Evening star., 1933-02-28
FEDERATION DENIES
OPPOSING SOLDIERS
President Says in Letter 1t
Only Disapproves "Retired
Army Officers"

The Federation of Citizens Asso-
publish the letter which tollotus
beloD. explaining its action ON Sat-
urddy eveninq in red6lrming its
stand against the nomination of re-
tired Army officers to posts In the
municipal government. With this
request, The Star Is glad to comply.
In its report of the Saturday meet
ing the term "er-soldiers" ipds used
by The Star. but the more accurate
designation-in keeping tDith the
spirit OF the federation action-,Dould
hare been retired Army officers" or
military officers"
The tert OF the Federation's letter
tollo,os in full:
To the Editor Of The Star:
One page B-4 of Sundays Star an
article was published, headed Soldiers
Opposed for D. C. Positions" followed
by the statement:
"The Federation Of Citizens Associa-
tions last night reafirmed its position
against the nomination of ex-soldiers to
civilian posts In the District govern
ment"
Said article Is so fagrantly (though
not Intentionally unfair and untrue
that you are hereby requested to make
retraction thereof in your columns, in
addition to publishing this letter.
Federation Acted on Bill.
On February 6, 1882, the federation
took action against Senate bill for
extension Of the powers of the District
Commissioners, the federation stating:
Legislative power should not be con-
ferred, In time OF peace, upon a body
composed chiefly. or entirely, Of military
members, to deal with purely civil or
municipal affairs; so that, If any such
power were to be conferred upon the
present District Commissioners, an en-
tire change in personnel would be essen
tial, substituting in their places persons
in civil life having q broad grasp of
public affairs and a thorough ac-
quaintance with the past history and
existing laws and ordinances in force
in the District of Columbia"
Also, on said February 6, 1892, the
federation expressed its disapproval of
the action of the District Commission
ers in reorganizing the Engineer De-
partment without advance public in
formation or opportunity for citizenry
advice, the federation stating:
Attention is invited to the ever In.
creasing predominance in our munich
pal government of military officers, ac-
tive and retired, who seem naturally
indisposed to give the civilian viewpoint
very much consideration. In the case
Of the Zoning Commission, which Is in
the control Of military members, we
now have pending an effort by it to
assume the extraordinary, and OBJ
viously illegal, power of excusing, from
time to time, particular persons from
the necessity of obeying the zoning
rules, which continue to apply to their
neighbors. In the case of the Public
Utilities Commission, which Is COM
posed Of retired Army officer, an ac-
tive Army officer, and but one civilian
member, it Is well known that it has
recently declined to respect either the
resolution of this federation or the
unanimous resolution of the House of
Representatives regarding the taxicab
situation. In the case of the District
of Columbia Board Of Commissioners
which is composed entirely of military
members, one a retired Army officer,
another an active Army officer, and the
third a former National Guard officer
Of considerable military. training, We
have the instant case Of a proposed re-
organization Of the entire Engineer