Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05
Rudolph Says Board Bought
SnoW-CIeaning Machines.
JOHNSTON NOT TO BLAME
Commissioners as q Whole Are Re-
sponsible, He Says.
WOOD UNAWARE OF ORDER
Said Former Street Cleaning Super
intendent Knew Not of Purchase.
Federation Fails to Act.

Referring 10 the charges filed with the
President by Representative Cary yester-
day against Commissioner Johston, Com
missioner Rudolph says that the pur-
chase OF the sixteen snow-cleaning ma
chimes was an action by the board OF
commissioners. and any charges to the
President concerning them are charges
against the board of Commissioners and
not against Commissioner Johnston as an
individual. Commissioner Johnston is
reported to be in New York and no state
ment has been made by him in answer to
The charges made by Representative
cary.
The Federation of Citizens Assocla-
tons. of which James NJ. Wood, de-
posed superintendent of street cleaning
IS a member, refuses 10 consider a reso-
luton censuring the Commissioners for
removing him from office until all sides
OF the matter are aired before the various
citizens associations of the District.
Mr.. Wood says that the sixteen ma
chimes were purchased in an undetermined
manner, and that he was virtually forced
, 10 sign q requisition for them after they
had been ordered three weeks.
Associations Postpone Action.
BY far the most spectacular feature Of
he aftermath following the unusual spec
tacle of District Commissioner being
charged with injustice, and a petition
asking an investigation, was the wordy
war waged last night by members Of the
Federation Of Citizens Associations
ht the Chamber of Commerce. when
The federation was asked by Charles
protesting against the removal of
Mr.. Wood. and protesting against the ap-
pointment OF nonresident and a man
not taxpayer to the position of superin-
tendent of street cleaning. In the pres
ence Of ME-. Wood the members of the
associations fenced in parliamentary man
ner against the adoption of the resolu-
ton on all sorts of grounds, and finally
majority carried the point by refusing
TO take any action on the resolution at
all until 1t had been referred to every
association which sends delegates to the
federation.
The resolution was introduced under a
suspension of the rules. E. II. Richard
son of the Benning Citizens Association
objected. saying that the matter was q
personal one and that the federation
would become embarrassed by upholding
one man and censuring another. He
pointed out that Mr.. Lancaster had left
the federation at a previous meeting be-
cause of the injection of personal mat
ter in the debates. Mr.. Lancaster re-
piled that his resolution was not an in
dorsement, but statement of facts which
appeal to every one.
Allan Davis said he would not vote on
the subject until the dismissal Of Mr..
Wood had been presented to him on both
sides of the question. Mr.. Richardson
again took the floor to say that he be-
lieved in home rule, but thought it un-
wise to censure the men to whom the
citizens have to look for favors. Mr.. Da-
Wis offered a compromise in the form Of
an impersonal resolution, which was not
voted on. and the predicament of the per-
sonal friends of Mr.. Wood who did not
missioners was saved by the federation
deciding to let the citizens associations
OF the District tackle the question first