Evening star., 1945-12-05
Arlington Federation
Defeats Proposal 10
Restrict Membership

The Arlington County Civic Fed
Grafton, by 1921 vote, last night
defeated a proposed constitutional
amendment designed to limit mem
bership to the Caucasian race.
The action followed bitter debate
during which Mrs. Beulah S. Goss,
delegate from the Fort Myer Heights
Citizens Association, lost two mo-
tions which recommended that all
the proposed constitution and by
law changes be recommitted to the
committee or that the subject be
tabled.
Attacking supporters of the meas
ure, Glen B. Wall, Westover Civic
Association delegate, declared the
proposed amendment was Fascist
idea you're trying to write into your
Constitution"
Stating that such a move would
set up bars against racial minorities,
Mr.. Wall asked, why set up such
a bar when we're all working for
community good?"
Publicity "Unfavorable."
He also pointed out that the war
was fought to destroy such discrimi-
nation and said the federation is in
serious danger" of losing the war
by such an attitude.
Elmer Million, darlington dele
gate, said the federation has re-
ceived "a lot of unfavorable pub
1city" from the proposed amend
ment and that failure to act on it
would be interpreted as an evasion
Of the issue.
Dr.. Victor Meyers, Constitution
and Bylaws Committee member,
moved to adopt the amendment. Re-
plying to Mr.. Walls remarks, DR..
Meyers said, Il wonder If you real
lie that you not only will have
colored people on the floor of the
meeting, but also will have them
In your homes in committee meet
ings." = -
There is no reason why" he con-
tlnued, that colored civic groups
couldn't have their own federation
and we could work together for COM
munity benefit
Election Procedure Set.
Other changes, all of which were
adopted, included a new section by
which nominating committee of
f1ve delegates shall be elected at the
November meeting to prepare a
slate OF officers for the next year.
Nominations from the floor also will
be in order at the December meeting.
Concerning the annual award of
The Evening Star Trophy, it was
provided that a committee of five be
elected at the January meeting to
recommend delegate or committee
to the federation at the February
meeting as having made the great
est contribution to civic endeayor
IN Arlington County during the pre-
vlous year. Presentation is sched-
uled for the March meeting.
William G. Watt was reelected
federation president. A delegate from
the Lyon Village Citizens Associa-
ton, Mr.. Watt, has served one term.
Other officers reelected are: Mrs.
Ruby G. Simpson of the Organized
Women Voters, vice president, and
g.. Arthur Fuller, Arlington Forest
Citizens Association, treasurer.
/ Three Renamed. to Board,
Three members were reelected to
the Executive Committee. and two
new members were elected. Those
reelected were Mrs. Goss, Mr.. Wall
and S. A. Wood, New Arlington
Citizens Association. New members
are Alvin F. Seebode, Allencrest-
Berkshire Citizens Association, and
Mrs. Beatrice Smythe, Cherrydale
Citizens Association.
! Three Executive Committee rec
concentrations were referred to COM
mittees. Two Of them proposed a
study of financing a Northern Vir-
lginla tuberculosis Sanatorium ano
Ia check of State fund ALLEGATIONS
to Arlington County on the basis
OF the 1910 census, termed unfair
because OF local population in
creases. Both were referred fo,
study to the Revenues and Expendi.
lures Committee.
1 The third, seeking establishment,
OF permanent Arlington County
1 Board Of Equalization, was referred
to the Legislative and Legal Action
Committee.
| A report favoring Arlington,s in.
corporation as a first-class city
adopted by the Fort Myer Heights
Citizens Association and presented
! by Mrs. Goss for federation action
was referred to the Incorporation
COMMITTEE.