Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-03
FEDERATION HALTS
ACTION ON MERGER
Resolution to Indorse Report
Is Tabled After Bitter
Fight at Session.

The Federatlon or Cltl2enS' ASSOcla-
tons, in one of the most turbulent
meetings of its existence, last night
tabled a resolution to indorse the ten
tative report on the street railway
merger by the subcommittee of the Sen
ate District committee, and deferred &C
ton on proposal to admit the New
Columbia Heights Citizens Association
to membership.
The federation also declined to con-
tribute SIS to the Community Chest
fund, on the ground that individual
members were giving to this cause. 1t,
however, reaffirmed Endorsement of the
fund.
The attempt of the New Columbia
Heights Citizens Association to secure
admission to the federation went over
for action to the first March meeting.
Their attempt was opposed by the
present Columbia Heights Citizens AS
ISOLATION, which will celebrate its
thirty-ffth anniversary next Tuesday,
and led into a struggle lasting for an
hour and half.
Merger Brings Fight.
Toward the end of the meeting,
Frank Van SAINT, recently appointed
vice chairman of the federation's pub
lie utilities committee, moved to indorse
the tentative report on the street rail-
way merger by the subcommittee OF the
Senate District committee. This was
opposed by William NICK. Clayton, vet
eran chairman of the committee.
After bitter contest, motion by
Mr.. Clayton to lay the Van SAINT reso-
luton on the table ePrried.
The Community Chest dispute broke
out Sporadically throughout the meet
ing. Louis Goldman, Congress Heights,
sought unanimous consent to introduce
a resolution calling on the federation
to appropriate $25. B. B. Bierer, Rich
mond Park, objected, and the reSolu-
ton could not be considered. Later
Goldman obtained a suspension of the
rules for consideration OF his motion.
Mr.. Clayton declared the proposed con-
tribution ian insult" and moved as
substitute that each delegate pledge a
contribution of SIS. President Havenner
sustained Mr.. Gelbmants point of order
against this motion, renarking that he
would be ashamed to pledge so little.
Mr.. Gelbman's motion lost, 10 to 81.
Goldman Assails Stand.
Harry Stull, Stanton Park, then
moved that each delegate take back
to his home association request that
the associations contribute. This mo-
ton was carried without record vote,
and Mr.. Goldman cried: This fed
Grafton by its action has withdrawn Its
expressed support of the Community
Chest. I move that the Endorsement
be formally withdrawn and that we
hang our heads in shaUe" The mo-
ton was duly seconded and put, but
a point Of order against it by e. j.
Brennon, Michigan Park, was sustained.
Two other motions to obtain the $50
and one by Mr.. Goldman to obtain $l0O
failed. Immediately following the fed
Grafton voted $25 to the Citizens Ad-
visory Council for postage and incl
dental expenses. Mr.. Goldman asked
what the money was for. but was
drowned out by cries Of who cares?"
The lone vote against the appropria-
ton was from Grover Warren Ayers,
West End.
on the question of admitting the
New Columbia Heignts Association, the
federations membership committee re-
ported adversely on the ground that
the body,s territory was practically the
same as that of the present Columbia
Heights Association, one OF the found
ers of the federation. Charles s. East
erling and G. A. LaVigne, members OF
the new association, were allowed the
floor and stated that their association
was bona fde and that it had been
formed through dissatisfaction with the
way the affairs of the old association
were being run under the presidency
Of J. Clinton Hiatt. After long parlia-
mentary wrangles, a motion by Edwin
S. Hege, Chevy Chase, to delay action
until the first March meeting, to give
the two associations a chance to COM
pose their differences, prevailed.
Maj. Clayton Ernig. Dupont circle,
read q resolution calling for survey
OF the crime situation Of Washington.
The resolution finally was referred to
the public welfare committee.
Six Amendments Adopted.
Six amendments to the federation's
constitution were adopted. They call
for the creation of an executive COM
mittee and an audit committee and the
appointing by the president OF cor
responding secretary.
The federation approved resolutions
commenting the work Of the fire de-
partment and others in the vicinity of
Washington in combating the fires here
last month, and approving the Brook
hart-Sirovich bill for raising the pay of
classified employees. Action was deferred
on the Shipstead bill to give the Fine
Arts Commission control over the color
and design of buildings within 200 feet
of certain public buildings and parks
here, to give the law and legislation
committee time to study the amended
form Of the bill.
The federation disapproved Of pro-
posals TO abolish license fees on all
classes of business. and to regulate and
license those who install heating plants.