The Washington herald., 1908-04-15
WOULD BAR BETTING
Chamber of Commerce Acts
on Racing at Benning.
WILL EMPLOY A SECRETARY
Body Instructs Committee on Munie-
ipaI Legislation to Urge Passage
of Probationary Law for Criminals,
Reception Authorized for Visiting
Citizens of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Resolved by the Washington Cham
Der of Commerce, That it heartily in
dorses and urges the enactment by
Congress. at the earliest day possible.
of the sims-Carter bill for the pro-
hibition of race-track gambling in the
District of Columbia
This resolution enbodies -ae Of the inn
portant actions taken by the Chamber Of
Commerce at its April meeting last night
in the Brentano Building. The matter
was brought before the meeting on motion
of Allen d. Albert to take from the table
the report Of the committee on law and
legislation submitted at the last meeting.
based upon motion offered by William
Hoge at the December meeting of the
chamber and adopted.
Long Discussion Ensued.
The action of the chamber last night
was attended by d long discussion. first
upon the best line of procedure, and Incl
dentally upon the evils. attending race
track gambling. II was stated that an
impression went out after the last meet
ing of the chamber that by laying upon
the table the report Of the committee
without action, the chamber placed itself
in the equivocal position OF seeming TO
favor the race-track evi.
This impression was resented BY sew
eral Of the members. and after numer-
Gus explanations had been made and the
subject fully discussed, the Albert reso-
luton was passed unanimously. It was
discussed by Mr.. Albert. A. Lisner F. Z.
Siddons, Perclval Brown, Wilton Lam
bert. and others
Another action taken by the chamber
related TO instructions given 70 the COM
mittee on municipal legislation to en-
deayoT TO have something done by Con-
gress at this session by way OF relieving
the situation at the District jail and 10
inaugurate a system of probation and in
determinate sentences for first offenders
in criminal cases.
Urges Probation System.
The action of the chamber was en-
bodied in the following resolutions
Resolved by the Washington Chamber of Con
msree that iRasmuch the law Of the District of
3 q
for first offenders. except through the Juvenile
Court. oT for suspended sentence Tor sny offenders
O. f0r an indeteTminate sentence and that mas
much as the present District Of Columbia jail Is
notariously uHsuitsd to the needs Of this IlTisdlc
ti0n. the committee Cn municipal legislation De
urged 70 inquire II the existing Law cannot be bet
tered az this session ot Congress
This resolution was also discussed at
some length. Mr. Albert characterized
the present methods OF dealing with its
criminals as totally inadequate and as
disgracefuI in a welI-ordered community.
He made Il plain that the District Is far
behind the States IN the humane treat
ment Of its criminals. and declared that
both the law and It's administration in
these particulars were little better than
medieval barbarism Mr.. Albert made a
strong appeal for the passage OF his Teso-
luton.
The conditions at the District Jail were
also reverted TO by Mr. Albert and other
speakers, its insanitary character point
ed out, and the need OF reform empha-
sized in several eloquent speeches. The
motion 10 adopt, after being discussed
| by F. l. Siddons. John Magruder, Conrad
Syme, and Wilton Lambert, was carried.
Permanent Secretary Authorized.
John /. Weaver offered a motion to the
effect that the board of directors OF the
chamber proceed 20 hH the Office OF per
manent secretary of the body by the en-
ployment Of suitable man for the posi-
ton. Mr Weaver spoke to the motion,
/ pointing out the need for such an Official,
and stating that the time had come in
/ the history Of the organization when Il
was necessary that the secretary should
1 be selected 10 carry out the work Of the
! chamber. The motion was adopted.
| Under the routine of the reports Of COM
mittees Chaplin Brown. chairman Of the
committee on municipal legislation. stated
/ that a bill embodying the main points in
the report made BY him at the last meet
/ ing. relative to the establishment of the
municipal court 10 take the place Of the
/ justice of the peace courts had been rec
commended by the Commissioners and sent
/ to the committees Of Congress.
VIII Entertain OkIahOmRns.
Capt. James F. Oyster, chairman Of the
executive committee. stated that special
subcommittee, consisting of Chaplin
! Brown. Scott c. Bone. and Allen d. Al
bert, had been appointed to cooperate
with like committee of the Board of
Trade in a conference with the District
Commissioners In regard to the entertain
ment of 100 visiting delegates from the
town Of Tulsa, Okla, who would arrive
in the city next Friday.
Capt oyster stated that it was the
sense of his committee that the cham
Der should give a reception to the visiting
delegation at the rooms of the chamber
on Friday evening. to which should be
invited the Senator's and Representatives
of Oklahoma, the District Commissioners,
and the heads Of several of the municipal
departments Capt Oyster stated that it
was the purpose of the visitors 10 study
the police, fire protection, schools, and
other institutions of the city, and it was
the idea of the committee that the Wis
itors could be best informed on these sub
jects by several short addresses by the
heads of the departments on the evening
/ named. The committee was authorized
TO arrange for the reception, If that met
with the wishes of the District officials.
The treasurer reported S,62SH in the
treasury.
After the business session a buffet
/ luncheon was served.
] President r. n. Harper presided. and
I William T. Gude was in the secretary S
chair.