Evening star., 1946-06-09
|Choice for PUG
In Arlington
Is Assai|ed
Civic Association
Asks Resignation
Of Board Member


Appointment of an Arlington
County employe to the County Pub
lie Utilities Commission last night
was severely criticized by former
commission chairman Simultan-
eously it was disclosed that a comis-
sion member has been disciplined"
by a civic group because of action
taken in connection with the recent
Arnold-operated bus dispute.
Mrs. Alma Ramsey, the former
commission chairman, asserted the
appointment of County Engineer
Clifton Stoneburner lis most un-
fortunate" and that similar move
to appoint the same official several
years ago brought threats by COM
mission members to resign en- masse.
A statement is expected to be
issued this week by the commission
regarding designations, it was learned
from an unofficial source yesterday.
Resignation Requested.
1t was also learned yesterday that,
another phase of the controversy
has resulted in the Board of Direc-
tors of the Westover Civic Associa-
ton asking the resignation from the
board of Glen B. Wall, a member Of
the Public Utilities Commission He
already has been withdrawn as the
civic bodys representative to the
Arlington County Civic Federation.
1t started with labor dispute be-
tween the Amalgamated Association
of Street Electric Railroad and Mo-
tor Coach Employees of America
and the Washington, Virginia &
Maryland Coach Co., the Arnold
operated line
When drivers and other employees
struck over grievances, principally
involving salary increases, the COM
pany at first agreed to certain in
creases conditional on fare raises
being granted by the Interstate
Commerce Commission The strike
was settled and the ICC will hear
the fare increase application June
l19.
Civic Groups Protest.
Meanwhile, as civic groups pro-
tested and the Public Utilities Com
mission failed to oppose the increase,
Commission Chairman Milton Z
Diehl wrote the ICC stating the
commission position to be:
Under the circumstances we rec
ommend that the proposed tariff
be allowed to become effective as
published adding that a further
investigation should be made to JUS
tify the increase.
Failure of the commission to op-
pose the increase prompted the
Westover Civic Association to with
draw Mr.. Wall as federation dele
I gate, a member of the associations
board said. At the same time they
asked his resignation from the
board to which he had been elected.
/ Denies Resignation.
! Mr.. Wall said the Westover Civic
| Associa ton had asked him to resign
because he hadn't attended a board
meeting of the group on May IA,
I the night after the commission held
its public meeting to learn the SEN
timents of Arlington residents.
There was no mention of any
other reason he explained. MY
reason for not attending was be-
cause I was holding a meeting of
the Executive Committee of the
Civic Federation at my home the
same night"
Mr.. Wall said the Westover group
notified the Civic Federation they
were withdrawing his name because
he had resigned. The commission
member denied turning in his
resignation, but said the organiza-
tlon has the right to withdraw
any delegate to the Federation"
L was told by board members
later that the real reason was be-
cause we had not been partial
enough to the people at the hear
ing Mr., Wall declared. The
commission called the people that
night for their testimony only, the
same as we had previously had
meetings with the operators of the
busllne and union officials.
/ They kicked me out before thev
knew what the commission was 60
ing to do he added, "and never
have they asked me for an ex-
planation.'
Diehl Resigns.
A few days after the letter to the
1CC was made public Chairman
Edmund D. Campbell of the County
Board asked for and received Mr..
Diehl's resignation. Mr.. Campbell
appointed Mr.. Stoneburner to fill
the vacancy and it was this action
that was criticized by Mrs. Ramsey.
She said Mr.. Stoneburner is capable
and honest and that she was not
engaging in personalities.
The commission is purely an ad-
vlsory body she said. II think
it has been and can be a valuable
! adjunct of the County Board as
long as it is entirely independent.
My personal view is that no mem
Der of the commission should have
any business connection either with
the county government or with a
public utility
Meanwhile, at yesterdays County
Board meeting, previous action ap-
propriating $1,000 to hire a rate
! expert to study the proposed Arnold
line increase was rescinded when
the board was informed the OPA
and the ICC are making similar
studies and will inform the board
before final action is taken.
Mr.. Campbell, who was the author
of a resolution to "revitalize" the
formerly defunct PUG several years
ago. was out of the city over the
week end and could not be reached
for comment