Evening Star Newspaper, December 23, 1934, Page 48

F EDERA"UN BEGUN Officers of D. »VC. Women’s _F_ederafion IN 164 BY GROUP OF ACTIVE WOMEN History Since Then Has Been Linked With D. C. Civic Progress. Older citizens of the District have watched the Disttict of Columbia Federation of Women's Clubs grow during 40 years from & mere idea into one of the city’s mest powerful civic organizations. Organized with a membership of 7 clubs, the federation has expanded to its present total of 33 federated units with 5,890 members. When in 1894 Mrs. L. A. Crandall, vice president of the Women's Na- tional Press Association, who was presiding in the absence of the club’s president, appointed Mrs. Hannah B. Sperry and Mrs. E. S. Cromwell to represent the group as delegates to a meeting of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, organized in 1889, she little realized she had laid the foundation for the present organiza- tion. Organized in 1894. Upon the return of the delegates Mrs. Sperry moved that a federation of women's clubs be formed in the District. The motion met with ap- proval and invitations were sent to 36 women’s organizations in the city to attend a mass meeting October 26, 1894, at the Willard Hotel. One week later the constitution and by- laws were framed and the seven clubs which responded were formed into a permanent organization on December 8, 1894, with Dr. Ella S. Marble-Tan- berg serving as the first president. Les sthan a year later the local group was admitted to membership in the General Federation of Women's Clubs. School children, among others, may thank the federation for many bene- fits they have obtained through the efforts of the D. C. F. W. C. Among these are found a protest against adding an additional hour to the school day, aid in formation of parent-teacher associations, work for playground extension, an appeal to Congress for a law to regulate and restrain child labor, a drive for safer and more sanitary school buildings and the indorsement of the study of sex hygiene in the public schools. ‘The Dennison Vocational School, ‘Weightman School for Crippled Chil- den and the Health School for Tu- berculosis Patients have all been the recipients of aid throughout the his- tory of the group. Opposition to liquor brought about & resolution against the licensing of liquor places near the high schools, in- dorsement of a plan to place every safeguard around the sale of alcoholic beverages in the District, and a 14- point plan for control of the manu- facture and transportation of liquor. The federation for many years has urged national representation for the District. The group believes the people of the District of Columbia are justly entitled to political equity—the grant- ing of representation in both the Sen- ate and the House of Representa- tives, the right to vote for President and Vice President and the same access to the courts of the United States as possessed by the citizens of the States and even of aliens—as the only real assurance of fair treatment as regards taxation, Federal financial participation in the District budget and general legislation. Past Work Recalled. Work toward obtaining woman suf- frage, conservation of forests, cleaner streets and alleys, uniform weight for bread, playground extension, perma- nent Women'’s Police Bureau, extension of the Public Library system and a minimum salary of $1,000 for public school teachers are a few of the meas- ures that have kept these women busy down through the years. The 17 past presidents who fought for improvements in local, national, and sometimes international affairs are* By, Ella S, Marble-Tanberg, 1894- *95; Mrs-Mary 8. Lockwood, 1896-'98; Mrs. Carrie E. Kent, 1898-1900; Mrs. Mrs. Han- 5; Mrs. Lucia E. Blount, 1905-'06; Mrs. Charlotte E. Maine, 1906-'08; Mrs. Jesise Liewellyn Engle, 1908-"09; Mrs. Kitty Rose Pep- per, 1909-'11; Mrs. William E. An- drews, 1911-'13; Mrs. Ellis Logan, 1913-'15; Mrs. Court F. Wood, 1915- *19; Mrs. Howard L. Hodgkins, 1919- 21; Mrs. John W. Prizzell, 1921-'24; Mrs. Virginia White Speel, 1925-'23; and Mrs. Edgar B. Meritt, 1928-'32. The present administration, under Mrs. Harvey W. Wiley, has accom- plished much constructive work, 1,570 bedside bags, 375 miscellaneous gifts and 3,896 magazines having been dis- tributed by the federation to the ex- service men at Walter Reed Hospital. The Red Cross, Community Chest, Warm Springs Foundation Fund, Chil- dren’s Hospital, and others will vouch for the generosity of the organization. Upward of 34,000 garments have been collected in two years by the Commu- nity Service Committee of the