The Washington times., 1910-04-14
Decision AS to Central Body
Considered Result of
Jockeying.'
INTERESTS ALLEGED
TO HAVE BEEN BUSY
Commercial Boy Said to Have
Been Used for Private
Benefit.
Continued from First Page-)

by the members Of the Chamber when
IL was inaugurated. and when the com
mittee OF fifteen was created The fact
that the chamber should suddenly
change front and turn down the recon-
mendatiOn OF the committee IS consider
ed so unusual as 70 indicate the work
Of some strong opposing influences.
Say Meeting Was Packed.
Many members even go so far today
as 70 charge that the Tuesday evening
meeting was packed for the purpose Of
defeating the commit see report and that
the public service corporations and the
liquor dealers sent representative, who
were members, TO work and vote against
the proposed society An investigation
OF the business affiliations OF some OF
those who worked against the adoption
Of the committees report shows that
they have been or are closely allied with
the interests suspected Of being at the
bottom OF the Chambers withdrawal.
On the surface the reason for the re-
fusaI Of the Chamber to 90 into the cen
tral association was based on the pro
visions Of its constitution In fact, This
was officially declared TO be the ground
for the action taken. and 1t IS so ex-
planned IN q resolution which the chair
man Of the committee OF fifteen vas in-
stTucted 70 send 70 the various citizens
sssocIstiOns- The resolution Is en-
bodied IN a letter, which viii be mailed
20 each association
Resolution as Adopted.
The letter IS as follows.
Dear sir
The Chamber OF Commerce IN its
regular monthly meeting yesterday
evening passed the following resoIrI-
ton after hearing the report Of 6he
committee OF fifteen appointed 20 confer
with the representatives OF the Citizens
Association
d" Resolved, That the eourtegles Of this
hall be extended 70 the delegates from
the associations aD6 that the chairman
OF the committee be directed 10 state
t1ats under the constitution OF the
chamber, II cannot send a delegate to
ne central organization. but VIII gladly
cooperate on all matters OF public i'm
pOrtanCe at any time
Please urge your delegate TO attend
the meeting OF April Is, as, IN spite Of
the inability OF the chamber 70 send q
delegate, the sentiment was unanimous
In favor Of a central organization along
the lines planned By the committee
cry truly yours.
ERNEST n DANIEL Chairman"
Purposes Of Chamber.
Those members whose suspicious have
been aroused believe now that the CUES
ton as TO the cOnsritutiOnalitv OF the
Chambers participation in central as
ISOLATION was used merely 10 cloak the
real desires OF the opposition They ind
Justification for this belief n the con-
stitutiOn itself. which specifies that the
purposes OF the Chamber shall be as
follows;
First To promote the general vel
fare OF the citizens OF the District OF
Columbia. particularly TO adopt ways
and means for the advancement OF their
business interests by affOrdlng q field
for the exercise Of concerted thought
and activity.
Second. To promote and nurture
commercial and manufacturing enter
prises IN the District Of Columbia
Third To bring the citizens OF the
District Of Columbia especially its bust
ness men, into more friendly intercourse
and closer relationship.
Provisions of Charter.
This, It is argued, gives the chamber
authority to 90 into such an organization
as the proposed Central Citizens AssO-
citation. If no other provision specifically
prohibits such action The only other
constitutional provision that could be
interpreted as affecting the case Is found
in paragraph I OF section &. which fol-
lows.
Special Boards OF Committees--Tfth
the consent Of the board Of directors
any number Of members, not less than
ten. who may desire 70 associate them
selves together as a board or committee
for the purpose Of promoting more ehec-
lively the special trade. industry. busi-
ness, OF profession in which they are in
terested, may form a board or commit
tee Of the Chamber Of Commerce. sub
ieCt 10 the control Of its board OF di-
reCrOrs and rules of this chamber, and
+ Ia
with as such board OF committee may
adopt
provided That committees represent
ing citizens associations may be formed
of not less than I'VE members, when not
less than five members OF the said 8SSO-
citation are members OF the Chamber OF
Commerce Such. board or committee
may raise and control its separate FUNDS
but without power to obligate this
chamber in any manner whatsoever. II
the board of directors shall approve the
formation of such board or committee
the secretary OF the chamber shall issue
can for a meeting OF all its members
likely to be interested therein, who may
[ proceed TO form such board or commit
tee"
Commuters Authority.
While this provides FOR means by
which citizens associations may obtain
representation in the Chamber Of Com
rnerce. It is believed Il in no way pro-
hf6its the chamber joining any asSooaa-
tons which have for their purpose the
advancement Of the welfare Of the
community.
One Of the explanations offered BY
/ those opposed TO the participation Of
+ she Chamber Of Commerce in the central
association, was that the committee OF
fifteen had gone too FAR: that Il had
/ exceeded the authority which IL was
originally granted. This IS also believed
NV = ~ = n
/ to justify the opposing interests IN at
| tackinE the committees report The
/ resolution creating the committee OF If
! teen follows:
/ Resolved, That committee Of fifteen
I be selected by the president to submit
! ~ the raaII-ar nearlna- IN EIarcl, q ~