Evening Star Newspaper, February 24, 1935, Page 32

D—4 ; |Rattle Used in Days Before the Fire Alarm LTIZENS REPORT to Oldest Inhabitants’ Group ONGHANEEIND.C. NULE BXPLANED Elected Council Plan Held Fairer Without Impairing Present Set-Up. The special commitee on reor= panization of the District govern= ment at the last meeting of the Federation of Citizens’ Associations submitted a preliminary report in which national representation_for the District in both Houses of Con- gress and in the electoral college and an elected city council of bona fide local taxpayers were proposed. The jollowing interpretative article on the proposal was prepared especially for The Star. BY GEORGE E. SULLIVAN. | Chairmen, Special Committee on Reorgani- zation of District Government. appointed by Citizens' Federation. ‘The proposal for establishment of an elective council in the District, | with wholly administrative functions, | mainly of an advisory character, emanated a week ago from the Spe- cial Committee on Reorganization of the District Government appointed | by the Federation of Citizens' Associ- | ations nearly a year ago The advocates of such a council claim it will not only harmonize per- fectly with our Commission form of District Government. but will make the latter much more efficient and satisfactory. Such a council must necessarily be unique 1n character. to harmonize with our unique Commis- sion system of Municipal Government. It should be noted that members of the committee, proposing this council, are citizens who have spent much of their lives on behalf of the welfare of the community Not a Substitute Plan. The thoroughness of the study given by the said Special Committee, and the practical and constructive nature of the proposal emanating therefrom, is manifest from the fact that it is in no sense a substitute for either National Representation or the Commission Form of Municipal | zvi -t Government for the District of Co- lumbia, both of which aisc are ad- vocated by the commitiee. When the proposal is clearly understood, it will be seen that it furnishes an im- portant key to a variety of perplex- ing problems in the executive or ad- ministrative departments of our Mu- nicipal Government, and yet without | interfering with or controlling those departments, and also without any control by the proposed council over the expenditure of funds or over patronage. Membership Limited. Since the council would be a de- liberative administrative body, it should, of course, have a limited | membership capable of functioning Presented Old Union Engine House Museum to Display Odd Relics. Helmets of D. C. Fire- men of the *50s Included. LARGE rattle used by the old Rattle Watch in New York A about 1655 to arouse the neighborhood in emergencies is included in a collection of relics acquired by the Assoclation of Oldest Inhabitants. The collection, numbering eight old pieces of firemen's equipment, is the gift of Linden T. Harris of Philadel- phia, and was presented last Friday to the Oldest Inhabitants by James F. Duhamel, secretary. The pieces will be added to the already large collec~ tion of fire equipment, records. pho- tographs and apparatus now on dis- play at the Old Union Engine House, Nineteenth and H streets, the meeting place of the group. Like Halloween Toy. The rattle resembles the ordinary rattle sold at the 10-cent stores for Halloween or placed on tables during Halloween parties. The operator grasps the handle and whirls ft around through the air: the faster it is turned the more noise it makes. It is of substantial construction and works as well today as it ever did Duhamel states this rattle was prob- ably used by police and firemen when- Other items in the collection in- clude two firemen's leather helmets which were taken out of Washington which used to have its headquarters where the Old Union Engine House now stands. The second helmet wes owned by the Northern Liberty Fire Company. which was stationed at the present site of the Carnegie Library. This company was disbanded in 1850 be- cause of skirmishes between rival companies in the city. Other Relics Received. Other items include an old lead marker of the Traveller's Fire Insur- in Philadelphia, which was ing; a metal shield of a fireman's helmet from the Barnecote Fire Asso- ciation of Boston in 1840: another shield; a picture of one of Lhe earliest type steam fire engines, used in Cin- cinnati in 1855: a helmet shield from the American Fire Co. of Philadel- phia sometime before 1850, and a spanner to couple hose joints together. The museum of the Old Union En- gine House contains not only fire- men’s accessories but interesting pic- tures relating to Washington's history and many records and pictures of celebrated events and persons. GET 15 MEMBERS efficiently for the purpose. It will probably be decided that a member- | ship of not less than five, nor more | than 15, could function most effici- { ently in such a council. The pri-| mary purpose of the council is, of ! course, to promote and advance the! welfare and common good of the local citizenry through increased fair play and efficiency in our Municipal Government. Consequently, its mem- bership should include only civic} minded persons of high character and | well-known ability. and without con- | nection of any kind with selfish inter- ests, because every one must recognize | the real and genuine citizenship mat- | ters requiring the whole hearted and | undivided attention of the council could not be handled by persons of | lesser caliber or having the slightest conflict between public duty and; private