Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-10
ASSOCIATION AssA|LED.
Attorney Declares Mt. Vernon Ladies
Board Has $250,000
Invested.

house committee on PUBIC GROUNDS,
the ladies of the Mt. Vernon Associa-
ton were yesterday charged with con-
yertine a work of patriotism into a
commercial enterprise, the profits Of
which were used for junketing trips,
and the maintaining Of an establish
ment teeming with extravaganza. The
association was also charged with de-
liberately violating the law by accept
ing a fifteen-cent rebate on every pas
senger carried to Mt. Vernon by the
steamboat company plying between
that place and Washington.
The hearing on the Mt. Vernon AS
ISOLATION was red hot from the begin
ming. The speakers for and against
the association made no effort to con-
ceal their animosity toward each other
w. H. Lowder, Of Washington, who
is here representing the movement to
have admittance to Mt. Vernon made
free, was contemptuously referred to
by attorney William B. Sands, OF
Richmond, as "an alien coming here to
attact our women.
Lowder leaped to his feet in pro-
test and demanded a hearing. 81 re-
sent that; I must resent that" he
shouted, but Sands refused to be inter-
rupted.
Attorney Frederick r. Wheppler, Of
Alexandria, Va, representing Lowder,
declared that the Mt. Vernon Associa-
ton now has surplus fund Of $780,
900 invested so wisely as to give them
an income Of $4,000 annually.
This he declared would be more than
sufficient to keep up the grounds
and keep the buildings IL Or
der without charging any admittance
fee. Neverless he produced records
to prove that the association took in
more than 100000 additional yearly
through admittance fees and rebates.
"The association board meets and
does what it pleases withthe money"
he declared. ut maintains an admins
trat;oa that is comparatively mere
extra ayrant than that Of govern
ment department. The members vote
money for junketing trips as, for
instance, when they sent number of
their own members to the jamestown
exposition with all expenses paid
and they spend the money as they see
fit.
"In the beginning the association
passed resolution to the effect that
when they had 100000 surplus, they
would stop charging for admission to
the grounds" said Wheppler. when
they got 100000 they had another
meeting and decided it was so easy
they'd wait until they got 100000.
"When they got that amount they
decided it was so easy they would
keep on acknowledgement that's what
they've been doing ever since. They
now have s250,000, but they still
charge for admission.
"Worse than that they maintain an
absolute monopoly. No boat can land
Mt their wharf except the boats of the
company with whom they have con-
tract. They used to advertise these
contracts and let them out to the high
est bidder, but they've stopped doing
even that. They have an everlasting
contract with q company that gives
them fifteen-cent rebate on every
ticket sold and makes up by charging
races that violate lifelong AMI sho"t
haul clause"
Says It's Family Affair"
eLowder charged that the associa-
ton itself was Family affair"
otis supposed to represent the ma
ton but it dosen't," said he. It's a
ring, a clique, that comes down from
mother to daughter. They send out
letters inviting members Of the Daugh
tiers of the American Revolution to
pay fee and join the association, but
they don't invite your wife or my
wife,
Lowder declared the board of yisi-
tors knew practically nothing of real
conditions because they came on specl-
al set days, which were made gala &C.
casions Everything is prepared for
them in fine shape" said ne. "They
are wined and dined and they come
away thinking the members Of the as
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