Evening star. [volume], May 24, 1936, Page D-4, Image 36

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
■ %
Will Speak Thursday Over
WMAL—Fulton Reviews
History of Parks.
Community Center activities and
their benefits to children will be
discussed Thursday evening by James
G. Yaden, past president, Federation
of Citizens’ Associations, in the fed
eration's weekly series of civic broad
casts over Station WMAL.
Yaden, who represents the Pet
worth Citizens’ Association, was presi
dent of the federation for five years,
longer than any other leader in the
federation’s history. He has always
been Interested in children and is
well qualified to speak on child wel
fare. His weakness for children Is
well known among his closest friends.
To Describe Programs.
Yaden will outline the purposes
and origin of the community centers
and tell how ‘the Community Center
Department carries out its public pro
grams in the schools. He has pre
pared several histories and personal
testimonials from policemen, teach
ers and children who have actually
benefited from the community center
activities, which he will cite in his
radio talk.
Each week the federation sponsors
a civic broadcast over WMAL by rep
resentatives of organized citizenry.
Thomas Ellis Lodge, president, directs
the broadcasts.
Last week Horace M. Fulton of the
Logan-Thomas Circle Citizens’ Asso
ciation spoke on "The Park System
of Washington.’’ •
The Mall and the numerous small
parks were the two main features
of the original parks system planned
by Maj. Pierre L'Enfant, declared
Fulton. Remarks to the contrary,
Fulton believes L’Enfant displayed
great foresight in providing for the
numerous parks for the needs of future
Washingtonians. His plan for the
grand axis westward from the Capitol
to the Monument is now. after 145
years, being put into execution.
History Is Traced.
Fulton continued to deal with the
histories of other parks in the city,
tracing their development down to
the present day.
The Park and Planning Commis
gion in 1932 reported its aims of ac
quiring various types of land, includ
ing the Fort Drive parkway, a system
of recreational centers and play
grounds associated with schools and
providing a play area within one
quarter mile of every child, and the
preservation of streams and valleys
and correction of the boundaries of
Rock Creek Park.
The retention of the old C. & O.
Canal as an historic monument and
recreational waterway is urged by
many civic groups today, including
the Izaak Walton League, the Fed
eration of Women’s Clubs and the
Logan Thomas Association. This
canal, Fulton pointed out, was pro
posed by George Washington in 1774.
had its ground-breaking in 1828 and
was completed to Cumberland, Md.,
by 1850.
ROLLS INCREASED
Progressive Summit Park Group
Gets Addition.
While 10 citizens’ associations of
Southeast were recently conducting a
membership drive, the progressive
6ummit Park organization was quietly
increasing its own roll, although the
group was not a member of the South
east Council of Citizens’ Associations,
Which sponsored the campaign.
William R. Whipp, president of the
group, revealed that since November,
when the association was organized
with 23 charter members, 43 new mem
bers had been added, bringing the
Cumber on roll to 66.
Civic Calendar
Eight Groups Meet—Na
tives to Discuss Plans
for June Outing.
MONDAY. MAY 25.
Georgetown Citizens’ Association, 8
p.m., St. John’s Church Parish Hall.
Final Sprihg meeting until October,
announces Secretary Bernard Nord
linger. Open meeting to Georgetown
residents to attend social program be
ginning at 8:30 p.m. and consisting of
sound motion pictures by the Virginia
State Commission for Conservation
and Development, showing historic
points of interest, and vocal selections
by Barrett Fuchs, tenor.
Mid-City Citizens’ Asosciation, 8
p.m., Thomson Community Center.
Address by Dr. Frank W. Ballou, su
perintendent of schools, on school fa
cilities in the mid-city areo, an
nounces President A. J. Driscoll. Ac
tion on holding a meeting in June
before Summer recess. Law and Legis
lation Committee report; Education
Committee report on practice of
bringing W. P. A. workers into the
Thompson School to be paid. Discus
sion of bus service. Door prize.
North Capitol Citizens’ Association.
B p.m., room 130. McKinley High
Echool. Final meeting until Septem
ber, announces President J. A. Crooks.
Report on compulsory inspection of
automobiles.
Society of Natives of the District. 8
p.m.. Mayflower Hotel. Final meeting
until October, announces President
Fred A. Emery. Annual election of
officers. Discussion of plans for the
annual June outing. Vocal selections
by Mrs. Matt Windsor, accompanied
by Mrs. Windsor.
TUESDAY, MAY 26.
Logan-Thomas Circle* Citizens’ As
sociation, 8 p.m., Logan Hotel. Annual
election of officers announces Mrs.
Ella M. Thompson, president.
