Evening Star Newspaper, November 29, 1936, Page 34

THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, OVEMBER 29, 1936—PART TWO. Civic Leader’s Magic Power GEORGETOWN YULE FETE WEDNESDAY Ceremony Opening Lane at 8 P.M. to See City Officials Present. Gala preparations are near comple- tion for the parade inaugurating the lighting of Yuletide lane, in George- town, Wednesday, at 8 pm. Under auspices of the Georgetown Business Men's Association, the festivities will include at least a dozen marching units and several floats representing com- mercial firms of both Washington and ‘Georgetown. Maj. Ernest W. Brown, superintend- ent of police and a Georgetowner, will be among the officials present, -and Commissioners Melvin C. Hazen and George Allen are expected. Route of Parade. Percy C. Klein, chairman of the Parade Committee, said the parade would form at Twenty-ninth street and Pennsylvania avenue, move west on M street to Thirty-third streets; north on Thirty-third to Volta place; east on Volta place to Wisconsin ave- nue and south on Wisconsin avenue to Canal street. Although final arrangements have not been completed the marching units will be divided by five bands, the Elks Boys' Club Band, the Gordon Junior High School Band, the Police Boys’ Club Band, the Firemen's Band and the Washington Gas Light Band. Floats Are Entered. Commercial firms expected to en- ter floats are Wash B. Williams, Heurich’s Brewery, Chestnut Farms Dairy, the Washington Gas Light Co. and The Evening Star. An American Legion unit, led by Lieut. Horace Lineburg, will march, and the 29th Military Police Com- pany, under Lieut. Donald C. Faulk, will participate. Archer L. Haycock, president of the \jeorgetown Business Men's Associae tion, said it was the desire of the busi- ness men’s group to have every busi- ess man of Georgetown participate the Yuletide inauguration and help make it the community’s happiest Christmas. LESH WILL ADDRESS OLDEST INHABITANTS Plans for Anniversary Celebra- tion December 7 to Be Made at Wednesday Meeting. Paul E. Lesh, attorney, will deliver the principal address at the Seventy- first anniversary of the Association of Oldest Inhabitants, to be held at the Raleigh Hotel Monday, December 7. Among other features of the pro- gram will be George O'Connor, well ‘known Washington singer, according to J. Eliot Wright, secretary of the association, who is chairman of the Program Committee. Further plans for the anniversary will be announced by Mr. Wright at the regular annual meeting of the association to be held next Wednesday in the Old Union Engine House, when | officers for the year will be elected. MORE PLAYGROUNDS, NORTH CAPITOL NEED Secretary Crooks Also Believes Association Should Have Spe- cial Program Officer. Development of playgrounds looms 85 the first order of business for the North Capitol Citizens’ Association’s coming year, according to James A Crooks, secretary-treasurer, who has been re-elected to the post for the coming year. W. P. A. workers were made avail- able last year to work on the Mc- Millan Playground on Michigan ave- nue, but they stopped work when the fleld house, the fence and grading were only half completed. The pro- posed Edgewood Playground, at Lin- coln road and Franklin street, is still “nothing but a vacant lot which hasn't been dedicated by its owners to the District. *“We're going to fight to the limit to get these two playgrounds this year,” Crooks declares, Crooks reflects the views of the other officers for the coming year: E. B. Lawless, president; Mrs. Ada Mills Payne, first vice president; Guy W. Numbers, second vice president, and Charles J. MacMurray, financial sec- retary. Crooks, a young attorney, now holds two positions in the association, having succeeded Selden M. Ely, a former president, as delegate to the federation, together with William R. Sheehan. ~ A need is seen in the association for » program officer who will have charge of getting speakers for meetings and arranging attractions which will en- “courage attendance. Crooks says he intends to suggest this move to Presi- dent Lawless. COMMITTEE TO ASK ROAD-BED HIGHWAY Citizens Want Trackage Space of Abandoned Railway to Relieve Nearby Traffic. ‘The Seat Pleasant and Adjoining Communities Citizens’ Association soon will appoint a committee to go before the Prince Georges County commis- sioners to urge that the portion of the roadbed of the discontinued Washing- ton, Baltimore and Annapolis Rall- road from the Defense Highway to the District line be converted into a State highway to relieve the congested con- " ditions at Bladensburg Peace Cross, it was disclosed yesterday. Officials of the association said since & number of the civic leaders in the northern section of the county are seeking a solution for conditions at the intersection of the Defense High- Taxed by Mustache All Ends W ell, However, for Head of Summit Park Group. BY J. THEODORE CROWN. Alas! The magic powers of William J. Smith, 31-year-old president of the Summit Park Citizens’ Association. have met the supreme test. He has had to produce a mustache in three weeks, Smith, who is an amateur magician, was pledged to the Sigma Nu Phi Le- gal Fraternity several weeks ago and was