Evening star., 1940-02-04
Snow Removal
Delay Is Called
'|nexcusabIe'
Citizens Federation
Is Urged to Seek
Action bv Conoress

IS Ur9ed 10 seek
Action by Congress
A charge Of 'inexcusable delay"
in the removal Of snow from WASH
ington streets brought a suggestion
at the Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations meeting last night that
Congress investigate the adequacy
Of equipment available for that
purpose.
The city's efforts in combating
the latest snowfall were ridiculed to
some extent and one delegate ques-
toned whether the District had
more than three real snow plows."
There were accusations that en-
frances to hotels and other down.
town establishments were opened
readily, but that residents Of outly-
ing sections were left to shovel
their own way out"
A recommendation was made that
District Committees in both branch
es Of Congress inspect what snow
fighting equipment the city has,
and then, If necessary, take steps
to provide additional apparatus.
Formal action on this motion was
reserved, however, pending further
study of the subject by a special
committee.
Compared With New York.
Baxter Smith, vice chairman Of
the Federation's Safety Committee,
who led the attack on so-called
laxity in coping with snow, COM
pared Washington's methods with
those of New York. which he said
is Is times more efficient.
Mr.. Smith said a number of Dis
trict contractors had enough trucks
and other equipment to handle
any snow here in recent years, and
he added that the Commissioners
might have done well to employ
these facilities.
Vernis Absher of the Southeast
Association warned, however. that
increased taxation might be in
volved If further plows and other
equipment were purchased by the
city. He said, too. that such equip
ment would get little use, and there
would be the question of main
tenance.
No-Parking Signs Ridiculed.
w. j. Tucker of the Anacostia
Association left the main argument
to refer to no-parking signs In
snowy weather as "jokes."
Wilbur Finch of the Burroughs
Association accused the District of
not only failing properly to clean
the streets of snow, but of also
neglecting other public services.
During the last snow, he said, there
were no collections Of garbage or
ashes In North Woodbridge, and that
this refuse was allowed to "pile
up for two weeks"
Discussion of snow removal, how
ever, came at the tail end of q
hectic three-hour session at the
District Building, during which
delegates engaged in prolonged and
heated debate over boundary over
tapping"
An old federation problem cropped
up when K. r. Armstrong. chairman
of the Committee on Membership
and Credentials, presented a report
recommending disapproval of a Chill
lum Heights resolution calling for a
re-hearing on admittance of the
Hampshire Heights Association.
Report Put Aside.
After much argument, during
which Acting President Harry S.
Wender sometimes raped futilely
for order, it was voted to put aside
the Armstrong report until another
time. Debate on this subject had
been limited amid cries Of gag
rule" and the motion to table was
made by American University Park
Delegate Thomas E. Lodge, who was
last to take the floor.
Earlier the federation passed q
number Of resolutions, including
ones calling for:
Congressional approval of funds
to draw plans for the new Wilson
Teachers College; funds for the
purchase of site for an elemen-
tary school in American University
Park; money for equipping the new
Thomas Jefferson Junior High and
the Calvin Coolidge Senior High
Schools.
W.P A. aid in maintaining gar
dens on public school property;
additional appropriations to provide
for the teaching Of "shut-in" chill
dren unable to attend regular
classes.
The Federation, among other
things, turned thumbs down on a
proposal to increase the gasoline
tax as substitute for the new in
come levy and said 1t was opposed