Southeast Citizens’ Association, 8
p.m.. Hine Junior High School. Final
meeting until September, announces
President William A. Maio. Report by
Miss Emma A. Bright on smoke nui
sance in Southeast. Final member
ship report by Mrs. Alyse Thume.
THURSDAY, MAY 28.
Conduit Road Citizens’ Association,
8 p.m,. St. David’s Parish Hall. Final
meeting until September, announces
President Frank Shull. Annual election
of officers. Annual report by Shull.
Trinidad Citizens’ Association, 8
p.m.. library, Wheatley School. Final
meeting until October, announces Pres
ident George J. Cleary. Address by
William McK. Clayton, chairman of
the Federation of Citizens’ Associa
tion’s Committee on Public Utilities,
on bus transportation problems. Ad
dress by Elizabeth Peeples, playground
director, on playground facilities.
In the Civic Spotlight
Views of People Who Are Making News
of Interest to District Residents.
Milton E. Diehl, president of the Anacostia Citizens’ Asso
ciation (left), receives the silver loving cup donated by the
Southeast Council for the largest increase during the recent
Southeast membership drive. William A. Maio (right) is mak
ing the presentation. —Star Staff Photo.
JAMES G. YADEN,
Delegate from the Petworth
Citizens’ Association to the
Federation of Citizens’ Asso
ciations. who, as this week's
civic radio speaker, will talk
on community centers Thurs
day night over WMAL.
--—mm -a
DR. FRANK W. BALLOU.
Superintendent of schools,
ivho will appear before the
Mid-City Citizens’ Associa
tion at Thomson School to
morrow night to discuss the
school situation in the area
covered by that association.
SCHOOL CAMPAIGN
Roosevelt P.-T. A. Goes
Ahead Planting Trees
Despite Delay.
Still awaiting action by the Commis
sioners and the School Board, the
Roosevelt High Parent-Teacher Asso
ciation has gone to bat concretely in
its campaign for beautification of
school grounds in the District.
Ernest H. Pullman, president of the
association, said letters have been sent
to both the groups named and also to
the Federation of Citizens’ Associa
tions. Thus far, he said, no definite
action has been taken in any of the
cases, other than letters written ac
knowledging the campaign. He added,
however, that the matter is under con
sideration in most of the organiza
tions.
Trees and Shrubs Planted.
Meanwhile, the parent-teacher group
has taken the lead in its program by
planting more than three dozen trees
and shrubs on the Roosevelt High
School grounds. The plants include
American elms, red maples, dogwood,
flowering and fruiting crabs, gum trees
and gladiola arbutus. The trees were
obtained from the District nursery
through a donation by Clifford Lan
ham, superintendent of the Tree and
Parking Department of the District
government. Most of the shrubbery
was purchased by the parent-teacher
association. The labor for planting was
furnished by employes of the District
repair shop.
Commenting on the progress of the
beautification campaign, Mr. Pullman
said:
Proclamation Asked.
wnne gratnying support has been
accorded the school beautification
movement, much work remains in the
accomplishment of our aims. Of pri
mary importance is a better apprecia
tion by the public of the need for
tidiness in the maintenance of school
areas. This public sentiment could be
focused effectively by issuance of a
formal proclamation by the Commis
sioners calling the matter forcibly to
public attention. While the Commis
sioners’ attention to the matter was
called by me April 30, and their co
operation sought, I have heard noth
ing from them other than a letter of
acknowledgment.
“I look for definite action from the
School Board after Dr. Ballou makes
his report on the matter, and I antici
pate that the Federation of Citizens’
Associations and the District Congress
of Parent-Teacher Associations will
also throw their support behind the
campaign.”
In directing the drive Mr. Pullman
has emphasized the importance of
carrying the work directly home to the
administrative forces of the Individual
schools. “Only through a sincere, last
ing interest in the movement by school
administrators can our work have a
lasting effect. Its success will be meas
ured largely through the results of the
drive in that direction."
MEET AT ST. JOHN’S
Georgetown Group Open House at
O Street Church.
The open meeting of the George
town Citizens’ Association tomorrow
night will be held in the St. John’*
Church Parish Hall, 3240 O street.
It was erroneously announced on
this page last Sunday that the meet
ing would be held at St. Albans.
PLAYGROUND WORK
APPEAL IS SUCCESS
Hoover Site Project Re
sumed After Southwest
Citizens Make Protest.
Southwest Citizens’ Association
complaints that abandonment of the
W. P. A. project at the Hoover play
ground had resulted in both an eye
sore and a hazard have resulted in
resumption of work there.
