The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-28
CONVENTION PLAN
LIES WITH CHAMBER
Board of Directors Refer
Scheme to Entire
Membership.

President the men whom We think are
best suited TO govern us"
Mr. Shannon pointed out the fact that
the President was being flooded with
thousands of letters from citizens. in
oOrsing various men for commissioners,
and that the convention plan would
bring order out OF the inCOherent mass
of testimonials with which the President
now has 90 deal.
Il want to see the citizens of the Dis
trict use the right of petition, which
surely is theirs The President wants
us TO use this right. The Senate wants
us to use it. The House wants US TO
use IT,"
Il would like 90 ask Mr. shannon. 90
said Joseph Weller. what his authority
is for saying the President wants us to
petition him"
Speech By Taft
Mr.. shannon replied by referring 20
the statement made by the President at
the citizens dinner last spring. in
which he said at all times ne desired an
expression OF the citizens Of the District
upon matters affecting their interests.
The most recent example of the
PRESIDENTS attitude in this respect, -
said Mr.. Shannon. " is the article ap-
pearing in The Times this afternoon, to
the effect that he has said he viii con-
slder the names that may be presented
10 him by the Chamber"
Mr. Weller tncn asked Mr.. shannon
how he would gauge representation in
the convention. TO which the latter re-
piled that without having gone thor
oughly into the details of the plan. it
was his opinion one delegate Ior every
Hfty members IN all the citizens assO-
cations and other organizations partici-
pating in the convention would be a
Iair basis OF representation.
Speaking of the question Of whether
the chamber would be exceeding the
pounds of propriety 10 recommend to
inc President candidates for Commits
sioneIS, Mrr Saul ridiCuied il, declaring
that II persons, individually. could petit
ton TO the President he saw no reason
why they could not do SO, collectively.
Comes Too Late.
A. Leftwich Sinclair declared if the
convention plan had been suggested
three weeks ago it would have appealed
TO him strongly. Coming so late. he
said. after so many candidates had been
announced. he doubted il il would be
possible for the Chamber 10 work out
plan by which two men could be
selected.
r. p. Andrews suggested that a pri-
mary instead of a convention be held.
The two candidates receiving the high
est number OF votes should be declared
the nominees AMI their names could be
presented TO the President Mr.. Andrews
Saiu.
Robert y. Harper pointed out the diff
Scott G. Bone said he would dislike to
see the Chamber become the champion
OF the convention plan. He believed the
difficulties TO be encountered in cerrying
- out were too numerous Mr. Bone
thought the primary plan could be car
ried oQt more easily.
Harry. King supported the Shannon
resolution. Nj. King agreed with Mr..
saul that he believed the President
would select at least one OF the two
candldazes the Chamber might recon-
mend
r. c. Dublin saic he was IN favor Of
The Shannon resolution, but had not
fully made NJ his mind as TO the best
way Il could be carried out
Edward H DrOop referred TO Mr..
Sincialr'S suggestion that the matter
be referred to the full Chamber. and
said he did not think a mistake would
be made in pursuing that course.
Chapin Brown thought the resolution
1mDracticable. and Capt. James +. Oy-
ster said he believed it was an in
opportune time 10 undertake it.
MT. Porter took conservative vie-v
while AIR. Rudolph die not take the
floor until after the resolution had
been withdrawn.
In presenting his second resolution
Mr.. Shannon, at first, proposed that
me board OF directors authorize the
Chamber 10 present six names to the
i, President The number was changed
ITO four. then to five, and. finally. it
was decided TO make no recommended
ton at all regarding the number to
be chosen.
The resolution passed eliminates the
board or directors from the situation
ana leaves the Chamber to pursue any
course IL may decide upon.