The Washington herald., 1908-04-02

Ratification Of the proposal OF the Re
tan Trade Committee for special organi-
zation under the constitution. ana the
appointment Of a committee 10 act upon
the request OF the Central Labor Union,
with view 10 ending the dispute with
the Washington builders. were the chief
items Of business transacted by the board
of directors Of the Chamber OF Commerce.
at its meeting yesterday afternoon.
The matter of the special Organization
Of the Retail Trade Committee was
brought up by d. ]. kaufman. chairman
Of the committee. Mr.. Kaufman present
cd @he following resolution. which was
discussed at some length and adopted.
Resolved. by the board Of directors
OF the Washington Chamber Of Com
merce. That the committee on retail trade,
IN order more effectively To promote its
work and put the same on permanent
basis. be authorized and empowered.
under the provisions OF article S. section
8, OF the constitution Of the chamber, 10
form itself into a semi-independent board
or committee. and that il be given the
active service and cooperation of the
regular secretary Of the Chamber Of
Commerce. when such official shall have
been employed"
Prolonged Discussion.
The resolution brought out a prolonged
discussion. several Of the directors not
having a clear conception Of what was
intended. Z. c. Graham, d. J. Callahan,
B. F. Saul. J. H. Ralston and John L.
Weaver participated in the discussion.
which consisted largely in asking Mr..
Kaufman questions about what he intended
to do with the special organization Of his
committee. All the questions were an
swered and the vote on the motion 70
adopt the report and grant the authority
asked was unanimous.
AS explained by Mr. Kaufman. it is
the purpose 10 organize the retail trade
committee into an active body within the
Chamber Of Commerce. with the secretary
OF the chamber as the secretary Of the
committee. Ii will then prepare 10 carry
on continuously a campaign FOR outside
trade and the return OF railroad fares, on
the basis of goods purchased through
the Offices Of the chamber. The full plan
is yet 10 be worked out, but II is under
stood the action yesterday is the begin
ming Of the organization within the Cha III
Der Of Commerce Of several strong work
ing committees. which will probably in
cIude such branches Of business as retail
trade. wholesale trade. real estate. build
ing trades. and other bodies, which will
take active stand in the progress Of in
dUstrial and commercial Washington.
Tne matter sent from the Central Labor
Union was a communication from the
secretary Of that body and a resolution
looking 20 the appointment Of a commit
tee OF the Chamber Of Commerce 10 con-
fer with similar committee from the
Central Labor Union in an effort TO set
tie the pending labor troubles in the
building field
Il was decided that committee OF nve
should be appointed 10 take up the sub
ject. frame a reply TO the communication
from the Central Labor Union. submit the
draft OF the reply 10 the executive COM
mittee and await its decision before send
ing the letter.
Cnpt. Oyster Presides.
In the absence of President Harper,
Capt. James r. Oyster presided Reports
were heard from several OF the standing
committees, among them being various
bills pending in Congress submitted by
the committee on municipal legislation
and the committee on general legislation.
one Of these bills, which has for its
object 10 regulate the hours of labor on
contracts with the District, was strongly
objected 70 by Chairman Chaplin Brown,
of the committee on municipal legislation.
By. request Of Mr.. Brown, Joseph Richard
son. OF the firm Of Richardson < Burgess,
explained his understanding of the bill
He said It gave TO the Commissioners the
discretion 70 reject bids for public work
where the material furnished was gotten
out by manufacturers where labor was
employed more than eight hours a day.
After discussion the bin was referred
back 10 the committee and il was in
structed TO present opposition 70 the pas
sage OF the proposed measure before the
committees Of Congress.
The treasurer's report showed a bal
ance Of cash on hand of $l.SSo, with bills
10 date paid.
The matter Of the observance Of Wash
ington's Birthday, in Washington, was
referred to the committee on conventions.
f0-