Evening star., 1922-03-31
ULLMAN TO QUIT
A. A. A. POSITION
Secretary and Others Resign
as Distastefuf Policies Are
Forced Upon Them.


Ullman declared in his letter OF resig-
nation, that his withdrawal is in protest
at the change in administrative policy
of the A. A. A. since the death Of A. G.
Batchelder. who, with the Mr.. Ullman,
built up the organization.
The members Of the advisory commit
tee w:io followed Mr.. Ullman> in his
decision to sever connections with the
A. A. A are Judge Martin A. Knapp,
Gilbert Grosvenor. John Oliver La Gorce,
Rudolph Jose, Robert Fleming and Con-
rad Syme.
Discussion in the association, it was
stated today by one of those retiring,
has been in evidence since Mr.. Batchel-
der was tragically killed in an air.
plane accident last year and George c:
roads committee, was elected president.
Troubles Become Serious.
Administrative troubles took more
| serious turn a short time ago. 1t is
stated When Mr.. Ullman was called
sional campaign managers had been
engaged by Mr.. Diehl to canvass
Washington for additional members.
and that all agreements heretofore
in force with Mr.. Ullman, as head of
the Washington division, would have
TO be Cancelled
The dues Of the organization were
Immediately raised 100 per cent, and
steps are being taken. according to
Mr.. Cllman, to put the association
wholly on commercial basis. The
resignation of the advisory commit
tee and Mr.. Cllman Immediately fol-
lowed.
Mr.. Ullman's letter Of resignation
to Mr.. Diehl follows:
Mr.. Ullman's Letter.
Because I cannot consistently be
in sympathy with the present ad-
| ministration of the affairs of the Dis
trict Of Columbia Division Of the
and because its entire change Of
policy, entered into without even the
usual courtesy Of consulting me, its
secretary, before such drastic action
was taken. has become source of
embarrassment to me. 7. therefore.
am very anxious to announce pub
licly that I am no longer an eXecu-
tive official of the organization.
Il have had much to do with estab-
fishing and building up the American
Automobile Association in Washing
ton, and l have long been very proud
of the local organization because ii
has been conducted on the highest
plane and has enjoyed the support of
the best of Washington's citizenship
and civic and trade bodies. because
duct above reproach. Honest dealing
and earnest effort have won both the
organization and myself the con-
fidence and respect of the Washing
ton press and public, official and pri-
Yate.
Former Aims sidetracked.
Il am sure that had you first made
real survey of Washington condi-
tions. where we have in direct ratio
to the prospects more members than
any other city in the country, you
would not have entered into the deal
that lifted this organization out of
the hands of the outstanding men
who formed our local advisory board
and put 1t into the hands of crew o<
professional, nonresident campaign
ers. who, l am told by both word of
mouth and by letters, may undo all
accomplished through years of hard
work by myself and my late chief, A.
G. Batchelder.
The former high aims of the Dis
trict of Columbia A. A A. may not
be entirely abandoned. but at least
they seem to be temporarily side
tracked, while the unusual conditions
which obtain here in the nations
capital are disregarded. The sole
object now seems to be to get MEM
berS and money on any basis regard
less of the dignity and BACKGROUND
of the organization. AAl
Hard TO GI.c UP Work.
1T is hard to terminate my work
here after SO many years and to place
behind me the future that i have
A. A. A. and myself. Yet / feel that
with conditions as they are it is best
for me to sever my connection as
quickly as possible consistent with
fair dealing and 50 that the duties
may be taken up by any one whom
int IN TNf,
feel, will be when have completed
the May, number of the American
Motorist. which Is now under way"
Mr.. Ullman came to Washington
with Mr.: Batchelder seven years ago.
The A. A. A. membership in this city
now numbered in the thousands
He has endeavored to direct the ac-
tivities of the association for the
benefit of the local motorist. He was
one of the first to see the necessity
Of good road between this city and
through his untirihg efforts that the
present fine road has been completed.
In 1921 reciprocal rela tions between
Washington and Virginia were in
danger of being Cancelled. Several
Washington motorists had been ar
| a personal visit to Gov. Stewart in
| Virginia. pleading the rights of the
Washington motorist.
The final argument which he used
to the governor was:
Gov. Stewart there is not more
reason for man being compelled to
pay to travel over a states roads to
spend money in the state than there
is for him to pay for the privilege of
walking over well kept floor lead
ing to the counter Of dry goods
store"
Wins Virginia Governor.
This argument convinced the gov
ernor that Virginia and the District
should have complete reciprocity, and
arrests of District motorists who ap-
peared in Virginia with District Of
Columbia tags was Immediately
stopped.
After many people had been killed
on Dead Mans Curve, on the road to
Baltimore. Mr.. Ullman was one of
the leaders in agitating the removal
of this dangerous stretch of road.
The embankment was cut out and
Dead Mans Curve is no more.