For years the association has sought
the canal property, adjacent to the
playground at Second and M streets
southwest, as part of the Hoover
playground, since the addition of this
land would almost triple the play
space In area. The canal property
was acquired by the District for this
purpose and a high metal fence was
constructed to keep out vandals and
other undesirables during night hours.
Beginning of Work.
Harry S. Wender, secretary of the
association, said the playground never
was properly equipped, but about
three months ago W. P. A. workers
started tearing down the protective
fence and digging holes in the exist
ing play area in which trees were to
be planted.
After having completely destroyed
what facilities did exist. Wander re
vealed that nearly 500 workers who
were on the project were transferred
and that for nearly three months the
white children in Southwest have had
no other play spaces than the public
streets. -
Fence Is Stolen.
During this time, Wender declared,
the fence, which cost about $15,000,
was being stolen piece by piece as it
lay on the abandoned playground.
The children’s ball diamond was de
stroyed by the tree holes and “the
only thing they could do was to pitch
horse shoes,” Wender said. A small
playhouse, which was secured soon
after the fence had been erected, was
all that remained of the playground
notwithstanding local playground
officials’ efforts to keep it in oper
ation.
At a meeting of the Southwest as
sociation last week, Wender reported
that a child had bee?, hurt by falling
into one of the excavations while
playing. Wender reported he had
appeared before Commissioner Allen,
District works progress administra
tor, and made an appeal for assist
ance in completing the project.
One hundred men were assigned to
playground construction last week
and, Wender declared, 25 were as
signed to the Hoover project.
■--•
SERVICES TODAY
Sons of Union Veterans to Meet
in Mount Olivet.
Pre-Memorial day services, sponsored
by Lincoln Camp, No. 2, Sons of
Union Veterans of the Civil War, were
to be held in Mount Olivet Cemetery
at 3:30 p.m. today. Fourth Degree
Knights of Columbus and the Irish
War Veterans were to assist.
Solos were scheduled by Miss Ethel
Roddy and Miss Marie V. Nolte, and
the Elks’ Boys' Band was to play.
Invocation and benediction were to be
given by Rev. Joseph T. Kennedy of
St. Joseph's Church. Representative
Keller of Illinois was listed as the
principal speaker.
Get Away With $6,000.
ANTWERP, Belgium. May 23 G^>.—
Two persona were killed today in a
pre-election light between Realistes
(Young Fascists) and Socialists. Par
liamentary election will be tomorrow.
*
FIVE-PART PARADE
JULY 4 PLANNED
Independence Day Line of
March in Takoma Park
Is Announced.
According to plans outlined by the
Takoma Park Independence Day
Community Celebration Committee, at
least five divisions will take part In
the July 4 parade under the auspices
of citizens’ associations and veteran
organizations.
The first division will include the
several veteran organizations and
their auxiliaries; the second division
will be for youths and children; third
division for pageants; fourth divis
ion clubs and civic organizations, and
the fifth division for floats and com
mercial entries.
The parade will start at 10 a.m.
from the Piney Branch road portal
on the Maryland side of the town, pass
down Piney Branch road to Cedar
street, to Carroll street, thence on the
Maryland side to Carroll avenue. Den
wood avenue, disbanding at Philadel
phia and Maple avenues in front of
the reviewing stand. At the conclusion
of the parade, patriotic exercises will
be conducted, with Capt. Harold W.
Orcutt in charge of the details.
Athletic Program Slated.
In the afternoon an athletic pro
gram will be staged on the Whittier
Street Municipal Playgrounds, which
will be the finishing line for the 10
mile modified marathon for The Even
ing Star trophy. At 8 o’clock a fire
works display will take place on Phila
delphia avenue, near the Takoma
Park Elementary School.
Chairman Walter Irey of the Gen
eral Committee, announces that Grand
Marshal E. Brooke Fetty has secured
A. E. Greeley, who is 7 feet 4 inches
tall and said to be the tallest man
in the District of Columbia, who, at
tired as “Uncle Sam,” will be at the
head of the parade. Additional ap
pointments to committees include the
following: Sound Equipment; Capt.
Harold W. Orcutt, chairman; Dr. Sam
uel J. Dantzic, Dept. Vice Comdr. E.
Brooke Fetty; Athletics: Capt. Or
cutt; Finance: Hugh E. Reppert, vice
chairman; First Aid: Dr. Charles T.
Carroll, chairman: Grounds: Peter
Remsen. vice chairman. Maj. William
F. Fischer; Assistant Marshal of Pa
rade: George B. Kissinger, and in
charge of first division; Mrs. Ann
Lyddane, command, second division;
H. R. Smalley, vice chairman Patriotic
Exercises, W. R. Spear and Dr. Wil
liam A. Hooker.
