The Washington times., 1909-11-23
Civic Bodies Probably Will
Present Candidates
to Taft.
JOINT CONVENTION
SEEMS PROBABLE
Board of Trade and Chamber of
Commerce Would Choose
Capable Men.

For the FIRST time in its history. the
District OF Columbia STANDS a chance
to participate in political convention.
Believing the time is ripe for the citi-
zens Of the District to insist upon be-
ing given a voice in their government,
members OF the Chamber of Commerce
and Board ri Trade today are discuss
ing a plan to have those organizations
hold a joint session TO nominate two
candidates for the next commissioners,
and to present their names to President
Taft
The plan was suggested following the
adoption Of the report Of the committee
Of the Chamber Of Commerce favoring
the retention of the commission form
Of government for the District
It is pointed out that. with President
Taft to be informed OF the Chambers
desire for the retention of the commits
sion form of government. which. it is
believed, is the desire Of the majority
OF the citizens of the District, matters
would be simplihed by the Chamber.
acting Jointly with the Board Of Trade.
presenting to the chief Executive the
names OF two persons who would be
the choice OF the greatest number to
iii the vacancies caused by the resig-
nations OF Commissioners Henry 3. f.
MacfarIand and Henry L. West.
There is q possibility, in the event Of
the convention being called, the various
citizens associations and other organi-
zations will be asked 70 participate in
# 50 that the selection OF two candi-
dates may be made as representative as
possible.
Arrange Meeting.
It was stated the couveaf pFobs -
viii be held in the Willard Hotel. or at
some hall - vgs enough to accommodate
several huGdfed persons. and that. sim
uItaneously with the selection OF two
candidates a committee will be chosen
10 formally present their names to Pres
ident Taft
The reasons generally being advanced
in favor of holding the convention are.
first. that President Taft has expressed
himself as desirOUs Of knowing at all
times the views Of the citizens Of the
District upon matters affecting them,
and that tie naming of two candidates
Tor Commissioners by the Chamber Of
Commerce and Board of Trade would
make IL possible for him TO know whom
the citizens favor most for the posi-
tons.
Another object, equally as important.
is aimed at. The convention, 1t is said,
would show the people of the District TO
be Of one mind regarding the retention
Of the commission form Of government,
and If President Taft should take their
wishes into consideration in the course
he NAV pursue IT would esta blish a
big precedent. II Is pointed out. in favor
Of increased activity by ne citizens
toward securing voice in their gov
eminent.
President William T. GUIDE Of the
Chamber Of Commerce today said he
favored the holding Of the convention.
and declared that he believed IL greatly
would simplify matters, as II would
bring the people to a unit on the
proposition.
IT think the conventions candidates
should have the Endorsement Of as many
representative citizens associations and
other organizations as possible. he
said 81 believe the plan is a practiC-
able one, as g. would bring the people
together in a way never before attempt
ed. and the influence of this fact alone
should be beneficial"
J. Louis Williga. a member of the
board OF directors Of the Board OF
CONTINUED on Sixth Page.)