The Washington times., 1909-11-28
Board of Directors Refer
Scheme to Entire
Membership.
PRESIDENT CALLS
SPECIAL SESSION
Opposition TO Citizens Caucus
Causes Board to Decline Positive
Action-Many Proposals Made.

of the Chamber Of Commerce, will be
called together in a special session We'd
nesday night to consider the advisability
Of nominating candidates FOR the posi-
tions Of Commissioners of the District.
The board of directors of the Cham
Der has authorized President GUIDE to
call the special meeting.
After celebrating two hours yesterday
afternoon the board decided that the
TO hold a citizens convention
to nominate candidates for Commission
ers was too serious a matter to be deter
mined by a limited number Of represen-
tatives Of the Chamber. 1t was because
of this that it was decided to call the
full membership together
Directors Divided.
The meeting yesterday developed the
fact that The directors were evenly di-
vided as to the wisdom of going ahead
with the convention plan. The resolu-
ton adopted, however, was a victory for
the progresslves. as it puts the entire
matter up to the Chamber without a
recommendation of any sort from the
board.
1t will be within the province OF any
member to introduce any kind of a reso-
luton Wednesday night, and it will be
up to the Chamber to decide what il
wants
Yesterdays session. from the stand
point Of the feeling with which the views
OF the various directors were expressed.
constituted the warmest meeting prob
ably ever held by a board Of directors
OF the Chamber. The bulk of the dis
cussion concerned a resolution intro
duced by William Z. Shannon, seeking
to put the Chamber on record as favor
ing the citizens convention plan.
Il developed early that the resolution
would have difficulty in passing, al
though a number Of speeches were made
in its support as enthusiastically as
were those delivered against IL Fear
ing a negative vote. Mr.. Shannon with
drew the resolution after nearly two
hours OF discussion, and introduced a
substitute. The substitute provided as
/ follows:
That a special meeting OF the Cham
/ Der Of Commerce be called 70 consider
/ the adYisability of recommending the
names Of gentlemen for the positions OF
( Commissioners OF the District Of Co
/ lumbia-"
There was some opposition eX-
I pressed TO the substitute, but when
.
/ passed almost unanimously.
Several Plans Formed.
/ There is a probability that several
plans will be presented at the full
meeting Of the Chamber for indorse-
ment. one Of these. IT Is practically
/ certain, viii be the convention plan.
/ A second scheme worked out by r.
/ =. Andrews is that a primary instead
] Of a convention be held to select two
candidates 20 be indorsed as COmmis-
sioners.
The third proposition that doubtless
/ will be made 10 the members OF the
I Chambe s. that the Chamber confine
itself TO naming two candidates OF its
own, without attempting TO join with
other organizations and associations
to hold either a primary or COnven-
tion.
President Taft's attitude in the mat
ter was thoroughly discussed and the
statement in The Times 20 the effect
that the President would consider the
names that might be presented TO hin
by the chamber was introduced 10 show
that the efforts cf that body 70 eX
press its choice for Commissioners would
receive every consideration by the Chic
Executive
There we're present at the meeting
l the following directors: Cuno II. Ru
dolph. Scott G. Bone, Robert y. Har
per. Joseph Weller, Harry King, r. p
Andrews. A. Leftwich Sinclair. james
+. oyster. Edward II. Droop, william
e. shannon. 3. +. Saul. T. c. Dulin
Chaplin Brown, and d. S. Porter.
President Gude In opening the meet
ing denied that he had called the meet
ing TO further his own interests. He as
serted that he was not a candidate 70
/ Commissioner and would in no even
make a canvass to secure the cham
ber's indorsement. II that body shoul'
decide TO make recommendations 20 IN
President.
offered By Shannon.
Immediately following Presiden
, Guides remarks, william Z. Shannon
presented the following resolution.
Whereas the vacancies caused by tn
designations Of the civilian Commission
ers have resulted IN the candidacy o
, numerous eligible citizenU for the posi-
- tions: and
Whereas we have been advised by tn
appointing power that we should eN
. ercise the right OF petition, and are 10
" day advised that our views VIII be re
ceivcd end given consideration; there
5 fore be Il
3 Resolved, That the Chamber Of Com
Z merce join in an effort TO secure the com
bined wish Of the various civic organiZa
| tions OF the city TO nix upon two candi
8 dates and present their names to tn
b President OF the United States; and b
| IL further
| Resolved. That the Chamber OF Com
( nerce be called in special session TO ap
/ point delegates to 4 citizens cOnventio
! to be composed Of representatives, q
5 | civic organizations.
Il think q Is entirely within the pre-
vince of this body at this time" Nj
shannon said, Ito recommend TO tn
l Continued on Fourth Page.)