The Washington times., 1910-04-14
OYSTER SUGGESTS
SPECIAL MEETING

Declaring that he believed the Cham
Der Of Commerce had made the greatest
mistake Of its history in refusing 70
cooperate with the citizens associa-
tons, Capt. James r Oyster today came
out in a strong statement 10 the effect
that the chamber IN his opinion. should
hold a special meeting 10 exuicate It
self, II possible. from the embarrassing
position II Is In
Captain oyster Is chairman OF the
executive committee Of the Chamber OF
Commerce
Uation Of the chamber as being such a
serious one that, unless the committee
Of fifteen which was appointed TO work
out the plan Of bringing the citizens
associations together, does not take the
initiative n getting The matter recon
sidered Immediately, President GUIDE
should call special meeting for that
purpose
AS the committee Of fifteen has not
been discharged, Notwithstanding its
report was not adopted, Captain oyster
declared that he thought It was up to
this committee TO make the first move
But he declared. IL the committee
hesitates, President Guide should not
The reputation OF the chamber Is al
stake. he asserted, and II clearly Is up
TO the president TO take whatever steps
may. be necessary to protect It
Captain oyster IS taking the greatest
interest in the reports being circulated
to the effect that special Interests Oper-
atinE In the cham Der were respOnSi 81
for Tuesday nights action in turning
down the recommendation OF the COM
mittee Of fifteen.
II special interests have been at work
in the chamber. he declared they
can be broken I'D, and they viii be
We viii break them Up II It takes the
last man we have to do it.
we are in a very embarrs sslng po-
SitiOn." continued Captain Oyster. Il
regard II as one which may not make
for the good of the cham ber's reputa-
tiOn- Cur action has been inconsts-
tent We have turned our backs on
the smaller associations Unless We
do something TO recLify our action,
would not like TO predict what viii be
the ultimate outcome, as regards the
future welfare of the chamber
Eve need cooperation IN the cham
her along the SJrOngeS cooperative
lines. ] am out for the good Of the
organization. Il the citizens assOcia-
tiOns need our help we ought 20 give
Let US know what our citizens want
in the different sections OF the city. Let
them come to US and, If we can help
them we should DO It It was thor
Oughly understood Tuesday night what
the object of this cooperation is There
could have been no confusion as u that.
The Chamber simply withheld It's CO.
"The idea that the Chamber would
lose some Of its strength by becoming q
part Of the proposed central organiza-
ton 70 me is q ridiculous one
DO YOU mean to say that an organ
ization representing a membership Of
5000 would not have more weight in
Congress than one with a membership
Of only 1,0002
The chamber would not lose any OF
its individuality or strength. but when
public matters OF the greatest import
ance arise, by cooperating with all the
citizens associations, y would IN
doubtedIy get speeGier and more com
plete results
THE District Committee Of Congress
have simply been worn out by the many
petitions of the numerous smaller
bodies IN many instances. they 90 not
know what the people, as a whole
want Express 20 Congress the concen-
trated opinion Of the citizens -Of the
District and more effective results are
bound TO follow