group. Federated Organizations. The federated organizations in the D. O. Federation of Women’s Clubs include: Abraham Circle, No. 3, Ladies of the G. A. R.; Aid Associa- tion for the Blind of the District, Capitol Hill History Club, Clover Club, Columbia Heights Art Club, D. C. Auxiliary to the Woman's Na- tional Sabbath Alliance, Entre Nous Club, Baby Lovers' Circle of the Flor- ence Crittenton Home, Excelsior Lit- erary Club, the only one of the orig- inal seven now in the federation; Florence Crittenton Home Board, Graduate Nurses’ Association of the District, Housekeepers’ Alliance, Ladies of tie Auxiliary of the District Fire Department, Legion of Loyal Women, Marietta Park Women's Club, Mira McCoy Andrews Day Nursery, North Beach Club, Park View Women’s Club, Petworth Woman’s Club, Philo Classics, Political Study Club, Rowac Club, Rubinstein Club, Sunshine and Community Club, Takoma Women's Club, Willlam H. Beck Circle, No. 4, Ladies of the G. A. R.; Takoma Park Juniors, Women'’s Christian Temper- ance Union, Women's Auxiliary to the Railway Mail Association, Woman's City Club, Women’s Single Tax Club and the Woodridge Book Club. Present officers of the federation are: Mrs. Wiley, president; Mrs. Lloyd W. Biddle, first vice president; Mrs. Henry Fenno Sawtelle, second vice president; Mrs. Willlam A. Boss, recording secretary; Mrs. A. B. Mc- Manys, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Charles H. Bair, treasurer; Mrs. Stan- ley H. Beasley, auditor, and Mrs. Edgar B. Meritt, general federation Plan Congressional Night. Congressional night will be featured by the Manor Park Citizens’ Associa- tion at its next meeting, Ernest H. Pullman, president, announced. An effort will be made, he said, to secure & member of Congress to ad- dress the group on proposed District legislation. The officers of the District of Columbia Federation of Women’s Clubs. Seated, left to right: Mrs. Edgar B. Meritt, general director; Mrs. Harvey W. Wiley, president, and Mrs. Lloyd W. Biddle, first vice president. Standing, left to right: Mrs, S. H. Beasley, auditor; Mrs. Charles H. Bair, treasurer; Mrs, Henry Fenno Sawtelle, second vice president; Mrs. Augustine McManus, corresponding secretary, and Mrs, Willlam A. Boss, recording secretary. SEAOOL HEATING STILL UNDER FRE Northeast Head, Pleased With Blair Results, Seeks More Improvements. Encouraged by the results of the recent action of the association and the Blair-Hayes Parent-Teacher As- sociation in demanding an investiga- tion of the heating plant of the Blair School, Evan H. Tucker, veteran pres- ident of the Northeast Citizens’ As- sociation now plans to carry on this fight for other schools in northeast. At a recent meeting of the group, Mr. Tucker reported for the Execu- tive Committee, pointing out that most all the heating units in the schools in the northeast quarter are of antiquated design. “Many of these units are of the hot- air type and some are as old as 35 years,” he said. There has, for a long time, been complaints from parents of the dangers of gas and soot escap- ing from these old units, Tucker re- vealed. “As a result of our action on the Blair School,” he said, “officials have found that our complaints were fully justified,” adding that “while the Blair School was the most outstand- ing example of defective units, others are almost as bad.” At the meeting, members voted ap- proval of the Commissioners’ request for an $150,000 appropriation for re- placement of obsolete heating plants in public schools. Another measure adopted provided for the immediate investigation of the Edwards School unit, with a view of making temporary repairs until Spring, at which time complete re- placement is requested. CHAIRMEN ARE NAMED BY BRIGHTWOOD HEAD Charles W. Ray Urges Co-opera- tion With Committee Leaders to Insure Civic Progress. Committee chairmen for the Brightwood Citizens’ Association have been appointed by President Charles ‘W. Ray. ‘Twelve committees in all, Mr, Ray invites members, in a recent New Year letter, to communicate with these chairmen on matters which they desire brought before the attention of the group or if they desire to serve on any of the committees. The ap- pointments are: Utilities, William McK. Clayton; Taxation and Legislation, John A, Saul; Zoning, L. F. Randolph; Street, Lights and Parks, Capt. Walter Emer- son. Public Schools and Playgrounds, W. B. Bell, Fire and Police, Elmer Johnson; Post Office, Richard Sauer; Historical and Memorial Day, John C. Proctor; Membership, C. E. Bo- gardus; Health and Sanitation, W. E. Brown; Program, G. R. Wilhelm; Library, A. Y. Casanova. “The