Evening Star Newspaper, January 6, 1935, Page 46

VOTE FOR DISTRICT ONE OF CHIEF AIMS OF WOMEN'S UNIT Education Favorite Weapon of League Organized in May, 1921. The Voteless District of Columbia League of Women Voters is compera- tively young, but so are women in po- litical life. Organized on May 26, 1921, as a branch of the National League of Women Voters, the local women have tried for 13 years to break the manacles of disfranchisement in the District. After the passage of the suffrage amendment in 1920, it was realized that many women needed instruction in how to vote. A national election was imminent, in which 20,000,000 women would be voting for the first time. It was then the National League of Women Voters came into existence, largely as an educational organization to teach the newly enfranchised wom- en the lessons of citizenship, bring home to them their responsibilities as citizens and teach them how to in- form themselves on public questions. Purposes Outlined. Believing an awakened womanhood will educate itself politiically, the league has endeavored to enlighten and inspire the individual woman citi- zen, has never ceased informing women that the responsibility is theirs and has tried to make them realize that the ballot is an instrumentality through which efficiency in government may be assured The word ‘“voteless,” both in the name of the organization and in the title of the monthly bulletin of the group, “The Voice of the Voteless,” is intended to call attention of the en- franchised citizens of the United States to the disfranchised condition of the District For years the league, together with ! the Citizens' Joint Committee on Na- tional Representation, has struggled for congressional action on the consti- tutional amendment that would give the right to District residents to vote in national elections and to have rep- resentation in both houses of Con- gress. This fight is being handled by the Committee on Government and Its | Operation, headed by Mrs. Charles Weston. Concerted Action Sought. Recently Miss Marguerite Wells, na- tional president, made an appeal to the State leagues to undertake the getting of the State Legislatures to memorialize the Congress to submit the proposed District amendment to the Legislatures for ratification. Cali- fornia has responded and will under- take to get the desired action in the next session of its Legislature. Holding national representation as & vital American privilege to which every citizen is in equity entitled, the league points out that the District is more populous than eight States, pays more national taxes than 24 States and more than nine States combined and sent more soldiers to war than seven States. The voteless women further show the population of voting age in the District exceeds that of 10 of the States and that the District is the only capital in the world without the same representation as other cities. The various departments of the Voteless District of Columbia League of Women Voters are continually busy studying problems of the moment. The Committee on Government and Economic Welfare, under Mrs. William Kittle, is now studying unemployment insurance and giving careful exam- ination to the proposals of President Roosevelt for social security. This committee also will work in Congress to secure passage of a new eight-hour | law for woman workers, which was drafted by the group with the aid of legal experts. Investigate Nursery Schools. ‘The department on government and education, headed by Mrs. Dudley | Wilson Willard, is attempting to find | out whether the nursery schools in the District, which have developed through the co-operation of the F. E. R. A. with the School Board, should become an integral part of the school system when the emergency situation is over. To have them so would require the elimination from the District appro- priations bill of a stipulation against the use of school funds for the instruc- tion of children under 5 years. After two years of intensive study on the problems of juvenile delin- quency in the District, the depart- ment of government and child wel- fare, under Mrs. Jesse Adkins, has drafted a bill in co-operation with the United States Children’s Bureau: that would substitute for the present Juve- nile Court law, which provides for criminal procedure in juvenile cases, the more modern and almost univer- sally accepted chancery procedure. Mrs. Elizabeth Smith Friedman eand her Committee on Government and Legal Status of Women works relentlessly to remove legal diserimi- nation against women, while the de- partment on government and inter- national co-operation, headed by Mrs. Henry Chalmers, has been making a study of the “new nationalism” to discover its effects on trade, interna- tional agreements and good will. Present Officers. Responsible for the success of the present administration is Mrs. Rich- ard Hogue, who heads the local group together with Mrs. Adkins, first vice president; Mrs. Gardner Jackson, sec- ond vice president; Mrs. Alice Colbert Sheldon, recording secretary; Mrs. Edna L. Johnston, corresponding sec- retary, and Mrs. Albert H. Putney, treasurer. The directors for this year are Mrs. Basil Manly and Mrs. Lyman B. Swormsted. Directors for 1936 are Mrs. Edward P. Costigan and Miss Fay Bentley. Some of the prominent women in the league include