ordered to grow a mustache in three weeks for initiation. With his magic, aided greatly by na.ure, he has been able to meet the require- ment. During the past year Smith has devoted much of his time to magic work, having appeared more than a dozen times with the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co. Glee Club. He in Alexandria, Va. and Annapolis, Md., but he says his interest in mak- ing cigarettes, cards and silk disap- pear is solely as a hobby or pastime. He is one of the youngest presidents of a citizens’ association and has acted for three years in that capacity in the Suthmit Park Citizens' Associa- tion. During his administration the Summit Park Citizens’ Association has not achieved civic improvements, but has made itself known and rec- ognized us a progressive, civic-spirited association. D.G. SAILING BASE PROJECT IS URGED Burroughs Delegates to Ask Federation to Support Plan for Boys. Establishment of a municipal sailing base in the vicinity of the Army War | College is to be pro) to the Federation of Citizens’ Associations by the Burroughs Citizens’ Associa- tion. Robert M. Furniss, president of the Burroughs group, revealed the plan | | was indorsed wholeheartedly by his | | civic group after Lawton Mellichamp | | outlined the plan at a recent meeting. | Furniss declared the matter was| first brought before the Burroughs | association last Spring, and that he, | before becoming president, had th:‘ idea under investigation for several jmonths. The Burroughs group will | have the question presented to other civic bodies in the city by having its delegates to the federation ask that the proposal be referred to committee for further study and also by carry- ing the plan to the Northeast Con- | ference of Citizens’ Associations. Con- tacts have been planned with the Park and Planning Commission also, | Furniss stated. Cost Set at $25,000. | Mellichamp explained that the proj- | ect should cost about $25.000 for tem- porary construction and equipment on | land already owned by the Federal Government. Only about one acre of | land would be required. Boys from all sections of the city| from the age of 12 years and older | would be eligible to join. Activities would consist of instruction in sailing and boating of varous types and con- struction of various types of water craft. They would be taught how to protect themselves on and in the water at all times, as well, Mellichamp stated. “This is not another plan for a boys’ club,” Mellichamp declared, ex- | plaining that while it will co-operate | with the various boys' clubs, the| Scouts apd other similar organiza- | tions, the project will be city-wide in its scope and will include members | from all sections. | The estimated cost includes con- | struction of & work shop and library, | the cost of boats and building ma- terials and personnel for one yes The first boat would be built on Chesa- peake Bay and sailed up the Potomac. It would be from 16 to 2C feet long and is known as the Chesapeake Bay deadrise type, with V bottom and sloop rigging. Other boats would then be built by boys at the sailing base. Personnel of Project. Personnel would consist of a super- visor, who would be in charge of the entire project; a dock master, who would care for the project and act as watchman; two instructors, who would be selected on their ability as leaders and of high character, and six junior instructors selected from the members of the sailing base. These boys would work up to instructors’ jobs later on, Mellichamp declared. The entire proj- ect would come under the jurisdiction of the Playground Department, but no attempt will be made to have the Playground Department include an item in the 1938 District budget to cover the cost of the project. It could be handled as a Federal project as a model for the rest of the country to show the benefits of rec- reation work of this nature, he said, or it could be financed by emergency relief funds as & municipal project. Mellichamp will appear before the federation Saturday night to explain the project and, he declared, he will speak before any of Washington's civic bodies which are interested in sup- porting the plan. HIGHLANDS UNIT PLANS ELECTION ON THURSDAY H. D. Cole Nominated for Presi- dent After W. Earl Nair Declines to Run Again. Election of officers of the Washing. ton Highlands Citisens’ Association will take place at a meeting of the group Thursday at 8 p.m. in the home of the incumbent president, W. Earl Nair, 3919 Pirst street southeast. Nominations for the positions were held at the October meeting, with tions scheduled for this month, propose | the last meeting Nair, who had ‘When the railroad tracks were re- moved the Seat Pleasant and adjoin- ing communities’ citizens’ assoclations and the mayor and Town Council urged the State Roads Commission se- sure the right of way for a high-speed nominated for president, declined sisting of Mrs. Roy Clark, Miss Vera Barnes and Nair was selected to can- vass the association’s territory in an effort to induce one of the members to accept the position of president. As a result, the committee has nomi- nated H. D. Cole as president. Nair relented to the extent of being nomi- nated A also