interest. Nomination Power Outlined. The provosal that the council be empowered to suggest or nominate one member of the Board of District Commissioners and one member of the Public Utilities Commission, sub- ject to the Senate’s confirmation, is certainly a modest one. The Federal | Government still will control, through | the Senate, all nominees for all three positions upon each of said bodies, and the President still will nominate two members upon each body. It is inconceivable that any one should begrudge the citizere of this District, who pay six-sevenths of the cost of maintenance of the Nation’s Capital, the limited recognition proposed. Appoint Special Boards. The proposal that the council ap- point the members of the Board of Education, and other bodies of an essentially local and civic nature, un- deniably is in accord with the funda- mental principles of democracy. Ob- viously, the filling of the position of people’s counsel should be treated in like manner. The people's chosen representatives (the proposed council) are surely in a better position to select the people’s counsel than are others having no responsibility to the people. It may be thought by some that the people’s counsel should be elected directly by the people; but my judg- ment is that his selection by the peo- ple’'s chosen representatives, of the special ability and opportunities which the council would possess. would enable a better selection for a position requiring such technical | knowledge and attainments, and moreover, that it would make avail- able persons of exceptional qualifi- cations who could not possibly be in- duced to seek the office. It goes without saying that no Mount Pleasant Citizens An- nounce Drive Results. Fifteen new members were ad- mitted at the last meeting of the | Mount Pleasant Citizens’ Association. | | This number was gained as a result of a recent membership drive con- ducted by the civic body. Those admitted are: Mrs. B. W. Cook, Dr. M. Dorset, John H. Clipper, H. L. Offutt, E. G. Mason, Mrs. Booth Moyer, W. P. Sterns, Dr U. G. P. Plerce, P. S. Ridsdale, N. G. Schwartz, George M. Roberts, Charles D. McSorley, G. M. Markwood and John H. Zabel. —_— should not oppose such a salutary pro- vision, but ought to favor it as obvi- ously calculated to be helpful to them as well as to the public. Council Investigations. The opportunities for accomplish- ment by the council, in an advisory manner, are brought out most promi- nently in the further proposal that the concerning, and inquire into, any | branch of municipal activity, to enable | recommendations to the District Com- efficiency. The council, or a committee thereof, would be empowered to require at- tendance of witnesses and production of records. This last-named power would enable the truth to be demon- strated, and thereby, in most instances, enable correction of conditions requir- ing correction to be obtained from the District Commissioners themselves without any necessity for congressional action. Federal Control Unimpaired. It will thus be seen that the pro- posal for an elective council in this District, with the advisory powers hereinbefore enumerated, will in no sense alter or impair the Federal con- trol over the Nation's Capital, nor will it take away from either Congress or the District Commissioners any of the instead, tend to aid them in obtain- ing in the fullest measure the fair play and efficiency desired by all. Party Politics Not a Factor. Since the proposed council will not have the slightest control over the expenditure of funds or over patron- age, the intervention of party politics is hardly to be expected. Such de- sirable protection from influence by party politics is not now enjoyed by the District Commissioners themselves. Congress could dfford even greater protection to the council by legisla- council elected by the people would dare appoint to the office of people’s counsel any one other than a zealous advocate in behalf of the people’s rights. It is at once apparent that, for the same reasons that apply to the people’s counsel, the selection of the members of the Board of Ed- ucation should be by an elected council, rather than by direct elec- tion. Budget Recommendations. One of the most important pro- posals is that the council have authority to propose or oppose, in a suggestive way, items in District ap- propriation bills, at any stage of the consideration thereof, before the Board of District Commissioners, the Budget Bureau, or the Appropriation Committees of Congress. This would enable the real needs of the District to be properly explained and pressed. As it is now, none of the departments or boards of the District government are permitted to say anything before the Appropriation Committees of Congress regarding omitted items, however vital and pressing, unless first requested so to do. Items omitted at the District Building never reach the Budget Bureau for its con- sideration, and, consequently, never reach the Appropriation Committees of Congress at all. There is a proposal that the District Commissioners obtain the advisory, but not controlling, recommendations of the council upon all contemplated traffic or other municipal regulations. The District Commissioness 2ot only tive prohibition against political par- ties participating in any manner in the election of this council, or attempt- ing to influence any of its activities. It is believed, however, that the rank and file of the people will themselves resent, and effectively, any attempted intervention by any political party. The citizens want the greatest measure of fair