Mrs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Mrs. Gertrude Mc- Millan, Mrs. Costigan, Mrs. Charles McNary, Mrs. Ben McKelway, Miss Katherine Lenroot, Miss Mary Ander- son, Mrs. Adkins, Mrs. Henry Gratton Doyle, Dr. Louise Stanley, Mrs. A. J. McKelway and Mrs. Burton K. ‘Wheeler. ‘Women who have presided over the league in the past are Miss Harlean James, Mrs. Laura C. Willlams, Miss Elizabeth Eastman, Mrs. George A. Ricker, Mrs. Albert H. Putney, Mrs. Costigan, Mrs. Doyle and Mrs. A. J. McKelway. e ——— TO GET STREET REPAIRS Progress on street paving has been reported to the Northeast Citizens’ Assoclation. A letter from L. P. Robertson, Dis- trict engineer of streets, promised temporary repairs immediately on the sreet fronting the 300 block of Ten- nessee avenue northeast. Tt ay be expected, Robertson wrote, that permanent repairs will be made Wwithin the next few weeks. weather permi 7 Mrs. Basil Manly, director. NEW UNIT OBTAINS INITIAL REQUEST 500 Invitations Sent Out for Organization Meeting Wednesday Night. Although the projected Fort Slocum | Citizens' Association is to hold its organization meeting Wednesday | night, the first improvement sought | ! already has been obtained. | Col. Harry Coope, who acted as temporary chairman at the first or- ganization meeting in December, de- | | clared many residents had complained of the poorly lighted alley between Third place, Third, Nicholson and Madison streets. Lights to be Installed. | Two weeks after this first meeting | he wrote the Commissioners com- | | plaining about this condition. A let- | ter has been received from the Engi- neer Department, he says, stating two | lights will be placed in this location | immediately. Col. Coope cites this as only one need of the community as expressed | by citizens at the first meeting. The immediate success of realizing this | project, he believes, will cause an even | | greater number of residents to turn out at the next meeting. Five hundred letters were sent out yesterday announcing the purpose of organizing the new group. Last month 300 such letters were delivered and more than 60 residents attended. Purposes Are Outlined. In the letter were set forth the purposes of the proposed group, as advanced by citizens at the December meeting. Included in these were ef- forts to speed up street car service to the downtown area, to be aug- mented by bus service: development of | the two park spaces in the area, and the securing of better school facil- ities. The name of Fort Slocum Citizens' Association was strongly recommended at the last meeting. The New Pro- gressive Citizens’ Association. another name recommended, is how Col. Coope referred to the proposed group in his letters. The meeting Wednesday night is to | be held in the Fort Stephens American Legion Hall, 306 Kennedy street, Col. Coope announced. - CITIZENS PROTEST STREET CAR SERVICE Claim That Congress Heights Cars Are Switched Back Be- fore Reaching End of Line. Feeling is still running high among | the members of the Washington High- | lands Citizons' Association regarding | the street car service. The latest development to occur af- fecting its neighborhood is the switch- ing back of cars, marked Congress Heights, at Fifth street and Alabama avenue southeast instead of continu- ing the entire route. Another instance cited by the as- soclation was the recent experience of & child of one of the members. Ac- cording to the member, his child boarded a car marked Congress Heights intending to ride the entire distance only to be told by the motcr- man when they reached the plow-pit in Anacostia that “this is as far as I am going.” After vigorous protests by the child and several others on the car, the motorman decided to take them to the end of the line. ‘These conditions have prompted the association to send a letter to the Public Utilities Commission and the Capital Transit Co., asking them to give it their immediate attention. PETWORTH MEETING PLACE IS CHOSEN Citizens Vote to Meet in Petworth Rather Than Barnard School Hereafter. After more than three years of alternating between the Petworth and Barnard Schools for meeting places, the Petworth Citizens' Asro- cation is to meet hereafter in the Petworth School only. At the last meeting of the asso- ciation at the Barnard School mem- bers’ attention was called to the fact that attendance at the meetings at this place is usually below that at the Petworth School. Another point which influenced many members’ votes on the question was the 'ack of heat in the audiforlum. Many members at the last meesing moved their chairs over by the radiators or jumped up from t‘me te time to stand by the radiators It was pointed out that the Pet- worth School is nearer the center of membership represented in the Petworth Association and when meet- ings are held in the Barnard School Officers of the Voteless, D. C. League of Women Voters. president; Mrs. Richard Hogue, president, and Mrs. Edward P, Costigan, director. Edna L. Johnston, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Louis Ottenberg, chairman of legislation; Mrs. William Kittle, chairman of the Department-of Government and Economic Welfare; Mrs. M. O. Lorenz, publicity chairman, and more members have to travel a fur- ther distance to attend, Left to right, seated: Mrs. Jesse Adkins, first vice Left to right, standing: Mrs, —Star