The Washington herald., 1909-11-10

The Chamber Of Commerce last night
/ amended its constitution 10 the extent Of
| a practical revision. heard an interesting
/ report on the District finances. attended
] TO considerable routine business, and APP
| pointed a committee to meet President
| Taft at the railroad station tonight ana
extend tho greetings of the body After
the business session a buffet lunch was
served, and the UNIVERSAL opinion was
that one Of the most satisfactory meet
ings in the history Of the Chamber had
been held
Alonzo Tweedale. auditor OF the Dis
trict. and chairman of the committee on
municipal finance, submitted the report
I upon the plan for taking care OF the eX-
| traordinary expenditures Of the District
! Mr.. Tweedale had a vOlUminous report
in writing. but submitted tho matter YER
bally, making a clear statement OF the
! debt and how It may be disposed Of
| leaving the written report for Aling with
the secretary
Debt Amounts to S19,552, 900.
! Mr. Tweedale reviewed the facts re-
! garding the floating Indebtedness Of the
District since 1901, showing that Il now
amounts 70 Sls.552OVO According 20 the
terms OF the present law ii must be pau
in the next FIVE years. II IL is not funded
In some form by Congress.
Owing 10 tho excessive burden which
the payment OF this large sum Of money
would entail In so short a time. Mr. Twee-
dale said the Commissioners had devised
a plan which would be submitted 10 Con-
gress 20 fund the debt and pay II or IN
installments Of about $1,000 600 n year.
Going over the estimated revenues and
the gradual Increase OF the taxable basis
through the addition of houses. it was
shown that this could be done with ease
without increasing the tax rate.
Liquidation Plan SIntcd.
The plan Of liquidation involves placing
the bonded debt OF the District first. to be
followed by the present floating indebted
ness. This In the aggregate Mr. Twee-
dale thought could be paid IN about
twenty years by the creation OF a sinking
fund for interest and principal He said
the bill which the Commissioners would
submit TO Congress embodies the plan
outlined. and that there IS hope that 81
would be enacted AT the next session OF
Congress. The report was adopted and a
committee OF three provided for 10 urge
passage Of the bill.
Al the close OF the meeting Mr.
Schultels moved a vote OF thanks 20 the
committee for its very clear and satisfac-
tory report, which was unanimously car
ried.
Charles Darr submitted a report upon
the petition sent 20 the Chamber with
reference TO licensing itIuerant vendors
Z. H.. e.
mtted several months ago by the Ladies
Garment Makers Union Mr. Darr said
the matter had been taken up with IN,
District authorities and the situation
thoroughly investigated Il was FOUND
that these merchants are subjected 70 q
personal tax upon their stocks OF good,
or samples OF trade under the law IN,
Same as that imposed upon resident mer
chants. Mr.. Darr's committee found tina
the law is in all respects complied with
and that nothing could be done further
unless a new law should be enacted ~
license is required OF the class OF vendors
described In the petition. The report wa
adopted and the committee discharged.
Revision of the Constitution.
Jackson r. Ralston submitted the re
port for the special committee upon tn
: revision Of the constitution. In the hand
Of each member had been placed a cop,
Of the document as amended and a type
, written slip pointing out tho change
proposed The amendments we're take
up section by section. read. and passe,
d. upon by a majority vote. When complet
. the report was adopted as amended by
unanimous vote or the Chamber.
The changes In the constitution wer
: principally in the direction OF cutting on
! the dead wood OF the document adopte
y three years ago on the organ zatlon o
. the body. and in making certain add
= tons which the experience Of the Cham
u Der had found necessary.
The proposition 10 add TO the officer
j OF the body by tho appointment OF gen
y eraI counsel was voted down. The eligi
T. bilty OF members 20 vote when enterln
T. the Chamber near the time q the annua
r. election was settled by a vote that mem
bera entering the Chamber AT any tim
! three months prior 10 the annual cleo
ton should be eligible 90 vote upon pay
. .aC six months dues IN advance II de
y veloped under the discussion upon thi
= proposition that this would debar no on
> from voting who might Join the Cham
/. Der UP TO the night Of the election.
- Affects Board of Directors.
J. The amendment providing that absenc
Y, Of a director for five consecutive regu
lar meetings should be dropped fror
the roll and his position declared vacan