Evening star., 1939-04-18
D. A. R.
CONTINUED From First Page)

this community to share at all
in its advantages.
Though she never specifically said
what the rule" was, she declared
it was adopted II years ago "as
result of actual experience. When
the D. A. R. had attempted to go
contrary to conditions existing
here" she said, and were widely
criticized for not cooperating with
local customs, the rule was made
because "experience showed the
society could not 60 contrary to or
further than the customs existing in
the city in which its properties were
located"
"Conditions are the same as when
experience dictated the need OF a
rule" she declared. This IS not a
question for the Daughters of the
American Revolution alone to solve.
When the community at large has
worked out its problem, the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution will
be willing, as at all times, to adapt
its policies to practices and customs
In accordance with the highest
standards of the community"
Denies Prejudice Is Involved.
She denied that prejudice, per-
sonalltieS Or discrimination were
involved in the boards decision and
pointed out that the society has
consistently through its nearly so
years been a friend of and has
worked for many minority groups" :"
rs it reasonable" she asked, that
one group of women alone, whose
properties are privately owned,
whose buildings were possible only
through voluntary contributions of
its members in all parts of the coun-
try accumulated during nearly so
years of effort, be expected to work
out the problems of vast groups
backed by great changing forces?"
To make an exception to the rule
in this case, she declared, would
have meant that the society retreat
ed under fire of widely scattered
groups and organizations, many of
whom knew nothing of the facts
and whose interest had nothing to
do with the real question.
When independence of action is
threatened" she declared. "and
when fog beclouds real issues, there
can be no surrender"
Saw Legal Responsibility.
She also pointed out that by max
ing an exception to the rule the
society would have opened itself to
legal responsibility for violation of
existing agreement with concert bu-
reaus which have regularly used the
hall for some years and agreement
covering period of years.
Although the Marian Anderson
controversy occupied a majority of
her report, Mrs. Robert also out
lined her activities of the year
which, she said, had led her as
president general across 40 of the
48 States covering approximately
$4,000 miles.
Applause punctuated paragraph
after paragraph of Mrs. Roberts
report, and the delegates rose to
give her an enthusiastic ovation as
she concluded.
The congress today entered into
a round of reports by national
officers, climaxing with the presi-
dent generals reception tonight in
Constitution Hall and the pages
ball at the Mayflower Hotel.
The D. A. r. paid the District
S5,077.24 in real estate taxes for
Constitution Hall last year, Miss
Page Schwarzwaelder, treasurer
general, reported this morning. The
Memorial Continental Hall is not
taxed. The business privilege tax
cost the D. A R. $137.76; pay roll
tax, $165 80, and admissions tax and
licenses, $52.70. She reported that
the D. A. R. has $170,387O3 in its
current fund. Disbursements over
the last year for the D. A. RS many
services and operating expenses to-
tailed $464 4,582 AZ and receipts totaled
s489 9,550.2l. In recapitulating, she