Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-11
OPPOSED TO CHANGE
Chamber of Commerce Acts as
Regards Liquor Law.
POLLS A DECISIVE VOTE
Report Relative to Sending a Trade
Train" on Tour.
BETTING AT BENNING TRACK
Adoption of Amendment to By
Laws-Better Administration of
the Building Department.
BETTING AT BENNING TRACK

registered in the determination of a live
issue since the formation Of the organiza-
ton. about a year ago. the Chamber OF
Commerce last evening went on record as
opposed to any change in the liquor law
Of the District of Columbia. The resolu-
ton. which was carried by so large a
majority as to be practically unanimous,
also urged the House committee on the
District Of Columbia to report adversely
upon all prohibition bills. 1t sets forth
that lin the opinion of this chamber the
enactment of prohibition law is mad
visable. and we hereby petition the COM
mittee on the District of Columbia to
make an adverse report on all bills pro-
viding for prohibition in this District. or
for any changes in the existing liquor
laws Of the District
Debate on the resolution finally adopted.
and on two tentative propositions having
the same end in view, was easily the
feature of the regular March meeting of
the chamber. Two communications seek
ing the support of the organization for
the cause of prohibition were read, but
no action was taken upon them and none
OF the members of the chamber presented
counter resolutions. nor did any one make
argument in support of the cause of pro-
hibition.
Sentiment of the Community.
The subject was introduced by Chaplin
Brown. chairman of the committee on
municipal legislation, who asked a read
ing Of the resolution presented by Hugh
Harvey at the meeting in February,
which had been referred to the board of
directors and subsequently to Mr.. Browns
committee. Explaining the work of the
municipal legislation committee on the
problem. Mr.. Brown said the time had
been far too brief to permit of exhaustive
investigation, or of an effort to ascertain
even approximately the sentiment of the
community on the liquor question. He
said also that numerous requests had
been received to have the whole matter
brought before the meeting Of the full
chamber for determination. Accordingly
he presented a substitute resolution. pre-
pared by the committee, which specified
that the Chamber of EQmmerce believes
any action looking to- change in the
liquor law at this time, or until the sem
timent Of the District of Columbia is as
certained. would be inadvisa BILE p j.
Brennan and Jesse Heiskell spoke in favor
of the original Harvey resolution.
AS the latter would have nut the cham.
Der on record as declaring that the COM
munity Is opposed to prohibition consider
able objection was raised to it. Simon
Wolf spoke strongly for the committees
substitute.
Views of Simon Wolf.
This is business mems organization,
not a church body" he said. I'VE are
considering this question as a business
proposition, not from the sentimental
point of view. We are here to speak for
the Chamber of Commerce. We cannot
speak for the entire community. The
only way in which we could ascertain the
fact as. to the opinion Of the majority
would be by vote and. as everybody in
the District is political entity, l do not
opinion is. Personally, believe that the
majority OF the people of the District are
opposed to prohibition but. as we have no
way of ascertaining the fact, 1 do not be-
lleve that we should try to speak for the
majority.
Prohibition does not prohibit. as every
body knows he continued. land it is
better to have drinking done in a law
full way than to make lawbreakers of
people who are now law-abiding citizens"
The resolution finally adopted was pre-
scented by Hugh Harvey, as a substitute
both for his original resolution and for
the resolution reported by the municipal
legislation committee. He addressed the
meeting in favor of the substitute, and
presented statements and statistics show
ing the amount of capital invested by the
liquor interests In the District of Column
b1a. and the large contributions to the
municipal revenues. He also paid his
respects to the advocates of prohibition.
ing the cause Of prohibition care nothing
about the welfare of the District of CO.
lumbia. Many of them do not live here
All they want is to profit by the example
which would be set before the country by
having their cause triumphant in the
Capital city,
Use of Chambers Rooms.
At the opening Of the meeting Secre-
tary Guide read a request, written by
Judge Charles 8. Bundy. that the Old
est Inhabitants Association might have
the use Of the Chamber of Commerce
rooms for memorial meeting to be held
this month. On motion the chamber
granted the request. letter from the
seeking support for legislation necessary
to secure the construction of a bridge
across the Eastern branch of the Poto-
mac river, was referred to the commit
tee on municipal legislation. An invita-
tion from Waddy B. Wood that the Cham
Der of Commerce attend and participate
in the exhibit to be given in the Corcoran
Art Gallery by the Architects Club was
accepted. The treasurer, A. Lisner, re-
ported receipts since the last meeting
of 500 in membership dues, disburSe-
ments Of s1.924.22 and a balance on hand
of 81. 692.3o
For tne WHOLESALE tTdUe SIdH
man May reviewed the proposition, which
is now before the committee. of sending
a trade train into Maryland. Virginia and
West Virginia. touching about thirty-six
towns in the three states According to
present plans. he said. the trip would
consume about thirty days and the par
ticipation of at least fifteen firms would be
necessary to the success of the venture.
while as many twenty-five could be
accommodated Mr.. May estimated the
execution Of the plan would cost each par
ticipant about $40O
. Betting at Benning Track.
j. H. Ralston, chairman of the COM
mittee on law and legislation. reported
from his committee on the subject OF
betting at the Benning race track. MT.
Ralston said that at the last meeting or
the chamber a resolution offered by Will
liam Hoge. calling attention to the betting
at the Benning race track and seeking to
place the chamber on record against the
practice, had been referred to his commit
tee
Since that time ID had TRANSFERRED that