Staff Photo. Civic Association Calendar Eighteen Groups Meeting This Week With Mass Gathering on Transportation Planned To- morrow by Takoma Citizens. Monday, January 7. Citizens’ Association of Takoma, D. C.; executive meeting, 7:30 p.m.; regular meeting, 8 p.m., Takoma Park Library. Program—General com- munity meeting on transportation; addresses by the following: Riley B. | Elgen, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission; Richmond B. Keech, vice chairman of the Public Utilities Commission; People’'s Counsel Wil- liam A. Roberts, E. D. Merrill, presi- dent of the Washington Rapid Transit Co. and a representative of the Capi- tal Transit Co.; Laws and Legislative Committee report on proposed broad- ening the powers of District Commis- sioners. Dupont .Circle Citizens’ Association, 4:30 p.m,, Pan-American Room, May- flower Hotel. Program—Address by Wallace B. Robinson, assistant director general, United States Railroad Ad- ministration, on local traffic problems. Forest Hills Citizens' Association, 8 pm., Ben W. Murch School. Program —Action on a proposed District in- come tax resolution; discussion of a proposal to consolidate the Traffic De- partment and Police Department; re- port on progress to form & northwest joint conference of citizens' associa- tions. Kenilworth Citizens’ Association, 8 | p.m., Kenilworth Recreation Center. Program—Annual election; action on sending a representative before Con- gress requesting more police; action on retaining the present Board of Trustees of the Public Library; report on ash collection service, with action to secure improvement; Streets and Alleys Committee report on needed improvements; action on proposed changes of by-laws. Manor Park Citizens' Association, 8 pm. Whittier School. Program: “Congressional night”; address by Senator Frazier, Republican, of North Dakota. Michigan Park Citizens’ Association, ' 8 p.m., Bunker Hill School. Program —Discussion of plans to construct street car tunnels at Thomas and Dupont Circles to relieve traffic con- | gestion, and other traffic proposals; discussion of proposed meter system for taxicabs; discussion of proposed stamp taxes; discussion of a proposed District airport. Progressive Citizens of Georgetown, 8 pm.: Curtis School. Program—Ad- dress from Henry I. Quinn of the Board of Education on recreation plans. Tuesday, January 8. Burleith Citizens’ Associations, 8 pm., Gordon Junior High School. East Washington Heights Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m., Bradbury Heights Methodist Church. Program—Report from Charles Baumbach, chairman of a special committee on proposed bingo and card party; report and discussion of public utilities ‘matters. Foxhall Community Citizens’ Asso- | clation, 8 p.m., St. Patrick’s Church Parish Hall. Program—Action on pro- posed amendment to constitution call- ing for meetings only on call of the president; announcement of com- | mittee chairmen. Sixteenth Street Heights Citizens’ Association, 8 pm, A. R. Shepherd School. Program—Action to amend constitution to change meeting night from second Tuesday to the third Monday of each month; discussion of a proposed membership drive; report from a special committee on the set- tlement of boundaries between this and the Citizens' Association of Ta- | koma, D. C. | Summit Park Citizens' Assoctation, | 8 p.m., 3703 Bangor street southeast. Wednesday, January 9. | American University Park Citizens" Association, 8 p.m., Hurst Hall, Ameri- can University. Program—Discussion | of proposed reorganization of the Dis- | trict government: musical from Vera Neely Ross. Benning Citizens’ Association, 8 pm., Odd Fellows Hall, 508 Minne- sota avenue. Fort Slocum Citizens' Association (proposed name), 8 p.m., 306 Ken- nedy street, Program—Organization meeting; election of officers and nam- ing of standing committees; assign- ment of committee work. Richmond Park Citizens' Associa- | tion, 8 p.m., 3508 Quebec street. Friday, January 11. Brightwood Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m., Paul Junior High School. Pro- gram—Address by Daniel J. Donovan, District auditor, on taxation prob- lems; report from Willlam McK. Clay- ton, chairman of Public Utilities Com- | mittee, on efforts to secure removal | of street car poles in center of Geor- gia avenue from the Brightwood car barn to the District line; report on | Stevens area; action to secure grad- |ing of driveway between Fort Ste- vens and Fort Slocum; report on success in securing item in 1936 Dis- trict budget for proposed addition to Paul Junior High School. Saturday, January 12. Mount Pleasant Citizens’ Associa- tion, 8 p.m., Mount Pleasant Branch Library. Program—Address from Peo- ple’s Counsel Willlam A. Roberts on transportation problems; report from J, T. Miller on membership drive; action on proposed request to Com- | missioners for 106 more policemen; | action on traffic safety program of {the American Automobile Association. NEED FOR SCHOOL IN HILLCREST CITED Request for Oxon Run Sewer Also Stressed in Group's Annual Reports. Need for a new graded school in the area of the Hillcrest Citizens’ Associ- ation is among the improvements stressed in reports of the group’s standing committees to the president, Rudolph Malth. The nearest school in the section is the Stanton School, located at the in- tersection of Good Hope road and Ala- bama