The Washington times., 1909-05-12
CHAMBER MAY INVEST
IN NEW AUDITORIUM
This Decision and Refusal to Amend Constitution Is
Final Outcome Of Stormy Meeting and Protracted
Discussion of Several Resolutions

The Chamber OF Commerce may in
vest its funds in public enterprises, but
81 viii not amend it's constitution in or
der to be able TO invest them in private
commercial undertakings.
This is the policy which was adopted
last night, after a stormy meeting OF
the members OF the chamber, lasting
until nearly midnight, in which the dis
cussion was more general and spirited
than at any meeting ever held by the
organization.
Briefly stated, the final decision
means that the chamber will invest ST..
coo OF its funds in the National Audi
torium Company. but that it viii not
invest in the stock Of the electric truck
manufacturing plant, TO be built IN
Washington, as recommended by its
committee on manufactures.
Other Resolutions.
While the chamber voted only upon
the propositions to fix its policy with
respect to making investments, and then
not until after three hours OF discus
sion, several resolutions were intro
duced and referred TO committees which
promise to result in almost as lively a
discussion as that of last night when
they are brought up for final disposition.
Among these were resolutions protest.
ing against outside merchants and inn
pOrters using local hotels and selling
their goods az retail without being re-
quired to have a license to do so; seek
ing 10 have the chamber declare itself
in favor Of the Reynolds plan of govern
ment for the District Of Columbia. COM
mitting the chamber 10 the plan of ar
ranging to hold competing exhibits TO
minimize the effect Of the something
for nothing outside concerns that visit
Washington, and urging that the cham
< n
present labor dispute.
Payments of Debts.
A petition. signed by 200 business men
OF Washington, urging that pressure pe
brought TO bear upon the Civil Seryice
Commissioners to the end that thu
raise the standard of eligibility to o.
ice so as to include prompt payment Of
debts. was read
Interest in the meeting commenced
1T the very start with the reading by
D. J. Callahan OF the resolution adopt
effect that the chamber invest 81, 900 IN
the National Auditorium Company
Mr.. Callahan spoke briefly in favor OF
the resolution, declaring that II had
the members OF the chamber and that
he hoped II would be unanimously
adopted. as it had been by the board
of directors.
Outlines Attack
W. c. Sullivan. the first speaker on
the resolution. following it's present
ment by Mr. Callahan, outlined the
general attack on the proposition.
which was followed later by other
speakers. who took the opposition
view. He said that while the audi
torium project is in every way COM
mendable one. should the chamber
adopt policy TO invest It's money in
enterprises of this or any other nature
It would soon be swamped with appk-
cations for financial Endorsement from
various concerns.
This. he declared, would soon exhaust
its treasury. and when the time should
come that It would have no money 70
invest in worthy enterprises. such en-
terprises would be crippled by the fact
that. they lid not receive the financial
Endorsements that other concerns had
It was easy 70 see, he asserted that
unavoidable conditions would event
uaily defeat the purpose for which the
resolution was offered, thus making OF
II a boomerang to the injury OF the
chamber. Besides, he reasoned, the
chamber needed all the money II could
save. as Il might decide 10 erect
building for It's use within the course
of a few years.
"Unconstitutional."
After touching upon the question Of
policy, Mr.. Sullivan read the preamble
20 the constitution OF the Chamber, and
declared that the organization was not
clothed with the power TO pass such a
resolution. He cited four Supreme
Court cases TO bear out his view that
the Chamber did not have the right 70
purchase stock in the proposed audi
toytun.
Mr.. Sullivans speech had the effect
OF making a noticeable difference Of
opinion as between the lawyers and
business men. who are members OF the
Chamber. His strict construction views
regarding the rights vouchsafed to the
Chamber by the constitution, and the
legal liability incurred under IL were
fidiculed by Ross Andrews. the speaker
who followed him.
The business" point Of views was the
one taken by Mr.. Andrews. He as
Eeriad that the Charnher- shnnld NOT be