Evening star., 1948-03-09
Nation Would Watch
Home Rule Test Here,
AuchincIoss Declares

Representative Auchincloss, Re-
publican, of New Jersey last night
said that If home rule materializes
here District citizens will be watched
closely to see how they use the new
liberties conferred with self govern
ment.
The chairman Of the Home-Rule
and Reorganization Subcommittee
of the House District Committee
was principal speaker at a dinner
commemorating the 38th anniver-
sary of the founding of the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations. II
was attended by about 500 delegates
and their guests in the Mayfower
Hotel.
"The spotlight of publicity would
be focused on this Capital City OF
the Nation" Mr.. Auchincloss said
"and the whole country, if not the
world, would be looking to see what
you would do with the liberties con-
ferred on you American citizens in
the management of your own af-
fairs"
Model Government Possible.
Mr.. Auchincloss said that, under
home rule, If mediocre candidates
are elected to public Office by the
people of the community, then "they
will have a mediocre government. )"
But if men and women of character
who have sincere desire to serve
the community, come forward and
stand for Office, there will be a
first-class form of government
which might well be a model for the
whole country, he added.
The speaker also told the Fedora
ton that citizens should attend
meetings on national and local af-
fairs and enter into the discussions.
Wilbur s. Finch, past president
OF the Federation and chairman of
its national and local suffrage COM
nnittee, received The Evening Star
Cup as the outstanding civic work.
er Of the year. In making the pres
entation, Herbert r. Corn, manag-
ing editor of The Star, read a cita-
ton which pointed out Mr.. Finch
has distinguished himself especially
IN the battle for District suffrage.
In his response, Mr.. Finch paid
tribute to the late Theodore w.
Noyes, editor of The Star, for his
work in behalf of the cause. Mr..
Finch also told of the accomplish
ments of many members of Con-
gress and civic workers in this di-
rection.
Community Role Outlined.
John H. Connaughton, Fedora
tion president, declared that the
organization is the common de-
nomitator," in Washington because
it voices the opinions of the populace.
In telling of the groups history
he mentioned David Bapb, secre-
tary; Mr.. Finch; Clifford Newell, a
past president; Harry N. Stull, a
past president, who was toastmas-
ter; Jesse c. Suter, civic editor of
The Star. and others, as playing a
prominent and constructive part in
its accomplishments.
Among the honor guests were
Senator Capper. Republican, Of
Kansas; Senator Hoey, Democrat,
of North Carolina; Mrs. Auchin-
Gloss; Representative Deane, Demo-
crat, of North Carolina; District
Commissioner Guy Mason, James
H. Flanagan, chairman of the Pub.
lie Utilities Commission; James w.
Lauderdale, member of the PUG,
and Maj. Robert J. Barrett, super
intendent of police.
Also Clement Murphy, chief en-
gineer of the Fire Department;
Lloyd Harrison, assistant corpora
tion counsel; James G. Yaden, a
past president of the Federation;
John A. Reilly, president of the
Washington Board of Trade; Jack
j. Blank, president of the Fedora
ton of Businessmen's Associations,
and B. B. Derrick, secretary-treas-
urer of the Maryland-Virginia Milk
Producers Association.