in the grade of senior lieutenant colonels of the line of the corps will be in effect during the early part of the year. It is stated that the authorities of the corps expect a large number of volun- tary requests for retirement from those officers who, having been passed over by the selection board, have rea- son to believe that continuance on the active list with no promotion will be impracticable. In fact, it is stated that corps headquarters will have en- couraged all such requests for retire- ment. WOMEN OF THE MOOSE Columbia Chapter met at the Moose Hall, 1414 I street Friday night, Senior Regent Mrs. Margaret Deegan presiding, initiated two candidates. Mrs. Pauline Miller, chairman of the Libiary Committee, reported having: purchased three books for the Moose- hart, Ill, library. Mrs. Anna Sabate, chairman of the social service asked handkerchief shower for the old folks at Moose- haven, Fla. ) EARLY CHRISTMAS BUYING CAMPAIGN OPENS TOMORROW All Publicity Facilities to Be Used to Promote Speedy Mailing. Merchants and post office authori- ties of Washington have united in a city-wide campaign for early Christ- mas shopping and mailing. The drive will be formally launched tomorrow. “Uncle Sam says, ‘Buy Now—Mail Early,” this year's slogan, will be displayed prominently, and all other existing publicity mediums will be utilized, according to the committee of the Merchants and Manufacturers’ Association, which is sponsoring the annual movement. B8ylvan King is chairman. All stores have been asked to in- augurate their Christmas window dis- plays concurrently with the beginning of the campaign. In order to further the Yuletide atmosphere, exteriors of stores will be decorated with laurel and colored electric lights. Posters have been prepared for dis- play on street cars and busses and also on trucks of the Post Office and Railway Express Agency. Postmaster William M. Mooney will send out 5,000 letters explaining the advantages of early shopping, which will be read to school children by their teachers. All persons on the lists at the Post Office will be sent three cards bear- ing the campaign slogan and setting deadline dates for mail delivery. Radio talks will be presented at frequent intervals between now and December 15, the closing date for the drive, and moving picture theaters are being requested to show a shop- early trailer. In order that the people may have their Christmas savings in time for early buying, banks will be requested to mall out checks about December 1. Convention Programs Change. More and more emphasis is beinz laid on business and less on diversion | in mapping out programs for conven- | tions, according to Curtis Hodges, executive director of the Greater Na- | tional Capital Committee of the - | Washington Board of Trade, who re- § cently returned from a meeting of | the Board of Directors of the Interna- | ticnal Association of Convention Bu- | Teaus in Detroit, Mich. Aiming to make the next session of the convention association & model | for other conventions, much time will | be devoted to business and little to pleasure. “Conventions are fast being ac- cepted as an outstanding method of furthering all types of vocations and professions,” declared Hodges. He said the consensus at the Detroit meeting indicated that in practically | every large city of the country the | convention business has become & ma- | Jor factor in the city's progress. More | time is being spent in servicing mest- ings of all kinds in order to stimulate business in general, he asserted. The Association of Convention Bu- reaus urged larger registration fees for conventions in order to care for all | expenses rather than resort to assess- | ments on the cities where the meet- ings are held. There are 42 bureaus in the asso- ciation, which is headed by A. H. Skean of Atlantic City, N. J. Trustees’ Meeting Held. The Board of Trustees of the Wash- ington Better Business Bureau met Friday in the Raleigh Hotel for the transaction of routine business. Chair- man F. G. Addison, jr., presided. Fights Misrepresentation. The Better Business Bureau is not opposed to speculation as such, but does fight the misrepresentation of speculations as conservative invest- ments, Louis Rothschild, director, de- clared in a radio address last week. Speculations are entirely legitimate, he declared, but the public has a right to know all the facts and just what are the chances of profit. Re- ports to the bureau show that some propositions which are reputable spec- ulations are being presented as con- servative investments, he said. 16 UTILITIES REDUCE PENNSYLVANIA RATES Cut of $1,413,829 Brought Abou by Public Service Commis- sion Agreements. Special Dispatch to The Star. HARRISBURG, Pa., November —The Public Service Commissic this week announced 16 utility com panies operating in Pennsylvan have agreed to reduce rates t $1,413,829 a year. Most of the rc ductions are effective January 1. The new rate cuts, while voluntar: on part of the companies, are the re sult of suggestions by the commission They swell to $6,458,849 the total of utility rate reductions to which oper- ating companies have agreed in in- formal conferences with the commsi- sion. The new savings to consumers are largely the result of the commission's order of last April reducing the “fair and reasonable return” on the value of property used by the utilities from 7 to 6 per cent “as long as the pres- ent economic conditions exist.” The 16 utilities agreeing this week to cuts are electric, gas, water and telephone companes. COLD WINTER SEEN Migration of Wild Ducks Held Indication. DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. (). — Old-timers proclaim the country faces a bitter Winter which wild fowls foresaw long before the first frost of Autumn, This town is on & route frequented by wild ducks and geese in their an- nual Fall flights southward. For weeks they flew over in numbers greater than the oldest residents can remember. And that, say the old folks, means the States to the north are in for a siege of Winter more severe than any experienced in a generation. RELIEF HOME PLANNED $100,000 Structure May Be Built for West Virginia. CHARLESTON, W. Va., November 24 ().—A $100,000 three-story build- ing may house the offices of the West Virginia relief administration. The ture, with final action to be take by national P. E. R. A. officials.