The Washington herald., 1909-02-10

An interesting feature OF the February
meeting OF the Chamber Of Commerce last
night was a short talk by instructors Of
the Bliss Electrical School, at Takoma
Park, on the work Of the institution The
talk was illustrated by series Of stere-
cpticon views and was much enjoyed By
the members
It was explained that the school sought
70 compass in a short course Of one year
instruction in practical applied electric
ity, The nature Of the instruction was
described pictures OF the students at
work were shown. and withal very IN
telligent impression was given OF what
the school aceompllshes In the way Of
training young men actually TO DO the
work OF an electrical engineer.
Among the views shown was the build
ing burned last November and the ten
porary structure IN which the institution
Is now housed.
| Finances of the school.
A portion Of the talk related 50 the
growth and finances OF the school with a
view TO interesting the business men pres
ent IN buying stock IN the corporation
70 help Il recoup from rs losses by fire
and 70 putting the school again upon &
better workable basis.
The business features OF the meeting
related to the two amendments 10 the
constitution and the Introduction OF sew
eral resolutions under new business.
The tvo amendments. after being brief
" discussed. were referred to the board
OF directors for further consideration. and
report at the next meeting Of the cham
Der.
Albert SchuIteis Chairman Of tho com
mittee on the Improvement OF the Ana
/ costa fats. reported that his COMMITTEES
had been Informed by the COMMITTEES on
/ the District IN the House that no action
would be taken IN the matter az the pres-
ent session OF Congress. but that the
CHAIRMAN OF the House Committee had
requested practical and workable
scheme OF Improvement 70 be suggested
/ oy the chamber for consideration al the
next session.
"ouId Keep Printing Here.
A series OF resolutions introduced By
Frank A Kidd relating 10 the retention
OF public printing in the Government
Printing Office aroused some discussion.
Postmaster Barnes thought the resolu-
ton. as worded. might reflect upon the
small printing plants maintained in the
Washington Dost-of7ee and other large
post-offices for the special printing "a
CURED by them.
Dir. Kidd explained that the resolutions
we're not aimed at such plants. but TO the
retention in the G. P O OF about Sl-eo.-
90 worth OF printing which Il had bean
proposed should be put out a. private
contract. The resolutions were referred
to the committee on law ana legislafIo,
for consideration and report
An effort was made later in the meeting
20 have this action rscensIdered- and ~
that time the committee on law and leg
islation was instructed TO call a hearing
upon the bin and report to the board OF
directors at the earliest possible date.
New Committee Created,
By motion OF A Leftwich Sinclair. a
new standing committee Of nine mem
beTs. to be known as the finance COM
mittee. whose duty Il should be 20 con-
slider such matters as the annual District
estimates OF the Commissioners, was pro
vided for.
A motion appointing a committee OF
three members OF the chamber TO appear
before the Senate Committee On the Dis
trict OF Columbia and urge the passage
OF the House bill providing for the pro
Park was adopted, but not until after
considerable discussion, some OF the
members urging that the matter ought to
be committed with a view to asceTtaining
what the cost Of maintenance would be.
A motion offered by G. Z Worthingtcn
calling for a committee OF nine 70 investi-
gate the action Of the board OF directors
upon certain bills be appointed and the
committee empowered to offer a series OF
rules defining the powers Of the directors.
provoked q long discussion. which AT
some stages became quite animated.
Thinks Board Assumes Powers.
Mr.. Worthlngton referred to the action
Of the board upon two bills. one referring
TO the master plumbers and one to the
pensioning of school teachers, which he
thought ought TO have been referred to
the chamber for final action
Mr.. Warrington disclaimed any intsa- /
ton OF rejecting upon the board Of d. /
rectOrs. but at the same time expressed /
his disapproval OF the board assuming /
powers which he declared did not exist 1
in the constitution. He said he wished to 1
have the duties and powers Of the board /
better defined, and to that end offered 1
his motion
ArOuses Animated Debate.
The proposition was very generally dis
cussed. and the action OF the board and I
on the two bills was gone
into at some length. Some took the view
that no action Of the kind should be taken 1
without being passed upon by the cham
Der, while others held Just as firmly to
the view that the small COMMITTEES and
the board Of directors was the proper
body to take cognizance and pass upon
such technical matters.
Il was urged in contention OF this view
that otherwise the chamber would have
to be called together in special session AZ
least once a week while Congress was IN
session. After several parliamentary mo-
tons had been made upon the motion. II
was by vote Of the chamber laid upon the
table.
At the close OF the meeting g buffet
luncheon was served
MEN At BANQUET.