Evening star., 1951-02-28
Donohue Fights Back
Al Opposition Critics;
Cites Civic Activities
Nominee Voices Hope
D. c. Con Choose Own
OfficiuIs in Future
By Don S. Warren

F. Joseph Donohue, nominated
by President Truman to be a
member of the Board of Commits
sioners, today fought back at
critics who contended he was unfit
for the post because he formerly
was counsel for liquor dealers and
because he had not participated
In community activities here.
Taking the stand before the
Senate District Committee, which
is considering confirmation Of his
appointment. the attorney re-
cited long list of activities tt
show the extent of his participa-
ton in civic affairs.
Among other things Mr.. Dono-
hue mentioned service on the
Speakers Bureau for the Red
Cross and Community Chest fund
campaigns. service on numerous
committees of the District Bar As
sociation, and many speeches de-
livered here and elsewhere in the
United States, seeking to arouse
citizens to the menace of Com
munistic activities.
Agrees on "Choice" Issue.
Mr.. Donohue said his critics
probably are right" in declaring
that he was not "the people s
choice" for the commissionership
Unfortunately, under our sys-
TEN Of District government" he
said, "the people here have nc
right to exercise their choice.
"But I hope this will be the
last time an appointee of the
President will have to be ques-
toned by the Senate District
Committee in connection with con-
f1rmation for the Board of Com
missioners, because hope Con-
gress soon will give the people OF
the District the right to choose
those who are to be in charge OF
the city government"
Mr.. Donohue previously had de-
clared that If confirmed as Com
missioner he would work for en-
actment of the Kefauver-Taft bill,
for an elected city government
4 Opposing Witnesses.
He testified shortly before noon
after four additional witnesses
urged the committee to reject his
nomination. In most cases these
witnesses, like four who testified
yesterday, voiced fears that Mr.
Donohue's decisions as Commis-
sioner would be Influenced by his
service as lawyer for Milton S
Kronheim, liquor wholesaler and
other liquor licensees.
Today's opposition witnesses
included William H. Ramsey, a
lawyer, and retired former en-
ploye of the Criminal Division OF
the Justice Department, who is
active as an official Of the Central
Union Mission; DR.. Earl Otto, a
chemist at the Bureau of Stand
ards, who spoke for the Chillum
Heights Citizens Associations, and
the Rev. Michael War;, pastor OF
the Luther Rice Memorial Baptist
Church.
Another witness was Miss Geor-
gia Spruill, frail white-haired
woman of II, who charged that
in 1881 Mr.. Donohue violated a
public trust" in that he failed
as court-appointed lawyer for her
to get jury trial on a charge she
faced Of threatening another
woman.
Miss Spruill caused a furry OF
excitement when she took from
an envelope a small shiny pistol
which was tied to an exhibit card
Her complaint was answered by
Mr.. Donohue with a statement
that he had been asked tempo
rarily to assist in the Spruill case
and that by agreement between
himself, the Government prose-
cutor and the late Police Court
Judge John P. Mcmahon, Miss
(see DoNOHUE, Page A-39