avenue southeast, which, in the opinion of the members of the associ- ation, has outlived its usefulness. The association supported the movement for the erection of the junior-senior high school in Anacostia, but feels erection of a new graded school in the immediate neighborhood is essen- tial. The school asked for by the group would have a gymnasium, assembly hall, & modern heating system and enough rooms to conduct classes for each grade separately. Another project that is listed for at- tention during the coming year is the Oxon Run sewer. This request has al- ready been brought to the attention of the Districc Committees of both houses of Congress. WATER MAIN AND SEWER PROGRESS IS REPORTED Installation of sewers and the ex- tension of the water main on Branch avenue southeast between Pennsyl- vania and Alabama avenues is pro- gressing rapidly, according to the latest reports from President Rudolph Malth of the Hillcrest Citizens’ Association. Upon the completion of this project Branch avenue is to be widened to 40 feet, with curbs and gutters and side- walks on each side, the assoclation has been informed. The Hillcrest section also is having its first tree-planting. Trees are being planted on Alabama avenue and on Naylor road between Good Hope Hill and the District Mne, A BENEFIT PLANNED to Hold Party Friday. A bingo and card party for the benefit of the East Washington Heights Citizens’ Association is to be held Fri- day night at the Bradbury Heights Methodist Church. The secretary of the association, Mrs. Florence L. Jackson, said plans for the party will be announced Tues- day night at the regular monthly meeting of the group. Charles Baum- bach is chairman of the committee in charge of arranging the program, she said. —_— SCTVICC Bflnd CO!‘ICCI‘B. THE United States Navy Band Sym- phony Orchestra, Lieut. Charles Benter conducting, will play the first concert of the new year at the Sail Loft, Navy Yard, Tuesday evening, at 8 o'clock. A feature of the program will be the “Allegro” from Mozart’s “Concerto in C. Major” for flute and harp, played by Musicians Richard Townsend and William Cameron. Concert schedule of the United States Marine Band and Orchestra for the coming week: The Marine Band Orchestra will present the following program Wed- nesday at 8 p.m. Overture, “Secret of Susanne,” ‘Wolf-Ferari “Entrance of the Gods in Valhall” from “Rhine Gold” ........Wagner Concerto for string bass with or- chestra accompaniment. Opus 9, Stein (Soloist: Musician Frank Schumm) Fantasie, “The Golden Cockerel,” Rimsky Korsakow ‘Tone poem, “Les Barbares,” Saint-Saens “Hungarian Rhapsody,” No. 8, Liszt Monday and Friday, at 3 p.m., band concerts will be given and on Tuesday, at 11:30 am, the weekly Shut-Ins Dream Hour program will be ren- dered. The concerts are given in the band auditorium at the Marine Barracks. Capt. Taylor Branson will conduct. ‘The schedule of the United States Army Band for the week beginning January 1 the following con= program | success in efforts to clean up Fort East Washington Heights Group THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. O, JANUARY 6, 1935—PART FOUR. Officers of Voteless D. C. League 20 GROUPS ENTER || Civie Problems, EXPOSITION T0 BE HELD FEBRUARY § Southeast Demonstration Is Under Leadership of Mrs. M. W. Davis. ‘With 20 organizations already mak- ing plans to participate, success seems assured for the southeast exposition to be held Friday, February 8, in the Buchanan School, Thirteenth and D streets southeast, under the auspices of the southeast unit of the Com- tiunity Center Department of the public schools. Under the personal leadership of Mrs, M. W, Davis of the Community Center Department, plans have pro- gressed rapidly and a meeting will be held Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Buch- anan School, at which time leaders of the varigus civic, welfare and rec tional groups planning to participad will make final arrangements for the event, the two-fold purpose of which is to acquaint everybody with the type of work of the many organizations and to place the needs of southeast Washington before Congress and the residents of the Capital in general. Many Exhibits Planned. Each organization participating is expected to have some sort of an ex- hibit “of civic or educational nature,” according to announced plans. Just where each of these exhibits will be placed in the spacious Buchanan audi- torjum will be decided at the meeting Tuesday night. B. G. Ladd is chair- man of the committee in charge of this phase of the work. Although the exposition is intended to be chiefly educational and informa- tive, it will not be entirely so, for many other features, designed to create a sort of a carnival atmos- phere, are being planned by a com- mittee headed by Mrs, H. C. Olson of the Southeast Community Center Recreational Club. These features in- clude, tentatively, musical and vaude- ville entertainment as well as other attractions, The idea of staging box- ing or wrestling matches was discussed at a meeting some time ago when Morris Fox, assistant director of the Metropolitan Police Boys' Club, offered to provide such entertainment, but nothing definite has been decided. Although no charge will be made, admission tickets will be distributed by the various groups, each ticket bearing the name of the organiza- tion which