Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-19
DISTRICT CRITICISM
IS DENOUNCED BY
GROUP OF CITIZENS
Lincoln Park Association
Takes Rap at "PubIic Hys-
terra" Against Officials.
POLICE OF WASHINGTON
DEFENDED BY SPEAKER
Investigators in Congress Also
Scored for Attitude Toward
Capital Conditions.

Those who have helped to create 9
condition Of public hysteria" here dur
ing the last few months by their Eek
travagant criticisms" of the Police De-
partment, the United States attorneys
office and other local officials were
roundly scored by several speakers last
night at meeting of the Lincoln Park
Citizens Association in the Bryan
School on B street between Thirteenth
and Fourteenth streets southeast.
A new committee on police and fire.
men, with Daniel T. Frazier as chair
man, was appointed by Joseph L. Gam
nell, president of the association. This
committee was instructed to make an
investigation of local conditions, eSpe-
cially in the Police Department, and
be ready to report at the December
meeting.
Charles w. Darr, president of the
Washington Chamber of Commerce,
was the principal speaker. Referring to
irresponsible criticism" of the District
Commissioners, police officials and Leo
A. Rover, United States attorney, Mr..
Darr said:
"Selling Excitement"
''There never was time when We
have been more in need OF faith IN
our Government. Some of the news
papers of the city are selling excite
ment the same as q grocer sells food.
This public hysteria has seriously inter-
fered with the progress of the District.
Washington is governed more EN-
GENTLY and honestly than 80 per cent
of the cities of this land. Thank God,
this hysteria is at last passing away,
as 1t was bound to do sooner or later,
because so few of the criticisms OF our
public officials have been based on facts.
I'VE should stand by and defend our
public officials until it Is shown by ade-
Guate proof that they are in the wrong.
Many persons by reading what Is print
ed in q certain section of the Wash
ington press might get an idea that
Pennsylvania avenue Is running with
liquor and narcotics. This Is sheer
nonsense"
Guilford S. Jameson, chairman of the
law and legislation committee, referred
to the criticism of District conditions IN
Congress.
IF some of these investigators in
Congress-. said Mr.. Jameson, would
turn Npe Same powerful searchlight on
the communities from which they come,
they will Npd plenty for the exercise
of their talents. They will find that the
District of Columbia compares most
favorably with any other city in the
Nation"
Speaker Given Thanks.
After Mr.. Darr had finished his
speech, Daniel A. Edwards, former
president of the Lincoln Park associa-
tion, thanked him for his defense Of
IT am glad some one has had the
nerve to say the things you have said
tonight" said Mr.. Edwards. "A single
supposed murder case in the District
of Columbia has received more publicity
than all the murders in the United
States. One would think, after reading
some of the Washington newspapers,
that we have the most corrupt police
department in the country, which Is
absolutely untrue"
w. G. Thorn, chairman of the public
utilities committee, told Of efforts to
have the taxicab stand removed from
Eleventh and East Capitol streets and
the need Of new traf1c lights at several
points.
President Gammell was authorized to
appoint O special committee to cooper
ate with committees from the Southeast
Citizens Association and the Southeast
Business Mems Association in asking
Congress for increased appropriations
for the Eastern Market. w. Edward
Frazier, Charles Schurzer and C. o
Crown, representing dealers of the
Eastern Market, said the future of the
market was bright if the public would
give it support.
The following new members were
elected: Joseph Hanrahan, j. KuShner
Dennis O'Conner, Albert Lloyd and VIII
liam C. Gladhill.