play and efficiency, and they know that such can be best attained by choosing the best equipped and most available citizens for member- ship on the council. They further know that the “Father of our Coun- try” was right when he warned us in his farewell address that such attain- ments can not be expected if the citi- zens permit political parties to dom- inate and control the selection of the candidates to be voted upon. In dealing with a distinctly citizen- ship subject like the matter in hand, it should be a sufficient reason to re- Ject a candidate that he is proposed by a political party, and, in conse- | quence, will natyrally be subject to its influence. It is believed that the beneficial re- sults in every direction from the acti- vities of this proposed council will result in a general awakening con- cerning the Natlon’s Capital, and that the time will not be far distant when national representation for the Dis- trict will also be provided, so that eminent British statesmen can no longer describe the Nation’s Capital as exemplifying the repudiation of the “taxation without representation is tyranny” proclamation of our fore- fathers to the British Crown, 3 ever a fire broke out in Philadelphia. | some time after 1850. One was used | by the old Hibernia Fire Compsny.‘ displayed on the outside of the build- | J. J. Becker, | council have power to hold hearings | missioners or to Congress for increased | powers possessed by them, but will, | | on suffrage for the District: THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., James F. Duhamel, secretar ing fireman’s helmet of 1850 of shields, one from the Barnicoat Fire early model steam fire engine and | Fire Co. Lying in the center of the man’s rattle. | Monday, February 25. Georgetown Citizens' Association, 8 p.m., St. John’s Church Parish Hall Program—Report by Dr. B. H. Meyer, chairman, Committee on Parks and Reservations; report by Executive Commitiee on advisability of using abandoned car obarn property on P street as a public reservation in con- nection with Rock Creek Park. Mid-City Citizens' Association, 8 pm., Thompson Community Center. Program—Report and action on pro- posed re-establishment of No. 2 pre- cinct, action on resolution opposing proposed home for transients at 1314 | Massachusetts avenue, Streets and | Alleys Committee report on needed | repair work. North Capitol Citizens' Association, 8 pm., Room 130, McKinley High School. Program—Action on_resolu- tion of Columbia Heights Business Men’'s Association to secure more po- lice, Public Utilities Committee re- port on resolution of Georgetown Cit- izens’ Association on proposed adjust- ment of gas rates, selection of dele- gate to the Federation of Citizens' Associations to succeed the late Wil- liam G. Henderson | Trinidad Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m., Wheatley School. Program—Ac- | tion to secure a playground. further | plans to secure a bridge over railroad | tracks to connect Trinidad with Wood- | ridge-Brookland area. action on pro- | posed resolution indorsing the local housing program. action to secure traffic light at Eleventh and H streets | northeast, action to request Congress for more police, action asking Com- missioners for more rigid enforcement of police regulations. Tuesday, February 26. Joint conference of Northeast Citi- zens' Associgtions, 8 p.m., No. 12 precinct. Program — Discussion of proposed adjustment of gas rates with | respect to amount of natural gas used, report on hidden bar system, action to secure opening of Seventeenth street from Bladensburg road to Benning | road, discussion of proposed submis- | sion of District budget direct to Con- | gress, plans for system to eliminate gases from local busses. action to get two bridges over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad tracks in vicinity of Seven- | teenth and Twelfth streets northeast. Logan-Thomas Circle Citizens’ As- | sociation, 8 p.m., 1120 Rhode Island | avenue. Program—Report by M. A.| Robbins, H. E. Young and Horace Ful- ton on proposed District airport: ac- | tion to participate in decoration plans | during the 1935 Sbrine convention, | ction on proposed resolution of | Cathedral Heights-Cleveland Park Cit- | izens' Association. asking that District | jobs be filled by District residents. | Southeast Citizens' Association, 8 | p.m., Buchanan School. Program— | Plans to extend membership drive; | plans for a debate by members of the ! association to be held in early April | report by Louis Frick, chairman, Laws and Legislation Committee, on pending District legislation in Congress: dis- cussion of suggested protests against employment of other than Washing- | ton citizens in the District govern- ment and against residence of aliens in this country without passports. | Wednesday, February 27. Rhode Island Avenue Citizens' As- sociation, 8 p.m., Woodridge Sub- branch Library. Program—Announce- ment of new committee members; outline of coming year's work for standing committees; Parks Commit- tee report on proposed unification of recreation facilities; action on pro- posed resolution to amend constitu- tion to change meeting night from the last to the second Wednesday of each month. Thursday, February 28. Conduit Road Citizens' Association, p.m., Community Church. Pro- gram—Report on plans to appear be- fore Senate Subcommittee on Appro- priations to secure new_ chain bridge | in 1936 District budget; address by | M. O. Eldridge, assistant traffic di- | rector, and Inspector L. I H. Ed- | wards, assistant superintendent of | police; action to secure a new branch | library; Streets and Alleys Committee | report on needed improvements and | efforts to repair retaining walls along Conduit road. Friday, March 1. Burroughs _Citizens’ Association, 8 pm., John Burroughs School. 