New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-19
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. MEETINGS.
opposrD To TWO BIIIs NOW BEFORE CONGRESS-

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETINGS.
OPPOSED TO TWO BILLS NOW BEFORE CONGRESS-
COMMISSIONER DUNCAS's DISAPPOINTMENT.
The Chamber of Commerce held two special meet
ings Yesterday, at both of which George Lane
presided At the first meeting James w. Elweli
read the report of the special committee appolhleu
to review two bills now pending In congress, one
Of which provides for the s Mans In the
administration Of the RevOnuO Cutter service c to
the Amy Depa Tb,ch condemned both Bills
Captain James Parker Secretary ct the American
Shipmasters Association SAID ihls Ona'n Ioe
consists of about 740 members and there are less
than forty present there were twenty-tour present.
As one member, considering the Importance OF TINS
matter do not think that this body should pro-
coed hastily Captain Parker then offered q reso-
luion to the effect that while the Chamber did not
approve the bills, IL was IN favor OF department
OF commerce and thought that Congress should ap-
point committee TO investigate tho whole subject.
Mr. Phillips declared that the meeting was as
large the average ones for the past twenty years
and that those who stayed away SIMPLY declared
themselves in favor of the bills The action OF the
meeting would carry as much weight win III as any
measure that the Chamber had ever acted upon.
He criticised Captain Parker for attempting to
throw Geld water upon the purpose oil the meeting;
AT this point Messrs. Elwell, Ball Phillips and
Conkrna lose simultaneously TO speak. and were ac-
cused of trying to defeat submission OF the propo-
sitions Colonel Conkling said that the whole deoate
seemed to argue gross Ignorance OF the snbJecI.
MIR Van Week SAID II seemed to be the purpose
of some of the members to have the report OF tbe
committee adopted without permitting any debate;
that there seemed TO be objections TO having the
full merits OF the bills discussed
half dozen members jumped to their feet at TINS
point and repeatedly called, Question" A. Foster
Higgins, one of the committee, said he hoped tnat
the question would net becalled for, as he dm not
wish the members cooked of from debating: lie SAD
that charge made by one OF the committee, that
the naval officers who had been asked 10 ana the
cOmmittre in the consideration of the bills had
made the most Acrimonious aud personal aSsauli s
upon other Department." was untrue. ne salu
that the officers frankly gave 10 the COM
mittes information upon the subject and the as,
surance that the Secretary of the Navy dlsciained
any personal interest IN the matter, lie qua noi
wish it to go out TO the world that the Chamber mad
been sitting to derounce the Navy Department
MANY disc0urteous remarks had been made at the
meeting which were unbecoming TO Ihe Chamber.
Mr. Ward said 1t had been charged that the
two bills were framed tor the purpose OF dVertlnS
political patronage to tho secretary OF the Navy;
1.-THE Secretary of the Treasury" he continued nad
more patronage aud used IL more than anybody
else. Even if, had been stated, the naval oicers
were not az competent as some VINO naa spoheh US
paragmgly Cf them would ike them 10 De, the
Change would get us rid of lot OF pot-bouse ana
bar-roon politicians. | have as much interest III
this matter as any member; am an owner of ship
ping while many members are not ana some 90 not
know the stem from the stern.
After considerable angry talk between some other
members Mr. Parkers resolution was declared 10
be GU. of order. and the report OF the committees
was adopted by seventeen votes to SIX
Several of the members maze hotlon 10 atYou i
and began putting their overcoais while the
president read the call for another special meeting
at once to consider section 49, in the Dlngey SLIP
ming bill now before Congress- which provides that
masters Of vessels may snip and pay on their crews
without the services of the Shipping Commissioner
Shipping Commissioner Duncan, who was lnstru-
mental In calling the meeting, shouted 10 the men,
beers TO " Hold on" Another member wanted the
meeting adjourned hll Monday and dozen others
shouted to "Put it of till the regular meeting ne
latter proposition was voted, wolfe the members
filed out of the room. MIR. duncan looked dlsap-
pointed and feared that Congress would take some
action 10 cut of the tees Tor himself and sons who
are his clerks. After making some inquiries he
learned that 1t was possible for him 10 have spe-
cial meeting, if he con.d got nine otners OesiueS
himself To sign the CALL