The Washington times., 1910-03-06
Commerce Chambers Plan
, Received With Favor By
Citizens Organizations
ADOPT RESOLUTIONS
FOR CLEARINGHOUSE
Some Opposition Develops, But
Harmony Prevails At Close
of Meeting.

Tho people Of Washington will have
a central organization of citizens asso-
stations. an organization which viii act
as clearinghouse for the views of the
individual associations, and BY means
of which a solid front may be presented
to Congress and the District Commits
sioners, If plans already formulated
come 10 fruition.
That such an organization Is neces-
sary; that 1t is desired by a large ma
jority OF the members Of the different
citizens associations and that il will
prove effective in getting favorable ac-
tiOn by Congress and L Commission
ers on the needs Of the local interests
was the opinion of the reads Of the Va
rious associations who net last night
10 discuss the movement ilangurated by
the Chamber of Commerce and carried
on by the committee OF fifteen appointed
by that body.
The meeting was arranged bN the
committee Of fifteen, it's object being to
get the sense Of the diffetent associa-
uons. There was opposition to several
details contained in a sci OF resolutions
embodying a general plan OF organiza-
tion, but when the resolutions. as
amended, were put 10 vote hey were
adopted almost unanimously.
Provision of Resolutions.
The main provisions Of the resolutions
are that a citizens union shall be
formed; that it shall deal only with
questions Of interest to the city as a
whole and not with questions Of pc
culiar interest to any locality, and that
the permanent organization OF the
union shall be formed by properly ac-
credited representatives Of the citizens
associations, each of whom shall be
empowered by the associItion which
aCcredits him TO cast the vote of that
association. These representatives are
10 meet in the 'hamoer o. Commerce
rooms the evening of Aprl g. to effect
the permanent organization.
When the delegates meet they will
decide all details If organization. one
of the most important questions will be
the number and chara -ter Of the iudi-
vidual associations 10 bn invited 10 join
the movement Another question Isl
whether the Representatives Of the IN
dlvidual associations in tho central
body after il is organized. shall Dc Cm-
powered TO act for the association they
represent or shall he required 10 report
back and ask for instructions.
Referendum Provided.
y provision for such referendum was
contained in the resolutions as origi-
nally introduced last night. 1t met with
strong opposition on the ground that al
would cause so much delay that the
central body would become cumbersome
and ineffective.
Several association leaders, i'm their
speeches last night, strongly ur.,ed that
the central body when finally .-Eauized
be composed OF men carrying iul power
TO vote on an questions before IT,
The meeting was called TO order by
J.. II. Daniel, chairman Of the Commit
tee of Fifteen, who presided. Nine
members of the committee were present
Nearly every Cl liens association In the
District was represented Richard b.
NatT0uS, or me American Civic ASS0-
citation, upon request of the chairman.
outlined the work that had been done
by a central citizens organization Iu
Milwaukee John Dolph told OF the ac-
CompllShments OF a similar oFEouiZd-
tion in Cincinnati Mr Daniel then in
troduCed q set of resolutions which had
been prepared 10y the Committee Of Fif-
teen, as basis for discussion
Text of Resolutions.
The resolutions, as finally adopted, fol-
low:
Whereas there is no legally csta-
blished machinery through which the
people Of the District may express their
desires in matters legislative OF admin
istratiye affecting their personal or
property rights when pending before
' Congress or the Commissioners and
Whereas there are numerous civic
organizations composed Of citizens, who,
impressed with high sense OF public
duty, have banded themselves together
In order to individually impress upon
Congress or lie Commissioners the
needs OF the several localities or inter-
ests with which each lis identified, and
Whereas when questions arise Cor
consideration by Congress or the Com
mi-sicuerS ats"~:inE tHc entire District,
and no; rclauE- 70 any one portion of
the city alone, lanimOus concurrence
OF opinion and Do, -mOnV Of action among
the various civic organizations will ie
more effective and desirable. and
Whereas there exists at present no
, method by means Of which the different
organizations may meet tDget her
4 through properly appointed deIeCaJa~ or
3ptherw1sc 10 the end that they may con-
b ult discuss, and agree upon any plan
IN action appearing most cNpeGient To-
therefore be Il
Resolved, That IL is, iu tine judgment