The Washington times., 1909-06-09
CHAMBER IS AFTER
EVADERS Of DEBTS
Asks Civil Service Commits
sion to Round Up Pro-
fesSional Beats.

That class of Federal employees de-
scribed as professional delinquents''
has come under the ban OF the Wash
ington Chamber Of Commerce. and as a
measure of protection to its merchant
members the Chamber viii today ad-
dress a petition TO Gen. John c. Black.
chairman Of the United States Civil
Service Commission. asking that he aid
local business in bringing debt evaders
10 account
This petition was circulated some time
ago, and it contains the signatures of a
majority of Washington's merchants.
It's remarkable feature is a recon-
mendarion that the Civil Service Com
mission incorporate in its rules a pro-
vision that hereafter all Government
workers be compelled to qualify as to
their personal honesty. as well as to
their mental capacity before being per-
mltted TO enter the service.
Want Humane Laws Amended
The action, far-reaching in its effect
on the local business community. was
taken last night at the final meeting Of
the Chamber OF Commerce for the sum
ner. The Chamber also Endorsed a pro-
posed amendment 20 the present law re-
lating to cruelty to animals. which, if il
is passed b. Congress. will legislate the
Washington Humane Society out OF ex-
istence as far as the collection OF fines
and forfeitures in cases of cruelty TO
animals are concerned.
An epitome OF the other business trans
acted BY the Chamber includes an agree
ment to pay the expenses Of James
Bronson Reynolds 10 come to Wash
h. Q
on law and legislation of the Chamber
and elaborate on his report as TO a pro-
posed change in the form OF District
government: the adoption OF a reSOlu-
lion recommending that the District
Commissioners impose tax on those
out-of-town wholesale merchants who
exhibit ladies' wearing apparel in local
hotels and sell il at retail prices in
competition with local merchants: a
recommendation for safe and sane
Fourth of July observance. with an
agreement TO appropriate Sl0e for this
purpose. the election of the members Of
the District Supreme Court and Court
of Appeals 10 honorary membership ia
the Chamber; the withdrawal OF resO-
luton offered by Frank. Kidd providing
that in the future all Governments print
ing be done a. the Government Print
ing Office; and. lastly, a unanimous
agreement to make success OF the
coming ball game between teams Of the
Chamber of Commerce and the Board OF
Trade. which viii be played this month
II the American League Park. the re-
ceipts TO go 10 the children's play
grounds fund
Society Under Discussion.
The proposed cruelty TO animals law, I
a copy OF ,shich will be sent 10 the /
Commissioners with the recommended |
ZION that its passage be urged upon 1
Congress, was adopted only after there Z
- d
The wisdom ard Tropriety of incorpOr- !
ating a clause which declared in spe- /
ctfic terms Kat the Washington HE-
name Society should no longer De q
beneficiary by the operation Of the new
law. Under the present law the fines
and forfeitures accruing from arrests
and convictions for cruelty to animals
al 60 into the treasury Of the Humane
Society instead Of 10 the District
'hat II was manifestly unfair ard IN
wise 10 aim blow at the Washington
Humane Society was contended by F.
S, K Smith and Allen D. Albert, IT.,
while \. Ieftwich Sinclair. chairman Of
the committee on law and legislation,
by whose members the proposed law
had been drafted. and Charles W. Dsrr
defended the language Of the law ard
de Jared that because Of the many otit-
RACES DeTpetrated ia the name of the
Washington Humane Society on District I
hcfseWen and citizens m tile past" II /
was necessary TO curb the societx-s ar /
50 that there might be no misunder- /
standing
Smith Favors Motion.
In defending a motion which he Of
fered, providing that the proposed law I
be amended by striking out ali refer 4
ence TO the Washington Humane So
clety MI Albert declared that Con-
gress was unlikely 10 enact any law
that aimed direct blow at any organ 1
ia ton
This Chamber is too dignihed a body !
10 80 on record as advocating a law 1
emanating from vindictiveness and pas-
sion declared F. s. X smith in in
dorsing the Albert amendment. But
put 10 q vote. the amendment failed /
o.. the close margin Of % TO 80. The /
Dill as drafted by the committee was
then unanimously adopted
The proposed law contains substau- |
tally the same provisions as the ex- /
listing law, except that. IL passed hv 4
Congress. the fines and forfeitures viii /
hereafter 20 10 the District. the en- /
iorcement OF the law is given TO the i
responsible head of the police deDarf- I
ment. and provision is made for the
appointment Of veterinarian 10 treat /
sick animals, whose owners are too /
poor or are unable 10 provide proper !
medical treatm 5nt. = he appointment OF i
this veterinarian is placed IN the hands I
or the Comm issiouers, with the pro- 4
vision that he is not 10 be d member /
Of the Police Department
1t was announced by President GLda
that 20 members nave been added 10
the Chamber since January l.