The Washington times., 1920-01-21
PETWORTHC
FIGHT VAN SCHA|CK
Adopts Resolution Opposing
His Confirmation for Com
missioner of D. c.

hc SltlZCnS hbbOSidtiOhs
which has 900 members. last night
at its regular meeting. passed a reso-
lution opposing the nomination Of DR..
John Van Schaick for District Com
missioner. The resolution was adopt
ed by an overwhelming majority fol-
lowing a heated discussion.
The resolution was introduced by
Jesse c. Suter, chairman OF the school
committee and delegate to the Fed
GRAFTON OF Citizens Associations from
the Petworth organization.
BASED On Three Counts.
The opposition to Van Schaick was
made. on three counts, first, that he
was temperamentally untitled for the
position; second. that his record as
chairman OF the Board OF Educatich
proved that ne could not qualify for
higher office: and, third, that his
having retained his voting residence
In New York State rendered him In
eligible.
In his introduction of the resoiu-
tion Mr.. Suter elaborated on the
statements made in that document.
He asserted that DIR. Van Schaick's
actions as chairman Of the Board Of
Education had caused some of the abl-
est business men OF the city to re-
tire from that body because they
were unwilling to serve with him.
Attitude On Hospital
Perhaps the greatest opposition to
Van Schaick came as the result OF
his attitude in connection with the
location Of the Municipal Hospital
several years ago. In the hearing
before the Commissioners at this
time, Mr.. Suter stated. the meeting
was one Of the most orderly he had
ever attended.
Ivan Schaick described the citizens
appearing at this hearing as mob I"
he declared.
Mr.. Suter said that he had been
reliably informed that DR.. Van
Schaick was disqualified because Of
his retention of his legal residence
in New York.
The resolution was opposed by J.
S. Carr, president OF the association.
and by r. j. +. McElroy, financia.
secretary. Mr.. Carr bitterly attacked
the resolution on the ground of in
expediency and stated that the nom
nation had been opposed on the
ground that the nominee was a min
lister OF the gospel.
He also objected to the question
OF residence being raised against DR..
Van Schaick because OF the fact tnat
for the past three years he had been
in Belgium in the interest of the
Government and it was. therefore,
unjust to oppose him on this ground.
The argument of inexpediency a6-
vanced by Mr.. Carr raised violent
opposition from A. B. Caldwell who
declared that "for members Of she
association to refrain from express
ing their views because they might
later he compelled to ask favors CT
DR.. Van Schaick in his capacity as
Commissioner would be to sfulify
themselves"
Lincoln Resolution.
The association adopted resolu-
ton urging that the statue OF Lin
coin recently removed from the court
house grounds be placed at Fort
Stevens, where President Lincoln was
under fire during q Confederate at
tack on Washington. This resolution,
adopted in Endorsement Of the petit
ton Of the Brightwood association
made at their last meeting, was in
troduced by A. B. Caldwell.
A school committee was appointed
to represent the organization in the
School Betterment Council.
Charles w. Fairfax, former presi-
dent Of the District of Columbia Real
Estate Association, spoke on "Own
Your Home" the days Thrift Week
topic. In his introduction Of Mr.
Fairfax, Mr.. Carr pointed out that
practically all Of the members Of the
association present owned their own
homes. Mr.. Fairfax stated that, in
his experience in real estate matters
In this city, he had found that less
than / per cent of all persons who
started to buy homes on the Install
ment plan failed to pay for them.