Evening star., 1940-06-02
Citizens Map
Co-operationin
Defense Plans
15-Mon Committee
Is Empowered to
Work Out Details


The final meeting of the Fedora.
ton of Citizens Associations last
night conferred blanket powers or
its 15-man Executive Committee tc
cooperate with the Federal Govern
ment in the interest of national Sc
curity in "the present grave emer-
gency"
At the same time President Harry
N. StuIl told committee members he
expected to call them into session
some time next week to consider
what definite steps to take.
Among the proposals to be taken
up at the meeting are two propos-
ing creation of a five-man secret
committee to help the Department
of Justice in running down subver-
sive elements in the Capital and a
broader non-secret security COM
mittee to cooperate in any way
the Government thought desirable.
Any other suggestions from member
bodies will be taken up by the COM
mittee.
Broadcast Curb Urged.
In a burst of patriotism the dele
gates further demanded that the
Federal Communications Commits
sion refuse time on any broadcast
ing station in the United States
to any party or person advocating
the overthrow of the Government
by force or that is the agent OF
affiliate of any foreign government
espousing world revolution or over
throw of our Government" The
resolution was aimed directly at q
broadcast of Communist party pro-
ceedings today which stations are
compelled to carry under an F. G. C.
order by which recognized political
parties are allowed equal time on
the air, Harry Wender, vice presi-
dent of the Federation, declared.
The delegates also voted a pro-
cedure of opening the meetings with
a prayer and a pledge of allegiance
to the flag and started out with both
last night.
Despite long debate on the defense
Issues the group managed to clear
Its calendar of numerous regular
matters. The members called for
permanent assignment of one judge
to traffic court and asked the pre-
siding judge of Police Court to set
up uniform system of penalties
to be imposed by all judges sitting
on all traffic cases. Extension OF
the impounding power of the police
was asked. e
Funds were asked to modernize
the traffic light system in the Dis
trict by special timing equipment
and establishment of a central con-
troll system for the entire central
business area. In addition the Board
of Education is asked to include in
its 1912 budget estimates items
for an 8-room addition to the Eliot
Junior High School and new
school in the North Randle area
Appropriation is also asked for
plans and a study of an East Capt.
tol street bridge across the Ana
costa River.
The delegates also called on the
Commissioners to reduce the maxi
mum fine for pedestrian control vio-
lation from $500 to $50.
More Street Lights Asked.
Additional street lights and police
supervision in Piney Branch area
west of Sixteenth street from Piney
Branch Parkway to Decatur street
and Blagden road were asked in the
present budget.
The proposals of the Secret Com
mittee and the Security Commit
tee were placed before the fedora
tion by Wilbur S. Finch of Bur-
roughs Citizens Association and
Culver B. Chamberlain of Cathedral
Heights Cleveland Park but the
delegates, finding they were unable
to agree on specific details, voted in
general terms to turn the whole
matter over to the Executive Com
mittee which acts for the fedora
ton during the summer recess. The
general motion was made by Jesse
c. Suter of the Society of Natives
Secrecy was one stumbling block
as delegates disagreed on the veil
ing of the names of the committee
and its action. Under Mr.. Finch's
proposal only the president of the
federation would have contact with
the committee and complaints ol
subversive activities would be sub.
mitted to the committee through
him.
Secrecy Attacked and Defended.
Il don't see why anybody should
be ashamed to be an American,
Alfred D. Calvert of Lincoln Park
Association told the group in oh.
jecting to the secrecy provisions.
There is power in secrecy
roared Col. Luther r. Maddox o1
Columbia Heights, and William j
Tucker of Anacostia Association
said it would be "the height o1
dumbness" to reveal the COMMITTEES
names to the public.
In the adoption of the policy OF
pledging allegiance to the flag al
each meeting, Mr. Tucker proposed
that it be done at 9 pm.
1 dIl III ilCdlt w dSlCCAACAe Wiei
the proposal said President Stull
''but why 9 o'clock?"
ITO make sure and catch the dele.
gates who come late or leave early,
replied Mr.. Tucker. Il want every
body to be here when the ceremony
Is performed"
Another delegate suggested thu
earlier time might inspire delegates
to be on time to impress on the 9th
ers their patriotic standing.
Pledging allegiance to the flag il
a new procedure for the Fedora
ton, but the opening prayer uset
to be q regular practice in abeyanc'
during the last few years.
The next meeting of the delegates
will be the first Saturday in Oc'
tober..