has appeared at charity benefits|- | Cititzens’ Order WILLIAM J. SMITH. Besides his civic and magic work Smith is & law student at the Na- tional University of Law and is mar- ried and has one child. He lives with his family at 3651 Suitland road southeast. Before coming to Washington Smith attended St. John's College at Annapolis, Md., and graduated from the Bliss Electrical School at Takoma Park, Md. He has been employed by the Ches- apeake & Potomac Telephone Co. for the past nine years and is now in the toll office. NEW NORTHEAST GROUP ORGANIZED Bladensburg Road Body, | Formed in May, Already Has 95 Members. The Bladensburg Road Citizens’ Association, newest addition to the civic organizations of the District, re- ports a membership in good standing of more than 95 members, after being in existence only six months. ‘The group was started last May with about 20 members, some withdrawn from the Rhode Island Avenue Citi- | zens’ Association and some previously | unassociated with civic work. Early | meetings were devoted entirely to or- | ganization under the following offi- | cers: William F. Ryan, presiden Willlam P. Thomas, vice presiden Mrs. N. F. Morfesi secretary; P. Mc- | Cue, financial secretary, and S. H. | Miser, treasurer. The territory of the association is bounded on the west by Pranklin and Vista streets, on the south by R street, with the District line and Bladensburg as the other two boundaries, Joins Northeast Conference. | The group was granted membership | in the joint conference of Northeast | Associations November 5, | and members are now considering aj plying for membership in the Federa- | tion of Citizens’ Associations. An association publication formed | under the auspices of the group, the | Civic News, is published monthly a | week before the meeting date. This | organ is published in collaboration with the Brookland-Woodridge Guide. The editor is B. S. Elliot, who is also | chairman of the Publicity Committee, and the business manager is M. J. Blanke. INKINGMAN PARK AT WESTERN HIGH | o e Lincoln Park Group Also to Ask for Convention Hall and Armory. An appropriation of nearly $40,- 000,000 for the construction of a huge stadium, convention hall and armory in the Kingman Park area will be sought from Congress in the coming session, Joseph L. Gammell, chairman of the Legislation Committee of the Lincoln Park Citizens’ Association, announced yesterday. In making the announcement, Gam- mell said the Lincoln Park Citizens’ Association was entering a wider field of activities than that prescribed by the limits of the association's terri~ tory. The stadium, armory and conven- tion hall would be located at the east end of East Capitol street under the proposal. The plans :all for a seating capacity in the stadium of 100,000, only 4,000 less than the largest one in this country. Gammell pointed out that the Na- tion’s Capital needs a large conven- tion hall to accommodate the many conventions that are selecting this city as a meeting place. The city offi- cials would not have to convert Union Station into banquet hall for such meetings as the World Power Confer- ence with the proper convention hall, Gammell said. In case the entire amount was not a grant from the Government, the project probably could be financed by staging foot ball games, champion- ship boxing contests and wrestling bouts, Gammell indicated. Under the present arrangements used by the Army and Navy foot ball teams this city could realize over $200,000 if the annual game was played in the sta- dium. CAMPAIGN RENEWED 70 OBTAIN SCHOOL Bradbury Heights Children Must Travel Miles, Citizens Say After 7-Year Drive. Citing the recent development of the Fort Dupont section as but & further manifestation of the need for at least a temporary grade school n Bradbury Heights, members of the Bradbury Heights Citizens’ tion are doing all in their power to effect the construction of a one-room, temporary school building. The association has been working for the last seven years in a vain at- tempt to bring about their aim, first asking for a permanent school, and lately seeking a temporary establish- ment with the view to future expan- sion. The situation at present, according to O. E. Robbins of the civic group. is almost unbearable. The unnecessary bother, expense and danger connected with sending small children to schcol several miles away is proving one of the major family problems in ihat community, he said. Most of the children are going to school in Brad- bury Heights, Md., or in Anacostia, 2 miles away. W. D. Willis head of the Schools Committee has for the last three years been in constant touch with school authorities but has been unable to in- Feeling themselves large enough and properly organized, the group has | recently adopted a program setting forth the civic improvements it in- | tends to seek for the area. Most emphasis is placed on the condition | of streets and street lighting, 10 dis- | tinct improvement operations being | listed on the program: | 1. The opening of an arterial high- way supplementary to Bladensburg road to relieve the road of the heavy | Annapolis traffic. 2. The opening of South Dakota | avenue to meet Bladensburg road. 3. The opening of Adams street from Thirty-first street to South Da- kota avenue. 