Evening star., 1928-05-06
CITIZENS DEFEND
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Federation Votes Confidence
in Four Men Attacked After
Heated Debate.

A backfre from the Citizens Advisory
Councils Endorsement Of the transit
merger plan threw the Federation of
Cltlzens' Associations into turmoil last
night ana an nour OF acrimonious de-
pate resulted In the adoption of a
resolution expressing utmost confidence
in the integrity Of four eouncilnen who
inquired in the discussions.
The federation's action came az
sequel to a recent attack on the folIr
members OF the council by William
NICK. Clayton, chairman of its public
utilities committee. The matter vaS
brought before the federation In the
form OF report by a special Commit
tee headed by c. A. Barker. appointed
10 investigate to determine the accuracv
| OF Mr.. Clayton's statements as recorded
IN newspaper. This report declared
tnat the remarks of the public utilities
committee chairman were correctly rp-
ported, but 1t contained no recomnen-
dations.
Two Threaten to Resign.
AS soon as Mr.. Barker finished read
hg tne report Charles l. SteneIe a
MEMBER OF the council, called upon Mr.
Clayton to explain the significance of
certain OF his remarks which we're
MADE before the BrightEood Citizens
association, and this led to a protracted
"rangle over past activities of the
council and the federation with respect
10 the merger agreement. In the
course OF the debate two delegates 70
TIE IeoefatIon threatened to resign IN
NsS the constantly recurring outbreaks
incidental to the proposed meTger a~e
abruptly ended.
Mr. Clayton insisted that a lobby was
created for the purpose of forcing
snroogh the merger plan now pending
IN Congress. and declared that because
OF MS vigorous fight In opposing the
agreement in its present form he has
peen tralled while at the Capitol. and
tnat visits had been made 10 his bank
70 ascertain certain things"
Mr. Barker's report was finally
ADOPTED unanimously after a futile effort
hao oeen made to amend it 70 "depscrs
ana condemn" Mr.. Clayton's criticism
oL the Tour counclmen. The reSolu-
tlon subsequently adopted. voicinr the
federation's confidence IN the fnte~ritv
OF the four men, was INTRODUCED bv
David Babp. secretary. and a delegate
1rom the Lincoln Park Citizens Asso-
citation.
Woman Fire Company Report.
A previous debate connected with
the merger. which came almost AT the
very outset of the meeting was soon
ended, however It concerned rssUFu-
, Clons sent IN by the Trinidad and Co
lumbla Heights Citizens Associations
oojecting to delegates holding positions
Win pubic utility corporations. These
we're tabled
Another warm debate was precipitated
oy q report OF the fire and police COM
nittee, submitted BIZ N T. Jennev vice
chairman. which criticized the Rri4ht-
wood Citizens Association for seudiuc
20 the federation resolution urging
tle organization Of q FIRE company COM
posed exclusively of women.
Inc report declared that the reSolu-
tlon was nothing short Of an tnslIIt
70 the dignity" Of the federation. and
characterized such exhibitions OF b,If
Ioonery as highly unbecor1irg TO a efti-
zens association, and only Calculated
70 hold up to ridicule the entire bodv
OF organized citizenship" Mr.. Claw
ton defended the action OF the associ-
ation with a declaration that If the
Ieoeratlon wanted "a knockdown fgnt
on the proposition" he was ready 10
start It. After several parliamentary
maneuverS and discussion over prcresed
amendments to the report. it was or
deFed filed
| Reports on three bills pending in
CONGRESS. presented by Thomas Lodge
Chairman Of the law and legislation
committee, were approved. one IN
| corSed in principle the Capper blCs
/ sky Law bill. The other two approved
/ oillS TO provide a complete code of m
| surance for the District and making II
| mandatory for District officials 10
notify property owners Of special asses
| mentS for benefits An amendment was
recommended to the former which would
empower the District Commission zrs In
stead OF the President 10 appoint ths
superintendent of insurance.
To Aid Celebration.
| The federation also approved the re-
/ tention OF the Brookiand -woodrtdre
/ designation signs on the motor buses
on the Rhode Island avenue line Of the.
/ washington Railway & Electric Co
and q change in the designation signs
on the street cars OF the company cper-
atinS TO the Dalecariia Reservoir fror,
| Chain Bridge to Potomac Heights.
The public celebrations committee
i was instructed 70 Cooperate with tn,
| group arranging an historical pageant
! commemorative The commencement Of
the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in 1878.
/ which will be held May s6 This action
/ followed an explanation Of plans for ths,
/ affair by Mrs. Marie Moore Forrest ana
| Mrs. Fred T, Dubois.
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