Evening star., 1951-03-18
Federation Votes
Against Leaving
Defense Council
Lehman Protests Role
Of Board of Trade in
D. c. Advisory Group

from the new Commissioners
Civil Defense Advisory Council,
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions last night instructed it's pres
ident, Herbert P. Leeman, to re-
main on the council.
Mr.. Leeman argued that the
president of the Washington Board
of Trade, Thornton w. Owen,
was chosen council president, Civ
ing the board undue influence in
the civil defense picture. Mr.. Lee
man said he, himself, was Of
fered the post of vice chairman
but declined.
The federation president told
the meeting that it should not
be placed in the position of being
subservient and said the Board
of Trade, with less than 5000
members, would take credit when
the organized citizens are doing
the real civil defense work. He
asked the federation for a motion
of instruction and suggested that
he resign from the council.
But a former federation presi-
dent, John H. Connaughton, i'm
mediately offered a motion that
Mr.. Leeman remain on the coun-
Gil. Mr.. Connaughton argued that
the federation should not "act
like a bear with sore head"
Slap At Commissioners Seen.
For the federation to withdraw
from the council. Mr.. Connaugh-
ton argued, would be a slap at the
District Commissioners and not
at the Board of Trade or some
other organization.
ut is bad idea in time of pos
sible catastrophe to be arguing
about who is going to get the
credit" Mr.. Connaughton de-
clared. THE federation would
make a bad mistake and be mis-
. understood in withdrawing. Let's
not fight among ourselves-that's
what the Russians want"
l Other delegates told Mr.. Lee
man: "We need you on the coun-
: cil."
Mr.. Connaughton's motion was
carried and the federation also
beat down a substitute motion
that Mr.. Leeman name an alter
nate, such as the head of the fed
; eration's own new Civil Defense
; Committee.
Mr.. Leeman made it clear that
; his remarks had nothing to do
with continued cooperation with
the Civil Defense Director. He
pledged the federation's continued
= efforts to build up civil defense.
!. Cooperation Praised.
2 After the vote was announced,
Harry N. Stull, federation treas
turer and executive assistant for
civil defense, took the floor. He
, said more than 80 per cent of the
, personnel in the civil defense or
/. ganization is drawn from citizens
associations or civic associations.
], THAT is spirit of cooperation
that you can not overlook" he
declared. I'VE expect added CO.
operation and we ought to be very
proud of that"
At the opening of the meeting,
Mr.. Leeman announced the fol-
lowing as members of the special
Civil Defense Committee of the
federation:
Col. Frank H. Collins of the
Palisades Citizens Association,
chairman: Kenneth G. Read, sr.,
North Randle Community. vice
chairman; Arthur B. McNerney.
Brookland, vice chairman; Clar-
ence R. Bostwick, River Terrace;
George H. Brown, Columbia
Heights: j. B. Dickman, jr., North
Cleveland Park; Morris Engle,
Southwest; Thomas E. Lodge.
American University Park; Joel P.
Sharon, Lamond Heights; Mr..
Stull and Walter F. Wasson, West
End.
Gas Rate Brief Filed.
Vernon v. Baker, chairman Of
the federation's Public Utilities
Committee. reported that the Or
ganization's brief has been filed in
the Supreme Court, opposing that
tribunals consideration of the
Washington Gas Light Co. rate
increase case. He said that WASH
lngton consumers have now piled
up in the hands of the company
about 81 million in increased
rates. which District Court and
the United States Court of Ap-
peals said ''were not properly
granted by the Districts Public
Utilities Commission" He pointed
out any refund to consumers, as
the result of the litigation, will
not bear interest and the COM
pany is now getting the use Of
this money.
Mr. Baker also pointed out that
the federation's spokesmen have
asked the PUG to reconsider
the Potomac Electric Power Co.
rate increase case, which would
produce $2.6 million additional
revenue annually.
The federation rejected a move
to meet on some night other than
Saturday by a vote of 81 for and
81 against. A two-thirds vote was
needed to effect the change.
Snfefv TnIke