purpose of this association,” Mr. Ray says, “is to secure for this growing community things that you, as a citizen and taxpayer, are entitled to. With.your co-operation and as- sistance these objectives can be ac- complished.” Get Three New Members. Three new members joined the Northeast Citizens’ Association at the last meeting. They are C. L. Bryan, Michael A. Kelly and O. E. Cornwall, The association’s area covers the entire northeast section of the city. Randle Highlands Honors Past Presidents Civic Calendar Rhode Island and Conduit Road Only Groups to Meet This Week. HE shortest calendar of the civic T season occurs at this time of each year, with only two as- sociations scheduled to meet this week. Three groups, Mid-City, Logan- Thomas Circle and Georgetown, regu- larly scheduled for this week, met last week. The Southeast Citizens’ Association, scheduled to meet Christmas evening, has postponed its meeting until Janu- ary 4, Orrin J. Davy, secretary, an- nounced. Three others will omit their December meetings entirely. They are Trinidad, Anacostia and North Capitol Citizens’ Associations. Those meeting this week are: Wednesday, December 26. Rhode Island Avenue Citizens’ As- sociation, 8 p.m. S8herwood Presby- terian Church hall. Program—Elec- tion of Nominating Committee for re- port in January; report from Dr. Freeman Weiss, chairman of the Utilities Committee, on recent hear- ings of Willlam A. Roberts, people’s counsel, on rerouting. Thursday, December 27. Conduit Road Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m., Our Lady of Victory Church. Program—Discussion of parking ban to be effective early in Januaryj ac- tion to secure the retention of bus service on Conduit road; action on proposed change in name of Conduit road. SOUTHWEST INTENDS TO FORM BOYS’ CLUB $500 in Association Treasury, but No Suitable Quarters Can Be Found. With a view to preventing juvenile delinquency in the southwest section, Maj. Ernest W. Brown, superintendent of police, intends to do everything possible to help organize a boys’ club. Maj. Brown, who was one of the speakers at a meeting of the South- west Citizens’ Association last week, said there is no question about the value of & boys’ club. The principal drawback has been finding suitable quarters for a club house. ‘The association treasurer said there is over $500 in the bank to go toward organization of a boys' club. The money was donated by the residents of the southwest early this year. William Leishear of the Boys’ Club Committee said his group had can- vassed part of the section for dona- tions to this fund and when the as- sociation could not find a suitable location for the club they had dis- continued the plan. The Potomac School was given some consideration, but officials said it was in bad condition and would cost too much to repair. Leishear was selected to investigate a space above the Municipal Fish Market and report on its suitability at the next meeting. Honor Hillcrest Head. A stag party was given recently in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Reed, by the chairman of the standing committees of the Hillcrest Citizens’ Association, at which time they presented their president, Ru- dolph Malth, with a smoking jacket as a token of appreciation for his faithful work and co-operation in the association last year. —Star Staff Photo. BRIGATIO0D HEAD LSS PROGRANS Speakers Throughout This Civic Season Announced in Advance. Next year's program has been planned in advance for the Bright- wood Citizens’ Association. President Charles W. Ray recently sent out to members a letter in which this program together with a list of speakers are listed. The programs are listed according to the principal business to receive consideration on the nights designated. They are: January 11, “Local Taxation,” with Maj. D. A. Donovan, District auditor, as guest speaker; February 8, “The Planning for Growth of Telephone Bervice in Your Community,” with an address from Col. Edward G. Bliss, general commercial manager of the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co. March 8, “The Traffic Situation,” with Inspector B. A. Lamb of the Police Department as guest; April 12, “The Effects of Moving Pictures on Character Education,” Miss Bertie Backus, assistant superintendent of public schools, to speak. May 10, is an open date with sub- ject and speaker to be announced later; June 14, a reception to asso- ciation members by President Ray at his home in Sandy Springs, Md. A quartet will be furnished by the telephone company. COMMITTEE IS NAMED FOR SUFFRAGE STUDY Burd W. Payne Is Chairman of New