handles it. Mrs. Davis expects to have the tickets ready for the delegates at Tuesday's meeting. It is planned also to distribute some of the tickets through the public schools, if it can be arranged, al- though it is specifed on each ticket that children will not be admitted | unless accompanied by their parents. | }Mrs, Ada Minnix is chairman of the | committee in charge of invitations. | | Firemen to Help. Full co-operation of the Distriet | Fire Department has been promised | Joseph F. Swain, chairman of the | committee on decorations. { A receiving committee to greet those | who attend will be made up of mem- | bers of the several citizens' associa- | tions. Members of various young peo- ples’ recreational clubs will act as | ushers. The organizations which have defi- nitely announced they will participate are: Child Welfare Association, Southeast Business Men's Association, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Buchanan Parent-Teacher Association, Tyler School Dental Clinic, | Receiving Home for Children, Family | | Service Association (formerly the As- {soclated Charitles), Southeast Citizens’ | Association, Boys' Club of No. 5 pre- i cinct, Fire Prevention Department, | Gallinger Hospital, Lincoln Park Citi- | zens' Association, Southeast Com- | munity Center Recreational Club, | Hine Night School, Lenox School, Vis- iting Nurses, Southeast Emergency Re- lief Division, Friendship House and the Southeast Council of Citizens’ As- sociations. | certs to be given in the band audi- torfum of the Army War College: Monday—Concert at 6 p.m. Program, Thomas F. Darcy, conducting. March, “National Pride”........Dole | Symphonic poem, “Phaeton,” Saint-Saens Cornet trio, “The Rosary”.... Nevin Kahler, Barnes, Christensen. “Danse Russe”.........Tschaikowsky Fox trot, “I Cculdn't Be Mean to You" . “The Gol Cake Walk"”.Dcbussy Waltz, “Tres Jolie”. Waldteufel | Mearch, “Gloria”.. .Losey | ‘Wednesday—Concert at 11:30 am. Friday—Concert at 11:30 a.m. Concerts by the United Soldiers’ Home Band-Orchestra. John S. M. | Zimmermann, bandmaster. Anton Pointner, assistant leader; Stanley Hall. { , Tuesday evening, beginning at 5:30 o'clock. March, “Washington Post”.....Sousa Overture, “The Merry Wives of Windsor” ........ e Nicclal Entr'acte— (a) “Traumerei” .......Schumann (b) “An Album Leaf”.... Selection from musical comedy on the Film”. Tango, “A Zut Alors | Waltz, “Au Revoir”. . Finale, “Beau Ideal”. “The Star Spangled Banner.” ‘Thursday evening. March, “La Pere de Victoire”..Ganne Overture, “Raymond”........Thomas Entr'acte— (a) “Around the Country Church," Beghon (b) “Last Dream of the Virgin,” Massenet Excerpts from grand opera “Don Car- Paraphrase on “Annie Laurie”.Bennet Waltz, “Beautiful Blue Danube,” Straus Finale, “Under the Double Eagle,” Wagner “The Star Spangled Banner.” Saturday evening. March, “Autumn Maneuvers’ Overture, “As You Like It” Entr'acte— (a) “Chansonette” . SR Characteristic, “March of the Trolls,” Hosmer Waltz from musical comedy, “The Arcadians” Finale, “Big Guns Sk “The Star Spangled Banner.” -LIGHTS OBTAINED Progress has been reported on an alley-lighting request of the Manor Park Citizens’ Assoclation. Raymond Gilbert in November requested in- stallation of street lights in the a.ley south of Rittenhouse street between Seventh street and Seventh place. At the December meeting a letter from R. M. Brennan, chief clerk of stating the Engineer Commissioner had ordered two 60-candiepower lights placed at this ares, | # Civic Bodies | Attitude of New Congress Toward District Eagerly Awaited—Opposition Voiced to Bill Broad- ening Power of Commissioners. BY JESSE C. SUTER. UR own national and local Legislature is with us ain and ready for business. A number of old friends are missing, but there is an abiding faith in the ranks of organized civic Wash- ington that among the newly elected members there may be dis- covered some sympathetic souls who will take a real interest in their voteless constituents of the District. ubtless there are many who were elected to Congress last No- vember who did not realize they were being elected to the local Legislature of the National Cap- ital community as well as to Con- gress. Our clvic organizations welcome their legislators, in whose choosing they had no part, and cherish the hope that a spirit of friendly co-operation may exist between the members of the Seventy-fourth Congress and the District. Voteless and without any direct representation in their government, either national or local, the residents of the District are deserving of being treated by their all-powerful legislators as fellow Americans entitled to all the rights and privileges enjoyed by residents of the States. It must be confessed that among the many civic problems regarding the District the one of chief con- cern is, what will be the attitude of the Congress toward the Dis- trict? The headlines in the local press tell that this and that local measure will receive early action, but will that measure and that action be in accord with the de- sires of the local citizen-y or be thrust upon them regardless of their desires? Will a considerable number of the members of our local Legislature give the required time to an understanding and a consideration of the needs of this great American community or will they leave this constitutional duty to a mere handful