Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25

that should be kept clear of favorftism
1T was the public schools. He paid
tribute to the high standing and In
telligence of the justices of the Dis
trict Supreme Court, who now appoint
the members of the board of education
The justices do not change every few
years, he said. whereas the Commits
sioners change frequently. Centrali-
zation, he said. was not everything.
we see too much of that sometimes.
The community should have say In
the board of education, which they now
have through the justices of the SUI
preme Court, but which they would
not have through a political board ap-
pointed by the President" he con-
Guided
J. H. Arnold spoke of the advantages
duties. He said that the responsibility
should be placed in the hands of as few
people as possible.
Necessity for Change Not New"
William F. Wight, another member
of the committee, stated that the neces-
| sity for change in the public school
system was not new. 1t had been under
discussion for Some time past, he sai id.
and one member of the committee of
Congress had admitted that matters
mad not been going as smoothly as
members of the board of education
would lead one to believe.
me question of referendum vote on
prohibition in the District was also
discussed at the meeting of the asso-
ent entering into the debate, following
a report on the subject by Dr. D. n
shoemaker, the associations repre-
sentative to the Federation of Citizens
Associations
DR.. Shoemaker requested instructions
as to how he should vote at the next
meeting of the federation when the
question came up for decision. He told
OF the action of the various associations
ana the discussions al the last meeting
of the federation
MAJ d. S. Fletcher moved that the
delegate be instructed to vote for the
referendum. which was opposed by DR..
shoemaker on the ground that it would
permit other questions to creep into
District affairs. He said that he doubt
ed very much if a referendum could be
secured in any case. 1t would open up
number of questions, he continued,
and have very little effect on the
liquor question. 1t would only cause
delay. William Stuart could not agree
with Dr.. Shoemaker as to the possible
effect the movement might have in de-
that may lead to suffrage in the Dis
trict is something the people ought to
favor" he said. II do not believe in
taxation without representation"
Reasons for Referendum.
]. H. Arnold remarked that the fact
that the people were to vote on the
subject would set them to thinking and
force them to become posted on Dis
trict affairs. He thought it would be a
wise thing to bring the question of vot-
ing up to the people. He favored resi-
dents of the District having a vote on
local affairs.
James w. Dyre, a former president of
the association. said he did not think
Congress would give a referendum on
the one question of prohibition If
all questions affecting the District
could be voted on in this manner, he
said, something would be accomplished
President Wilmer G. Plat, taking the
floor. said the people of the District
have wanted a vote for many years.
u am sure that if the question is put
up to Congress the majority of the
members would be in favor of it,"
F. B. Linton thought that the propo-
sition would tend to delay action and
that the residents of the District would
not get the referendum. but would get
delay.
Rev Thomas c. Clarke, pastor of
Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, de-
vored the liquor interests He OBJ
posed the referendum.
President Plat then called for a vote
on the referendum. The result was
seven in favor of 1t and twelve opposed
Mr. Dyre then moved that the delegates
be instructed to vote against the refer
endum. The result was twelve yeas
and two nays. The association left the
matter of admitting new associations
of less than one years existence into
the Federation of Citizens Associations
optional with the delegates.
II. l.. Thornton of the street commit
tee reported that he had investigated the
condition of the streets and walks In
Chillum Castle Manor. as directed by
the association, following the receipt
of a petition from property owners in
that section. and on his recommends
ton the District Commissioners will be
requested to make temporary repairs to
the thoroughfares in that section.