Unit of Columbia Heights Citizens’ Forum. Burd W. Payne was appointed chairman of a special committee to study the suffrage question here, H. C. Phillips, recently elected presi- dent of the Citizens’ Forum of Co- lumbia Heights, announced yester- day. Other members of the committee are Mrs, Florence K. Brown, Dr. C. J. Fernald, Oliver E. Foulk, Dr. Kate B. Karpeles, S. J. McCathran, jr.; Martin A, Morrison, Lester T, Walker and Miss A. G. Woodward. Committee chairmen appointed are: Education and Recreation, Mrs. C. J. Fernald; Public Safety and Health, Dr. Lyman F. Kebler; Streets and Alleys, William L. Ford; Law and Legislation, Mr. McCathran; Public Utilities Committee, Vernon L. Brown; Taxation, Mr. Morrison, and Co-o0p- eration Committee, Mrs. Brown. TO GET TRAFFIC LIGHT Chevy Chase Group Obtains Flood Water Protection. Announcement was made yesterday by George E. Strong, president of the Chevy Chase Citizens’ Association, that the traffic light requested for Connecticut avenue at the intersec- tion of Nebraska avenue has been promised for early in January. ‘The association’s appeals to the District, started over a year ago, to correct the drainage on the south side of the E. V. Brown School, has re- sulted in a catch basin having been installed inside the sidewalk to take care of flood waters which formerly ran across McKinley street sidewalk. During heavy rains this sidewalk was fi‘:éle impassable by the water, it was Citizéns’ Association who attended “Past Presidents’ night” Lee, 1933, 1934, shaking hands with the first pi 1924, and ‘presidents, who could not E. Snyder, Shoemaker, 1832, ¢ Charles A. Barker, 1910, 1911, 1915, 1919. attend, were Seated at the desk is the secretary, Maszzulo. Charles G. Robinson, 1908, 1909; Dr. B. T. Woodward, 1913, 1914; Samuel 1916, 1917, 1926; Res B. Duckett, 1920; Thomas Crane, 1921, 1922; Joseph G. 1927; Paul E. McKinney, 1028; Willlam G. Gath, 1929; J. Milton Collins, and McKinney sent greetings to the association.- t in 1931; A. W, Randall, ‘Other 1925; Clifford Herbert, 1030; Herbert F. Marti, —Star Staff Photo, AS COST OF FALS ALARMS FOR YEAR) Official Says $40 Is Spent on Each Call—Fireman’s Boast Is Disastrous. False alarms cost the District gov- ernment almost $40 each last year, ac- cording to Acting Inspector Ross Gray of the District fire marshal's pffice. Inspector Gray also reparted that 523 false alarms were turned in dur- ing the last fiscal year. The total cost of these was estimated at approxi- A salient point in these futile ex- penditures is the fact that every time one of the District’s $16,000 engines is sent dasiing about the streets in search of a fire the gasoline consumed amounts to about a gallon for two miles. Another expense item is the time and money spent in regroom- ing the engines and keeping motors in a state of mechanical perfection. Upon returning from any alarm, false or no, five men must be used on each plece of apparatus for this work. Police Are Handicapped. The police are definitely handi- capped by the difficulty in making arrests in cases of false alarms. Even when an arrest is made a conviction is rare. This is brought out in the report of the major and superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, which states that out of 523 spurious fire reports turned in last year 45 arrests were made. Of this number five were dis- missed. An arrested person need only say that he saw or smelled smoke and then turned in an alarm. A witness who can testify he saw the culprit actually turn in the alarm, knowing it was false, must be found. Lieut. Irving W. Luskey of No. 2 Engine Co. tells some interesting stories about false alarms. One concerns a doctor who, in an effort to get aid for a person taken suddenly ill, asked a lady standing nearby to get help for the man at once. With every intention of being useful, she went to the nearest fire box and turned in an alarm. On an- other occasion a colored woman see- ing two men fighting on the street hastened to turn in a fire alarm. Boasting Is Costly. Sergt. Elmer Stein remembers the case of & fireman off duty some years ago who was visited by friends from out of town. During the conversation his friends learned the fireman was proud of the efficiency of his particu- lar company. In order to substanti- ate his claim he went outside and turned in an alarm, which promptly brought his company roaring up the street. His friends were very much impressed by the spectacle, but the fire company did not join in their en- thusiasm. The overenthusiastic fire- man was dismissed from the force the next morning. Sergt. Stein also recalls