Evening star., 1922-05-03
BRIGHAM RESIGNS .
IN HOUSING CLASH
Charged With Exploiting Per.
sonaI Views by Mrs. Hell
mick, Chairman.

Charging him with Exploiting
full to the best efforts and usefulness
of the citizens housing committee"
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Helmick chairman
Of that body. has called for the res
ignation Of Henry R. Brigham Of
Boston. and he has accordingly
rendered to her his formal resigna-
ton as a member of the committee.
it was disclosed today.
At the same time Mr.. Brigham
sent to Commissioner Rudolph a let
ter of explanation, in which he files
counter charges to the effect that the
committee does not desire a full and
impartial hearing and consideration
of all phases of the question" the
majority of its memberS not well
coming "any views that may be in
terpreted as representing the inter-
real estate"
Announcement of the request for
Mr.. Brigham's resignation and of his
subsequent letter of acquiescence
came as bombshell in local real es-
tate and housing circles, in view Of
half made not long ago by Commits
sioner Rudolph, when there was con-
siderable agitation by some members
Of the housing committee against the
realtors appointment.
Objection to Attitude.
A letter of Mrs. Helmick, dated
April rs. follows:
My dear Mr.. Brigham:
"At a meeting Of the chairmen of
committees of the citizens housing
committee held yesterday in the Dis
trict building there was a general dis
cussion upon recent publicity and
that of several previous occasions of
publicity through the press of your
published views on the housing sit
uation here in Washington.
Il have been instructed by them to
communicate with you directly and
to say that they feel that your fur
nishing to the press your personal
views upon the subjects they are
making studies of has been hurtful
to the best efforts and usefulness Of
the citizens housing committee, of
which you are a member.
They grant that you have your
rights to your views and beliefs as
a citizen, student or expert. but feel
that you have not the right to exploit
communicate with you directly ana
those views in the press as long as
you are a member of the housing
committee and they are still making
their Investigations.
They wish me to say, to you that
they do not feel that the facts and
figures produced SO far in the in
vestigations will justify your conclu-
sionS and that your articles do not
express the beliefs of the majority
of the committee, and that the ex-
pressions Of your opinions publicly
outside Of the committee, before the
factss have been reviewed, have i'm
paired your usefulness upon the COM
mittee to the extent that they could
not consent to your assisting In maxi
ing the final review and report as has
been suggested.
"Expressions were made OF personal
esteem and confidence, but regret and
disappointment that publicity and
propaganda had entered so largely
into your service upon the committee.
ts,sned, s9ty s.ISI "ELIzABErH A. HELM1ck,
Chairman Of Citizens Housing
Committee"
Resignation in Reply.
In reply, on May 2, Mr.. Brigham, wac
is in Boston, briefly acknowledged receipt
of Mrs. Helmick's letter and rendered
his resignation, requesting that it be
accepted to take effect 'at once"
Mr.. Brigham's letter to Commissioner
Rudolph follows:
my dear Commissioner Rudolph:
'I received yesterday letter from
Mrs. Helmick, as chairman Of the citi-
zens' housing committee, stating that
the chairman of subcommittees believe
that the views which have expressed
on the housing situation in Washington
do not express the views of the ma
jority of the committee and are hurtfnl
to the best interests of the committee.
SO that they will not consent to my as
sisting in making the final review Of the
work Of the committee. I, therefore,
sent her my formal resignation, since I
can be of no more service to the COM
mittee
II wish to express to you. however,
my appreciation Of the honor of my
appointment on the committee, and of
your support when my appointment was
attacked.
Il accepted the appointment with
the sole desire of being OF service to
the District Of Columbia and to the
public in general in studying your
great housing problem. and believing
as do. that such committees should