of legislators? Our legislators should be re- minded that this great American community is more populous than eight of the sovereign States and last year paid in Federal taxes a greater amount than each of 24 States and nearly a million dollars more than the combined payments of nine States. Our legislators should also know that organized civic Washington is not seeking any special privileges for the Dis- trict, but simply for a square deal. — Enlarging the Powers Of the Commissioners. O SAY that civic leaders are disappointed with the so- called Prettyman bill to en- lerge the powers of the District Commissioners would be entirely tco mild. The proposal to strip the several citizen boards of their powers and vest them in the Com- missioners has stirred up a veri- table hornets’ nest. As far as civic bodies have acted upon proposals to .nterfere with the citizen boards, and many have so acted, there has been practi- cally a unanimous sentiment against such change. The prevail- ing civic sentiment appears to fa- vor more, rather than fewer of these boards and with broadened rather than narrower powers. In support of this proposal assur- ance is given that such powers over these boards would be used only in remote instances. The fact remains, however, so civic leaders contend, that under this measure the Com- missicners would hold a veto power to nullify any board action and also would have the power of re- moval pf any of the personnel. The head of one very active neighborhood association was heard to remark that he had heard no good reason for giving the Com- missioners power over these citizen boards, but had heard many rea- sons against it. He stated further there is a feeling the Commission- ers already have more to do than they can do well. From another quarter keen dis- appointment was expressed that the Commissioners did not discuss this proposal with the civic bodies. The Commissioners’ legislative program, he said, started off with a flourish. Corporation Counsel Prettyman went before the different organiza- tions and explained the various proposals and urged that there be a general understanding and team- work between the civic bodies and the Commissioners so there would be no working at cross-purposes. This leader declares that he heard no mention of stripping these citi- zen boards of their powers in the outline of the bill to increase the powers of the Commissioners. This feature, he felt, must have been an afterthought. During the administration of Commissioners Newman and Brownlow, back in 1915-6, a sim- ilar attempt was made. This was directed particularly at the Board of Education. Hearings were held before a subcommittee of the House District Committee. The civic organizations put up a strong, united fight against the proposal and it failed. Leaders promise an equally united and vigorous oppo- sition to this feature of the pro- posed legislation. Transportation Mass Meeting At Takoma, D. C. 'OMORROW night the citizens of Takoma, D. C., will as- semble in mass meeting in the branch of the Public Library at Fifth and Cedar streets and state their desires regarding public transportation for that area. Members from the adjacent citi« zens’ associations have been in- vited to attend and participate in the discussion. Members of the Public Utilities Commission, the people's counsel and representatives of the Capital Transit Co. and the Washington Rapid Transit Co. have promised to attend. The meeting is called by the Citizens’ Association of Takoma, D. C., at the suggestion of William A. Roberts, people’s counsel. Many residents of this section have been expressing surprise at the very slow progress being made in rerouting, particularly by speed- ing"up the downtown trip by rout- ing the Georgia avenue cars down Seventh street instead of via the “Z” turn through Florida avenue and Ninth street. This and many other questions are expected to be discussed. Rapid bus service is another live question in this border community. It has been suggested that the Public Utility Commissioners make no promise to be governed in their action by the wishes of the citizens or some one may get out an injunc- tion. The restraining order which preventéd the Takoma dry refe: endum has had a tendency to make the citizens of Takoma rather cau- They want better transpors [ 4 tation and more of it, but no more restraint of officials heeding com- munity desires. District's Tax Burden And Fiscal Relations, EPORT to the President of the tax burden survey by the Treasury Department is promised during this week. This report is awaited with keen inter- est and with confidence that it will be favorable to the District. The fact that every impartial tribunal that has made such a study, has found in favor of the District encourages local citizens to expect much from this report. It is understood that the studies of the Treasury experts have been of figures for the fiscal year 1933, not yet available to the public. Similar studies by others familiar with the statistics of cities for the years 1930 and 1932 show very clearly the District is by no means undertaxed. The study of this question of equitable fiscal rela- tions between the United States and its Capital community reveals the tax burden is only one of the factors to be considered in fixing the fair share of the National Gov- ernment. A series of