two fire- men who threatened they would turn in an alarm if Herbert Hoover was elected President. Fellow firemen thought it a joke, but, sure enough, the news that Mr. Hoover was elected reached a waiting world, in ceme the call to a fire, turned in by the two who made the threat. The firemen were pardoned, however, and are still at work at the department. Fire officials say the majority of false alarms are due to late-hour in- ebriates and boys between the ages of 14 and 16. The consensus is that education in such matters will do more toward stopping this condition than punishment. SETTLEMENT SOUGHT IN BOUNDARY FIGHT Takoma-Sixteenth Street Heights Conflict Arises Over East Side of Georgia Avenue. A dispute over a boundary line has arisen between the Citizens' Associa- tion of Takoma, D. C, and the Six- teenth Street Heights Citizens’ As- sociation, it was revealed last week. The area concerned, President Samuel B. Loveless informed the group, is the east side of Georgia avenue in that section, each asso- ciation contending the disputed area lies within its territory. The Takoma group claims the area as its western boundary, while the Sixteenth street unit claims its eastern boundary in- cludes both sides of Georgia avenue. Hope for an early settlement of the dispute was expressed by Love- less and a Special Committee, headed by Milton Dunn, was appointed to confer with members of the Takoma group at the latter’s next meeting, on January 7. ‘While pointing out he is willing to compromise if necessary, Loveless in- structed his committee to call to the attention of the other group the fact that the Sixteenth Street Associa~ tion was organized before the Ta- koma unit. He further instructed the commit- tee that if no agreement could be reached a thorough canvass be made in the disputed area to secure the [ views of all residents affected. ROLLS AT PETWORTH INCREASED BY DRIVE Association Gets 9 Per Cent of Members Obtained in Cam- paign of Federation. Nearly 9 per cent of members gained in the membership drive of the Feder- ation of Citizens’ Associations was taken in by the Petworth Citizens’ Association. Raymond E. Gable, secretary of the group, gives the figures in the current issue of the “Petworth Citizen,” of- ficial monthly organ of the group. There were 1,287 members taken in by 32 participating associations, Gable points out, 111 or nearly 9 per cent of which were secured by the Petworth group. A, D. Sartwell, retired treasurer of the group, served for nearly 10 years in that office, collecting over $7,300 and issuing membership cards to 989 members during his term of office. Committee Heads Announced. The chairmen of the various stand- Civic Bodies Many Things Left for Santa Claus to Bring District Citizenry—""Privileged Class” Held Menace to Traffic Enforcement. BY JESSE C.. SUTER. HE Sants Claus spirit ap- pears to have entered some of our civic affairs. ‘With lower telephone rates’ already in effect and the distribution under way of & 10 per cent refund to the subseribers; with Mesars. Keech and Roberts predicting & cut in electric rates and the House of Representatives Appropriation Subcommittee prom- ising to continue the cut water rates, civic workers are strength- ened in their belief in Santa Claus. Further evidence of his exist- ence is to be found in the signing of the contract for the advance of funds by P. W. A. for the Tuber- culosis Sanatorium, ‘work on the Georgetown Branch Library and real progress toward the Ana- costia High School, which by the way, is to have wings. Many of these projects have been listed in the civic organization letters to Santa Claus for a long time, so the element of surprise is completely missing. If all the remaining grade cross- ings were eliminated, if adequate school accommodations were pro- vided, if a beginning was made of our Municipal Center group, if our mass transportation system was completely revamped under the merger, if the District budget was considered in the open with a spirit of liberality befitting the National Capital, and if the District was granted financial and political equity, then orgunized civic Wash- ington would be convinced beyond all question of doubt that there is really and truly a Ssanta Claus. With an abiding faith and an undaunted courage the civic forces will press on to the time when the civic Christmas stockings will bulge with fulfilled civic needs, so long and so well deserved. The Traffic Problem Takes First Place. OME months ago there was hope that the District would make s fine record for safety on our streets with a corresponding reduction in fatalities. The “Voice