4. The opening of Twentieth street between Evarts and Channing streets. 5. The opening of Channing street from Queens Chapel road to Twenty- first street and the widening and grading of Twenty-first street between Channing and Bryant streets. 6. The widening and surfacing of Lawrence avenue from Bryant street to the Baltimore & Ohio underpass. 7. The improvement of Bryant street from the Queens Chapel Road Bridge to Seventeenth street. 8. The surfacing of Franklin street from Twenty-second street to Vista street. 9. A traffic light at the corner of Thirtieth street and Bladensburg road. 10. A pedestrian subway at Doug- las street and Bladensburg road, simi- lar to the subway on Benning road. Sidewalk Need Cited. Next in importance to the associa- tion in improvements for their area are sidewalks. They see a need for the building of sidewalks in more than seven of the streets of their territory. The group feels that walks should be placed on Bladensburg roed from New York avenue to Channing street on the east side, on both sides of Twenty- eighth street from Bladensburg road to Franklin street, on both sides of Franklin street between Twenty- eighth and Thirtieth streets and on Douglas street, Evarts street, Thirtieth and Thirty-firsts streets, where there are no walks now. The group also intends to give its | attention to the need of schools in the area, desiring the appropriation of funds for sites for an elementary and a junior high school in the Bladensburg road territory. The association meets the first Monday of the month in the Church of Christ, at Twenty-eighth and Douglas streets northeast. SEAL TO SPEA Columbia Heights to Hear Talk on D. C. Legislation. past, present and future District legislation at the meeting of' the Columbia Heights Citizens’ Asso- ciation Tuesday night, Mrs. Margaret H. Worrell, president, announced yes- y. A motion picture by the American Automobile Association entitled “A Challenge to Chance,” is also listed on terest them in the construction of the simplest school building. “The situation is acute” Robbins concluded, “and Bradbury Heights, because of its recent growth, merits a grade school every bit as much as the rest of the Southeast section. It's de- sirability as a residential section wili be severely damaged if steps are not taken, and taken immediately, to pro- | vide the children with local educa- tional facilities.” Associa- | Civic Groups West of Con- necticut Avenue to Push Plan Before Congress. A campaign for a night school at Western High, begun two years ago, will continue this year when delegates from civic organizations west of Con- necticut avenue present a request to the Budget Bureau and congressional subcommittees that a $10,000 item for operating the school one year be in- cluded in the 1938 District budget., Already the delegation, of which Dorsey Hyde, delegate from the Georgetown Citizens' Assoclation, is chairman, has appeared before the Commuissioners with their request. At present about 40 organizations, in- cluding citizens’ associations, parent- teacher associations and other civic groups, are backing the movement. Drive Two Years Old. The drive for a night school at Western started about two years ago with a mass meeting at the Gordon Junior High School. At that time Edward J. Lockwood, director of night achools, estimated that it would take about $10,000 to operate such a school for one year. The meeting had been calied by the Conduit Road Citizens’ Association, whose Education Commit- tee had initiated the movement. Since then the association has been enlist- ing the aid of other groups in the campaign and every association con- tacted, with the exception of the Cathedral Heights - Cleveland Park Citizens' Association, has come out in favor of the school. One group, the Friendship Citizens’ Association, | requested that it be held at the Wood- row Wilson High School. | Need Is Cited. | A night school is needed in West- | ern Washington, Mrs. Joe Lyddane, delegate from the Conduit Road Asso- clation, claims, because the two schools open at present, Central and McKinley. are so far away that it takes an hour or an hour and a half to reach them. She says also that these two schools are so overcrowded that they cannot accommodate all pupils wishing to attend. | Western has been selected as an| ideal place for a night school because it is in the center of the area it would | serve and because it is already fully | equipped. |[REMOVAL OF PARKWAY AWAITS APPROPRIATION North Carolina Avenue Proposal of Southeast Business Men Approved by Officials. | Removal of the center parkway on | ‘Nonh Carolina avenue southeast be- ' | tween Third and Eighth streets has| | the indorsement of the District Com- missioners, the Park and Planning { Commission and the National Capital | | Parks office, but actual work on the | removal is pending until an appropria- | tion is made, it was announced yester- day by Louis F. Frick, secretary of the Southeast Business Men's Association. | Frick recently wrote the District offi- cials asking that the parkway be re- moved. He stated in his letter that the | association considered the existing condition