The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-08-25
CALLS CITIZEN
WITNESSES
NU|SANCES

A stormy session Of the District
Zoning Commission, during which
Harry Wardman, millionaire builder
precipitated a fight by character
izing representatives Of citizens
associations as "nuisances," feat.
ured a hearing today on a petition
for change Of coming regulations
for, the Manor Park section.
At one time Wardman, highly
excited, leaned over Herbert Will
son, chairman Of the coming COM
mittee Of the Manor Park Citizens
Association, tapped him on the
knee and shouted in. his. face:
"You are a nuisance!'
Whirling around, he leveled his
finger at Ernest H. Pullman, presi-
dent Of the association.
You are another nuisance" he
exclaimed vigorously.
Pullman rose and addressed Com
missioner J. Franklin Bell, presid-
ing.
Pullman Objects
81 rise to a point of order" Pull
man said. I'm an interested spec
tator and object to being called a
nuisance"
Eyes. you are a nuisance" Ward
man flared up. "Sit down! We
don't want you and we don't want
to hear anything from you"
Wardman was called to order by
Commissioner Bell, who cautioned
him not to indulge in personalities.
A minute later. however, Pullman
was recognized to speak in opposi.
ton to a change Of the coming rule.
IF It had not been for the Manor
Park Association" Mr.. Pullman be-
gan, "Mr. Wardman would never
have known Of the area at all.o
Good night" Wardman shouted
derisively, and began arguing heat.
eddy with spectators seated around
him.
"Wardman, you have had the
floor; now let this man have it."
ordered Commissioner Cuno II. Ru-l
dolph sharply. Wardman subsidized,
Wanted Zoning Change
The commission had before II a
petition from Mr.. Wardman to
change the coming Of the area
bounded by Underwood, Fifth and
streets and Georgia
avenue, Northwest, from Residential
A Restricted to Residential A area
TO permit construction Of commu-
nifty houses.
Mr.. Wilson presented a petition
signed by forty-three home owners
in the area to prevent the change
and continue restriction to detached
homes.
Mr.. wardman argued for the
change at length. He declared Dis
trict wage earners are entitled to
cheap homes in desirable sections
of the city and protested that his
incentive in asking the change lis
the same as that of Secretary OF
Commerce Hoover-to provide de-
cent, respectable homes for those
who cannot afford expensive quart
ers."
He declared he had no thought Of
personal gain in asking the change.
Pullman said that in 1924, when
Wardman purchased fifty-three
acres Of land in Manor Park, he
was invited to meet with members
Of the Manor Park association to
discuss the type Of buildings to be
erected there. He CURLY refused to
come himself or send a representa-
tive, Pullman said.
1--WE could have ironed out these
differences that have ragged two
years." Pullman declared.
There is no demand for COM
munity houses in this area" he
continued. Mr.. Wardman can de-
velop IN the same manner as other
builders. He should not flout public
opinion. 1t is not right for him to
come here selfishly and ask you to
rezone this property 50 as to fill
his own pocket"
Pullman declared Wardman's
avowed idea is to turn the entire
area east Of Sixteenth Street into
row and apartment house districts.
No Ruling Made
Opposition to the zoning change
asked by Mr.. Wardman also was
voiced by William NICK. Clayton, II.
e. King, Walter Trey and o. N.
Todd.
The Zoning Commission made no
decision on the proposed change.
It will continue its hearing this
afternoon on requests for coming
rule changes in other parts Of the