Poster Contest.
The children in the various public
schools both on the District and Mary
land sides of Takoma Park have been
invited to participate in the poster
contest which has been placed in
charge of Mrs. Byron M. Coon and
Mrs. Frank S. Harris. Prizes will be
awarded to the winner of the con
test and also for the best poster in
each of the schools taking part.
Individuals desiring to enter the
10-mile marathon on July 4 in con
junction with the community celebra
tion are directed to contact Richard
S. Tennyson, District Building. The
start will be made from a point on the
Mt. Vernon highway and finish about
2:30 p.m. at the Whittier Playgrounds,
Fourth and WMttler streets, Takoma
Park. Other entries for athletic events
are being received by Dr. Samuel J.
Dantzic, 221 Whittier street.
MOVIE DETECTIVES TOIL
JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT
Ohio Pays Admission Prices and
Transportation, but Omits
Salaries.
COLUMBUS. Ohio UP ).■—Twenty
Ohioans attend motion picture shows
as often as they wish and the State
pays their admission and transporta
tion.
Composing the secret service of the
State Division of Film Censorship,
their names are unknown outside the
department. They receive no pay
for their work.
Their duty is to see that no f.lms
lacking the division's approval are ex
hibited and that all pictures are ac
companied by a leader showing they
have been approved.
-———————
DANZIG JOBLESS LIST
CUT AS REICH ARMS
Volunteer Enlistments Cause Fear
Free City Will Favor
Hitlerism.
DANZIG UP;.—Germany’s rearma
ment has had a good effect upon the
Free City's unemployment problem.
But Polish officials here are worried.
The unemployed number sank by
3,000 in March. The big factor in
this was said to be volunteer enlist
ments of Germans, who are citizens
of the Free City, In Hitler's army and
labor service.
This is what worries the Poles. They
fear that Danzig will become closer
to the Reich through the training re
ceived by Danzigers in Germany.
SAFETY COUNCIL
Chevy Chase Citizens Sub
mit Proposals to Reduce
Deaths to City Heads.
Inspired by President Roosevelt’s re
cent safety conferences, which drew
attention to the large number of ac
cidental deaths each year, the Chevy
Chase Citirens' Association has asked
the Commissioners to form some sort
of permanent safety council to woi*k
toward decreasing the accidents from
all causes in the District.
As proposed by the association,
this council would work in co-opera
tloi\ with other official and volunteer
groups in a general campaign of ac
cident prevention. H. V. Schreiber,
who introduced the matter in the as
sociation, points out ttyere are 100,000
accidental deaths in the United States
each year and more than 400 in the
District. Of these about one-third
occur in the homes, another third
in traffic and the remainder at work
or play.
Funds to be Asked.
Under the plan set forth by the
association, financial assistance for
the safety council would be made
available either from Federal or Dis
trict funds and would be used for
expert and clerical services and for
publicity to assist in putting into effect
the plans of the council.
At the same time the association is
making an effort to have traffic acci
dents decreased and traffic congestion
relieved in the District by asking the
President to co-ordinate a program of
staggered business hours among Gov
ernment departments. Attempts to
stagger hours in the past have not
been very successful, according to a
report drawn up by the association’s
Traffic Committee, because there had
been no co-operation between the
heads of the various branches of the
Government who have from time to
time considered staggered hours. The
net result of numerous plans which»
have been worked out and partially
adopted for a while is that three
fourths of Federal and District em
ployes are still going to work between
8:45 and 9 a m.
President’s Aid Asked.
President Roosevelt is asked to co
ordinate the staggered-hour program
because, as head of all Government
agencies, he is in a position to put
in effect a unified program which
will have the desired effect. A three
point plan of action submitted by the
association asks for a complete survey
of working hours in the central busi
ness section of the District, a Joint
board, representing Federal. District
and private business interests to
work out a unified plan for stagger
ing hours so as to give the greatest
possible relief from street congestion
in the central areas and for an execu
tive order from the President requir
ing Federal and District departments
to adopt such plans as are approved
by him and urging private business
firms to co-operate in these plans for
the general good.
MORO IS MARRIED
TO THIRTY WIVES
High Ranking Resident of Philip
pines First Wed in Early
Teens.
MANILA, P I. </P>.—Kakai Dagalan
git, a Moro Datu of high rank in the
Barrio of Maguing. Lanao Province,
is the most married man in the Phil
ippines.
The datu, some 50-odd years old. has
30 wives, many of the mvery young.
The datu is tall, erect and dignified.
A turban adorns his head and he is
heavily mustached.
Kakai acquired all his wives under
Moro laws, in spite of the Philippine
law which forbids polygamy.
