Evening star., 1939-01-08
Civic Federation
Adopts 4 Changes
In Constitution
Another Discussed in
Meeting Devoted
To Amendments

~ VbubSJ0uuSbIlS
Civic problems took back seat
last night when the Federation of
Citizens Associations, holding its
January meeting in the board room
Of the District Building, devoted an
entire evening to a discussion of pro-
posed amendments to its constitution
and bylaws.
During the course of three and
half hours debate, the organization
adopted four amendments and dis
cussed another At 11:45, the dele
gates voted to adjourn after deciding
to make consideration Of the remain
ing proposed amendments the special
order of business at the next
meeting.
One of the chief constitutional
changes adopted provides for uni
formity in the terms of all delegates.
The terms of all delegates now will
expire at the same time, October 81.
The Special Committee on Bro
posed Amendments had recommend
ed that the date for the annual meet
ing be changed from November to
May, but this was voted down and
the November date retained.
Uniformity Aim Of Plan.
In urging the amendment pro-
viding that the terms Of all dele
gates begin at the same time, the
committee, headed by F. j. McDon-
aid, declared this will permit uni
formity in committee assignments
and coordination of federation
work.
This proposal drew considerable
criticism from delegates who pro-
tested that their associations will
be forced to change their annual
meeting for election of officers and
delegates. Proponents argued, how
ever, that the work of. the fedora
ton is hampered by the terms of
the delegates expiring at various
times throughout the year.
Another amendment adopted pro.
vides that the secretary shall send
to each member association each
September proper credential blanks
which will contain definite instruc-
tions and state that the terms of
delegates shall expire on October
81 Of the following year Immediately
preceding the next annual meet
ing. A second section of the change
calls on the secretary to furnish
each member association a report
of the record attendance of its dele
gates-as well as a bill for the an
nual dues.
This latter section was criticized
by Thomas E. Lodge, a former Fed
Grafton president, who argued that
delegates might be humiliated be-
fore their own association If called
upon to explain why they. had not
attended Federation meeting q
month or two ago."
Emery Resolution Fails.
whether delegate is doing good
work can't be judged by a report OF
his attendance at meetings." he
said.
Fred A. Emery moved to strike
out this section of the amendment
but his resolution was defeated.
Several other amendments call
ing for reorganization of the Exc
cutive Committee as the Executive
Board and providing for inclusion
of all elected officers as members
was discussed and reached the vot-
ing stage at late hour.
After standing vote had been
taken, however, motion to ad-
journ was made and carried, and
the business was carried over tc
the next meeting.
Explaining its objectives, the
Amendment Committee said II
hoped by the amendments to estab-
lish a more adequate fiscal control
over the financial affairs of the
federation and its relationship tc
member bodies: to improve the
method of organizing committees;
to effect more expedited manner
for consideration of questions anc
to establish a more definite state.
ment as to the authority existing
In the constitution and bylaws fol
conducting federation affairs.