0~ gram—Address by Representative Jenckes, Democrat, of Indiana; pres- entation of flag to Boy Scout Troop No. 99; report and action on present Juvenile court proceedings; action on £ . Association of Oldest Inhabitants, hold- the Hibernia Fire Company. back edge of the table. from left to right, are Traveler's Fire Insurance Co. marker; a leather helmet of the Northern Liberty Fire Co., two helmet Around the Association of Boston: a picture of another shield from the American table are a hose spanner and fire= —Star Staff Photo. | Civie Association Calendar Thirteen Meetings Scheduled—Joint Northeast Conference to Push Appeals for Two Bridges in Its Section. proposed lunacy bill; by the Boy Scouts. entertainment Chillum Heights Citizens' Associa- tion. 8 pm., Keene School Pro- gram—Report and action on two recent me=tings held in Petworth to secure express street car transporta- tion to downtown by way of Eleventh and Ninth streets: report and action of recommendations of delegates to the Joint Conference of Northeast Citizens’ Associations: report and recent order of the Public Utilities Commission giving the area express | bus service to downtown Glover Park Citizens' Association’s anaiversary dance, 9 to 12 pm, La Fayette Hotel. Saturday, March 2. Federation of Citizens' Associations, | 8 p.m., board room. District Building. Program—Final report by George E. Sullivan, chairman, Laws and Legis- lation Committee, on proposed reor- ganization of the District government. CHAIRMEN NAMED President Gorrell Makes Burleith . Group Appointments. resident J. S. Gorrell of the Bur- leith Citizens' Association has named the following committee chairmen for the coming year Streets, W. B. Whipple: Program, Norman Fields; Fire and Police Pro- tection. Capt. John Gardner; Law and Legislation, Towson Price; Mem- bership, M. J. Gannon; Taxation, Zoning and Public Welfare, Granger G. Sutton: Public Health, Dr. R. L. Saussure: Publicity, Harold B. Rogers; Public _Service Corporations, R. E. Radcliff, and Schools, R. W. Thrush. Status of Bills Legislation of Civic Inter- est Pending in House and Senate. The congressional status of District bills of interest to Washington citi- ' zens' asscociations is as follows: National representation for District | of Columbia (S. J. Res. 9). Judiciary Committee. District appropriation bill for 1936 fiscal year (H. R. 3973). House: Passed. Senate: In Appropriations Subcommittee. Regulation of small loan business (H. R. 3463). House: In District Committee. Requiring financial responsibility of motor vehicle operators (H. R. 3457— 8. 408). Senate: Passed. House: On calendar. In Senate Creation of a commission to control ! House: In Dis- rents (H. R. 3809). trict Committee. Provide pensions for blind (H. R. 4510). endar. Strengthen gambling laws (S. 398). Senate: Passed. House: Committee. Substitute civilian trial board for present police trial hoard (H. R. 2734). House: In District Com- mittee. Abolish capital punishment (H. R. 2808). House: In District Committee, Establish training school for police- the needy House: On cal- | men and firemen (H. R. 2858). House: In District Committee. Amend code relating to lunacy hearings (H. R. 3451). House: In District Committee. Amend act authorizing Commission- ers to remove dangerous buildings (H. R. 3458). House: In District Committee, Amend act creating board for con- demnation of insanitary buildings (H. R. 3459). House: In District Committee. Regulate foreclosure of mortgages and deeds of trust (H. R. 3461). House: In District Committee. Amend District code relating to descent and distribution (H. R. 3464). House: In District Committee, Amend code relating to residence of firemen (H. R. 3641). House: In Dis- trict Committee. Amend code relating to residence of policemen (H. R. 3642). House: In District Committee, Establish commercial airport for District (H. R. 3806). House: In Dis- trict Committee. Provide old-age pensions (H. R. 4135). House: In District Committee. Provide for election of delegate in Congress for the District (H. R. 4346). House: In District Committee. Broadening powers of Commissian- ers (H. R. 4347). House: In District Committee. Authorizing use of District surplus funds for necessary public projects (H. R. 4345), House: In District Committee. [ | { g, | Of Trade, has invited board and com- | | In District | FEBRUARY 24, (CHARITY REPORTS BY TRADE GROUPS SLATED TUESDAY; Ten Conventions With 5,000l Delegates Anounced for March. Two subcommittees of the Washing- ton Board of Trade’s Committee on Charities and Corrections will report to the whole committee at a luncheon meeting Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at For some time & subcommittee headed by Joseph D. Kaufman has been making a |study of the ‘Washington Com- munity Chest, and its report will be submitted for consideration at the Tuesday | meeting. G. M. Whitwell. | Two proposed new bills affecting the | District have been in the hands of the Legislative Subcommittee, of which Vincent Saccardi is chairman. These measures have to do with pro- posed pensions for the indigent blind | residing in the National Capital, and | with the suggested reorganization of the District’s system of probation. George M. Whitwell, a member of | the Board of Education, is chairman of the Committee on Charities and Corrections and will preside at the luncheon. More Conventions Coming. Continuing