Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-23
IT DECIDES TO AMALGAMATE
ACTION BY THE BUSINESS MEMS
ASSOCIATION.
Votes to Consolidate With Jobbers and
Shippers as Chamber Of
Commerce

the Jobbers and Shippers Association in
the formation Of 1.-THE Chamber of Com
merce of Washington" The meeting was
held last evening in GUIDES Hall. 1914 F
street. and was attended by large num-
Der of members Of the association.
While 1t Is not an accomplished fact, 1t
Is said to be firmly believed by those who
have canvassed the membership that the
Jobbers and Shippers Association will
adopt the same course at a meeting to be
held this evening at the New Willard. AS
result of the action of the Business Mems
Association last evening 1t is declared,
local chamber of commerce is assured
At meeting to be held at the New WILL
lard next Thursday evening of members
OF both organizations it is planned to
outline the details of the new Chamber of
Commerce and formulate plan of organ
ization.
Substance of Resolutions.
The resolutions adopted last evening after
lengthy discussion of the entire matter
set forth that the permanent organization
of the Washington Chamber of Commerce
be now affected. and that the membership
be composed of the members of the Bust
ness Mems Association and the Jobbcrs and
shippers Association in good standing and
such other persons may subsequently be
elected; the members of the Business mems
Association and the Jobbers and Shippers
Association to be members without further
payment of dues until January 1, 1905" and
that committee of five be appointed to
act with similar committee from the
other organization party to the proposed
amaigaination, to formulate a plan of or
sanlzaton to be submitted to the mem
bers of the Washington Chamber of Com
m mel at meeting to be held at the New
Willard Thursday.
The meeting last evening was called to or
der by Capt. James F. Oyster president,
and Secretary Guide read the minutes of the
previous meeting. Then President Oyster
paced the special question of the evening
before those present. He directed atten-
ton to the resolution of the board of direc-
tors favoring the amalgamation. They were
substantially as finally adopted except that
at the end of the first resolution. after the
clause stating that the members of the
Business Mems ASsociat ton and the Jobbers
and Shippers Association should be mem
bers of the new body without payment of
further dues until January 1. 1905 there
was added clause to the effect that the
membership should include such other per-
sons as may subsequently be elected by
payment of $40 dues, to January /, 1908"
The clause. however, was finally stricken
out, because it was thought that the pres
ent association should not trespass on
matters which the Chamber of Commerce
should decide for itself, and the matter of
dues was regarded as such question.
Statement by President Oyster.
In presenting the resolutions of the board
of directors. President Oyster pointed out
that during the last session of Congress
complaints were heard that there We're too
many organizations working along different
lines. Such organizations. 1t was stated,
included the Board of Trade, Jobbers and
Shippers Association, Business Mems AS
ISOLATION and the various citizens assoca-
lions. The speaker said further that the
board of directors desired to call the atten-
ton of the members to the fac that It
believes 1t Is acting for the welfare Of
the citizens of the city. In giving up it's
organization, he stated, the association was
making many sacrifces-surrenderin its
officers, Its name, its board of directors
and sound financial basis. He added
that many of the members of the Jobbers
and Shippers Association are also members
of the Business Mems Associa ton and
therefore the association members will not
be among strangers.
To bring the matter to a vote. John D.
tarmody moved that the resolutions of the
board of directors be adopted. The motion
was seconded by John B. Kinnear.
Conrad II. Syme was the first speaker to
favor the amalga nation.
This is funeral Grafton so far as the
Business Mems Association is concerned"
he stated. But it is a funeral Grafton
over something that will come to a more
glorious resurrection. with more glorious
results. We have every right to feel a
pride in this associa ton, and regret that
ii should pass out of existence; but the
reason, the paramount reason, why / am
in favor of the amalgamation is because I
think there is greater civic and public
necessity for a chamber of commerce than
for a business mems association. l be-
lieve from the nucleus to be formed by this
union there will grow up the greatest and
rarFtn oiz1t l.
here
Several Speakers Heard.
When Mr.. Syme spoke in praise of the
work of President Oyster as the head Of
the Business Mems Association, there was
generous applause Mr.. Syme advocated
chamber of commerce that will have a
president. three vice presidents, one each
for the building, commercial and general
civic interests, respectively, Of the District.
John l. Fleming spoke in opposition to
the amalgamation. He stated that no moro
could be done by a chamber of commerce
than by the Business Mems Association.
He added that the constitution of the as
ISOLATION was broad enough TO allow it to
take up the very objects for which the
chamber of commerce Is being formed.
Col. o. G. Staples advocated changing of
the name of the Business Mems AssOcia-
ton to Chamber of Commerce and allow
ing others to come in under the new name.
He thought that the association had won
its place in the citys business life, and
could hold 1t.
G.. w. Claggett, Percival Brown, r. A.
Chester, w. +. Guide and NJ. |. Weller all
spoke in advocacy of the new organization,
and expressed confidence in its ultimate
success.
That the Business Mems Association
should not look to see what ii can do best
for itself, but what II do for the best
interests of the city. in deciding the ques-
ton of amalgamation, was the view Of
Allen ID. Albert.
The adoption of the two resolutions fol-
lowed. a motion by Mr.. Albert that COM
mittee of FIVE be appointed to work with
a similar committee of the Jobbers and
Shippers Association to suggest to the
new organization names for officers was
defeated buffet luncheon was served.
The Old Colony Exhibit