of Safety” police car and other means of encouraging care in driv- ing were launched in the belief that much good would result. Surely these efforts must have helped to a degree, but the Dis- trict government and the promoters of the safety campaign are con- ° fronted with the appalling fact that the number of fatal traffic accidents for the year 1934 have so far broken all previous records. Various causes for these acci- dents are given, but there appears 1o be a great difference of opinion on the subject. The Commission- ers have taken the matter in hand with the intention to Introduce drastic measures for protection of life and limb. In this movement the Commissioners are backed by the civic organizations though there appears to be a wide diver- gence of opinion as to what should be_done. The 11-point program agreed upon at a meeting of District offi- cials, of course, will not suit all of the organizations or individual citigens, but is considered as de- serving of a fair trial, including rigid enforcement against all users of the District highways, regardless of influence or official position. Some years ago when the District had a safety council a rather in- teresting bit of information was developed at a meeting of the board of directors. There was pres- ent at that meeting the late Daniel Sullivan, then major and superin- tendent of metropolitan police, and also Inspector Albert J. Head- ley, then head of the Police Traf- fic Bureau. In the course of the discussion of traffic rules and their enforcement, a director asked the question, “What is the chief diffi- culty of the police in enforcing the regulations?” To this question Maj. Sullivan and Inspector Head- ley, almost in the same breath and in almost identical language, re- plied: “The large privileged class in Washington.” In the discussion which followed there was given an extensive cato- logue of these privileged ones and the numerous ways in which their acts interfered with an impartial enforcement. It would seem that following the putting into effect of the proposed drastic regulations, the entire matter of the safety of our streets might well be made the subject of study by a competent body of citizens, free from motor vehicle and other entangling alli- ances. ‘Unified Recreation Facilities Under District Control. OMMISSIONER HAZEN is an ardent advocate of consolidat- ing the recreation facilities of the District under the District gov- ernment. Mr. Hazen holds that the various activities. which are financed in large part by local taxes should be under control of the Commissioners, who are respon= sible for the expenditure of the District funds. He made this idea clear last week at a meeting of his old neighborhood association, the . Southwest Washington Citizens’ its approval of the plan as have several other associations. It bas~been noted that one or two associations have recorded their approval of the control of all the recreation activities now facilities could be decided by joint action of the boards of education and recreation precisely as some public utilities matters are decided finally by the joint action of the Public Utilities Commission and the Board of Commissioners. A similar arrangement, it is pro- posed, would be made with the office of National Capital Parks as to questions involving the use of Pederal property. Many civic leaders express the conviction that the planning and supervision of recreation within the District of Columbia is far from being & natural function of the great general Government of the United States. Studies of this problem by & number of civic bodies are ex- pected to produce a crop of defl- nite recommendations early in the new year. Board of Trade Successful As to Cash Payment. NNOUNCEMENT by the Treas- ury Department that within two months all Government employes in Washington, with sal- aries below a figure tentatively set at $2,500, will receive their semi- monthly pay in cash instead of in checks as heretofore. This action is in direct response to an appeal by a committee of the Washington Board of Trade of several months ago. The action of the board was at the instance of some of the banks and larger merchants who have had to carry a heavy burden each pay day cashing these checks and was undertaken as much in the interest and for the conven- jence of the Government employes as for these business concerns. Queer New Deal In District Finances. RGANIZED civic Washington has been pleading for a new and square deal as to its finances, but was not prepared for the one now under way by the subcommittee of- the House Com- mittee on Appropriations. The