Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-10
AS TO PROHIBITION
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASKED
TO EXPRESS ITS VIEWS.

The Washington Chamber of Commerce
record, it is said. as opposed to prohibit
ton laws for the District of Columbia
or favorable to such legislation at the
monthly meeting of the organization to
be held this evening. The bone of con-
tention between those who are opposed to
the proposed sumptuary laws and those
who favor them will be the resolution
offered by Hugh F. Harvey. which is op-
posed to any change in the existing liquor
license system in the District.
The Harvey resolution has been in the
hands of the committee on municipal leg
islation. and it is stated that the COM
mittee will report that 'in the opinion of
ton law for the District Of Columbia Is
inadvisable until the sentiment of the
community on the question shall have
been more clearly ascertained."
1t was said to have been the opinion of
the committee that before a resolution
either favoring or opposing prohibition
in the District be adopted there should
be careful investigation into the ques-
ton from a purely business point of view.
1t was suggested that it would be we'll to
have a special committee visit cities
where prohibition is in force to ascertain
the effect which it has had on the COM
mercial life of those places. and that
other facts in regard to the subject be OBJ
tanned.
No Middle-of-Road Policy.
Mr.. Harvey and others who have de-
clared their opposition to the prohibition
bills pending in Congress said today that
they will strongly oppose any middle-of-
the-road policy at the meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce this evening. They
urge that such an organization Of bu-i-
ness men cannot afford to adopt such
vacillating policy, or. as Mr.. Harvey put
it, Ito hedge on purely business propo-
sition as the proposed wiping out OF ex-
tensive business interests in the District
of Columbia for the sake of mere senti-
ment.
1t was further said that those who favor
the Harvey resolution will ask for d.
rect vote of the chamber on the adoption
of the resolution. They will also ask that
all sentiment be eliminated from the mat
ter and the resolution be considered as
business proposition. In support of this
stand figures will be presented as to the
liquor business. and the action of trades
unions, representing more than 10000
observation-disclosures. will be cited in support
of Mr.. Harvey s position.
Proposed Trade-Getting Train.
The wholesale trade committee of the
last evening to which had been invited
several merchants of the city. who 1t was
thought. would be interested in sending
out through Maryland. Virginia and West
Virginia 3, special trade-getting train.'
1t was announced that several firms have
already signified their willingness to join
in the enterprise AS the cost of the
train for thirty DAYS has been estimated
to be s.. SO3 or about $500 each, If fifteen
firms take part. it was decided that before
definite action is taken there should be at
least that number of wholesale houses eX-
press a Willingness to participate In the
trip.
AS the desired number have not yet
declared their intention of joining the
train it was decided to report progress
to the chamber this evening without MAX
ing any definite recommendation
d. ]. kaufman chairman of the retail
trade committee of the chamber. has
called a meeting for next Thursday even
ing. when it is exepcted that definite
plans will be made looking to renewal
of activities similar to those of last year
for the purpose of building up the retail
trade Of the city