Evening star., 1926-03-14
COUNCIL ELECTION
DRAWSATTENT|0N
Nominations Will Close Tues.
day-Baker and T0rbert
Decline Places.

| Eoteless Washington will witness
its second election of semiotficial
| body to voice the wishes of the local
citizens before Congress and the Dis
trict officials when on April the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
many neighborhood organizations. will
elect six members to the Citizens Ad-
viSory Council. Two colored men,
bers of the council will be elected by
The Federation of Civic Associations.
Interest has increased IN the cleo
Ilon OF the council, which in the last
year won recognition by cOngtesSlon-
al committees and the District Com
miSsioners, with the announcement
that nominations will close Tuesday.
With virtually all associations hav-
ing taken action on the matter. Is
names already have been proposed.
among them the eight incumbents:
Charles a. Baker, William s. Torbert.
W. |. Swanton, DIR. George G. Haven
ner. Harry y. Stull and George r.
Wales, who represent white associa.
tions, and Dr. George II. Richardson
and George #. Beason, representing
the colored groups.
Decline Nominations.
Mr. Baker and Mr.. Torbert have de.
clined to accept denomination.
Other nominees are: Frank l.. Peck
ham, James G. Yaden, Proctor l..
Dougherty, William G.. Henderson,
Mrs. Harvey w. Wiley, Mrs. Frank
Hiram Smell. Robert F. Mancill. DR..
D. y. Shoemaker. Ernest y. Pullman,
+. NJ. Cannon. Henry Morton Phillips.
Fred S. Walker, John A. Saul and
Robert Strobel.
Jesse c. Suter Is president Of the
council by virtue of his being presi-
dent Of the Federation of Citizens AS
sociations. His present term expires
next November.
Mr.. Suter yesterday issued call
for support of the advisory council as
1t now stands. protesting against sug.
gestions for changes In its plan of or
ganization. which he characterized as
either impracticable or designed to
bring the dissolution of the council.
He was supported by Engineer Com
missioner Bell. who declared that the
council had justified its existence and
prophesied that it would develop a
greater degree of efficiency and prac-
tical service.
Does Not Bind Citizens.
"It should be clearly understood"
Mr.. Suter declared, that the advisory
council cannot in any way bind the
federation or any of it's associations
by any Of its decisions. Each associa.
ton and the federation Is free to act
on civic projects independently of the
council. That was provided in the
draft Of the council plan adopted by
the federation and the District Com.
nissioners.
II am not In favor Of any Of the
PROPOSALS that have been made for
changing the council plan, including
those made by the Georgetown Citi.
zens' Association providing for elec-
ton of council members by members
Of the various neighborhood associa-
tons instead of by the delegates to
the federation. Such an election
would be tantamount to a general city
election, which would not be carried
out without the setting up of an eiab-
plan Is right in theory, but 1t could
not be effected here without the great
cost. A law would have to be passed
such an election"
Citizens associations could not pro-
vide the rigid supervision" necessary
to insure an honest election, he said,
pointing to the strict rules which
govern the election by the federation.
Decries Criticisms.
Mr.. Suter protested against the
criticisms which have been made Of
the present council plan by the West
End. Georgetown, Mid City and Du-
pont Circle associations and declared
Ill their objections to the present
council could be explained to the salts.
faction of impartial observers. He
as 'bosh" the charge of
the Georgetown association that the
makes no written reports to
the Federation. 1.-THE council plan
specifically provides" he said. "that
the president of the council shall make
reports every month Of the actions of
the council. This has been complied
with. We have rot been able to pub.
lish printed statements of our reasons
FOR action on the many bills and
projects because Of lack Of money in
The federation treasury.
But. as was promised, the House
District committee had IS copies of
the first legislative report of the
to tine District Commission
ers published and r.ade available to
the federation members
Mr.. Suter added that he makes
verbal reports Of the action of the
council at each meeting of the feder-
alton. He pointed out that a change
in the organization Of the council
could be made only with the sane
ton of the District Commissioners,
who fostered the original develop
ment Of the body.
Commissioner Bell yesterday reiter-
ated his statement Of last week that
the council is doing good work. which
more than ilstifes its existence.
The council has good start and if
supported will develop into real
authentic spokesman for I'LL Dis
trict residents. he declared.
POLICEMAN IS INJURED,