Evening star., 1948-02-22
Federation Gets
Proposed Rule
On Expulsion
Citizens Groups Could
Be Disowned if They
Are Undesirable


A proposal to allow the expulsion
Of member organizations for failure
to meet qualifications" of member
ship, including certification that Of
ficers and delegates do not belong
to subversive groups, was laid be-
fore the Federation of Citizens
Associations last night.
In another action, the federation
approved the bill introduced by
Representative Miller, Republican OF
Nebraska, which would provide
severe penalties for persons con-
victed of sex crimes against children.
The committee which made the
expulsion proposal as an amendment
to the federation constitution started
with the idea of drawing up some-
thing to give the group power to re-
fuse to seat a delegate considered
undesirable. Now, no attempt to
control the seating of delegates will
be made, it was said.
The proposed amendment will be
voted on at the first meeting in
April after the various associations
have had time to discuss 1t.
The qualifications set up by the
amendment, which also would deter
mine If new organization is ad-
mitted to membership, would have
to be maintained by all present
members. Harry N. Stull, of the
Stanton Park Citizens Association,
out it this way:
"At present there is nothing to
cover the situation where an Or
ganization becomes bi-racial or sub
versive after becoming member" p"
60-Day Warning Provided.
The amendment provides that
the federation membership and Gre
dentials committee, on finding that
a member organization is failing to
comply with qualifications for men,
bership, shall notify the guilty asso-
citation of that fact. If the associa-
tion does not meet the qualifications
within go days. the federation may
expel it by a three-fourths vote OF
the members present.
The requirements for member
ship in the federation remain about
the same as before with the added
proviso that the organization must
certify to the federation that its
officers and delegates are not mem
bers of any organization declared
to be subversive by law or by any
governmental agency duly au-
thorized by law to make such de-
termination.
William A. Duvall. of Fort Davis
Citizens Association, asked:
How will the association certify
delegates? BY having the FBI in
vestigate?"
Only Letter is Needed.
Wilbur S. Finch chairman of the
special committee, told MIN that the
association merely had to write a
letter giving the information.
Tracey T. Madden, of Stanton
Park Citizens Association, inter-
jected: II can't comply with that.
I don't know what groups the other
members of my association belong
to-"
Harry S. Wender, Of the South
west Citizens Association, also a
member of the special committee,
explained that it was the first time
the federation has considered such
a proposal and that it was very i'm
portant" 1t places the member
organization under new obliga-
ton. he said.
This new step is needed if we
are to maintain the integrity of the
Federation" he added
Definition Is Asked.
The special committee has been
working on the matter since the
squabble last year over the seating
of Mrs. Sylvia Wubnig, delegate of
Kalorama Citizens Association.
Mrs. Wubnig asked what was
meant by agency" to determine sub
versive organizations. Mr.. Finch
replied that it might be any agency
so designated by law of Congress
but that it was question of fact
to be determined when the question
arose. s
Mrs Wubnig pointed out that At
torney General Clark had said, in
connection with the subversive lists
published by his office, that member
ship in such an organization would
indicate basis for suspicion, not
guilt. She asked how far from
democratic American procedure did
this amendment depart.
Wender Defends PropoSaI.
Mr.. Wender took up the argument
to say that the federation was not
condemning any one by association.
He said that all knew what subver-
sive meant.
When such group is branded
subversive," he said. persons who
have been innocent members can
quickly clear themselves. But there
is no room left for argument if they
remain in such an organization.
The federation also adopted
proposal introduced by Soterios
Nicholson, of the Mid-City Citi-
zens' Association, which asked the
Commissioners to reconsider fees
charged to ball parks and arenas
so fees would be more in line with
the services rendered them by the
city officials.