on the avenue a menace to safety, pointing out that Fire Engine | Company No. 8, located on North Car- olina avenue near Seventh street, had | difficulty in leaving its station and proceeding down the street in answer to an alarm because of the narrowness of the avenue. Private vehicles also find it hazardous, he added. a—te s Original Seeds Few. ‘The Marquis variety of wheat, which supplied millions of bushels to the allies during the World War, was grown from a small experimental packet originated in Ottawa in 1903 by Dr. Charles E. Saunders. With the Associations Firemen Shifts and Abattoir Questions Draw Atten- tion; Twelve Organizations, Including Federa- tion, to Meet During Coming W eek. HOW THEY STAND. The attitude of District citizens’ associations on current city-wide problems, as registered through last Thursday, follows: One-Man Street Cars, 2 Oppose 18 Automobile Weight Tax. - 12 0 EVIEW of the civic week from Thursday, November 19, to Thurs- | day, November 26. Conduit Road—Complained of street | car conditions and tracks on the Cabin John line and requested use of “Provi- dence type” of one-man car on this line; opposed increase in gasoline tax; opposed higher real estate taxes; op- posed diversion of gasoline tax funds. Glaver Park—Approved three eight- hour shifts for firemen; opposed con- struction of abattoir in District; op- posed diversion of gasoline tax funds; opposed any increase in gasoline tax. Takoma Park—Indorsed William McK. Clayton, chairman Public Utili- ties Committee of the Federation of Citizens' Associations, for post of peo- ple’s counsel; reaffirmed to removal of tracks on Third and Ken- nedy streets; proposed the following new bus route: Pifth and Cedar streets south to New Hampshire avenue and Sherman avenue into Ninth street, south on Ninth street to Constitution avenue and thence west to terminus in vicinity of Munitions Building. Soclety of Natives—Indorsed recomi- of Executive mendation Committee to award cerfificate of merit to native ‘Washingtonian who accomplislies the greatest good for the District. Georgetown—Opposed three eight- hour shifts for firemen. Mid-City—Approved construction of abattoir on Benning road and Kenil- worth avenue northeast. Benning—Reaffirmed approval of abattoir construction: opposed opera- tion of one-man street cars; protested “dangerous speed” of street cars and complained against dim headlights on street cars. - Logan-Thomas Circle — Approved firemen’s three-platooned eight-hour shifts; praised work of W. A. Roberts as people’s counsel and asked con- tinuation of this office. Southeast—Opposed issuance of per- mit to the Adolf Gobel Co. for con= struction of abattoir in Benning; act- ed to support the Christmas work in which the National Broadcasting Co., ‘Warner Bros. theaters and the Metro- politan Police Department are co- operating with The Star; asked Con- gress for item in 1938 District budget to provide for construction of Oxon Run interceptor. CIVIC CALENDAR. 'HE following citizens’ associations fire scheduled to meet this week: Monday, November 30. Trinidad, 8:15, p.m, Wheatley | School library. Tuesday, December 1. Columbia Heights, 8 p.m., Fourth Presbyterian Church. North Cleveland Park Citizens’ As- sociation, 8 p.m., 3923 Windom place. ‘Wednesday, December 2. Oldest Inhabitants, 8 p.m., Old Union Engine House. Friendship, 7:30 pm, Janney School. Thursday, December 3. Bradbury Heights, D. C.; 8 pm, 4600 Bowen road southeast. Northeast Joint Conference, 8 p.m., No. 12 preclnc;‘ T Progressive Summi pm., East Washington Heights Baptist Church. ‘Washington Highlands, 8 p.m., 3919 Pirst street southeast. Friday, December 4. Burroughs, 8 p.m., John Burroughs School. Chillum Heights, 8 pm., Keene School. Satarday, December 5. Pederation, 8 p.n., board room, Dis- trict Bullding. < Civic Bodies tional Representation Recognized As Need No. 1—Red Rider Controversy Seen As Impediment to Schools Program. BY JESSE C. SUTER. IRST things, unfortunately, do not always come first. For years the leading civic, labor and business organi- zations of the District of Columbia have supported the movement for national representation for the Dis- trict of Columbia. It has been on their legislative programs, but has not always occupied that No. 1 place which its importance de- serves. Since our recent voteless na- tional election day there has been & general awakening among the organizations and the local press. ‘This interest during the past two weeks has been also reflected in the press “out in the United States.” This really appears to be the most noteworthy matter of im- mediate civic interest. Standing out conspicuously in the advancement of the cause is the word which has been received from the great convention of the American Federation of Labor. By a unanimous vote its action of many years is reaffirmed, and stronger than ever is its deter- mination to end this system of tyranny which has too long con- tinued at the Capital of our Nation. Final announcement was made during the week that the Com- missioners of the District of Co- lumbia will put into operation on March 1, next, a system of licensing of public parking lots and garages. This, it is expected, will bring them under