Evening star., 1947-11-12
I0unCll ignores
Citizens Protest
On Co|asanto
200 AIexondrions Fail
To Have Manager
Choice Reconsidered

Manned to take ONCE as ClIy HlaIl-
ager of Alexandria as scheduled on
Saturday after a delegation of 200
citizens last night failed in their
attempt to have the appointment
reconsidered.
Although it was pointed out by
City Attorney Joseph M. Pancoast
that under city ordinance no reso-
luton to rescind the appointment
would be in order for 80 days, no one
moved to amend that ordinance SO
that action could be taken last
night. Political observers agreed
this indicated that II the council
men were not willing to take such
steps last night, they probably would
not be any more willing to do so 80
days hence.
Immediately after last nights
stormy session, sponsors OF a petit
ton calling for a referendum on a
change from the present ward
elected council to one elected at
large disclosed that they had OBJ
tanned nearly 1000 signatures. This,
they said, was sufficient to author
ize the Circuit Court judge to order
a referendum. They said they did
not plan to present the petition to
the court, however, until next week
Meetings. Legality Discussed.
The council meeting last night
opened with a controversy over
whether it was legal for the council
to meet on a holiday Mr.. Pan
coast said it was not legal for the
council to hold a regular session
on a holiday It was decided that
the last executive session held No
vember 4 never officially adjourned
and therefore the councllmen actu-
ally were still in session.
Councilman Samuel Luckett then
suggested that the meeting move te
the corporation courtroom to &C
commodate the 200 people, many OF
whom were standing in the ralr
outside and looking in the windows
This motion was defeated. WITT
Councilman Jack Tulloch, EdWarc
Downey, Paul Delaney and Everett
Hellmuth voting against it. Coun'
cilmen Charles Nash and Jonr
Ewald had not yet arrived at tht
meeting. Then on motion OF Mr.
Hellmuth the meeting adjourned.
Bv agreement of the councilmen
however. they remained IN tn'
council chamber to hear the pro-
tests against Mr.. Colasantos ap'
pointment.
Saws City Is "Dismayed."
Judge Prentice Ellis Darlington
ir,, the first spokesman, said the
citv was "dismayed and dislllu'
stoned" by the appointment.
The Rev. Cliff Johnson, Presoy.
terian minister who emphasized thai
he was speaking as citizen, saio
that a city the size OF Alexanorla Ia
should secure some one for the JoE
who had proved his ability.
Frank M. Hurst, who defended the
appointment, said he thought Mr.
Colasanto would do good job.
A telegram was delivered to the
council chamber announcing sup
port of Mr.. Colasanto by the Vet
erans' Non-Partisan Voters League
of Alexandria, which claimed to nave
7oS voting members.
Moved to Court Room.
bust as the informal protest session
snpeared ended, Councilman De
lanev moved that notice of a specia
meeting be waived and the councl
meet Immediately in the Corpora
ton Court to hear the protests
officially. His motion carried unanl
mouslv and the council and the 2O'
citizens marched around the blocl
to the court.
After the meeting got under way
in the court, Marshall Beverly asKee
Councilman Nash if he had no
agreed to move for a reconsideration
provided enough pressure could b.
nut on Col. Hellmuth to support th'
reconsideration also. Mr.. Nash salt
this was true.
In answer to a question by l.. E
Maier II It were true that several va
cant city positions had some bearlnl
on the city manager selection, Col
Hellmuth denied that his vote wa
prompted by any such motive. HI
took occasion also to deny runaor
that he was seeking city job.
Ben Boogher then asked Col. Hell
muth if he had not said a "happ!
solution" to the whole problem woult
be for Mr.. Colasanto to decline th'
appointment. Col. Hellmuth said thl
was true.
A regular council meeting will b.
held tonight.
The council agreed to meet Satur'
day with the directors of Alexandra
Hospital to discuss the outcome O.
hospital survey made in an e1or'
to settle the dispute between thu
hospital and the city over rates II
be paid for indigent cases.
The report will not be available
to the public, however, until some
time next week, according to thu
Rev., O. v. T. Chamberlain, chair
man of the Survey Committee.