Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-24
DOUBT OF DELANO'S
ELIGIBILITY RAISED
HeImick Also May Not Be in
Position to Accept D. c.
Commissionership.

regarding the legal qualifications of
at least two of the prominently men
toned candidates-Maj. Gen. Eli A.
Helmick, inspector general of the
Army, and Frederic A. Delano.
The executive committee of the
Thomas. Circle Citizens Association,
although not opposing Gen. Helmick
personally. has raised the legal point
that a retired Army officer could not
qualify as a civilian Commissioner.
= In the case Of Mr.. Delano no or
ganiZation, so far as is known. has
questioned his legal status, but dis
cussion has been revived as TO
whether he has voted elsewhere with
| in the past three years which would
render him ineligible. one report
| going the rounds is that he voted in
Chicago in 1924, but with MIR. Delano
in Europe this could not be settled
here today.
Named to Park Body.
An interesting angle to this ques-
! ton developed today when 1t was re-
/ called that Mr., Delano was named
| by the President recently as the
| District of Columbia member Of the
| new National Capital Park and Plan
| ming Commission. although he has
| not been sworn in as u member of the
| commission because of his absence
| from the country.
! The act of Congress reorga nizins
| the park commission into city plan
! ming agency provided for an enlarged
! membership. and stipulated that one
of the additional appointees should be
bona flde resident of the District.
! IT would seem that If Mr.. DelanO is
| eligible to qualify as the District
member Of the planning commission
| 1t would throw light on his eligibility
| for the commissionership.
On the other hand, should the re-
ports that he is still ineligible to meet
| the legal requirements for District
| Commissioner be found true. 1t might
| affect the carrying out of his appoint
ment to the city planning agency.
! The park commission law merely
| states bona fide" without attempt
| ing To define bona fide.''
Secretary Doubtful Of Status.
Mrs. Helen j. r. Starr. secretary
/ to Mr. DeIano. did not know today
when Mr.. Delano terminated his legal
residence in Illinois, or whether ne
voted in Chicago in 1924. She said
| that MIR. Delano has lived In Wash
| ington since 1914, when President WIZ
son appointed him to the Federal Re
serve Board but she had no dennlte
| knowledge as TO his voting status
outside the District.
| lust prior TO the appointment OF
] Commissioner Fenning. in June, 1923,
| it was reported that President I9oi'
I idge looked favorably upon MI. De
Iano hut it is generally understood
! that the President was satisfied that
at that time Mr.. Delano was IN
! eligible.
THE question seemed to hinge TO-DAY
-, whether the lapse of one year since
! .ba+ time has removed the legat par
,.ier then existing. If. as rumored' vi.
! ealano voted in 1924 the three-yedi
| Ieeal residence clause for tor1lhlis-
s;orer would still prove an obstacie'
| II was suggested in some quarters 70
/ dav however, that the question may
have hinged on the payment OF "h
tax in some other place rather lli'"
/ the actual casting of vote.
Relieves Helmick Ineligible.
The executive committee 81 !ne
| Thomas Circle Citizens Associd ti il,I
! 10 sas its contention that Gen. helIlliCN
- 20. LEGALLY qualified on the decision
/ nf tbe Tinted States Supreme Court
/ - tho cases of United States vs.. ItlCtl-
80 w TYLER. rendered in March. lSe-~
According to members of the eNeCu-
! tive committee of the association, 'Lie
| co,rt held that retired Army oiiIcel
| l. stilI subject 10 the Articles oil war
| a,,d liable to a call back to duty. IheH
| hold that the spirit of the Ia" soNTl =.
| ing the District of Columbia Is ma
| there would be two civilian Columns
| sioners and that the selection ol s ~
| tired Army ofhcer Woulu oe 4"
with that statute.
A. tho same time. the executive COM
p,ittee. at a meeting presided over by
| president Harry ID. Murray lhdorseu
| tbs candidacy of Frank Spriggs Perry,
/ Icca1 attorney. Resolutions Will De
| santsto the President, both as to Mr..
| Perry and relating the legal conten-
| ion regarding retired Army ofilcefs.
While this action was being taken
| nv the Thomas Circle group, howekti l.
| the Mount st. Adams Council OF Clu-
gems Associations went on reGu.u ca.
/ haa,t;lv Endorsing Gen. Helmick tof
| 1,omn,issiouer. The council includes
! the following associations: Burlelth'
! picbmond Park. Cathedral HelShts'
English Village and Wesley Heghts.
| Cen. Helmick has taken an active IN
| terest in citizens association WORK ior
several years.
Perry Strongly Urged.
Friends of Mr. Perry, acting through
Fred p. Myers, another attorney yes
terday issued a statement settlns
forth the qualifications of Mr.. Perry
| fo,. the Office of Commissioner.
The statement pointed out tnat ne
has long been a bona flde resident
/ of the District and active IN CIVIC
affairs. He has made thorough
study of the constitutional status OF
The District Of Columbia and has also
| been close student Of the fiscal re-
| lationS between the United states ana
| District Governments.
The Southwest Citizens Association
| held a special meeting ON the GROUNDS
| Of the Fairbruther School, 10th and II
1 streets. southwest. last night and rec
commended Capt Albert j. Headley OF
| the fourth police precinct for appoint
! ment as commissioner
| George Yeatman, president OF the
| association, said the meeting was
called following preparation of pc
! tition by 20 members. as required for
| the holding Of a special session. Eand
| that the purpose was to concur I'm a
similar endorsement previously given
| Capt Headley by business men of the
| Southwest.