rigid inspection and regulation. Places for storing four vehicles or less are not included. The fees are graduated on a ca= pacity basis and are intended to cover the cost of inspection and regulation. Just how these fees are to take care of such costs is something which some citizens are unable to see. Receipts from these parking places will have to be deposited in the Treasury of the United States and can only be expended through appropriation by Congress. To provide an adequate inspection force will require con- gressional approval. Some of these civic wise ones claim that many commendable rules and regulations for the pro- tection of the community fail through the lack of angadequate inspection force. So her nother little problem for solution. Dismissal by Justice O'Donoghuye of the petition for injunction of the Pioneer Novelty Distribution Corp. is hailed in civic circles as a very definite blow at a wide- spread form of gambling. The corporation sought to have the police restrained from seizing the 10,000 pin ball machines being op- erated throughout the District. Justice O'Donoghue, in the course of his discussion of the case, gave as his conservative es- timate that these machines here have been doing a business of $30,000,000 a year. The case is expected to be appealed to the Court of Appeals, but the judge declined to restrain the police until the case is decided by the appellaie court. United States Attorney Garnett has persistently pushed this mate ter and immediately upon the dis- missal of the injunction proceed- ings requested the Police Departe ment to give operators 24 hours’ notice to remove such gambling machines. Mr. Garnett is being highly commended for the way in which he has handled the mat- ter. The Zoning Commission, after a public hearing, has adopted amendments to the zoning regu- lations to apply particularly to the erection of the large abattoir at Benaing. It also further restricts or prohibits the erection or opera- tion of a number of manufactur- ing businesses. The action of the Zoning Com- mission further emphasizes the fact that Washington is unlike other cities with which attempts are made to compare it. In pre- senting the plea for fiscal equity for the District, representatives of the Citizens’ Joint Committee on Fiscal Relations has called attene tion to the fact that manuface tures are discouraged in the Dis- trict. Other peculiar conditions obtaining here have been cited and the action of the commission is only another confirmation of our committee’s contention. Voteless D. C. Women Enlist Influential Allies. RGANIZATIONS of mere men or those of the mixed va- riety can learn a very practial plan for effective use, in the inter- est of District legislation, from the Voteless District of Columbia League of Women Voters. At the recent luncheon meeting of the Executive Board they had as their - special guests the presidents of the State leagues of both Maryland and Virginia, accompanied by the heads of some of the general departments of these State leagues. In all there were 18 of these women who came to Washington for the meet= ing. It was truly a good-fellowship meeting, and these sisters seemed to get real pleasure through this neighborly contact. Everybody was made acquainted, and each of the visitors was fittingly and de- scriptively introduced to the as- semblage. This was all perfectly regular, but the visitors were told at the outset by the president, Mrs. Wil- liam Kittle, that they were not expected to make any speeches. She told them that they had been invited over to hear some reports made by some of the local depart- ment heads and that sheir assist- ance was sought in obtaining sev- eral pieces of needed legislation. Mrs. Louis Ottenberg, in charge of the legislative information service, introduced three of these depart- ment heads who explained as many proposals and made definite appeal for aid with members of the Maryland and Virginia dele- gations in Congress. These legislative items were pre- sented in the following order: National representation for the District of Columbia, by Mrs. Charles H. Weston; 40-hour week, 9y Miss Mary Anderson, and re- peal of the red rider, by Mrs. E. W. Chapin. Each proposal was explained clearly and the need for its enactment into law at the earliest possible moment. The visitors were most atten= tive and sympathetic and pledged their _voteless and unrepresented sisters their very best effort in sup- port of the several measures. The local league will have other legislative proposals later, but the plan is to concentrate effort on these three at this time. National representation is regarded by them as the key to the solution of many of our other problems. “Red Rider” Impediment to Needed School Legislation. OP!NING guns of the campaign for the repeal of the much “cussed” and discussed “Little Red Rider” have been fired in several quarters. To the Chevy Chase Citizens' Association probably be- longs the distinction of firing the first. The next was the League of ‘Women Voters, and more recently Dr. John R. Fitzpatrick, dean of Columbus University Law School, in a radio address appealed to the citizens to work for repeal. In his opinion, the majority of the citi- zens