The datu, through his multiple mar
riages, had risen to great power be
cause of the size of his clan. Under
Moro laws all the relatives of his wives
become members of his following.
Kakai started on his career of mar
riages while in his teens, and his first
wife, just as old as he is, is very much
alive. Since taking the first wife the
datu has made it a point to acquire
a new wife each year.
Intricate Moro marriage rites mean
that Kakai has spent quite a bit of
his time with wedding ceremonies.
The Moro seeking a bride finds a girl
of equal rank and then informs his
people of his choice. If the dowry set
aside is acceptable to both parties, the
marriage date is fixed. On the day
designated, the man presents the
dowry and gives a general feast. The
festivities last indefinitely, according
to the rank of the would-be groom.
-•
Utah Town Needs No Relief.
BOULDER, Utah (JP).—'This isolated
little community has become doubly
famous. Long noted as a town that
could be reached only by pack trail,
it now has the distinction, says Miss
Lareta Lynn of the county social serv
ice division, that none of its 180 citi
zens is on relief.
Young Cahill Faces Dissension
As Dahlgren Terrace President
With John Cahill. 20, as Its newly
elected president, the Dahlgren Ter
race Citizens' Association has the
youngest civic leader on record.
Cahill was installed in his new office
at last week’s meeting after being a
member of the association for four
years, and now faces dissension over
the new ideas he maintains the group
needs.
Asked for Playground.
In 1932, when James Luers, then
president, became interested in having
younger residents of the community
take a part in civic affairs, young
Cahill appeared to ask for a play
ground suitable for ball playing. As a
result he joined the group and after
persistent effort finally obtained use
of the Crosby Noyes School playground
—to a limited extent. High up on
Cahill's program for the association is
an effort to get more extended use
of the play site.
Under present conditions, it may be
used only during July and August,
Cahill said yesterday, since only during
that-time can the playground depart
ment provide a director.
The only official posts Cahill held in
the Dahlgren Terrace group, until he
took over the leadership, was serving
on the Laws and Legislation and
Membership Committees.
"All the time I was realizing, how
ever," he said, "that what the associa
tion needed was men with youthful
ideas as leaders."
/
Here is what Cahill proposes:
Publication of a monthly bulletin
informing the community of the
activities of the association.
Construction of the Franklin Street
Bridge.
Erection of a firehouse on Four
teenth street.
Electrification of the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad, which runs through
the community.
Cahill proposes to carry out these
aims by stimulating interest in the
activities of the association so the
entire community will be behind every
action they undertake.
But within the association there is
friction. Certain older members ex
pressed the belief last week that "Ca
hill hasn't the experience necessary to
handle the Job.”
Last Meeting ef Season.
The meeting last week was the final
one for the year. During the Summer,
Cahill faces the problem of either
appeasing the dissatisfied group or
facing a vigorous effort by the older
members to reorganize the association
or perhaps even form a new one.
John H. Williams, former president,
expressed the feeling of one faction,
when he aaid, "I fear this new regime
will destroy all the work that had been
done under previous administrations.”
Meanwhile, however, Cahill plans to
push ahead with his program, un
doubtedly with the help of the new
secretary of the group—Miss Evelyn
Reynolds, who is 18 years of age.
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
District Bill Presents Problem for Citizenry—A Bell
With the Walk Light?—Urgent School
Needs Shown by Ballou.
BY JESSE V. SUTEK.
ISTRICT civic new* In large
quantities but of far from
satisfying quality have
filled many news columns
during the past week. The sup
posed conference on the District of
Columbia appropriation bill still
holds the lead both In Interest and
unsatisfactory status. The dead
lock over the amount of the Fed
eral payment continues, with the
managers on the part of the House
maintaining an attitude almost in
dicative of a belief that the Sen
ate has nothing to do with the
matter but must simply rubber
stamp the action of the House.
It is now feared that the bill
may fall and a makeshift continu
ing resolution passed to tide the
District over until the convening
of the Seventy-fifth Congress. Such
action would be very disastrous to
the District, especially if the reso
lution took the form of that al
ready introduced in the House.
The Senate conferees, It Is re
ported, have tried to effect a com
promise but without result. It Is
also said that the Senate members
have suggested that the President
act as arbiter in the controversy
over the amount of the Federal
lump sum payment. It is reported
that this has also been rejected by
the House conferees. Some citizens
have been expressing the hope that
the President would take stn active
part in the matter in line with his
"good neighbor" idea and show his
voteless and unrepresented neigh
bors of the District Just what a
good neighbor he can be.