Commissioners gave the citizens a much appreciated opportunity to study the preliminary recommen- dations of their subordinates and agencies and then listened to their recommendations. This was fol- lowed by satisfactory conferences between the representatives of the organized civic forces with the director of the Bureau of the Budget of the United States. A petition for fiscal equity for the District of Columbia, addressed to the President of the United States was accepted by the director and by him presented to President Roosevelt. The petition appealed to the President to recommend to Con- gress a more equitable share of the District budget being borne by the United States. The President was sufficiently impressed to order a survey to determine whether or not the District pays a fair tax as compared with other American communities. Such survey is now under way to supply the President with the required information to govern any recommendation he may care to make in transmitting the District budget to Congress. This entire procedure, up to this point and the firm stand made by the Commissioners for a more adequate payment by the Federal Government has been the source of much gratification and aroused considerable enthusiasm among the civic bodies. The queer new deal which has civic leaders puzzled is the actiom of the House subcommittee in going forward with its secret hear- ings on the items of the budget which has not yet been officially submitted to Congress and its contents being absolutely unknown to the voteless taxpayers of the District. The hearings are scheduled to close before Christmas and the bill will be “marked-up” during the holidays. This procedure is entirely different from that which has several times been proposed by the chairman of the Senate subcommittee, Senator Thomas of Oklahoma. He has urged a joint hearing of the two committees on the District budget as a time- saver and a means of arriving at a better understanding between the committees. Students of the financial prob- lems of the District government are agreed that an estimate of the funds available is the first factor to be considered in framing the budget, and this, of course, must include knowledge of what the Federal share will be. The civic bodies and the Commissioners, as well as some of the members of Congress, that the Fed- eral payments do not represent an equitable share. Civic leaders be- lieve that a thorough understand- ing of the matter in Congress ‘would result in much more liberal treatment of the District. In the report of the Congres- sional Joint Select Committee on Piscal Relations in 1915-6, Sena- tor John D. Works, California, said: “I do not believe that Con- gress has purposely or willfully neglected the interests of the Dis- trict. I think there are very few members of either house who have made themselves familiar with conditions in the District or ap- preciate its needs as they should.” *® * ¢ “That the Government should assunte the attitude of a mere contribution to the support of its Capital is not only illogical and absurd, but is a violation of the Constitution, which gives Con- gress exclusive jurisdiction over and thereby makes it exclusively responsible for it.” MEET JANUARY 9 New Association Organizes to Formulate Plans. ‘The next of the proposed citizens’ association in the lower Manor Park and upper Columbia Park is to be held January 9, Col. Hurst Hall as a meeting place for the &t & recent meeting. SANTA WOULD FIND TRADE BODY PLEAS DIFFICULT 10 FLL Want List Varies From Vote for District to Greater Traffic Safety. 1t Washington's major organizations which are grouped within the generic term “trade bodies” were to write to Santa Claus this Christmas great would be the variety of their requests, And Santa, even as nearly omnipo- tent as the old gentleman is reputed to be, would have a job on his hands delivering all the goods on anything like short notice. Within his pack would have to be the magic to produce overnight ac- complishments ranging from a con- stitutional amendment to changes in human nature and convincing Con- gress it should geenrously treat a vote- less people who can wield but little palitical power. The Washington Board of Trade, whose membership is most numerous of all the groups, would have, first of all, national representation for the District of Columbia. This means the right to elect representatives to Con- gress and to the electoral college, by which the President and and Vice President are chosen. Old Wish Still Unfulfilled. For many years the board has cam- paigned determinedly for this ob- jective, which could