Evening star., 1928-04-24
SMITH, ASSA|LED,
QUITS CHAMBER
Freight Siding Fight in Ta-
koma Park Aired in Com
merce Body.

Because he criticized the Takoma
Park Chamber OF Commerce on the
question OF the North Takoma freight
siding and because he ridiculed the
chamber and individual members at
the public meetings on the siding con-
troversy, the organization last night
adopted resolution censuring ]. Bond
Smith, corporation counsel for the town
OF Takoma Park and counsel for the
MaTyland-N National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, and declaring
that his continuance as member OF
the chamber was not for the best In
terests" of that organization.
Mr.. Smith. who was present at the
meeting. Immediately offered his resig-
nation. urging that it be accepted, which
the chamber did.
Action Not Surprise.
The action OF the Chamber OF Com
n1erce In adopting the resolution did
not come as a surprise, because 1t was
known that many members strongly re-
sented the attacks Mr.. Smith made
against that organization in connection
with the fieht over the continuance Of
the North Takoma siding.
tinuance Of the siding. while Mr.. Smith
and upward Of a hundred other resi-
dents OF the North Takoma residential
section had urged its aboliShment.
Mr.. Smith and his supporters scored
O victory last week when Mayor Ben
G. Davis announced at a council meet
ing that he would exercise his powers as
executive of1icer of the town and on May
close the public property at the siding,
thus automatically aboliShing the siding
At the same meeting the council adopt
ed an ordinance making it a miSde-
meanor 10 treSSpaSs over the public
property at the siding.
Residents to Vote.
The question Of the siding Is to be
voted on by the residents of Takoma
Park at the annual election May I. The
council voted to have the referendum
at the last meeting.
In addition to adopting the Smith
resolution, the chamber also heard re-
ports Of committees and adopted one
resolution urging the District Of ColrYn-
hia officials to widen Carroll street in
the District line from 80 to SO feet from
the District line TO Cedar street in order
that the street will be in the same width
as Carroll avenue In Maryland when the
artery Is completed this Summer.
Text Of Resolution.
The chambers resolution on j. Bond
Smith follows;
Whereas the Takoma Park Chamber
Of Commerce at a recent meeting
passed a resolution favoring the reten-
ton OF the North Takoma siding: and
Whereas j. Bond Smith has shown
his hostility to the members Of the
Chamber OF Commerce
First. In that he has referred TO the
chamber as q baby organization" that
"weIlt of half cooked" and as being
"all wet" on the subject, notwithstand-
ing the fact that there is a difference
Of opinion among lawyers as TO the
legal status OF the siding;
Secondly. In that he has held the
chamber and individual members up
20 Tidicule IN public hearings before
large aSsemblages Of townspeople;
Thirdly. In that he has taken in
such hearings the part of a special
pleader with the attitude Of winning
his point at any cost without reference
70 the merits Of the other side rather
than appearing as a fellow townsmen
stating his views. as he has . right TO
do:
FourthIy. In that he has taken ad-
vantage Of his position Of town coun-
selor to try TO force the issue when his
position as town counselor required
only the giving Of advice 10 the council
rs 70 the towns legal right and duty
In the premises Now. therefore, be II
Resolved. That the chamber take
this means OF censuring Mr. Smith for
his attitude, and that the secretary be
instructed 70 notify him that his con-
tinuance as member OF the Chamber