District day is due in the House
tomorrow with several approved
bills on the calendar. The Sisson
bill is expected to be called up and
to encounter all the fancy fili
bustering known to the book of
parliamentary tricks. Proponents
of the bill believe it will pass if a
vote can be reached. The oppo
nents. it is understood, pin their
hope on preventing a vote. Seven
other bills are ready, having been
approved by the District Committee
on Wednesday. Among these the
only one of major importance is
the narcotics control bill. It is
problematical if any of these will
receive consideration because of
the threatened fight on the Sisson
bill, to repeal the red rider.
Other doings on Capitol Hill in
cluded approval by the Senate
Committee on Education and La
bor of the Wheeler Senate bill to
repeal the red rider on the District
1936 appropriation bill and the ap
proval by the House District Com
mittee of a comprehensive report
on traffic by the subcommiteee
which has been studying the prob
lem for several months. The re
port on the Senate red rider re
peal has been withheld in defer
ence to Senator King. Chairman of
the Senate District Committee.
At the District Building nothing
of a sensational nature occurred
during the week. Prom the Com
missioners down all have been busy
with pad and pencil trying to figure
how the District can manage to
worry along if the appropriation
bill fails and It becomes necessary
to creep along from month to
month under a continuing resolu
tion. Prom any point of view the
outlook is most discouraging for our
“city fathers.”
Public School System Rule
By Gentlemen’! Agreement.
{StTR much harassed public
schools, long confronted with
many acute problems, are now
threatened by a double menace.
First there is a danger that the
District appropriation bill will fail
and with it the few capital items
carried for schools. And now comes
the joint resolution introduced in
the House of Representatives last
week to abolish the Board of Edu
cation. appointed by the District
Supreme Court judges, and substi
tute a board of school trustees ap
pointed by the Commissioners' To
many in the civic ranks this simply
means a substitution of the rule
by ‘'gentlemen's agreement” for the
present board, which is not readily
reached by political influence.
This proposal is regarded as de
signed to serve a double purpose
and possibly others. In the opinion
of some, its principal object is to
remove Dr. Ballou from the office
of superintendent, and its second
ary object is to chastise the present
members of the board for their at
titude toward the ’'little red rider.”
Civic leaders have not learned if
this proposal w as inspired by any
of the local friends of the rider or
if it is just another gratuitous evi
dence of the interest and friendli
ness toward the District of the
member of the House who intro
duced it.
This is an old and discredited
plan, often made, but always op
posed to a bitter finish by the civic
organizations in united formation.
The most recent defeat was within
the past two years as a feature
of the so-called Prettyman bill to
enlarge the powers of the Commis
sioners. So widespread and vigor
ous was the citizen opposition that
the Commissioners retreated and
ordered the bill redrafted and omit
ting their proposal to control the
School Board and the other citizen
boards. Back in the days of Com
missioners Newman and Brownlow
a similar attempt was made by the
Commissioners, but after a hearing
before the Subcommittee on Educa
tion of the House District Commit
tee the bill was killed in commit
tee.
rnougn me nmtuci tumro
now when a number of the civic
bodies have held their last meet
ing of the season, there have al
ready been several to go on record
in opposition. Despite the con
troversy over the "little red rider”
and its proposed repeal by the
Sisson bill, the indications are that
there will again be a united civic
opposition at this latest attempt
to disrupt our schools. On every
hand there seems to be the
strongest opposition to exposing
our schools to political influence.
To Many Pedestrians
A "Walk” Light Means Nothing.
TOURING the week the new ex
perimental "walk” lights have
been Installed at P and Thirteenth
streets, so now there are two in
tersections being so covered. In
absence of policemen at the several
corners these lights mean nothing
to many pedestrians. Some who
do wait for the light seem to lose
sight of what they are waiting for.
This causes them to wake up all
of a sudden and not clear the
crossing before the lights change.
Some observers believe that a bell
signal in connection with the
“walk” light might be helpful in
calling attention to the light.
The Thirteenth street intersec
tion, It is believed, will show the
best results for the reason that no
turns are permitted. At Twelfth
street only right turns are • sup
posed to be permitted on the show
ing of a special direction light just
before the pedestrian gets his light.
Observers on Thursday noted a
number of cars making left turns
during the day.
Citizens who have been watch
ing this experiment express the
opinion that the pedestrian light
makes a decided contribution to
ward solving the problem of the
pedestrian safety at busy crossings.
But it is regarded as only a small
but necessary beginning. The
lights, possibly combined with
bells, need co-operation from
drivers of vehicles and, most of all,
of the pedestrians themselves.
