The Washington times., 1908-11-26
Joint Meeting of Citizens
Associations Opposes Pre-
pared Plan.
PRESIDENT GIVES
NEW ASSURANCE
Roosevelt Notifies District He Will
Not Urge Reynolds Scheme
Before Congress.

4 severe jolt was given the propa-
sanda for one-man rule In the District
last night, when the meeting called
by the propaganda Ia the Riggs House.
not only failed OF the adoption OF
the cut and dried resolution prepared.
but was compelled to force through an
other resolution IN order 10 get some
semblance Of action.
In passing this resolution. several
motions 10 adjourn were overridden,
but when it was passed. and several
committeeman wished 70 be recorded
as against it. or as taking no part II
the action of the meeting, the meeting
was summarily declared adjourned.
The resolution which was practically
adopted without opposition is as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That a committee Of one
from each citizens association be ap-
pointed b. the chair 10 consider the
proper form Of seIf-gOvernment for
The District OF Columbia and report TO
this body at a special meeting called
for the purpose within one month
offered BY L. W. oyster.
Letter From President.
Another jolt was given the movement
when DR.. Arthur B. Crane. president or
the Park View Citizens Association,
read a letter received by him from the
White House under date OF November
a. in reply to an inquiry as TO whether
or not the President would recommend
any change in the form Of government
OF the District OF Columbia at the pres
ent session. The reply was in the mega
tive. II is as follows:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, d. c.
A. B Crane, President Park View Ciu-
Dear Sir-Your letter of November 3
Is received. and in reply / beg 10 state
that the President has no intention at
the present time OF making such a rec
OmmendatiOn to Congress as the one
you mention. Yours very truly,
WILLIAM LOEB, Jr..
Secretary 10 the President.
November q. 1903.
This letter was read by Dr. Crane.
when he took the floor in opposition to
q resolution by A. ". kinnany calling for
the submission of three questions on the
manner of change desired, If any, to all
OF the citizens associations. The pro-
ductiOn OF the letter lays aside all
doubt as 10 whether the Reynolds plan
OF change would be recommended at
this time by the President, thus giving
the propaganda prestige before the Dis
trtct Committees.
Fourteen Represented.
Only fourteen Of the thirty-eight Cii-
zens' associations were represented at
the meeting which was called as a
Joint meeting Of committees OF citizens
associations Of the District. Commit
tees from several Of the associations
asked that no action be taken, as IN
the call for the joint meeting It was
expressly stated that the meeting was
only for the purpose Of discussion, and
not for action, and therefore they could
not act or vote on any question.
When an effort was made 10 get
vote on a resolution practically IN
dOrsIng a change Of some sort. resOlu-
lions and amendments flew thick ana
fast and there was much confusion
There was apparently general senti-
TnenL in the meeting for some form OF
suffrage, but views on the question
were at great variance Many men were
with Dr.. Crane in urging that the ques-
ton OF suffrage and change in govern
ment be held IN allegiance during the
short session, until the gas question Is
settled.
The meeting was called TO order by
Wilton Lambert, and IL started with
smoothness and precision An oTganiZa-
ton was perfected by the election Of
Louis p. Shoemaker as permanent chair
man, and 5. McComas Hawkins as per
manent secretary.
Produces a Speech.
Mr.. Shoemaker, upon taking the chair,
produced a long typewriter speech, and
made an eloquent plea for suffrage and
a change in government. He declared
the present form OF government was
unreDl1blican and in violation OF the
most sacred traditions of our country.
As Nh Shoemaker had cold, the
speech was read by Mr.. Clayton