the trend that was in- dicated with the beginning of the new year, Washington enters the third month with an increase in the num- ber of conventions coming to the National Capital, thanks to the Greater National Capital Committee of the Washington Board of Trade, lof which Curtis Hodges is executive director. In the month of March, approxi- mately 5000 delegates will come to| Washington to 10 conventions. A year ago only five conventions met here in the same month, and in 1933 | there were only three. The increase in March over the preceding years is greater thanefor either of the two preceding months this year, although they, also, showed gains. Sports appear to predominate for | the month, since golf, duck pins and | motor boating all are on the calendar. ‘The March conventions follow Middle Atlantic Golf Asscciation, | board of directors meeting, Willard ! | Hotel, March 2 1 | _ Sportsmen Pilots’ Association, May- | flower Hotel, March 8 and 9. American Association of Colleges of | Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Exam- | ining Boards, District No. 2, March 11 and 12. ‘ | American Industrial Managers Con- ference, March 11 and 12 Five-State Post - Graduate Dental Clinic, Wardman Park Hotel, March | 17. 18, 19 and 20. | _Grand Council of the Order of De Molay, Mayflower Hotel, March 18. | | National Duck Pin Bowling Con- gress, Arcade Alleys, March 23 to; | April 6. National Federation of Temple ) Brotherhoods. National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, March 24, 25 and 26. National Firewaste Council, March | 29. Association of Military Colleges and | Schools, date not yet announced At least three of these gatherings . will attract more than 1.000 delegates | each; the dental clinic the joint| meeting of the three Hebrew organi- ! zations, and the duck pin bowling ! congress. H Traffic and Public Health. Wallace B. Robinson, chairman of the Traffic Committee of the Board ' | mittee members to submit new prob- lems when the group meets Thursday | for luncheon at the Harrington Hotel. For some time the committee has been wrestling with proposed new legislation affecting the traffic situa- | tion here and Robinson is hopeful of | having all such matters acted upon | so that new business can be taken up | Thursday. Dr. Arthur C. Christie, chairman, | has called the Public Health Com- mittee to meet | Wednesday at! 4:30 pm. at the| Board of Trade's' offices in The| Star Building, to consider two re-| ports of subcom- « | mittees. i . Dr. A A | Chenay will re- i port on a study which has been | under way for | more than a ! month on health insurance, and A. L. Haycock will report on proposed or pending legislation affecting public health matters. Dr. A. C. Christie. Receives New Code. Louis Rothschild, director of the Washington Better Business Bureau, | received during the past week the revised fair practice standards for advertising and selling, approved by the National Association of Better Business Bureaus at a recent meeting | in sr:ew York. ven principles, placing the respon- sibility for truth and accuracy square- ly on the advertiser and the advertis- ing media, are set up. Rothschild plans to submit the draft of stand- ards to the merchandising section of the bureau at its next meeting early in March. If they meet with approval, they will then be sent to the general membership of the bureau for a ref- erendum. Their purpose s to further :Aixlc‘;e‘m public confidence in adver- Because ‘of Washington's birth- day holiday, both Rothschild and Mrs. ::% B Muc'};:zl\ote. assistant director, preven! from usual radio broadcasts m&m On Tuesday, the board of directors of the bureau will meet at the Raleigh Hotel for a combined business session and luncheon. Alley Progress Reported. Progress was reported on com- plaints of members' of ash dumping in the alley behind the Bancroft School at a recent mees of the Mount Pleasant Citizens' Association by Frederick G. Hunt, chairman, Streets and Alleys Committee. To Install Traffic Lights. After a traffic count at Seventeenth street and Park road, the congestion warrants the installation of traffic lights at this point, Traffic Director William A. Van Duger wrote the Mount Pleasant Citizens’ Association, R. J. Bowen, president, declared. [ 1935—PART TWO. Civic Problems, Civic Bodies GWIG UN"S SEEN Women’s Organizations Active in Battle for Na. tional Representation—Transportation Prob- lems Continue to Hold Widespread Interest. BY JESSE C. SUTER. EMANDS for improved street car service, pro- tests against 10-cent fare on express busses, in- dorsement of small-loan legislation, agitation for and against rent-control law, and sub- stantial increase in the police force are only a few of the civic prob- lems discussed by the civic bodies during the past week. On Capitol Hill Representative Jennings Ran- dolph’s subcommittee of the House District Committee made a new start in its inquiry into crime conditions in the District. In civic circles it is expected that under the guidance of Dr. John Fitz- patrick, counsel for the committee, some interesting and useful in- formation will become available. Laymen among the civic leaders who have experienced the ordeal of being witnesses under Cross-ex- amination, are smiling broadly at the very apparent annoyance of United States District Attorney Garnett as a witness. His exami- nation has been a striking ex- emplification of the difference be- tween being the examiner and be- ing the party under examination. The House District Committee has continued to work on some of the bills pending before it and will