Some optimists believe that the
pedestrians may be educated to
observe the "walk” lights, but
there are many pessimists who
believe a stringent police regula
tion with penalties and policemen
on duty at intersections will be
needed to round out the education.
The Juvenile Court Bill
Under Revision by We6t.
'J'HE Special Subcommittee of
the House District Commit
tee has sent the Juvenile Court
bill to the acting corporation coun
sel. Vernon West, for the incorpo
ration of several amendments.
The principal changes are under
stood to provide that complaints
by-welfare w orkers or others shall
be made under oath, that jury
trials shall be allowed on demand
of any interested parties; that
ample opportunity be given for
appeals from the court's rulings
and that the records of all court
actions shall be made available to
the public. The provisions pro
viding private hearings will not
be altered.
The prospects for this bill getting
through this Congress do not ap
pear very encouraging at this writ
ing. The wide interest and support
of this bill, however. Its sponsors
hope, may bring about Its enact
ment.
Urgent School Needs
Emphasized by Late Figure*.
J'HE urgent school needs are
again made very apparent by
the recent figures of Supt. Ballou.
These calculations indioate a far
greater congestion than ever in
the Fall. There will then be pro
moted to the high schools 7.160
pupils to replace a total of 5.831
to be graduated In June. This will
show a net increase of 1,329. which
will not include many who will
come here from out of town and
others from private and parochial
schools.
A substantial increase is also ex
pected in the elementary schools.
Just how- to take care of this army
of children with a shortage of
class rooms, buildings and teach
ing force is one of the mo6t per
plexing of our immediate civic
problems.
Ajitnc mure civic iniereoi.
manifest than in the school sys
tem through which our boys and
girls must get their education.
The many civic organizations work
ing earnestly for adequate school
facilities have been having a dis
couraging experience. They are
familiar with the needs and have
from year to year brought them
to the attention of the Board of
Education. The board has done
the best it could with its recom
mendations to the Commissioners,
the Budget Bureau and the com
mittees of Congress. But as these
organizations and the school of
ficials note the slow progress in
providing adequate schools and
teachers they also see that the
flood of enrollment rises higher
and higher, with no apparent in
dication of ever even nearly catch
ing up.
Officials can make their building
programs covering a period of 5.
10, or even 20 years, but there is
no assurance that Congress can
be induced to consider them. And
then, if Congress does adopt the
plan, there is no assurance that
the money will be appropriated for
the fulfillment. Those interested
in our schools ask. "How long is
this to continue?” Who knows the
answer?
Ready to Exchange
Americanism for Tyranny.
'J'HE political helplessness of the
District of Columbia commu
nity has been driven home to many
citizens recently with greater force
than at any time before. The num
ber of organized and unorganized
citizens anxious to push the cause,
of national representation for the
District is larger than ever. Many
have been made converts through
the unfair treatment by some of
our legislators who are wished on
us by their voting constituents.
The cause of voteless Washington
is receiving consideration in nu
merous organizations.
Just now it is the subject of de
bate by students in the local uni
versities. National University Law
School discussed the question a
couple of weeks ago and the affirm
ative came off with flying colors.
In this connection it was reported
that the surrender of the valiant
upholders of the negative was com
plete when they admitted that the
affirmative was right. Teamd at
George Washington are now pre
paring for a similar contest.
The Petworth Citizens’ Associa
tion had a lively session at its
meeting last week. Long an en
thusiastic supporter of national
representation, consideration of the
question this time became involved
with a proposal to also go on rec
ord for the election of the District
Commissioners and a council, with
power to the Commissioners, with
the approval of the council, to
name all of the citizen boards.
After considerable debate the
matter was voted to go over to the
Fall meeting for further considera
tion and action, at which time a
guest speaker will be invited to
Address the association.
Butterfly Like Mary * Lamb.
CRANSTON. R. I. OP).—Like the
lamb that lollowed Mary to school, a
butterfly has been fluttering after
9-year-old Robert Phillips for the last
several days, Robert caught the winged
insect last Tuesday and since then it
has followed him to school, fluttering
about hia face, lighting on his head
and arms. It even has “posed’’ with
Robert tor photographs in a class room.
x
BOARD OF TRADE ?
TO I
Meeting for Reorganization
to Be Called Within Next
Ten Days.
>• h the annual shad bake out *>f
the way yesterday, officers of the
Washington Board of Trade will turn
this week to the task of reorganizing
its standing committees for the year
Edgar Morris, president, is now
awaiting replies from members as to
their preferred committee assignments
before naming his chairmen and call
ing them together to outline the year *
work.
Robert J. Cottrell, executive secre
tary, will announce the date of the
meeting, which is expected within the
next week or 10 days.
