Evening star., 1939-12-06
Columbia Heights
Citizens Ask Votes
With Reorganization
10 V. Morgan Defends
One-Mun Board Of
Tax Appeals

Firm opposition to any form Of
reorganization of District govern
ment unless provision is made the
government be elected by the citi-
zens of Washington was declared
last night by the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association which voted
approval of a reorganization report
offered by Col. Luther r. Maddox,
president of the group.
"Not that we are opposed to a
change in the form of local rule,
like the plan for city manager and
city council" declared COL Maddox,
"but we are not and will not be
interested in even this or any other
scheme unless we. as citizens of the
District, have the power to choose
our own representatives to control
our fortunes as citizens of the United
States"
II am of the opinion that Snuff
ling of personnel in the District
Building, or even the creation Of
new Offices. would not be Of 5enefit
to the citizens" continued Col.
Maddox, so long as the officials and
personnel remain mere agents of the
Federal Government owing and
giving their allegiance solely to the
appointive power" Col. Maddox's S
remarks were punctuated by ap-
plause of the large gathering.
Alton B. Carly, chairman of the
Taxation Committee of the group,
also spoke to demand local suffrage
after offering the motion indorsing
Col. Maddoxs report.
Morgan Outlines Work.
10 V. Morgan. the one man tax
appeal board for the District, out
lined the functions of his Office,
pointing out the speed with which
tax appeal cases are handled under
the present system which avoids
most of the delay of the former
set-up which involved Congressional
action. Mr.. Morgan said that pro
test" taxes paid, properly filed with
the board, are usually settled by
the end of 80 days and expressed
qualification that local civic interests
have realized the step-up and re-
sponded overwhelmingly in favor Of
the board. The speaker added that
his Office has handled to date 300
cases involving 100000 of which
total of $4,000 has been refunded
among those who have appealed.
In resolution urging President
Roosevelt to sever relations between
the United States and the govern
ment of Russia, the association
charged the Soviet with spreading
subversive propaganda among Amer
lean schools, labor groups and Gov
ernment agencies and expressed the
belief that the United States erred
in formally recognizing the Com
munist state.
Another move, also approved
unanimously, commended the Dies
committee. for courageous and
splendid work. and asked that an
appropriation of 100000 be granted
the body to continue its investiga-
tions into un-American activities.
Both resolutions were offered BY
Mrs. Margaret Hopkins Worrall.
Sales Tax Plan Tabled.
Opposition was voted to the pro-
posed reduction Of Fire Department
personnel by Is men in motion
by Mrs. Ernest w. Howard. Action
to indorse sales tax for the Dis
trict was tabled in divided vote.
A proposal to ask Congress for an
appropriation to provide education
for crippled children was referred to
committee for report and action at
the next meeting DR.. A. v. Smith,
chairman of the Education Com
mittee, urged the group to back the
movement for a planetarium for
the District, declaring that it is an
educational facility not denied other
large cities of the Nation.
The Health Department will be
asked to take steps to prevent
great prevalence" of rats in the
District, citing complaints Of nu-
merous citizens in the community
Thirteen new members were ad-
mitted to the organization, includ-
ing Hirsh Pearlman, Henry w. Gill
bert, Mrs. Leoda G. Sanders, Nor
man E. Sill, Miss Edie j. Stewart,
Mrs. Anna NJ Deweese, Charles F.
O'Connell, Robert M. Morehead,
John A. Pierpoint Walter F. Bell,
Mrs. Mary D. Headley, Richard w.
Fry and Alexander G. Hondras.
The meeting was held in the Mt.
p1eo osapt Coppreoatjopo1 Church