Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-14
CITIZENS HOLD MEETING,
ASK JUDSON'S REMOVAL
Northeast Association Criti-
cises Engineer Commissioner.
Defends School Board.

ASSOCIATION Assembled last night at
Northeast Temple. 18th and H streets.
with ten members present, and adopted a
resolution asking President Taft to cause
the speedy removal of Maj. William v.
Judson from the Office of Engineer Com
missioner of the District of Columbia.
The association also adopted a resolu-
ton opposing the passage of the bill
which provides a director of public
schools and the abolition of the board OF
education.
A resolution of coincidence on the sud-
den death of William A. Linton, men,
Der of the association, was adopted.
G. H. Aschenbach introduced the reso-
luton calling for the removal of Com
missioner Judson, A. H. F. Holster and
W. ]. Frizzell seconding it.
The resolution recites that "it has be-
come painfully evident that the deplora-
of Commissioners of the District of CO.
lumbia and the citizens have been brought
about by the arrogant, supercilious and
contemptuous attitude of tine Engineer
Commissioners publicly characterizing the
citizens as coyotes. chronic kickers. etc"
The resolution contained references to
Maj. Judson's financial plan and the eff
concluded with the demand for the Com
missioner's removal.
But One Dissenting Vote.
W. ]. Frizzell. w. s. Bronson, DR.. L. D.
Walter, James NJ. Wood and A H. r.
Holster argued for the passage Of the
resolution.
Samuel Sowerbutts, secretary of the
association, said that Maj. Judson is the
minority Commissioner and that the
power he exercises is delegated to him
by his associates. Disclaiming any in
tention of making a pretense at defending
Maj. Judson, Mr.. Sowerbutts said he was
opposed to attacks and wholesale slurs
cast upon the Commissioners or any one
Of them.
II don't think It is fair" he declared.
~ don't think 1t Is wise. Should a YER
batim account Of what has been said
feel certain that the communication
would be quickly relegated to the waste
basket.
During his criticism of Commissioner
Judson. Mr.. Frizzell suggested that there
might be some "tenderfoot" in the asso-
citation who would take an opposite view.
Mr.. Sowerbutts answered that it would
take a man of courage rather than a
'tenderfoot'' to take the other side.
Mr.. Sowerbutts cast the only dissenting
vote against the resolution.
Opposes Abolition Of School Board.
James NJ. Woods resolution opposing
the passage OF the bill which provides a
change in the method Of governing the
schools was quickly disposed of. His
resolution contained the provisions of the
bill and concluded:
Resolved. by the Northeast Washing
ton Citizens Association in public meet
ing assembled this 18th day of May, 1912,
That We regard the action of the Com
missioners, unsupported by any organ
lied body of citizens, as nothing less than
a conspiracy against our present public
school system, the only local institution
controlled by our own citizens free from
the present military domination of the
board of Commissioners. We believe, and
so state, that this unwarranted attack on
our board of education Is instigated solely
by the personal enmity of the Engineer
Commissioner against certain efficient and
active members of the board of educa-
ton, and we appeal to the Congress of
mendations Of the board Of Commission
ers for the passage of said bill. as 1t
would Increase our taxes without any
beneficial results"
In supporting the resolution. Mr.. Hol-
stem paid a tribute to the members of
Copies OF the resolution will be sent to
the Commissioners. members of the Dis
trict committees in Congress and the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
Work of Executive Committee.
President Tucker reported the work of
the executive committee on proposed
legislation. He told of the fight that is
being waged against the property yard in
West Virginia avenue. of the fight to
prevent a change III the water tax, and
OF the effort to prevent the adoption of
the assessment plan for the payment of
the Anacostia river improvements.
w. 8. Bransom and James NJ Wood
discussed the matter of realty assess
ments. The former told of what had
been done In the matter by Representa-
tive George. and declared that many in
equalities had been found. Some of the
poorer property. he declared. Is assessed
at more than its real value, while some
palatial residences are assessed at about
one-tenth their value.
President Tucker called attention to the
meeting of the Parent-Teacher Associa-
ton that is to be held at the Edmunds
school building tonight.
Attention was called to the effort that
had been made to get a public comfort
| station at Fifteenth and II streets north
east.
The association adjourned to meet In
October.
E1o~~>vs for W~dAa~rs