The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1930-02-15
TRADES UNIONIST AGAIN RAPS GEN. CROSBY
EDITORIALS hit
APPOINTMENT
AS D. c. HEAD

The appointment Of Maj. Gen.
Herbert B. Crosby to succeed
Commissioner Proctor L. Dough
erty would be not only a violation
Of the letter of the organic act,
but Of the spirit of that law as
well, the Trades Unionist, official
organ Of the Central Labor Union,
holds in two editorials in the
current issue.
This is the second time the
Trades Unionist has come out
vigorously in opposition to the
nomination of the second military
member of the Board Of District
Commissioners.
In a front-page editorial the
publication calls attention to the
fact that numerous authorities
hold that a military man when
retired does not automatically be
come a civilian, but is still lnder
the immediate jurisdiction and
control Of the Army.
Hurley Answered
On the editorial page atten
ton is directed to the defense of
General Crosby recently made by
Secretary Of War Patrick ]. Hur-
ley. Secretary Hurley contended
that General Crosby upon his
retirement will become o civilian
and is therefore eligible. He also
took exception to protests against
the Army mans appointment as
being more or less q personal
: affront to the entire Army.
The Trades UnioniSt calls at
tention to the fact that the same
argument could be used by the
Diplomatic Corps were the Ambas-
sador to Peru named for the post,
as he could be under provisions Of
the pending Jones bill, which
would make outsiders eligible for
appointment to the Board of Com
missioners.
Reference is also made to
carpet-bag government and the
Boston tea party.
Resolutions protesting against
the appointment of Crosby prob
ably will be drafted when the
second conference of trade and
civic organizations meets at the
washington Board Of Trade
Wednesday afternoon.
The Merchants and Manufac,
turers Association at a meeting
yesterday is understood to have
instructed the newly cleo ed pres
ident, Mark LanSburgh, to attend
the meeting.
Federation Is Silent
While the organization, repre-
eenting the business life of Wash
ington are condemning the selec-
ton of the President, and at
the same time are being con-
demned by members OF the House
for their attitude, the Federation
Of Citizens Associations is remain
ing silent.
The Federation will meet to-
night but since the majority of
delegates are Federal employees it
Is not anticipated the federation
win fall in line with the trade
board but will either indorse the
general or adopt a hands off"
policy.
Opinion is divided in the fed
GRAFTON, both pro and anti Croshv
factions contending they hold
the balance of power. In event
either side lacks the necessary
two-thirds required before a mat
ter Of such a nature can come
formally before the Federation
1t Is not believed probable that
the Federation will act.
Havenner Is Strong
DR.. George C. Havenner, presi
dent of the federation and an.
employe of the Bureau of Effici-
ency, although declining to say
Just where he stands, is believed
to lean toward the naming of
General Crosby. In the fedora
ton DR.. Havenner has a large
following, but it will not be until
tonight that it will be determined
just how strong that following
will be.
In any event the meeting prob
ably will be attended by every
delegate and a stormy session
at best is anticipated.
The anti-C Crosby movement re-
ceived a modicum of support by
the action Of the Brentwood
Citizens Association, which last
night adopted resolutions oppos-
ing the appointment Of a second
military man to the board of
District Commissioners.