Evening star., 1909-05-12
VOTES TO SUBSCRIBE
Chamber of Commerce Sup
ports Auditorium Project.
TO TAKE TWENTY SHARES
Some Members Object to Establish
ment of Precedent.
INVESTING IN MANUFACTURES
Proposed Amendment to the Consti-
tuition Lost for a Lack Of Two
Thirds Vote In It's Favor.
| TO TAKE TWENTY SHARES
INVESTING IN MANUFACTURES

After lively discussion, In which both
sides Of the question were displayed, the
Chamber of Commerce last night adopted
D. c. Callahan's resolution to subscribe
for twenty shares Of the stock OF the
National Auditorium Company. The
amount involved is $1,000. At the same
meeting the proposed amendment to the
constitution which would permit the
chamber to invest money IN manufactur-
ing enterprises was lost.
The national auditorium resolution was
first presented at the board Of directors
meeting a few days ago. and. In itself. Is
a eulogy Of the project. In addition to
obligating the chamber for twenty shares
Of stock 1t provides for a committee OF
five to "confer with the projectors with
view of aiding in every way possible
the progress OF the subscriptions" The
directors passed the matter In short
time. When the matter was brought up
last night Mr. Callahan spoke in it's ia
vor, arguing that an auditorium meant
much for the business interests Of Wash
ington and would remove all objections
to Washington as convention city.
Objections to a Precedent.
Much Of the objection to the resolution
was voiced by lawyers who saw a danger
in a precedent Of the kind. because. some
of them thought. it would lead to in
vestments of all kinds, some Of which
might be far from helpful to the cham
Der. On the other hand. the friends of
the resolution were strong. and looked
beyond any difficulties of the kind men
toned. seeing only the good of the city
in the auditorium, and declaring that the
Chamber Of Commerce ought to do Its
- hnI, ol0 During
the discussion an amendment to the reso-
luton was offered striking out the words
I'm return therefor twenty shares of
stock, etc." which would make the one
thousand dollar subscription amount to
gift. This was lost.
Capt. James F. Oyster, opposing the
amendment, said the enterprise was be-
ing supported by a stock subscription.
and there was no way in which gift
of the sort could we'll be made.
After the resolution was adopted. Capt
Oyster suggested that any members of
the chamber taking stock in the project
might take it out in the name of the
Chamber Of Commerce, and he started the
plan by saying he would subscribe $1,000.
Arthur Moses gave notice Of similar
subscription, and two subscriptions of $500
each came from Isaac Cans and Harry
King.
Proposed Amendment Lost.
The matter of the amendment to the
constitution was brought up at this point
by Arthur Moses. chairman Of the manu-
factures committee. 1t had been dis
cussed at a previous chamber meeting
and is fairly we'll known to all the men,
bers-s Mr.. Moses explained again last
night that the change would permit. the
directors to recommend to the chamber
a subscription of not over 81 900 in any
manufacturing enterprise which might be
brought to the District of Columbia. The
stock bought in this way might be held
as long as the board of directors deems
necessary for the encouragement or pro-
motion of the enterprise Mr.. Moses had
a good deal to say in favor of his PROPOSE
tion presenting many strong arguments
for It's adoption He declared that the
chamber had come to a point where it
Gould go forward as a real factor in the
upbuilding of Washington or it could
retreat into a comfortable nook where it
could pass resolutions that affected moth
ing and go on forever celebrating with
out any real action resulting. Mr.. Moses
gave an outline of the work the manu-
factures committee had done during the
past year. and expressed the hope that
the chamber would back him and his asso-
ciates in a practical way. AS an evidence
OF his faith In the outcome Of his PROPOSE
tion he said he would never bring prOpo-
sition for a subscription to the chamber
until he himself was ready to take twice
the amount of stock he had asked the
chamber to subscribe for.
When put to a vote the matter was
lost, because there was not a twO-thirds
majority.
Protecting Local Merchants.
A resolution presented by George Sci
bold was adopted, aimed at the concerns
which hold premium exhibits in Wash
ington. and by various methods sell goods
at prices which play havoc among the
ranks of the local retailers.
Robert Pluym presented resolution
which has been adopted by the Ladies'
Tailors' Association and which would
compel importers and others who come
here to exhibit their wares in hotels to
pay a license fee. The resolution bore
the statement that he fee for this class
of exhibitors could be placed at $50 a
day. 1t was referred to the committee
on municipal legislation for consideration
and report.
A resolution proposed by Francis Scott
Key Smith. providing for the creation of