call up for action in the House tomorrow five local bills. Among these, the one in which there is the greatest interest is the automobile liability bill, which already has passed the Senate. This bill passed the Senate last year, but received no action by the House. The four other bills to be called up are one providing pensions for the needy blind; the so-called “absconders” bill: the “descent distribution” bill, which gives women equal rights with men in inheritance, and the unlawful entry bill, sponsored by the Bar Association. The descent and distribution bill has been urged for the past 10 years or more by the women's or- ganizations. It provides a mod- ern statute for the old common law covering the distribution of estates which gave preference to the male line. This bill had the approval of the Citizens' Advis- ory Counsel in 1925 and has been before Congress ever since. National Representation Dinner Of Voteless D. C. League Women. N TUESDAY evening of this O week the Department of Government and Its Opera- tions of the Voteless D. C. League of Women Voters will hold a din- ner at the Hotel Lafayette in the interest of what they call “Federal Suffrage for the District of Colum- bia,” generally known as national representation for the District of Columbia. The arrangements for the dinner are in charge of the head of that department of work, Mrs. Charles Weston. assisted by her predecessor in office, Mrs. Edna L. Johnston. The principal speaker will be Senator Royal S. Copeland of New York. whose subject will be the Voteless District of Columbia. Other speakers will be Representa- tive Mary T. Norton of New Jer- sey. chairman of the House Com- mittee on the District of Columbia; Senator Arthur Capper of Kansas, former chairman of the Senate District Committee: Miss Belle Sherwin, former president. and Miss Marguerite Wells, present president of the National League of Women Voters Mrs. Richard Hogue, president of the Voteless D. C. League of Women Voters, will preside and make the keynote speech. Among the special guests will be Theodore W. Noyes, chairman, and John Joy Edson, vice chairman of the Citi- zen’s Joint Committee on D. C. National Representation, and Rep- resentative Isabella Greenway of Arizona. Miss Sherwin will tell of the efforts made by the national and State leagues in the past to further this work for the voteless residents of the District and Miss Wells will tell of the work now going on to complete the life work of Susan B. Anthony and her colleagues. Federation of Women’s Clubs Furthers National Representation. HE growing interest and deter- mination of the women of the District to hasten the day when the District will take its place in the councils of the Nation is seen further in the action at the last meeting of the District of Columbia Federation of Wom- en’s Clubs. Upon the recommen- dation of the Department of Legis- lation, with the approval of the Department of General Welfare and the Committee on Resolutions it was resolved to ask the General Federation of Women's Clubs (the national body) to make the ques- tion of national representation for the District of Columbia the sub- Ject of study during the next year. The report was adopted with only a single dissenting vote and has already been started through the proper channels for consideration at the next convention of the gen- eral federation. It is the custom for the General Federation to take up such ques- tions for study for one year before considering them on their merits. It is the hope and expectation of the local department of legislation to succeed in having the study made and the matter . eventually in- dorsed. The Citizens' Joint Com- mittee on National Representation has undertaken to supply all re- quired pertinent printed matter to facilitate this proposed national study. Interfederation Conference Discusses Milk Price Problem. T THE meeting of the inter- federation conference’ on Monday evening last a mo- tion by a delegate from Montgom- ery County to indorse the proposed municipal milk treatment plant precipitated an interesting discus- sion. The general trend of the de- bate indicated a strong desire for retail price reduction, if obtainable, without in any way reducing the high standard of quality required by the local health department. There was small support of the municipal ownership idea, though some of the delegates were earnest in thelr advocacy of such plan. Attention was called to the enor- mous cost which must be involved through the loss of milk bottles, which are to be found scattered along back alleys, on vacant lots and around most building and con- struction operations. In this con- nection it was pointed out that most of the bottles delivered at homes are collected by the dealers, but that very few, if any, bottles are returned to stores by workmen and others buying milk for lunch. A rebate on many of the soft-drink bottles results in their return. This practice of not requiring the return of milk botties, it was point- ed out, imposes an added expense on the householder, who must pay in his retail price for these bottles which fail to get back to the dairy. At conclusion of the informal dis- cussion the entire matter was re- ferred to the District of Columbia delegation for consideration and report at a later meeting. D. C. Citizens’ Federation Acts on Reorganization and Utilities. HE Federation of Citizens’ Associations held a most in- teresting meeting on Satur- day, February 9. More than half the time of the assembly was con- sumed in’ the consideration of a number of reports by the Com- mittee on Public