of the District want this law repealed. He called upon the Fed- eration of Citizens’ Associations to make its position clear. ‘The matter is under considera- tion by other groups and there is a strong desire that the contro- versy be gotten out of the way of the school building program. These people believe the red rider and the controversy it has engendered op- erate as a serious impediment to needed constructive school legisla- tion. They express the belief that the contending groups could get to- gether and work for the real school needs if the obnoxious law was re- pealed. Many of those in civic circles, who have taken particular interest in the schools, know the serious handicap to the pupils through overcrowded buildings and oversize classes. They know of the shortage of teachers and the old buildings which have long ago outlived their usefulness. They express confi- dence in the efficiency, loyalty and patriotism of the officers and teachers of the school system. There is also widespread expres- sions of equal confidence in the Board of Education. These citizens say that if there are among these fellow citizens any “black sheep” who are trying to indoctrinate pu- pils in communism, fascism, nazism or any other un-American “ism” they should be singled out rather than place a stigma upon every one from the superintendent to the lowly laborers who clean the buildings. We Help Inaugurate, But Do Not ‘Help Elect a President. INAUGURA’X‘ION plans, under way, are another reminder of the peculiar position of the vote- less and unrepresented “subjects” of the great American Republic. ‘These people do have some sem- blance of having a hand in the job of the inauguration of the Presi- dent. For many years the arrange- ments outside of the strictly offi- cial part at the Capitol has been regarded as a strictly local job for these “subjects.” When the crowds come to Wash- ington for the inauguration there will be an opportunity afforded the wide-awake civic leaders to see that these visitors gain from their visit a knowledge of the un- American condition existing here at their Capital City., They should also learn ‘that as good' orthodox Americans we are dissatisfled with our lots as such and have a defi- nite plan to make us American citi- zens. From past experience in such educational work and from knowl- edge gained through visits “out in the United States” many of our people know that many of our vis- itors will be surprised and shocked to learn that such a state of affairs exists right here at the headquar- ters of the Government. “Jo get the most out of this op- portunity for educational work, with the sovereign Americans, civic workers should be perpared with the facts. There will be some gen- eral attempt to spread such infor- mation through the activity of the Citizens’ Joint Comr ittee on Na- tional Representatiot: as has been done at several inaug -rations. Vol- untary workers will 2= required to carry on this work and funds will also be needed to pay for the print- ing of literature appropriate to the occasion. In addition many local people will have as their guests “folks from back home,” and these are the very ones we need to reach, for the members of our “exclusive Legis- lature” give real heed to them. To do his or her part with these visit- ing friends each citizen must be well informed. There is time now to get this information and the Joint Committee is ready and anxious to supply it free of charge. Such civic ammunition may be had by applying at Room 425, Evening Star Building. Here is an opportunity to help solve the first and key problem of the District of Columbia. New Street Signs Generally Approved. ANY citizens who only find ground for complaint at the District government are enthusi- astic in their praise of the street signs installed on some of the streets recently. The old signs sus- pended from rods on the light poles were very attractive with their gold letters on a dark background. They are very beautiful and perfectly legible in the daylight, but at night they could seldom be read without the aid of a spotlight. The new signs are on a strip of ground glass placed just at the bottom of the electric light globe and at a very convenient angle for reading in all four directions. The letters are dark on the white trans- lucent background and are perfect- ly illuminated by the street lamp above.. The idea is somewhat after the old signs on the gas street lamps with this variation, the new signs are at an angle and below the light. These signs are equally visible to pedestrians from the sidewalk and occupants of vehicles in the street. Among the most enthusiastic in praize of these lights are the taxi drivers, Three Members Die. ‘Three members of the North Capitol Association have died in the past month:- James O’Connell, vice presi- dent of the A. F. of L. for 23 years and & prominent member who served on many and committees; J. T. Bresnahan and Mary W. Barber. T'wo new members who have joined the Fanning 14 CONVENTIONS SET FOR DECEMBER Annual Midwinter Dinner of Trade Board Slated February 6. Fourteen conventions, compared with nine held in the corresponding period last year, will be held in Wash- ington during the month of December and will bring some 5,000 delegates here during that period, it was an- nounced yesterday by Curtis Hodges, executive director of the Greater Na- tional Capital Committee. The conventions scheduled are as follows: Association of American Feed Cone trol Officials of the United States, Raleigh Hotel, December 3-4. Eastern regional meeting of the National Restaurant Association, May= flower Hotel, 7-9. National Conference on Educational Broadcasting, Mayflower Hotel, 10-12, American Public Welfare Associa=- tion, Wardman Park Hotel, 11-13. Junior Hadassah, Mayflower Hotel, 25-28. American Folklore Society, Carlton, 27-29. National Conference on College Hy= giene, Wardman Park Hotel, 28-31. American Student Health Associa- tion, Wardman Park Hotel, 28-31. Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Mayflower Hotel, 29-31. Conference on Venereal Control, 28-30. Regional meeting of American Ase sociation of School Physicians, Warde man Park Hotel, 28-31. Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Willard Hotel, December 29-January 1. American College of Physical Edu= cation (post convention), Wardman Park Hotel, 30-31. National Drug Trade Conference, no date set. Disease Dinner Set for February 6. With more than two months to go, the Washington Board of Trade last week circulated among its members announcement of the annual Midwin- ter dinner to be held at the Mayflower Hotel on the evening of Saturday, February 6. C. Hayward Marshall is chairman of the myyting and the entertainment theme will be “The Show Boat.” Pro- fessional acts, as usual, will be brought to Washington for the occasion. In making the announcement, Mar=- shall forecast an early sell-out, whici has been usual for the dinner, Two Warnings Issued. Joseph W. Marshall, director of the Better Business Bureau, last week issued two warnings to the public against solicitations for funds which he found to be fraudulent. The first of these, confined to tele= phone conversations, asked for $5 pure chases of “Helping Hand Seals,” ale legedly for the Toner School, a unit in the public school system for colored tubercular children. The school has never and does not | now solicit funds from the public, be- ing supported as all other publie schools are financed. Marshall asked |that the public contact the bureau before responding to the call.” The in- dividual offering to collect the funds has been barred from the United States mails five times under fraud orders, The second warning from Marshall was the result of personal solicitations for the athletic fund for the Catholic University of America. The school learned of the fraud when a single check was mailed in to the assistant treasurer and he inquired of the rea- son why the money had been mailed. A group of comparatively young men are believed to have been making the solicitations. Restaurateurs to Hear Roper. Directors of the Washington Res- taurant Association, a branch of the national association and a division of the Merchants and Manufacturers’ Association, last week perfected their plans for the annual convention of the National Restaurant Association to be held here December 7, 8 and 9. Seccetary of Commerce Daniel C. Roper will be one of the chief speak- ers at the meeting. Announcement of the plans was made by Julius Lul- ley, president. Luncheon Planned. Because of Thanksgiving day, the usual luncheon of fhe Junior Board of Commerce was canceled last week. Plans have been made, however, for a luncheon session this weel. the first to be held since the beginn ag of the Community Chest drive, CONDUIT ROAD PLANS YULE CELEBRATION Live Fir Tree to Be Decorated With Appropriate Ceremonies on Christmas Eve. As in previous years, the Conduit Road Citizens’ Association will sponsor a celebration and tree-lighting Christ- mas eve. This year, however, the celebration will take place on the grounds of Palisades Park, the newly completed recreation center, overlooke ing the Potomac River above George= town. In the past it has been held in the center parkway of Conduit road. A live fir tree will be planted in the park grounds and will serve as a permanent Christmas tree. Previously the association had to purchase a new tree each year, secure permits from the engineer's office to have it placed in the parkway and have electrical outlets brought down to the tree. Although as yet arrangements are not fully completed, the association plans to decorate the tree with bulbs and electric lights and to invite the Boy Scout troop and local civic leaders to participate in the lighting cere mony Christmas eve. Last year candy canes were distributed to children at- tending the ceremony, and this proved s0o popular that it may be repeated this year. TO SEE PARK FILM Manor Park Group Also to Hear Legion Speaker. Motion pictures of the District parks, loaned by the National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, will be shown at the next meeting of the Manor Park Citizens’ Association on December 7. Arthur Kriemelmeyer, & member of the association, will speak in connection with the film. George W. Phillips, commander of the Fort Stevens Post of the American Legion, is scheduled to address the organization on the same night.