Evening star., 1923-04-20
ASK DAVIS TO KEEP
KY HOTELS OPEN
90 Per Cent of Guests Sign
Petition Presented to Sec
retary of Labor.

Signed by 90 per cent Of the guests
of KY building, government hotels
q petition asking for the continuance
in operation Of the building was pre-
sented to Secretary of Labor Davis
today by Representative Israel M.
Foster Of Ohio, who has represented
Mrs Jesta NJ. Richards, discharged
manager of KY building, in the pro-
ceedings growing out or her ois-
charge March 10. The petition, Whlch
Mr.. Foster said was begun at >
o'clock last night, and which could
not include names of all the girls in
the building on account of the alb
sence of some Of them, also asked for
the retention as manager OF MIS-
Richards. A similar petition was pre-
sented later to Robert Watson. d.
rector Of the United States Housing
Corporation.
Mrs. Richards will return to her
post as manager. June ], II perlilttea
TO Go so, Representative roster saiu'
Mrs. Sarah L. Sumner. general mai
aser of the government hotels, VINO
discharged Mrs. Richards March ~
on a charge of INSTRUMENTATION or.
dered her suspended yesterday until
June |, when, according TO MRS
Sumner she may be taken BACK II
the general manager sees III
ny Building Is Home.
The petition follows:
THE undersigned, guests row re-
siding in KY building. Government
Hotel, hereby respectfully petition
that KY building be not closed. AS
al -
posted in the Ky hotel on April II,
1923, signed sarah L. Sumner. general
manager.
Each OF us would appreciate being
allowed to remain in ky building,
and hereby assure you that within
less than week from the WitndraWal
of such order more guests VIII apply
Tor admission to KY than there are
vacancies therein. KY building is
our home We are attached to II.
II Is an ideal location from the stand
point of light, car service, health and
efficiency.
May we register with you our sim
cere hope that Mrs. Jesta NJ. Richards.
whom We all respect and love, may
soon be returned to us as our man
ager."
Mrs. Sumner to pay back rent on her
room from the time she was suspend
Foster said.
Representative Foster last night au-
thorized the following statement:
1T is unfortunate. from the View
point OF government hotel manage
ment, that it's general manager should
abandon the policy recommended by
Solicitor Risley. and substitute there
fore a policy of humiliation and re-
venge as evidenced by her siSpending
Mrs. Richards for d period OF hre
times longer than that approved by
the solicitor, and by ordering her to
pay back room rent for the period
Mrs. Richards retained her room at
the suggestion of the Labor Depart
ment and while on leave. In the spirit
Of cooperation Mrs Richards viii
comply. This has been her spirit
throughout and accounts for the 10y
atty of her guests.
THE general manager also pro-
poses to close Ky building against
the unanimous protest of its guests
in order TO deprive Mrs. Richards of
her position as its manager at the end
of her suspension. Too much authority
has intoxicated many people. No Won
der that more than a thousand of
these mature women. guests of the
government hotels. prayerfully petit
tion for the removal OF the general
manager from this position, the emol-
ments of which include rooms for
herself and son, automobile and
chauffeur, and a five thousand-dollar
annual salary"