Evening star., 1939-12-03
Citizens Score
Kennedy Bill for
Reorganization
Even Worse Than
Seal Proposals.
Finch Calls 1t

TIUSu SO1IS ~
The special Reorganization Com
n1ittee of the Federation of Citizens
Associations will meet soon to give
detailed consideration to the Ken
nedy reorganization bill introduced
in Congress shortly before adjourn
ment last summer,
Wilbur S. Finch, chairman of the
committee, told the federation last
night that the Kennedy bill was
"even worse" than the Seal proposals
on which hearings have just con-
cluded before the Commissioners.
AS particularly Objectionable fea-
lures. he named those sections CIV
ing the Commissioners wide f1nan-
cial powers such as levying and
collecting taxes, appropriating funds
and issuing bonds, and continuance
of the Commissioners with complete
powers.
The federation supports city
manager under an elected city coun-
Gil. \ Its reorganization committee
includes the chairmen of its stand
ing committees.
Several Sharp Clashes.
Last nights session, the first under
the new administration of President
Harry N. Stull, was punctuated with
several sharp clashes between dele
gates as the group rushed through
pending items on the calendar
Delegate E. S. Hege of Chevy
Chase asked for an explanation OF
testimony by another delegate be-
fore the Commissioners at the re-
cent reorganization hearings in
which "suffragists' were linked with
Communists.
Rising to his feet, Delegate A. D..
Calvert of Lincoln Park Citizens
Association said the reference was
to him but denied saying suffragists
were Communists.
Il said something to the effect
that the suffrage movement was
dominated by Communists, he de-
clared.
Il object to that statement" said
Mr.. Hege.
And the chair objects to it too"
said Mr. Stull sharply.
Mr.. Finch, a leader in the local
suffrage movement, told the dele
gates he was Catholic and a
member of the American Legion.
IF you can reconcile that with
Communism" he said with smile,
then I guess I am Communist"
Other Exchanges.
Several other sharp exchanges
developed out of the action of the
group in approving the application
of the Hampshire Heights Citizens
Association for membership and re-
fusing to accept the application Of
the First Ward Citizens Association.
Both applications have been
pending for some time because of
boundary difficulties with member
associations. Vigorous opposition to
approval of Hampshire Heights was
raised by delegates from Chillum
Heights, but the application was
granted by a vote of 1923. The
sentiment of the majority was that
the Federation should not pass on
boundary disputes. Action was not
taken, however. before opponents
compared the applicants alleged
boundary fixing with Hitler's taking
. of the Sudetenland, and another
delegate had raised cry of steam
roller" when the question was put
to a vote before some had a chance
to speak on it.
Rejection of the First Ward group
was nearly unanimous after the
delegates were told the organization
had grown out of persons dissatis-
fled with the administration of the
West End Association. Walter F..
Wasson of West End, however, drew
an attack from Fred Walker of
Park View Citizens Association
when Mr.. Wasson intimated the
West End group might withdraw
from the Federation if First Ward
were approved. Mr. Walker said he
objected to being blackjacked' into
voting a certain way, but Mr.. Was
son and other delegates insisted no
threat had been intended.
Much Accomplished.
Despite the debate, the delegates
swept through a good deal of busi-
ness, adopting a number of reports
from retiring Safety Committee
Chairman Harry S. Wender. The
group approved the procedure Of
publicizing ticket fixing" asked that
taxis be allowed to cruise on F and
G streets NV. between 7 and 8
pm, and will ask Congress for
legislation under which garage men
will have to report to police We
hicles brought in showing evidence
of personal injury in an accident,
or automobiles hit by bullets.
The delegates gave Mr.. Wender
a rising vote of thanks for his work
as chairman of the committee. Mr..
Hege succeeds him.
Other action included renewed
support of the efforts of the Friend
ship Citizens Association for traf-
fic lights at Tenley Circle, approval
of survey of slum dwellings in the
District, and interchange OF repre-
sentatives with the Federation OF
p,,;ro-r NEo,,,e Accooio fjnnS