Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-02
TO KEEP HANDS OFF
Chamber of Commerce Has No
Commissioner Candidates.
SHORT, SHARP SESSION
Decision Is Quickly Reached to Let
Politics Alone.
POINTS OF ORDER WIN DAY
Their Adroit Use Serves to Bring
Out an Early and Decisive Vote
on the Proposition.

The point of order is a very sharp
weapon when handled by such sklllfu
fencers in parliamentary procedure as
some of the members of the Chamber of
Commerce, who last night stabbed TO
death the resolution fathered by William
E. Shannon that the chamber should take
hand in the recommending of candidates
for the commissonership. The idea that
the President wants to hear from the
Chamber of Commerce has strong hold
on many members of the organization, ana
their views were crystallized In the care
fully prepared remarks which Mr.. Shan
non read to avoid being misauoted. The
idea that 1t would be decidedly to the
disadvantage of the chamber to recon-
mend candidates at this time Is also
much more strongly in evidence IN the
chamber. and the men who are OF TINS
view We're on hand last night. armed 10
the teeth with newly sharpenec points or
order. counter resolutions and speeches
1t was short and sharp battle. The
rooms of the chamber were crowded with
more men than have ever been in them
before. The meeting was opened with
curt fornlality by the president. Mr. GUIDE.
and then William E. Shannon presented
his first resolution. 1t was that a COM
mittee of fifteen should be chosen by the
chamber to submit plan whereby cit
liens and civic organizations represent
ing every section of the District may be
brought together at short and reasonable
notice and in an inexpensive manner. TO
express a concentrated public opinion on
matters affecting the civic welfare of the
entire community.
MI Shannon's Remarks.
Supporting his resolution, MI Shannon
said:
Gentlemen, it is not the idea that this
practice should stop even though the po-
sitions now in question are filed before
such a plan could be put into operation.
thousands of earnest business men and
public officials would welcome practical
plan whereby all civic organizations can.
without delay and expense. be brought
together to express the concentrated
opinion of the community on matters af-
fecting the public welfare. Such a plan
would go far toward eXpelling the feeling
that favoTtism is shown to any one sec
ton of the city. If favoritism is being
shown this plan would probably pre-
vent it.
There is an impression and one that
seems to grow in strength that hand
full of local men absolutely control the
public offices of the city--an impression
that is Incorrect and harmful to the city.
1t is believed the plan proposed would
hep to dispel that impression.
"Such a plan would stop in a large
measure the candidacy of gentlemen who,
however worthy in the opinion of small
group of friends. have not shown by their
business careers the qualifications for
high public Office.
Gentlemen, one of the most distin.
guished lawyers of the District at a meet
ing not long ago stated that an asSocia-
ton of which he is member was never
known to agree on any subject.
"a lowing for the mild eXaggeration in
which he INDUCED it does not follow that
this organization of sound business men
cannot agree on a resolution proposed
for the good of the community and good
of the government.