Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-07
Citizens Body Authorizes Ap.
peal to Courts, if Necessary,
to Combat Raise.
MAY RETAIN COUNSEL
THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS
Unanimous Approval Given Pro-
gram After Protracted Debate
by Delegates.

Determined to prevent an increase
in street car fares, the Federation Of
Citizens Associations at its first meet
ing of the new season last night au-
thorized its public utilities committee to
appeal to the courts if necessary.
The federation also gave the COM
mittee authority to receive contributions
to engage counsel for the legal pro-
ceedings in the event the services Of
Peoples Counsel Ralph B. F1eharty are
not available. The action of the feder-
alton in this respect Is not unprece-
dented. Several years ago it raised .
fund to oppose change in coming
classification before the courts.
Specific Authority Given.
The specific authority given the COM
mlttee IN the street car fight was as
follows:
THAT the public utilities committee
is hereby authorized to determine upon
the appropriate proceedings to be
brought In the courts of the District of
Columbia to prevent an increase in the
rates of fare, and, furthermore, that 1t
is instructed to solicit the assistance Of
the peoples counsel in the prosecution
of such causes as may be determined
upon, and, furthermore, that If the
assistance of the peoples counsel is not
available that 1t be authorized to receive
contributions, engage counsel and pro-
ceed by every legal means to resist an
increase in the rate of fare, subject to
such modifying action as the federation
may hereafter take"
The program for the court fight was
drawn up by the utilities committee and
outlined to the federation by William
A. Roberts, its vice chairman. While
1t was approved without a dissenting
voice, protracted discussion preceded
the vote, during which several efforts
we're made to eliminate and amend the
blanket authority granted the caniniit-
tee to raise fund to pay the fees of
an attorney.
StengIe Motion Tabled.
Principal opposition to the recon-
mendation for the creation Of a fund
to retain counsel came from a small
group of delegates who took q leading
part in the numerous debates in the
federation last Spring over the transit
merger agreement.
Charles I. Stengle pointed out that
"a question of doubt always is raised
when such movements are begun" and
suggested that 'the matter of public
contributions be met when the demand
comes" He then moved that the COM
m1ttee's proposals be considered sepa-
rately, but this motion was laid on the
table by vote of % to "a. Subse-
quently Harry N. Stull offered an
amendment to modify the fund request,
and this. too, was tabled
William NICK. Clayton, chairman Of
the utilities committee, and G.. NJ.
Koockogey led the fight to prevent any
alteration in the committees recon-
mendat1on. This is an honest. fair
and upright fight" Clayton declared.
The car companies are on the shady
side of easy street as far as profits are
concerned, and the public has been
unduly generous"
Will Attend Gas Hearings.
The utilities committee, at its re-
quest, also was authorized to represent
the federation at the hearings on the
valuation case of the Washington &
Georgetown Gas Light Co.'S which be-
gin tomorrow before the Public Utili-
ties Commission. Roberts announced
that the committee would insist upon
fable"
At the very outset of the meeting the
federation unanimously went on record
as opposed to the new location of the
house OF detention at 90S B street
southwest as we'll as it's placement or
any other institution of similar char
acter in a section that is Zoned for resi-
Dental purposes. This action followed
a talk by w. K. Winsatt of the South
west Citizens Association, who vigor-
ously denounced District officials for
establishing the detention home in its
present location, in violation of existing
zoning regulations.
Suter Is Commended.
A resolution introduced by George
r. Wales, expressing the sympathy of
the federation over the illness of Jesse
c. Suter, its former president, was
adopted unanimously. copy will be
sent to Mr.. Suter, together with bou-
quet of flowers. Later the federation
adopted resolution of Alton B. Carly
commencing Mr.. Suter for his ef1cient
services in the interest of the organi-
cation for more than Is years.
Selden M. Ely and Robert Bailey
were appointed by George G. Havenner,
who presided in the absence of PreSi-
dent James G. Yaden, to represent the
federation in the Interfederation Con-
ference. They will fill the unexpired
terms of Mr.. Suter and Hugh Framp-
ton. who resigned.
Although 1t had been expected that
the campaign for the election of a sue
cessor to Yaden, who relinquishes the
presidency November 8, would be for
mally opened at the meeting, the only in
cident of political nature that occur.
red was an announcement by Stengle
that he was not candidate and did
not intend to enter the race. IT have
no desire to engage In a scramble for
an Office" he said.
Stengle had been prominently mem
toned as one of the potential dark
forSas" N, the aIanfio,, cavsorai4,,