Evening star., 1949-03-03
Cherry Blossom Fete
Political Reward
Demand Is Rebuffed

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Continued From First PageD
Democrats have been promising
their friends the low numbers and
the Commissioners, who drew up
the list of the favored few, have
been told to be sure to remember
the Democrats.
Further, there's talk that NOM
nations for District positions of
all kinds are now undergoing a
careful scrutiny by administration
advocates.
A considerable amount of ex-
citement repeatedly was turned up
recently over an appointment until
it was explained that the ap-
pointee was District official
who had to be on the board by
virtue of his Office.
AS for the cherry blossoms, Mr..
Wheeler sprang into action after
the list of committee chairmen
was announced by the Commis-
sioners.
This festivity, which Identifies
the Nations Capital, has de-
veloped to such point that 1t
should represent all classes and
groups of people in the District" "
he wrote the Commissioners.
Having examined the present
appointments. I find very few, If
any, Democrats included. Conse-
quently, in order that the Cherry
Blossom Festival will more nearly
represent an accurate cross-sec-
ton of the various classes of the
people in the District, I am sug-
gesting the following people be
included, in accordance with the
following classif1cations:
"Chairmen: Arthur Clarendon
Smith and A. L. Wheeler.
"Vice chairmen: Thomas P.
Morgan. jr.; Melvin Hildreth, j.
c. Turner, w. L. Houston, Robert
Mars. Ben Sigal and Charles Stof-
berg"
Trade Board Rejects Suggestions.
MIR. Wheeler said he had taken
this up with the Board of Trade
but had been advised the board
was unwilling to broaden the base
of their recommended selections. F"
II would appreciate your giving
this request expedited consldera-
ton, so that the suggested new
members, should they be appoint
ed, will be able to make their con-
tribution to the success OF the
festivity," Mr.. Wheeler concluded.
The Commissioners. who make
the committee appointments on
recommendation of the Board OF
Trade, sent the letter on to the
Trade Board for comment. Leon
Chatelain, jr.. president OF the
Board of Trade, replied:
THE Washington Board Of
Trade is a non-partlsan assocla-
ton of business, professional and
civic leaders of Washington elected
to membership without respect to
political party affiliations. Its OBJ
ject is, and has been for so years,
the consideration of. and action
upon, matters pertaining to the
welfare of the National Capital.
Nonpartisan Approach.
Its record of achievement on
behalf of the people of Washing
ton has continued uninterruptedly
since 1889 irrespective of which
political party has been in power.
It has and does cooperate with
men and women of all political
parties in it's work on behalf of
this great city, but does so be-
cause of their interest in Wash
ington and without regard for and
usually without knowledge of
their partisan political affiliations,
Such a nonpartisan approach is
absolutely essential in working for
the welfare of the Nations Capt.
tai.
Under the circumstances, we
cannot accede to the demand of
any partisan political organiza-
ton for recognition as such in
Board of Trade community enter
prises."
Mr.. Chatelain told the Com
missioners, in his reply also, that
MIR. Wheeler had already ap-
preached the Trade Board with
a request for more Democrats, had
handed in his list and had been
told then that the Greater Ma
tional Capital Committee felt it
unwise to comply with his re-
quest
Mr.. Wheeler said today his posi-
ton was that of the Democratic
Central Committee. The committee,
he said, felt more Democrats should
be given a hand in working out
arrangements for the April festival.
He personally wasn't given any
special emphasis to that. he said,
Mr.. Wheeler commented sadly
that he had been told the Commis-
sioners had forwarded his sugges-
ton to the Board of Trade. He
said he didn't have much hope of
making changes in the committee
personnel this year, but promised:
We'll make a determined effort
next year.
Chairman of this years COM
mittee is C. j. Mack, manager of