The Washington herald., 1920-11-05
Congress to Be Asked About
Hendrick and Miss
Boardman.
WOULD ELECT HEADS
Suffrage Association Makes
Effort to Gain D. c.
Right to Vote.


tion adopted last night by the Co
lumbia Heights Citizens Associa
tion.
This action came on the heels o
an announcement by Winfield Jones
chairman Of the National Press Com
mittee for District suffrage. that hi:
organization would fight the con-
hrmation of the civilian Distric
heads.
See UItcriOr Motive.
The associations move was in
spired by Charles c. Lancaster, who
declared in a speech that the re-
cent award of increased rates to the
Washington Gas Light Company by
the three Commissioners sitting as
the I'ubIIc Utilities Commission Wa:
probably Influenced by the fact that
both civilian Commissioners had an
Light Company"
Jones, in an afternoon statement,
said that the press committee op-
poses the confirmation OF Hendrick S
appointment on two grounds: that
L. Was appOIntiVe anu that the
Commissioner was not privileged to
to join in the decision on the ap-
plication of the Washington Gas
Light Company for a rate increase
The press committee, Jones said.
will oppose the confirmation of Miss
Boardman, because We do not want
any other Commissioners appoints
ed in the, District, but elected herd
after. Commissioner Boardman,"
the statement continues. has also
expressed herself ss opposed To- io-
cal District suffrage, and on those
grounds alone We would fight her
confirmation before the Senate Dis
trict Committee" =
The gas rate matter referred TO
in the statement is one aired at
hearAgs before the Public Utilities
Commission, October Is and 81, on
an application of the Washington
Gas Light Company for an increase
in rates, since granted in part.
Clayton Challenged Right.
At that time William Mex. Clay
ton. representing the Federation of
Citizens Associations. challenged
the right OF Commissioner Hendrick
10 sit on the case as a public utiii-
ties official.
Later testimony showed that the
stock. consisting of 2,31S shares. was
transferred on September IS from
Hendricks name to that of Charles
]. Corby, and Hendrick declared on
his own behalf that on the transfer
of these shares before assuming his
office of Commissioner, he lost
"around 100000 the stock having
deprecated nearly fifty per cent from
the buying price. He had concluded.
he said, that to take such a loss was
sufficient penalty to pay to Justify
me in the minds eye of the peopIe
Of Washington as being an honest
and fair man"
Afterward Agreed on Him.
At the succeeding session of the
hearing. Clayton took occasion to
declare:
II he CHendrick) feels that he can
sit in this case and help determine
II, We acquiesce in that There is
no minted coin of the realm that
rings more true to me when thrown
on the board than the word of
Southern gentleman"
Hendrick yesterday refused to
make any statement in reply TO
Jones, pointing to the minutes of
the record of the hearing as stating
his position. He further suggested
that Jones put any charges against
MN in this connection in the form
OF an affidavit. but this Jones de-
cltned to do. declaring he would
leave the determining of fact to an
investigating committee.
Seeks Welfare of ID, C.
Miss Boardman, apprised of tho
stand taken against her confrma-
tion. said:
MY whole feeling in the matter
is purely what / believe to be the
welfare Of Washington. II we had
political parties here and 1t came
TO going to Congress with a divided
citizenry. as would surely be the
case, We would weaken our cause.
Il should be sorry to feel, how
ever that i was in controversy with
anyone who believes himself acting
Tor the good of the District. We
must approach such matters as
these carefully. with regard, first,
TO the citizens right to vote: and.
second. to the welfare of the whole
The viewpoint of those opposed
to suffrage in the District seems
to me at present the better one. But
want to be absolutely open-minded /
n the matter" |
Colpoys' stand Not Personal
John B. -Colpoys. chairman of the
labor committee of the National \
Press Committee, and editor of the
Trade Unionist declared last night
mis- belief that labor in the Dis
trtet is opposed to the further ap-
pointment of the District Commits
sioners and that citizens of WASH
lngton should enjoy the rights OF |
prranchlsement as much as those
of any other capital.
1t is upon these grounds that
We propose to fight the confirmation
of Commissioners Hendrick and
or any others who NAV
be appointed to fill these positions"
he 'eid- There Is nothing per-
son1l. however. in the objection /
which / shall offer against the con-
armation CT J. Thilman Hendrick
,r Miss Boardman.- !