The Washington times., 1909-03-24
May Establish Standing
Committee to Aid Change,
in Inauguration.
POSTPONE TAKING
DEFINITE ACTION
Spicy Report on Statement Made
by Special Commission Is
Adopted.

The Washington BOsDd of Trade may
appoint standing committee to assist
in bringing about the proposed change
in the date of Inauguration, At the
first meeting Il has held since the
Depew bill was introduced In Congress,
the board last night not only passed
a resolution indorsing the passage of
the bill. which proposes an amendment
10 the Constitution in order TO change
the inaugural date to the last Thursday
in April. but discussed the best means
OF accomplishing this end.
Thomas w. Smith introduced the reso
lutiGn which put the board on record as
favor1ng the Depew measure. The posi-
ton was taken by J. II. Ralston that
until a systematic campaign was en-
tered upon for the purpose OF inducing
the State Legislatures to vote right
upon the question, when It should come
before them, the passage of resolutions
only would have but little effect in in
ffuencing the final result.
No Definite Action.
Mr. RaIston's contention was consid-
erably debated, and the whole matter
was threshed out with respect to what
stand the board should take, While no
definite action was decided upon, other
than that OF indoTsng what has already
been accomplished. it is regarded as
extremely probable that the board Of
directors at its next meeting will take
steps to appoint a committee on the
change Of inauguration The commit
tee will cooperate with the other
bodies which are now at work with the
view of soliciting national support for
the Depew bill
The question of whether there are
any sQuatters in the District came up
at the meeting of the board last night,
when II was concluSively decided there
are none. II grew out Of the report of
the committee on river and harbor inn
provement, in which the committee took
occasion TO criticise the report of the
special committee appointed by the Dis
trict Commissioners TO investigate the
conditions of the harbor front on the
Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
Report Misleading.
The report declared that the state
ment made by the special committee
to the effect that the land along the
harbor front is largely in the hands
of Suuatters is unfounded in fact and
misleading.
Considerable discussion was paStici-
pated in as 10 whether the board
should go on record 70 the extent OF
declaring that section of the report
OF the special commission ''unfoundeC
IN fact" and L motion was made thai
the report OF the committee on river
and harbor Improvement be amended
10 eliminate the Objectionable words
The motion failed TO carry, however
and the report. as originally made, Wa
passed.
Something like a hornets nest wa,
stirred Up when the report Of th'
recommended that the name of Six
tenth street be changed TO the Ave
nue. of the Presidents" There wer
several members of the board present
VINO live on Sixteenth street, and tbe-
declared that, although the preSen
name NAV not be euphOniouS, II is ShOr
and practical, and contains sufficien
sentiment for them.
One Objection.
II was pointed out that no Presiden
had ever lived on Sixteenth street and
furthermore, the Chief Executive woul
have 10 go around the corner tram tn
White House 70 get on the street.
It should be named in honor of III
long line OF the nations Presidents
When the recommendation came TO
vote the board turned 1t down. an
decided that the present name Of tn
rhoToughfare is sufficient 10 meet a
requirements.
Practically all the reports submftte
by the other committees o. the boar
were accepted, with the exception ths
several portions Of the report on DuI
lie buildings were stricken out. Rt
ports of the committees on InercaT
Tile interests. railroads, commerce an
manufactures were received and flee
containing no specific recommends
tens. 1t was decided to postpone
hearing Of the reports on parks. al