The new committee chairmen will
be given the replies of members re
questing assignments to certain groups
and from them will select their per
sonnel and name the necessary sub
committee heads.
Public Help Asked.
Better co-operation on the part of
the public is sought by the Better
Business Bureau in its efforts to halt
fradulent door-to-door canvassers who
are working a number of “rackets"
in Washington.
One of these is a group offering
laces and linens for sale at “extremely
low” prices and promising an exhibit
of their products at a leading Wash
ington department store. The exhibit
is discussed, of course, merely to use
the name of the firm represented as
handling the same products. As a
matter of fact, use of the store's name
is a fraud, for the store does not han
dle the lace or linen the peddlers
offer.
In order to stop the frauds, how- *
ever, the Better Business Bureau must
have complaints and facts on which
to work. In an effort last week, when
an attempt was made to prevent a
prospective purchaser from being
“gypped” a member of the bureau's
staff called just a few minutes too
late.
Then the purchaser, already vic
timized, was asked either to write ou;
the facts in the case or to call in
person at the bureau's office so that
a complaint could be made on which
the police could act.
“That's always the trouble." the
victimised purchaser complained, “you ,
either have to go to the trouble of
writing a letter or going to the office."
And with that declaration, refused to
do either.
Mrs. Sallie P. Muchmore. merchan
dise manager, pointed out that noth
ing could be done by the bureau
because the rightful complainant re
fused to supply detailed facts to give
the bureau a start.
Such facts, she explained, can not
be taken over the telephone and must
be made either in writing or in per- ,
son. She pleaded that the public help
to that extent.
•'Booster Plans Progress.
Further details of the plans for the
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso
ciation's "booster excursion” on the
Potomac and Chesapeake were worked
out last week under direction of Lewis
A. Payne, associate general chairman
of the Ticket Committee.
After the meeting Edward D. Shaw,
executive secretary, announced that a
few more vacancies remain for the
boat trip to begin Friday, June 12. ,
and to continue until the following
Monday morning. The attendance
has been limited to 125 members be
cause of the limited boat accommo
dations and most of the tickets al
ready have been sold. Shaw said.
The high point of the excursion
this year will be an Inspection tour of
the new airplane carrier being con
structed at the Norfolk Navy Yard.
Power Meeting Work Begun.
Attendance building plans for the
Third World Power Conference to be
held in Washington September 7 to
12 have already been begun by the
Greater National Capital Committee
of the Board of Trade with the dis
tribution of motion-picture films of
Washington in Europe, according to
Curtis Hodges, executive director.
More than 23 countries are expected
to be represented at the conference,
and the September meeting is ex
pected to be one of the largest inter
national meetings ever held in this
country.
More than 1,000 of the 3,000 dele
gates are expected to come from
abroad.
Mrs. Sallie P. Muchmore of the
Better Business Bureau left yesterday
for two weeks’ rest at Atlantic City.
Lockard in St. Louis.
Thomas Lockard of the convention
staff of the Greater National Capital
Committee will return tomorrow from
St. Louis, where he attended the an
nual convention of the National Safe
Deposit Advisory Council.
Lockard attended with a Washing
ton committee that extended an In
vitation for the next convention to
come to Washington. Close to 400
delegates attended the meeting.
The local delegation Included Al
bert E. Fisher of the Riggs National
Bank, president of the Washington
chapter of the council; Mrs. Helen R.
Sharpe of the Bank of Commerce &
Savings and Richard E. Harris of the
American Security & Trust Co.
ROBBERS SLUG BANKER
Repeat Tactics in Former Job and
Two Killed in Belgium.
VICKSBURG, Mich., May 23 C45).—
Two robbers, hidden in the Vicksburg
branch of the First National Bank
of Kalamazoo, slugged Ferris Owp.lr,
manager, when he entered the ouild
ing to open the bank for business
today and escaped with cash officials
estimated at $6,000.
Oswalt told officers one of the men
participated in a robbery of the bank
in the same manned last September
when $6,200 was taken.
“Horse-Buggy” Days Gone.
GREENFIELD, Mass. OP).—Green
field is at last convinced its "horse
and-buggy days" are over. Ten granlta
hitching posts were cut down yesterday
without a murmur of protest. Twenty
five years ago, when Main street was
resurfaced, the posts, which then were
a quarter century old, were removed
temporarily, but loud protesta by
citizens caused the selectmen to order
them put back. ■»
Marriage Full of Blits.
BEAVER, Pa. </$>>.—Robert J. Bliss,
who obtained a marriage license here,
is hoping for a blissful marriage. Hte
bride. Norma Pike. Is from Bits*. N. Y„
and her mother also was a Bliss. «
■a