Utilitles, which came near cleaning up the com- mittee’s docket. All of the recom- mendations were approved after some minor modifications. The federation unanimously ap- proved the movement started by the Citizens’ Association of Ta- koma, D. C., for an early reduction in gas rates. It also joined the Southwest Washington Citizens’ Association in condemning the al- leged discrimination against that section in the transportation fur- nished by the Capital Transit Co. In a lengthy discussion of the proposed transportation changes planned to improve the service to and from the extreme northern section of the District there de- veloped considerable misunder- standing regarding the so-called express service sought by the resi- dents of that section. Some of the delegates associated the term “ex- press” with the excessive speed which they considered increasing the traffic dangers and some were unable to see just how an express service could be operated with forced traffic-light stops. The mat- ter was clarified by the substitu- tion of the term, “limited stop service” for the so-called “ex- press service.” - A tentative report giving a plan for the reorganization of the gov- ernment of the District of Colum- bia aroused considerable interest. Mimeographed copies of this report were ordered to be supplied to the delegates and the member bodies for study. Consideration of the matter is expected to come up at the first meeting in March. A dis- cussion of this plan by the chair- man of the special committee, George E. Sullivan. appears else- where in today's Star. Lively Interest In Transportation Problems. OME of the best attended civic S meetings held this Winter have been for the considefa- tion of transportation problems. Manor Park, Takoma, D. C.; Pet- worth and others have held suc- cessful meetings with large at- tendance and keen interest. At a number of these meetings members of the Public Utilities Commission and the people’s counsel bave been present and also representatives of the transportation companies. The interchange of ideas and the voic- ing of definite complaints and sug- gestions have been of practical value. both to the public officials and the companies as well. A number of improvements of service can be traced directly to these conferences. The most recent transportation meetings to be noted were held during the past week by Petworth Chevy Chase and Sixteenth Street Heights. The Petworth association is leading in a joint movement of the associations abutting Georgia avenue for a speedier and more adequate service for that general section. The Chevy Chase Citizens' As- soclation, under the very active leadership of its new president. Edwin S. Hege, plans a persistent fight for improved service for that section. While other sections have been inclined to point to Chevy Chase as one section where the service and equipment is the best in the District it appears that it is far from satisfying the section. At a recent transportation meet- ing in another section, when ref- erence was made to the 20 cars of a new type which have been ordered, some one sneeringly sug- gested that they would probably be put on the Chevy Chase line. One question which has been asked persistently at these gather- ings is, Why have there been only 20 of the new-type cars ordered? Mr. Hanna. president of the Capi- tal Transit Co. has explained these cars are of two types, and it is desired to try them out in ac- tual operation to learn the public opinion of them and also their adaptability to our local operating conditions. This method appears to be far more considerate of the public than has been exhibited at times in the past. when. under the urge for added equipment, compa- nies have picked up what rolling stock they covld find without much regard to the desires of the patrons or its being of suitable type. There has been bitter criti- cism of some of the types of cars wished on the riders in the past which it is expected will be avoid- ed by this present try-out method. Local Residents For Local Offices. PERSISTENT fight is being waged by the Cathedral Heights-Cleveland Park Citi- zen's Association for the establish- ment of the principle and practice of appointing local people to local offices. The Soclety of Natives of the District of Columbia has since its inception taken a similar stand. ‘The Natives also have urged the selection, where possible, of native ‘Washingtonians, but in any event have stood for the selection of bona fide District residents who have been here long enough to know the town and during such time of local residence have not claimed residence elsewhere. Cathedral Heights-Cleveland Park Association holds that not only are our local residents as well qualified as outsiders to hold local public office, but, in addition, are far more familiar with local prob- lems than non-residents. This association is calling on all other organizations to give their support to this crusade. The Democratic party national platform has on several occasions included a plank in support of this very idea and known as the “home rule plank.” Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge Gains Support of Federation. \HE value of united sectional action is seen in the voting by the Federation of Citizens Associations at its recent meeting to support the proposal to obtain, » AS FORCE BEHIND STATE MEASURES Recommendations Get Spe- cial Consideration by Maryland Legislature. By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. ANNAPOLIS, February 23.