Evening star., 1939-10-08
Citizens Federation
Wants D. T.. Man for
Court Vacancy

Court Vacancy
Immediate Action Asked;
Harry N. StuIl Named
President Of Group
The Federation Of Citizens Asso-
Citations last night unanimously rec
ommended to President Roosevelt
the appointment of q bona fide"
District lawyer to the vacancy on
the District Court caused by the
recent death Of Justice Joseph w.
Cox.
Immediate selection of Justice
Cox's successor also was asked to
prevent further congestion Of the
courts docket.
Most Of the meeting, the first
Of the new civic year, for the fed
Grafton, was devoted to nomination
of omcers and candidates for The
Evening Star Cup and summary by
President L. A. Carruthers Of the
action Of the Executive Committee
during the summer. Election of
officers under the revised constitu-
ton will take place at the Novem-
Der meeting, when the winner Of The
Star Trophy will be voted on. The
cup is to 90 to the member of the
federation who in the opinion of the
other members has performed the
outstanding civic service during the
past year. The four candidates for
the cup were nominated last night
as follows:
Mr.. Carruthers, Harry S. Wender.
delegate from the Southwest Cit
izens' Association; William NICK.
Clayton, former president and now
chairman Of the Federation's Pub
lie Utilities Committee, and Wilbur
Finch of the Burroughs Citizens
Association.
Want to Avoid Delay.
In connection with the court va
cancy Frank B. Hoffman, chairman
of the Legislative Committee. re-
minded the group the civil calen-
dar is more than two years in ar.
rears. The resolution declared it
would be distinctly to the adj
vantage of the District" for the
President and the Attorney General
to appoint District man who has
practiced law here and is familiar
with the procedure in the District
Court. Such an appointee, 1t was
stated. could step in without hav-
ing to delay to learn the local code.
Mr.. Carruthers pointed out the
resolution was in accordance with
Federation principles OF "city jobs
for city people" and also by In
dorsing no particular candidate.
Despite the efforts of several
members to get him to change his
mind. Mr.. Carruthers declined to
accept nomination for third term
as president Of the group.
Stull Named President.
Harry N. Stull, first vice presi-
dent. then was named for the presi-
dency without opposition Although
nominations are not yet closed under
the new regulations. it appeared
likely Mr.. Stull would have no op-
position when the ballots are cast
next month. Mr.. Stull. a past presi-
dent Of Stanton Park Citizens Asso-
nio iofinrr knnv rf jvo fAl-
Grafton for about 20 years. He is
vice chairman of its committee on
law and legislation.
Harry 8. Wender also was an
unopposed candidate for first vice
president.
Three candidates were nominated
for the second vice presidency. how
ever. Mrs. H. M. Phillips OF Six
teenth Street Heights; Mrs: Harvey
w. Wiley of the Kalorama Citizens
Association. and Wilbur Finch.
David Babp. the incumbent. was
unanimous nominee for reelection
as secretary. He is delegate of the
Connecticut Avenue Citizens Asso-
citation.
The delegates regretfully heard
elderly Commodore A. H. Gregory
decline the nomination for treas
urer, post he has held for most of
the 19 years he has been a member
of the Federation.
Mr.. Gregory told them he was
grateful for their confidence in him
but his health would not permit him
to carry on. He recited the progress
of the Federation's funds, citing ac-
crued interest equal to 20 member
ships in financial value.
Never Late to q Meeting.
And in my 19 years with the Fed
eration," he said, x have never been
late to a meeting once, never left
one before it was over and only
missed four-two when I was out OF
the city and two when I was in the
hospital" When he sat down there
was rousing applause and the dele
gates gave him a standing vote OF
appreciation.
Others nominated for treasurer
were H. C. Phillips of the Citizens
Forum Of Columbia Heights; K. P.
Armstrong Of the Association OF En-
gineers: Owen B. French of Cathe-
dral Heights and Walter F. Wasson
of West End.
The following were named for the
Executive Board from which 10 will
be elected, according to Mr.. Babp:
Vernis Absher, Thomas E. Lodge.
Harry s. Wender, Jesse C. Suter.
Mrs. Horace J. Phelps, William NICK.