Evening star., 1946-01-06
Federationvotes
Monthly Tabloid
After Hot Debate
Project Is Approved,
"a to n, Despite
Attack on Financing

~ ~ LIs HSSPuS
Attack on Financing
After a stormy debate the Federa-
tion of Citizens Associations last
night voted to 60 ahead with plans
for publication of a monthly tabloid
to serve as a house organ for the
organizations activities and those
Of its SO af11liated associations.
The final vote fayoring the project
was "a to 81. 1t came after nearly
three hours of debate, during which
opponents Of the proposed publica-
ton charged that the financing
plan for the paper was "all wrong"
and would result in financial disas-
ter for the Federation.
Several times during the evening
1t appeared that the membership
would vote down the proposal. How
ever, spirited plea by Wilbur S.
Finch, president of the Federation,
and similar appeals by former presi-
dents Harry S. Wender and Harry
s. Stull for approval of the project
changed this sentiment.
$500 to Be Raised.
Under the adopted procedure, the
first issue will not be published
until $500 is raised to defray es-
timated expenses. This sum, it was
said, will allow the paper to publish
for year If necessary without de-
pending on advertising. The money
for this purpose will be secured by
voluntary contributions which will
be repaid, If financially possible"
The first issue will contain four
pages and will be expanded as ad-
vertising is obtained. After the
third issue the editorial committee
will be allowed to accept advertis-
ing for subsequent issues. The edi-
torial committee will be composed
of the Federation's president and
secretary and five other members,
who will be accredited delegates.
The plan calls for the first issues
to be limited to 10000 copies.
Those opposed to the venture con-
centrated their attack on plans for
financing the paper. j. M. Heiser
president of the Federation of Bus
inessmen's Associations and a dele
gate from the Chevy Chase Citizen.
Associations. charged that mucl
more than $500 would be needed.
Fears Compromise of Policy.
Mr.. Heiser also asserted that by
accepting donations the Federation
would obligate itself to the various
donors and would be forced to CON-
promise its policy.
John H. Connaughton, chairman
of the special committee that pre-
pared the report, stressed in reply
that the venture would not be
started unless it was definitely de.
termined that $500 would be suffi.
cient.
what have we got to lose?" he
asked. Nothing will be spent until
we are certain that we have enough
money to 90 through with it ant
the venture is. sound. We are mo-
taking any risks.
Mr.. Finch declared that the pub.
lication would not be news.
paper" in the strict sense of thu
word but ''house organ" He sale
the publication would contain full
texts of committee reports, minute.
of important executive meeting.
and other data that cannot be car.
ried in its entirety by the daily
newspapers.
Central Office Seen.
Even more important than estab.
fishing a publication, the venture
would permit establishment of 8
central Federation office, somethins
the organization now lacks, Mr.
Finch asserted. The groups prog.
ress has been impeded because Of
the lack of a central Office to direct
the organizations activities, he said
Any profit brought by advertising
would be used toward the upkeep Of
Federation headquarters, he added.
Both sides in the dispute seemed
in general agreement that the news.
papers here carried news of civic
association activities as fully a.
space limitations permitted. Severa
members praised The Star for its
coverage of civic affairs.
Charles H. Bates of the Society o.
Natives declared the daily news.
papers here gave sufficient coverag,
OF the news and would give addi.
tional space, on request, to specia
Federation reports and executiv.
meetings.
However. r. w. Donneny of tn.
Brentwood Terrace Citizens Asso.
citation, declared that many times
the most important issues decided al
Federation meetings were under.
played by the press and the least
significant items given the mos
prominence.
That's newspaper reporting fol
you," he said.