Evening star., 1949-12-21
'Post0ffice Rebellion
In CheWCh Beaten
By Older Residents

A post Office rebellion" in Chevy
Chase Village was put down by
overwhelming odds last night aft
er an exchange of charges be-
tween neighbors and an invita-
ton for the insurrectionist new
covers" to move out If they don't
liket he way things stand. -
More than 200 freeholders at
tended the special town meeting
reminiscent of New England's
early days-to vote 1874 to IL in
favor of keeping the village post
Office and expanding it to meet
the terms of a new lease. The
meeting was held in the 45-year-
old post Office building on Con-
necticut avenue.
The special meeting was called
by the Village Board of Managers
in response to circulars dis
tributed by small group of resi-
dents. Directors complained of
noise at the post Office. which
also serves as library and village
Office.
Old Residents Favor Post Office.
The residents of one of the
Washington areas most exclusive
neighborhoods proudly announced
how long they had lived there. In
general it appeared that those
who held the most rank" by liv-
ing there the greatest number of
years had no objection to the post
office. In fact, they strongly de-
sired that it be retained.
Edward S. Northrop. 7007
Meadow lane, counsel to the Board
of Managers. who practices law in
Washington, read report cover
ing the history Of the postal ia
cility. A 10-yeafs lease expired
in July but prior to that the Post
Office Department had started ne
gotiations to renew the lease, he
said.
The community-owned building
brought in $4.150 a year under the
old lease while the, new arrange
ment will provide $8,025 annually.
This, it was pointed out by some,
would help keep the special tax
areas rate lower.
Called Session After Objections.
Board Chairman Arthur w.
Defenderfer of East Kirke street
said his group had authority to
negotiate the lease but had called
the special session in response to
objections by eight residents.
He said 1900 square feet OF
floor space in the addition would
cost $4,000 but the new lease
will run for 10 years.
It looked as if the opposition
would not be heard when cries
for a vote were raised early in
the meeting. This was after only
Mrs. Charles G. Moore, S West
Lenox street, and Frederick Stohl-
man, 101 Grafton street, had urged
that the lease renewal be ap-
proved.
Mr.. and Mrs. Everett B. Will
son. jr., Laurel parkway, soon
were heard in opposition, how
ever. Mrs. Wilson said that when
she telephoned the post Office to
complain of the noise there at
$50 am. recently. "the man an
swering the phone said people
were making so much noise he
couldn't hear me-"
Opposes Expansion.
Mr.. Wilson contended the office
already is serving more than 10000
District residents and should not
be enlarged to serve more.
Mr.. Northrop's report, however.
said the area had been decreased
through the years although ad-
mitting the population has in
creased. The area served is
bounded by Harrison street NV,
on the south. Beach drive on the
north, Rock Creek on the east
and River road on the west.
Walter c. Clephane. 5000 Con-
necticut avenue, put the crowd in
jovial humor toward the end of
the meeting.
Thirty years ago." he said,
when they voted about expanding
the post Office, people shouted
about noises and trucks and
whisky bottles.
II have lived here for more
than 40 years and live closer to
the post Office than any one else,
and I'm still waiting for those
noises. I've found only two whisky