The Washington times., 1907-05-07
First Officers of washngOns New Chamber of Commerce
CHARLES ]. BELL,
Second Vice President.

last night in the banquet hall of the
Arlington Hotel, and held the first
meeting of the Washington Cham
Der of Commerce, the new organiza-
ton resulting from the consolida-
ton of the two old associations.
For earnestness, unanimity of pur-
pose-namely, the best interests of
the citizens of the Capital of the
Nation-and for enthusiasm, there
has been no such meeting of the
representative citizens of the Dis
trict for a long time.
The meeting last night was called for
the purpose of considering the report or
the Joint committee of the two old as
socIations charged with the framing OF
a constitution for the united body Jack
son II. Ralston. chairman Of the com
mittee. reported the instrument that
had been worked out by the committee,
and such was the degree OF confidence
In the committee and the approval Of
the sections as read seriatim by Mr..
RaIston, that the constitution was
adopted practically as offered with al
most GOLupltle uAAAAllAAAAJ"
Called to Order by Oyster.
The meeting was called TO order by
Chairman James T. oyster, who was
nominated by Charles j. Bell. William
+ Guide and Woodwork Clum were
nominated for temporary secretary. the
latter declining in favor of Mr. Guide.
A rule was adopted that no member
should speak more than three minutes
or more than twice on the same sec
ton of the constitution.
Mr.. Ralston stated that the commit
tee had framed a constitution on the
most liberal and democratic platform
possible. one in which every member
should be guaranteed equal voice In the
affairs Of the organization. He said that
the constitution of the Cleveland Cham
her OF Commerce had been followed more
closely than about nifty others that the
committee had at hand for guidance.
Reads Constitution.
Mr.. Ralston read the sections Of the
constitution, and they were acted on
seriatim. Chairman Burton, Of the
Rivers and Harbors Committee of the
House of Representatives, could not
have carried a bill through the House
with fewer amendments than were put
upon the constitution as submitted by
tho committee. The only really serious
discussion Of the evening. and the one
that brought out the most varied opin-
ions was upon the subject Of dues
After a lengthy debate, the commit
4aa,s recommendation for annual dues
OF 500 was almost unanimously adopted.
This discussion was entered into by
Conrad Syme. d. J. kaufman, Col o. g.
STABLES. Harry King, Harry Jackson,
Monroe Luchs, Arthur c. Moses, F. L.
sIddons. Woodwork, Clum. r. 2.
Andrews. s. J. Masters, c. w. Claggett.
yVi1Iiam Hahn, Norman Gait, a. l. Sin
clair w. F. Donaldson, Percival Brown,
and r w. Anderson. The only amend
rnen+ TO the section was one providing
for pavment semi-annually instead Of
annually in advance. as proposed by the
committee.
Election Taken Up.
After disposing Of the constitution, the
election Of president and the two vice
presidents was taken up. F. r. Ray
mond nominated James +. oyster for
president. which nomination was sec
onded by r. P. Andrews. Captain
oyster expressed in a short speech of
much feeling his appreciation OF the
honor contained in the nomination, but
declined to allow his name to be con-
sIdered.
Wilton ]. Lambert then nominated
Robert n. Harper. which was seconded
bv Charles j. Bell. On motion Of Mr..
Syme. Mt Harper was unanimously
elected president Mr.. Bell and Mr..
oyster escorted Mr.. Harper to the
chair amid much applause and enthusi-
asm. The new president made an elo-
ouent speech in acknowledgements OF the
honor and pledged himself TO earnest
work for the success OF the chamber.
Oyster and Bell Vice Presidents.
Allen d. Albert, jr., then nominated
James F. Oyster and Charles ]. Bell for
the offices Of first and second vice presi-
dents. respectively AS there were no
other candidates. the election was unan-
irnous. Both gentlemen were forced to
deliver short speeches OF acceptance.
Mr. Albert announced that a commit
tee composed Of Messrs. Oyster and
BELL and himself had called on President
Roosevelt yesterday by appointment.
had outlined TO him the purposes Of the