seven articles by Theodore W. Noyes, giving “Some Reasons Why the Nation Should Contribute to Capital's Mainte- nance and Upbuilding” and “Dis- trict Adequately Taxed, Municipal- ly and Nationally for Capital's Upbuilding,” were concluded last week. These articles have been the subject of much favorable comment in civic circles. Some leaders declare that these articles will be accepted as a standard text book on the subject for many years to come. Those familiar with somewhat similar studies by Mr. Noyes say the series just com- pleted is the most interesting and convincing of any that have gone before. There is general appres ciation of this great civic service. Opposition Indicated to Local Income Tax Bill. HE latest information is to the effect that civic organiza- tion opponents of the proposed income tax for the District in lieu of the tax on intangibles are find- ing ardent champions in both Senate and House. Members at both ends of the Capitol, who are familiar with District affairs, can find no justification for the imposition of such a tax. The organizations of Federal employes are also strong in their opposition to this proposal. The consensus is that if the Federal Government paid its fair share for the upbuilding and mainte- nance of its Capital City there would be no present necessity for increasing the already high tax bulrden of the residents of the Dis- trict. Other Proposed Legislation For the District. THER proposed legislation for the District includes an in- heritance tax, the strength- ening of the laws against gambling the licensing of race track gam- bling, rent control, to confine court jurisdiction over public utilities to questions of law, old-age pensions, automobile owners’ financial re- sponsibility and the control of the small-loan business in the District. Some of these measures will meet with hearty civic organization ap- proval, but against others there is & 'e to be determined opposition. shere seems to be rather gen- eral approval of an inheritance tax if the District would be treated in the same way as States having a State inheritance law. There appears to prevail among some members of Congress an impres- sion that District residents pay no inheritance tax. They do pay such tax to the Federal Govern- ment just the same as the resi- dents of the States. The report of the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1934, shows that during that year there was collected in the District of Columbia for estate (or inher- itance) tax, $1,434,179.89. If the District was treated in this partic- ular as the States are treated, 80 per cent, or $1,143343.91, would have been transferred to the credit of the District of Columbia. The Federation of Citizens' As- sociations and a number of civic bodies are on record as approving such an inheritance tax, with the District given the sfme fair treat- ment as the States. The bill to tighten the gambling laws is sure to receive united sup- port, but the renewal of the pro- posal to legalize race track gam- bling will again encounter positive and vigorous opposition. The automobile responsibility, small loans, the public utility bill and the ojd-age pension bill have all had wide indorsement and are not apt to meet with opposition, so far as the principles involved are concerned, though there is wide difference of opinion as to some of the details. It is said that the “mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small,” which may be paraphrased, “The legislative mills of the District grind slowly, but the results are exceeding small.” Some one has said no great city could get on with its City Council and Board of Aldermen giving so little time to the consideration of its needs as is given by the Dis- trict's exclusive Legislature. There is no criticism by our civic leaders of the few men and women in Con- gress who devote much time to con- scientiously looking after the af- fairs of the District, from which they can expect no political reward. COMMITTEE LEADERS NAMED IN GEORGETOWN President John H. Small An- nounces Assignments for Current Year for His Association. Committee chairmen of the George- town Citizens’ Association for the current year have been announced by John H. Small, president. They are as follows: Executive Committee, Frank P. Leetch; Finance, Elmore T. Burdette; Commercial In- terests, Frank A. Kerr; Public Im- provements, Isaac B. Nordlinger; Leg- islative, G. Bowdoin Craighill; Public Health, Dr, Julius D. Damian; Mem- bership, B. A. Bowles. Parks and Reservations, B. H. Meyer; Schools, Henry W. Draper; Public Utllities, Milo H. Brinkley; Police and Fire Protection, Inspector William H. Harrison, M. P., retired, and Publicity, Dorsey W. Hyde. Delegates to the Federation of Citi- zens’ Associations are Mr. Bowles and M. AND M. BODIES ENTERING ANNUAL ELECTIONS PERIOD American Road Builders Among 18 Conventions Slated This Month, The annual elections of trade group chairmen and representatives to the board of governors of the Merchants and Manufacturers’ Association began last week and will continue for almost a fortnight. The officers of the groups deal with problems peculiar to the particular industry or business, while the board of governers handles the broad ques- tions which concern the entire mem- bership of the association. At the close of the group elections the board of