Evening star., 1937-10-03
CITIZENS UNITED
/. IN VOTE DEMAND:
HIT BUDGET PLAN
Emotions Run High as Fed
GRAFTON Delegates FIay
Continuing Levies.
REVISION OF DISTRICTS
PAROLE SET-UP PUSHED
Suffrage Supporters Beat Down
Suggestion to Delay Action on
Petworth Proposal.

Threatening 4 revolt against taxa
ton without representation, delegates
to the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions last night agreed to make fight
for local suffrage, reiterated their
stand for District representation in
Congress, and gave warning of de-
mands for a reduction of the local
tax load.
In lengthy session, in which emo
tions ct times ran high, the federation
heard delegates denounce the Com
missioners for planning a $4,000, 900
budget for fiscal 1899, which would call
for continuation of the 100000 in
crease In levies, but the body withheld
formal action on this point.
President Thomas E. Lodge, how
ever, announced that he already had
advised the Commissioners the fedora
ton would oppose extension of the
high new taxes and would urge a re-
duction Of budget estimates to make
tax cut possible in the next fiscal
year.
Parole Revision Asked.
Earlier in the federation's FIRST
meeting of the season, the body rec
commended that Congress make drastic
revision of the Districts parole plan,
to bar the release of second offenders
convicted of felonies and to ban the
granting Of parole TO persons con-
visited Of sex offenses involving
violence.
Acting on report by David Babp.
chairman of the Committee on Local
Suffrage, the federation adopted a
simple recommendation from the Pet
worth Citizens Association declaring
that it favored local suffrage" 1t
did not state the details of the plan
as to whether there would be election
OF all municipal oficials and men,
bers OF boards, but there was a pro-
tracted fight over this point.
Supporters Of the move beat down
suggestions from several members tc
have action delayed until the 65-odd
neighborhood associations could pas.
on the plan.
William NICK. Clayton. veteran
civic leader and past president of the
federation. protested that Congress
last session was absolutely indiffer-
ent" to the views of Washington
taxpayers and went ahead to adopt
tax increase program that has
/ nrOUcd ohcn1t,fol,,
Lack of Courtesy Hit,
Members of Congress. at times.
showed not only lack of apprecia-
ton OF the proper form of a tax
system. but at times even showed lack
of even courtesy to spokesmen for
the tax-paying public" he declared.
They were absolutely indifferent to
us, yet our American Government is
supposed to be the rule by the
majority"
The same thread was picked up
by Harry S. Wender, delegate from
| the Southwest Citizens Association,
who said that while the federation
represents the largest cross section
of the Washington public, some
congressman from Pohunk would say
to its spokesmen: Who are you
from whence do you come, and why
are you here?
Marvin M. Mclean of the Brookland
association, while championing the
national representation movement
said he was opposed to election OF
District officials, protesting that about
half of the Federal employees in the
District hold voting residence fback
home" and would not give up that
privilege just to vote for local officials
Numerous other delegates attacked
his position, among them Harry N
Stull, Stanton Park delegate. who
challenged any taxpayer to say thai
the Commissioners, if they had beer
elected. would have planned a $50.
100000 budget, requiring a continue.
ton of the 100000 new tax load.
Single Issue Presented.
Previously, the federation had re-
peated its demand for national rep
resentation, on motion by Miss Eta
Taggart, and number of delegates
insisted the movements for suffrage
in both local and national affairs
constituted a single issue.
During the debate, Wender and
other members voiced resentment O
appointment of persons to District
jobs because they had the sponsorship