Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
CITIZENS OPPOSE
ASSESSMENTS
Federation Favors Change In
BorIand Law ReaffirmS
Vote for D. C. Stand.

The Federation of Citizens Associa-
tons, after a spirited debate, last night
registered its opposition TO the principle
of special assessments for roadway inn
provements, but voted in favor Of GER
tain amendments to the Borland law,
under which such assessments are lev
led, leaving the principle intact, ale
though attempting to make the appli-
cation more equitable In certain cases.
The Federation also reafhrmed its po-
sition in favor of national representa-
ton for the citizens Of the District.
The contradictory nature of the Bor-'
land law report was what led to most
of the debate. The first paragraph Of
the report from the committee on law
and legislation opposed the principle
Of front foot assessments. If such.
| assessments are to be made, however.
the committee recommended several
| safeguards in a second paragraph, in
GLIDING the setting up OF a board Of
review made up Of .freeholders Of the
District. One group, led by James @.
Yaden Of Petworth. wanted to slice the
graph opposing the principle of the
/ by william NICK. Clayton Of Bright.
wood, George r. Wales, Cathedral
Heights. and others, who held that road
improvements should be paid for out Of
the general tax funds.
Roberts Supports Report.
The committee report was supported
\ by William A. Roberts an assistant to
Corporation Counsel w. w. Bride, who
wrote the bill on the subject now pend
| ing in Congress; Thomas z. Lodge,
chairman of the committee; Harry N.
Stull, George Sullivan, and others.
When the Yaden amendment came to
II Nr,k@ kf1,
and the amendment was declared lost,
H. E. Young of Thomas Circle.
who could have decided the issue either
way, voted present" The committees
report was finally adopted by vote Of
| Al to 90.
The Federation voted against bill TO
| prevent medical experiments on living
dogs, and against a $4,000 appropria-
ton from public funds for the assist.
ance Of Casualty Hospital. Reports fa-
voring six-day week fer guards at
District penal institutions and the abol-c
tshing OF alley dwellings were adopted.
The Federation empowered Edwin g..
Hege and Joseph Gammen to speak for
it at the hearings before the House Dis
trict Committee on the Commissioners
I traffic bill. The federation had previous
| ly favored the bill, which provides for
the abolishing of the office of director
of traffic. Last night, however, Mr..
Hege, in a report from q special COM
mittee, pointed out that the language
OF the bill drawn would have the effect
OF stopping all appropriations for the
pax of the personnel of the traffic d.
rector's office, amounting to about $780,
600 year, and that he had been as
sured that such was not the intention
Of the Commissioners. He was author
lied to suggest an amendment to take
care of this medical experience
care Of this.
/ Favor Vote for District.
The report on national representa-
ton was based on resolution of the
Columbia Heights Citizens Association
ffavoring giving to the citizens of the
District the right to representation in
the House and Senate and the cleo
toral college, and also in the national
conventions of the major political par
ties. Fred Emery, chairman of the
Committee on National Representation.
made q brief report, in which he called
attention to the fact that the fedora
ton had many times in the past SUD-
ported the cause He said the reasons
of the federation were the same as
those printed in the petition in The
Evening Star November 4, which was
signed by the presidents of numerous
citizens organizations, including the
federation. So
Peoples Counsel Richmond B. Keecn
attended the meeting and at its close
made brief speech inviting the dele
1 gates to bring their problems to him.
He has been invited to attend all fu-
ture meetings.