governors will meet, prob- ably the last week in January, to choose the president and officers nf the association. The following chairmen have been elected: Louis Levay, laundry group; Dewey Zirkin, furriers; Harry Ham- mond, ice manufacturers, and William E. Russell, awning manufacturers. Other trade groups include the jewel- ers, paper and stationery group, lim- ited price variety, musical instru- ments, plumbing supplies, printing, electrical supplies, retail eode, express and transportation, department stores, dairies, service stations, men's wear, caterers, women's Wear, furniture, restaurants and shoes. Eighteen Conventions Scheduled. Eighteen conventions are scheduled to meet in Washington during Janu- ary, exceeding the number held during the first month of either 1933 or 1934, Curtis Hodges, executive director of the Greater National Capital Commit= tee of the Washington Board of Trade, announced yesterday. Heading the meetings in point of expected attende ance is the convention of the Ameri= can Road Builders’ Association, which is expected to bring more than 5,000 delegates to Washington from all sec- tions of the Nation. This probably is one of the largest conventions to be held here throughout the year. Charles Upham, engineer-director, said ad- vance registration indicates an un- usually large attendance. The following are listed as January conventions: National Congress for Unemployment and Social Insurance, which opened yesterday to last through tomorrow; National Co-op= erative Council, January 7-10, at the council’s national headquarters, 1731 I street; American Beach and Shore Preservation Association, January 10; American Engineering Council, Jan- uary 10-12, Mayflower Hotel; Na- tional Public Housing Conference, January 15-19, Willard Hotel; region- al meeting of the Alumnae Assccia- tion of Smith College, January 19, at the Carlton Hotel: National Confer- ence on Palestine, January 20-21, Mayflower Hotel: National Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, January 21-27; American Road Build- ers’ Association, January 22-25, Wil- lard Hotel; Commercial Law League of America, Executive Committee meeting, January 21, Wardman Park Hotel; Cause and Cure of War Con- ference, January 21-25 Washington Hotel; Associated General Contractors of America, week of January 28, Wil- lard Hotel; Society of American Fore esters, January 28-30, Shoreham Ho- tel; Women's Patriotic Conference on National Defense, January 30-Peb- ruary 1, Mayflower Hotel; American Society of Landscape Architects, Jan- uary 21-23, Mayflower Hotel. | National Rivers and Harbors Con- | gress, the latter part of January, at the Mayflower Hotel; executive board meeting of the Southern Freight As- sociation, January 14-16, Mayflower | Hote!, and annual Midwinter meeting of the board of directors of the Gen- eral Federation of Women's Clubs, January 16-19, at the federation's na- tional headquarters. Trade Board Week Quiet. The ensuing week promises to be one of comparative inactivity for the Washington Board of Trade, at least $0 far as committee meetings are con- cerned. ‘The next scheduled committee ses- sion is on January 15, when the mem- bers of the Community Affairs Com- mittee will gather in the Harrington Hotel for lunch, at the invitation cf W. B. Clarkson, chairman of a sub- committee on the District’s low-cost housing project. John Ihlder, execu- tive officer of the Alley Dwelling Au- thority, has been announced as the principal speaker. W. W. Wheelcr is chairman of the entire group. The Public Health Committee will hold its regular January meeting c 1 the 23d. Reports of various sub- committees are scheduled. Dr. Arthur C. Christie is chairman. The Bridge Committee, headed Ly George C. Shinn, probably will hold a dinner meeting January 25, al- though this is not yet definite. A member of the House District Ap- propriations Subcommittee and one of the District Commisisoners are ex- pected to be asked to speak. e KILLEEN UNIT OF LEGION AUXILIARY WILL MEET Business Session Will Be Fol- lowed by Bingo and Readings by Handwriting Expert. The George E. Killeen Unit, No. 25, District of Columbia Department, American Legion Auxiliary, will meet Wednesday at 8 o'clock at the home of the president, Mrs, Mary K. Kile leen, 3117 N street. The business session will be followed by bingo, and Winona Tenney, handwriting ex- pert, will give readings. The unit had a Christmas party at Mount Alto Hospital, Jack Mullane furnished the entertainment. The children from the Industrial Home School also were entertained. Christ- mas baskets were distributed to needy veterans and jelly to the Women's Home for the Aged. Gifts were also sent to the children’s ward at Gal- li;::lzr Hospital and Children's Hos- pital. Lincoln Unit, No. 17, will hold a dance January 12 at the Riggs Bank Building, Fourteenth street and Park road. ——iy Dance Recital, MARIAN CHACE and her group of dancers will present their an- nual midwinter concert of original solo and ensemble numbers, under the auspices of the Community Center Department, in Roosevelt Auditortum, Thirteenth and Allison streets northe west, Tuesday night, January 18, at 8:30 o'clock | Tickets for the concert will be avail- i able beginning January 7 at the Amer- ican Automobile Association headquar- ters, the Willard Ticket Bureau and the Washington Hotel newsstand. 3