Evening star., 1933-12-21
CONGRESS TO GET
WATSON CHARGES
Fire Fighters Attorney Will
Not Submit Data to D. G.
Commissioners.

Paul E. Jameson, attorney for the
City Fire Fighters Association, declared
today he had no intention Of submit
ting to the District Commissioners spe-
ciflc data in support of his charges
against the administration OF the Dis
trict Fire Department.
Commissioner Melvin c. Hazen late
yesterday wrote to Jameson inviting
him to file specific instances of the
after Edward w. Thomas, assistant
corporation counsel, had completed
report on an examination of jamie
sons accusations.
Would Limit Power.
The attorney said today he had filed
his complaints with Representative Vir-
ginia Z. JenckeS. a member Of the
House District Committee, and not with
the Commissioners. Instead OF dealing
with the city heads, he said, he would
seek to have Congress limit the powers
OF the chief engineer Of the Fire De-
partment and the Commissioners.
Jameson has sought congressional
investigation of complaints that severe
punishment is inflicted on flremen for
lnfraction of minor rules.
The report by Assistant Corporation
Counsel Thomas was not made public,
but there were indications it gave gen.
eral approval of the department admin
lStratlon.
Praising the record and efficiency OF
washington's fire fighters, the Chevy
Chase Citizens Association last night
declared a congressional investigation
was neither necessary nor advisable;
In framing reply to Representative
Virginia Jenckes of the House District
I rl1t
sion of views on the matter, the aSSocla-
ton pointed out that If there are any
minor difficulties" such an investlga-
ton should rest with the District Com
misSionerS. Various members StCutly
defended Fire Chief George S. Watson,
the principal objective of the charges.
protesting that a congressional inquiry
would only serve to injure the morale of
the department as the former inquiry
into the Police Department had shot
its morale to pieces"
Views of Association.
The views of the association, finally
put in the form of substitute motion
by President George Strong, were as
follows:
BE it resolved by the Citizens Asso-
citation of Chevy Chase, D. c., That the
rather general charges of the attorney
requesting congressional investigation
of the Fire Department indirectly sup
port the belief of this association that
We now have an efficient, well-disci-
plined and reliable Fire Department, and
that if there are any --linor difficulties
it is the duty, power and responsibility
of the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia to remedy such defects with
out riSking the morale of the vital
agency of protection as well as occupying
the time of congressional committees,
which have other and more important
problems to consider, and that therefore
We believe that a congressional inves-
tigation is neither necessary nor advis-
able
BE it further resolved, That copies CT
this resolution be submitted to Repre-
sentative Jenckes and to the Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia
Fred A. Emery advocated straight
out single declaration of confidence in
Fire Chief Watson and commendation
of the Fire Department. 1t was believed,
adopted better expressed the nature Of
the reply to Representative Jenckes
The matter was first brought up in a
motion offered on behalf of the Fire
and Police Committee, which pointed
out that the association was mot in
position to PREJUDICE the case" but
staunchily praised the sterling quail
ties" of Fire Chief Watson and the
record of the Fire Department, which
was declared to be '-one of the best in
the, country"
Approve Hege Report.
The association also last night ap-
proved the informal report rendered by
Edwin S. Hege, its representative at
the recent hearing at the District Build
ing on liquor control In Washington.
There was no discussion. Mr.. Hege as
Sured the association he had expressed
opposition to the sale of Intoxicating
liquors In the Chevy Chase area, which
he said was essentially an area OF
homes.
utes of the October 18 meeting, which
had stated that no definite action had
been taken with respect to the park
and shop" project proposed for the east
side of Connecticut avenue between
Morrison and Mckinley streets On
motion Of Mr.. Hege, the minutes were
corrected to show the project had been
approved by q vote of IT to I6 by mem
bers, the vote by all those present and
voting being "a to %.
Prof. Aldo Lyon Rata Of Georgetown
University. who is a field representa-
tive of the N. r. A, explained the pur-
pose of the local Consumers Council
being promoted, and urged the Chevy
Chase residents IN organize siIch n