The Washington times., 1908-03-11
PROHIBITION HIT
BY BUSINESS MEN
Chamber of Commerce OPP
poses Change in the
Liquor Laws.
Decides to Allow Affliation
Of Citizens ASSo-
Citations.

To the District Committee Of the
House there will be presented today a
resolution OF the Chamber Of Commerce,
declaring against any change In the
liquor laws in the District. and petit
tiouing the committee 10 make an ad-
verse report on any bills having prohibi-
tion as their object.
Such a resolution was passed by a
viva voce vote at the March meeting
meeting of the Chamber last night.
Prohibition had no champion on the
floor OF the Chamber, ana the debate
was entirely one-sided. The only diff
ference Of opinion manifested proved to
be over the form Of the resolution. The
resolution adopted by the committee on
municipal legislation. and presented
last night by Chaplin Brown, did not so
Tar enough 10 suit Hugh Harvey. the
announced representative OF the liquor
men. and he offered the substitute that
was carried.
Early In the evening. letters protest
ing against the adoption OF anti-prOhi-
bition resolutions were read by tie sec
rotary from the Prohibition Crusaders
OF tie District Of Columbia and the
Anti Saloon League OF America.
Those taking part in the debate on the
liquor resolution were Chaplin Brown,
p. J. brennan, Jesse J.. EeiskeIl. Simon
Wolf, and Hugh Harvey.
VIII Admit Citizens.
The only other warm discussion OF the
evening was over the proposed amead-
ment to the constitution, providing
that citizens associations might become
AFFILIATED vrfrh rna arar14sas v.-.r-f4aF
that not less than five members Of the
association We're also members Of the
chamber. J. II. Ralston. chairman OF
the committee on law and legislation,
took the view that the number should
be ten. the same as that required for
trade bodies. while J. e. Kfnnear sug-
gcsJed that the number be reduced to
three.
.. +. Barnes, for the committee, ex-
planned the amendment, stating that
its purpose was To enable concentra-
ton Of forces by providing a means
whereby citizens associations might ex-
press their views through the chamber.
The scattering Of forces through so
many different organizations he said,
has the effect of confusing and annoy
ing the forces we seek TO influence"
The amendment putting the member
snip at five carried by a large vote
j.. =, May, chairman of the wholesale
trade committee when a report from
that committee was called for laid the
plan OF the trade extension train before
The chamber although the committee had
been unable 10 take final action. He
invited every member of the chamber
who might be interested IN the move
menL 10 communicate with the seCre-
tary, and said meeting would be
called at an early date TO further con-
slider H.
No Action on Betting.
J. H. Ralston said that the committee
on law and legislation had under con-
sideratiOn the Commissioners bill
against betting at Benning. but had not
taken action upon IT, For the purpose
of allowing the chamber to act upon
il, however. he moved that the bin be
Endorsed by the chamber. Samuel Ross
objected that the question was now be-
fore the courts and moved TO lay the
matter on the table. This motion car
ried.
The use Of the chambers rooms was
granted TO the Oldest Inhabitants Asso-
elation for a memorial meeting to be
held some evening this month. the date
not yet having been determined.
a communication from the Congress
Helgh-s Building Association. urging
The chamber 10 favor the erection of
bridge across the AnacOStfa from
South Capitol street, was referred 10
the committee on municipal legislation
after adverse action was advocated AT
some length by Jesse TfeiskelI. To the
same committee was referred cOnsid-
Grafton Of bin affecting the Organiza-
ton or the Building Inspectors Office. |
on motion of Joseph Richardson.