—Civie organizations are demonstrating their importance and usefulness during the current session of the Maryland Leg~ islature. Recommendations of the Montgom= ery County Civic Federation, largest and best organized civic group in the Maryland metropolitan area, already have figured largely in the proceed- ings of the General Assembly, while the Prince Georges County lawmakers have been aided by civic organizations on several important bills. Most of the features embodied in the 11-point legislative program sub- mitted to Senator Stedman and Del- egates Canby, Hays, Shoemaker, Can- trel and Magruder by the Montgomery Civic Federation have been incor- | porated in pending bills. Tax Proposal Included. One suggestion, that semi-annual payment of taxes be authorized in Montgomery County, is set forth in a Prescott bill, which already has passed both Houses and is ready for the Governor's signature. Although the idea was opposed by the county commissioners, the dele- | gates, knowing they have the backing of the powerful civic federation, have introduced a measure to abolish the County Liquor Board. It turns the duties of the board over to the county commissioners, who may designate one of their members to give special attention to the work for a slightly increased compensation, makes the county attorney counsel to the liquor board, and provides that appeals from the local authorities shall be carried to the Circuit Court. rather than the State Board of License Commission- ers. Other Civic Federation recom- mendations embodied in pending bills would: Prohibit participation of county or State officials in transactions involv- ing public funds in which they have a personal interest. Provide necessary enabling legis- lation for the construction of a bridge at Great Falls with Federal funds. Make the attorney to the Board of County Commissioners counsel to all other county boards and commis- | slons, except the School Board. (This | 1s at slight variance with the Civic | Federation’s recommendation, as it | exempts the School Board and makes ! no effort to lower the present $5,000 | a year salary of the county attorney. ! instead of giving him a $4.800 salary | proposed by the federation.) _Two other important Civic Federa- lnon recommendations involve State- | wide statutes and have not been in- | coporated in legislation pending con- | ferences on the subjects involved be- | tween the leaders of Montgomery's | delegation and those from other sec- tions of the State. { One would continue the maintenance {of the county highway system under | the State Roads Commission, and the | other provide for a general reassess- | ment of all real property in the | county. Mass Meeting Influence. Prince Georges County legislator: were guided by the recommendations |of a mass meeting sponsored by the { County Community Council regardinz | a proposal to authorize a bond issue | to establish incinerators. It was re- jvealed that public sentiment wa against the plan. but in favor of one | authorizing the Washington Suburban | Sanitary Commission to create publi | dumps. Accordingly, the necessary | enabling legislation is being drafted | _ Another civic group, the College Park Home and School Assocfation proved to be the vehicle through which the legislators learned that res- idents of that town were opposed to incorporation at this time. Other non-political organizations in the county, such as the Federation of Parent - Teacher Associations and the County Taxpayers' Association have submitted legislative programs which the assemblymen admit are in- valuable in shaping proposed lawe to conform to prevailing public senti- ment. -— CHAIRMEN ANNOUNCED Chevy Chase President Naines Heads for Units. Edwin 8. Hege, president of the Chevy Chase Citizens' Association, has announced the following chairmen of committees for 1935 J. R. Manning, Public Utilities George E. Dieffenbach, Education: H. B. Hambleton, Highways: Lewis Rad- cliffe. Membership: H. B. Stabler, Water, Lights and Refuse: A. M. Fisher, Fire and Police: George E. Strong, Laws and Legislation; Dr, John A. Logan, Public Health: F. S. Lincoln, Publicity: Burton Marsh, Safety: Willlam Steuart, Zoning: M. W. Sandmeyer. Parks and Play- grounds: Clayton Aldrich. Library. and H. V. Schreiber, Program and En- tertainment. Gets Three New Members. Three new members were admitted at the last meeting of the Petworth Citizens’ Association, bringing the total membership to 847. The new and Mrs. Isabel Russell. B . Plan “Historical Night.” The March meeting of the Mount Pleasant Citizens' Association will be “Historical night,” R. J. Bowen, pres- ident, announced at the last meeting of the group. at the earliest possible moment, a new bridge over the Anacostia River at Pennsylvania avenue southeast. When this matter was before the federation last year the associations in the southeast were very much divided in their support of bridge projects over the Ana- costia. Different associations advo- cated bridges at different locations and there was no apparent possi- bility of agreement on a single bridge to take precedence over the others. Because of this wide dif- ference of opinion the federation declined to be drawn into the matter. During the past Summer and Fall the forces of the southeast got together and reached an agree- ment to support the proposal for a new Pennsylvania avenue bridge. One result of this agreement was seen at the federation meeting when indorsement of the project was unanimously voted. The proposed bridge at this point also has the support of the Wi Board of Trade, and is being actively urged by its come mittee on bridges, v - members are Peter Hilt. Harold Stall *