be achieved only by an amendment to the Constitu- tion. Although citizens’ organizations throughout the city almost unani- mously have rallied to the fight, Con- gress has proved obdurate and refused to submit an amendment resolution to the Nation. Next on the board’s list old Kris Kringle would read “increase in Fed- eral participation in paying the Na- tional Capital’s bills.” The board has objected to the small lump sum ap- propriation the Congress makes as its share of the cost of District main- tenance and administration. Originally the Federal contribution was half the yearly budget. This gradually was reduced until, for the current fiscal year, the appropriation is only $5,700,000, and from this sum ‘was deducted a percentage of P. W. A. allotments for work here. As the Federal contribution has de- creased, the Federal Government has constructed more buildings and taken more and more property out of Dis- trict tax jurisdiction, all the while increasing the local burden of fire and police protection. Traffic Caution Sought. The third and last large request the Trade Board would make is this: “Endow the drivers and pedestrians of Washington with the spirit of care and co-operation that traffic accidents and deaths may be reduced.” Hear the requests the Merchants and Manufacturers Association would make: Build a municipal stadium, prob- ably at the end of East Capitol street, large enough to seat 100,000 persons and accommodate the Olympic games and the Army-Navy foot ball game. The project would be financed with P. W. A. funds. Construct an adequate municipal airport at Gravelly Point. Widen F street between Seventh and Ninth streets with the $100,000 P. W. A. grant which already has been made. This is considered the most essential improvement in the down- town area. Restore the remaining 5 per cent of the pay cut to Government employes and thereby boost Washington's busi- ness as well as benefitting those re- ceiving the added compensation. Restore use of all the city's street lighting facilities to prevent many burglaries and traffic accidents. Enlarge the city’s docking and har- bor facilities as an inducement to water commerce and pleasure travel. Impounding Is Asked. Pass a law which would permit im- pounding of automobiles in traffic vio- lations other than in the situations where it now is permitted. Complete the staggering of Govern- ment working hours as s traffic aid. These are the gifts Louis Roths- child, director, would want for his Better Business Bureau: “Sound prosperity with harmonious relationship between buyer and seller, and mutual regard for the integrity of each. “A volume on ‘How Not To Be Gullible’ in the stocking of every member of the public and for every questionable promoter a big switch. “That the questionable scheme calling itself charity, the get-rich- quick investment racket, and the fly- by-night merchant find their activi- ties curbed and their elicit effort wrongly to capitalize on the Chric mas spirit unsuccessful.” Curtis Hodges’ Want List. Listen to the gifts Curtis Hodge executive director of the Greater Na- tional Capital Committee, would want for his organization: “The highest degree of power and ability in awakening the public even more fully to the beauties, interests and attractions of Washington. “All of the people of the United States to understand completely the responsibilities and burdens of those who have their homes and their busi- ness_enterprises in the city that is the Capital of the Nation, “A full realization on the part of the people of the United States that since Washington as a city is the symbol of a great Government and is largely the property of the whole country everybody should take pride i‘:: its improvement and beautifica~ lon. “A hall or building with sufficient space to accommodate the largest expositions that are held.” “If the committee should receive this last present,” he added, “it would be willing to take a chance on getting the others that are mentioned.” HILLCREST UNITS LIGHT FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE Members of Citizens’ Association, Parent-Teacher Group and Church to Take Part. Members of the Hillcrest Citizens' Association, the Parent-Teacher As- sociation of the Stanton School and members of the East W nues southeast at 8:15 o'clock tonight, The tree will be lighted by Miss Ida cipal, after which remarks will made by the president of the luod: tion, Rudolph Malth, and the of the church, Rev. Glenn B. A trumpet solo and the singing of Christmas carols will conclude the program. _Malth said the tree will be every evening during the holidays,