Evening star., 1944-11-05
inch Defeats
.ender iinCIose
Federation Race
Vote Is s. to 81;
Bobp Will Receive
Star Trophy

Wilbur s. Finch, for many years
one Of the leading advocates for
District suffrage, last night was
elected president of the Federation
of Citizens Associations. Mr.. Finch
defeated Harry s. Wender, who had
sought a third term as president.
The result was one of the closest
In the Federation's history, Mr..
Finch receiving So votes to Mr..
Wenders 81. After the result was
announced, Mr.. Wender moved that
the result be made unanimous, and
his motion was adopted by the
group.
Other Officers Elected.
The other officers elected were
Walter F. Wasson, first vice presi-
dent; Mrs. Carrie G. Smith, second
vice president; David Babp, secre-
tary, and K. P. Armstrong, treas
urer.
Mr.. Wender later was elected to
the Executive Board. Others elect
ed to the board were John H. Con-
naughton of the Petworth Citizens
Association, James A. Crooks of the
North Capitol Citizens Association,
Orrin j. Davy Of Southeast Citi-
zens' Association. Joseph H. Beck
man of Randle Highlands Citizens
Association, j. S. Gorreil of Burleigh
Citizens Association, Ernest r.
Henry OF Petworth Citizens Asso-
citation, Clifford H. Newell of Ar
kansas Avenue Citizens Associa-
ton, Mrs. Carrie G. Smith of Ana
costa Citizens Association, Harry
N. Stull of Stanton Park Citizens
Association and Fred S. Walker of
Park View Citizens Association. Mr..
Wender represents the Southwest
Citizens Association.
Babp Again Secretary.
Mr.. Babp. who was reelected to
his 2lst term as secretary, also was
selected by the organization to re-
ceive The Evening Star Trophy
awarded each year for outstanding
civic achievement. Mr.. Babp will
receive the trophy at the fedora
tion's annual dinner in April.
The Federation's new president
pledged that his administration
would strive to make the Fedora
tion the real representative body
OF the District in actual practice
He said he would call a meeting
OF the Executive Board a week from
tomorrow for discussion Of new
policies.
Headed Suffrage Group.
An attorney and administrative
assistant to the Carnegie Peace En-
dowment, Mr.. Finch for q number
of years has headed the Fedora
tion's Local Suffrage Committee
and .bssn president Of the d. 9.
Suffrage Association. Mr.. Finch
said hs believes that obtaining the
vote for the District should be the
primary concern Of all citizens and
organizations interested in the well
fare OF the city.
WA AACAA HAS tdkSQ an ACTIVE
part In the civic life Of Washington
He helped organize and is past pres.
ident Of the Burroughs Citizens AS.
sociation. A veteran of the World
War. Mr.. Finch is charter member
OF Bunker Hill Post, No. 81, of the
American Legion.
Condemnation Is Opposed.
A native of the District. Mr.. Finch
went to Gonzaga Parochial School
Georgetown National Law School
and was admitted to the bar in
1921. His wife is the former Marie
s. Schwartz, also of Washington
They have three boys and fou,
girls. All his sons are now on ac-
tive duty with the Navy.
Following the election the Fed
Grafton unanimously adopted a mo.
ton opposing the Government,
condemnation proceedings against
st. Paufs Episcopal Church and
other property owners in the vicinity
to erect a new George Washington
University Hospital.