Evening star., 1951-06-03

VIuHSlS OVST 'FSeS
In Cos Case Cited
For Present Stund
Amid charges that it had been
Inundated by a wrangle over at
torneys' fees in a previous court
case. the Federation of Citizens
Associations last night turned
down a proposal to appeal an in
crease of rates by the Potomac
Electric Power Co.
The vote marked the stormy
climax Of a meeting distinguished
principally by the strained tenn
pers of the delegates. Many men,
bers saw the action as disapproval
by the federation of the result of
a successful fight over gas rates,
in which attorneys speaking for
the association were awarded fees
of $55.000 by the court.
Championed BY Attorney.
The new proposal was cham
pioned by one Of the three attor-
neys in the previous case. Vernon
v. Baker. chairman of the asso-
cations committee on public util-
tiles, strongly recommended that
the group should appeal a recent
decision of the Public Utilities
Commission allowing the Pepco
rate increase. He argued that the
proposal was unjust to consumers
and would result in unreasonable
and excessive earnings by the
company"
The proposed court fight was
by John H. Connaughton,
who contended that the present
method Of fixing electric rates on
a sliding scale basis is the fair
est and most economical way from
every viewpoint. In a clear ref
erence to the gas case, Mr.. Con-
naughton added:
Il don't see why we should get
involved in this thing on some
body's gamble that he'll get him.
self 100000 fee. We've had
scandal around this town
in the past two months to ruin
this federation"
Counsel Fees Awarded.
At the conclusion of the gas
case. one of the attorneys, Will
liam A, Roberts, asked that the
court award counsel fees, and
the court ordered payment of $685.
900 to be divided by arrangement
between Mr.. Roberts, Mr.. Baker
and Herbert P. Leeman. president
Of the federation, who also took
part in the case. The division
has not yet been arranged.
On roll call vote, Mr.. Bakers
proposal was defeated, 48 to 81,
after a debate in which President
Leeman had to bang his gavel
repeatedly to call the shouting
delegates to order.
Other Proposals.
In quieter moments, the meeting
took action on a number of other
and:
l. Recommended that all Dis
trict recreationa1 facilities and
lands should be transferred from
control of the Interior Department
to that of the District Board of
Recreation "for operation on a
segregated basis" The inter-raclal
of swimming pools, the
federation declared, had mot i'm
proved inter-racial relations, but
on the contrary has been a set
back :" The Interior Depart
ment was charged with "arro-
gantly" continuing "to impose
its dictates upon this community
which is endeavoring to work out
its own problems to the best in
terests of all concerned"
2. Urged a series of improve
ments in the operation of Wilson
Teachers College, including a
proposal to press for the estab-
lishment. as soon as plans can be
worked out. of a municipal uni
versity. in which the present
Teachers College would
become a department of educa-
tion, and in which an opportunity
Tor graduate work would be pro-
The report of the Educa-
tion Committee was amended by
the meeting to specify that the
proposed university should be
administered on a dual school
basis"
3. Called for other improve
ments in the school system. in
cluding higher pay for teachers
and increased benefits, smaller
classes, and an increase in the
probationary period for teachers
to two-year period. The as
sociation deleted a proposal by the
committee that teachers colleges
should not be subject to external
censorship of books, journals or
speakers"
4. Approved number of recon-
mendations to help children in a
time OF emotional crisis, including
more extensive psychiatric and
psychological services in schools
Improvement of child labor stand
ards, stronger measures against
vandalism and more severe penal
Ties for persons peddling narcotics
to minors.
5. Voted to appeal to the Ma
tlonal Production Authority for
liberalization of restrictions on
building for noncommercial recre-
ational facilities.
6. Authorized the election of IN
delegates to represent the fedora
ton of the Citizens Zoning Ad-
viSory Committee.