Evening star., 1919-11-02
v. B. WESIlAKE.
AGAIN IS CHOSEN
FEDERATION HEAD
Citizens Associations Body
Names Other Officers, Dis.
cusses Public Questions.

W. b. Westlake, delegate from the
Connecticut Avenue Association, was
reelected president OF the Fedora
tion Of Citizens Associations at the
annual meeting OF the federation in
the board room OF the District build
Ing last night.
Jesse c. Suter, delegate from Pet
worth. was elected vice president to
succeed George H Russell, who de-
clined PREDICTION. Leland r. Ather-
ton Of Piney Branch section was re-
elected secretary. and Capt George
W. Evans Of the West End Associa-
ton again was chosen treasurer.
VIII Attend Phone Hearing.
The federation decided that its
public utility committee should at
tend the hearing which win open be-
fore the Public Utilities Commission
tomorrow morning to decide whether
existing telephone rates in the Dis
frict should be raised or lowered
after December 1. The present rates,
which were ordered by the Post Of
nee Department early this year, will
automatically go out of existence on
that date.
Discussing the telephone question,
William NICK. Clayton, chairman OF
the federation's utility COMMITTEES, de-
cIAred that II It is shown that the
expenditures II the telephone COM
pany were increased BY extensions of
service which 1t was called upon TO
make for the federal government the
people OF the District should not be
required to meet those expenditures
oy naving their rates increased.
Tne Federation also instructed its
utility committee to attend the hear
ing, which 10 to be held at the District
building November II to determine q
whether the fees which the Potomac
Electric Power Company charges for
the extension OF its condufts to the
homes ot prospective consumers are
George n. Russell Of Park View.
who brought this matter up, said he
could not see why q citizen should
have to advance the cost Of extend
ing the company's conduits in order
that the company may Sell its power
to the citizen.
Education Committee Reports.
The report of Mr.. Suter, chairman
Of the education committee. indicated
that the federation intends to take
an active part in solving problems
facing the public schools Of the Dis
trict during the ensuing year. His re-
port, which was adopted, provided
that conference shall be called in
the near future Of the school COM
mitteeo OF all the citixens' associations
to consider important questions af-
important Of these is the question OF
whether Congress shall be asked to
permit the people Of the city to elect
the board OF education. The board il
now appointed BY the Judges OF the
District Supreme Court.
association. the Petworth. has voted
to turn over to the federation two $50
liberty bonds to be used in the cam.
paiEn to get suffrage for the District
and in obtaining better service from
the public Utilities. .. --(,...r..-s.-
Would Compel Traction Merger.
Charles s. Shreve, chairman OF the
committee on law and legislation, re-
ported that his COMMITTEES rs at work
drawing up the bill which the fedora
tion will have introduced in Congress
to compel the street car lines Of the
city to merge. The same bill will ask
Congress- to create 9 public utilities
commission for the District that will
be separate from the District Commits
sionefs. Mr. Shfeve said his commits
such q bill at the next session.
Mr.. Westlake, who il entering upon
his second term ~ president Of the
federation. outlined to the delegates
the important things which the or.
ganisation accomplished during the
last ewelve months.
Mr.. Suter told the delegates Of the
elaborate plans which have been
made for the city wide drive. which
is TO be conducted late this month. to
enroll every man in the District In q
citizens association. He announced
that the central committee in charge
Of the drive probably WOULD, open a
downtown headquarters within q