Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-15
Mr.. GUIDE Explains Chamber Of
Commerce Attitude.
READY TO AID CONVENTION
Surprised at Last Nights Criticism
Of Civic Body by Central Union.
GAVE FUNDS TO OTHER UNIONS
Says Chamber Will Act in Regular
Way in Effort to Bring Con-
vention Here.

William F. GUIDE, president OF the
Chamber OF Commerce, as well as other
members Of that body. expressed sur
prise today regarding the action Of the
Central Labor Union last night in, de-
nouncing the local trade body because II
had not yet acted upon the request of
the labor union for cash and co-opera-
tion in an effort to secure for this city
the next annual convention OF the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor.
Mr.. Guide declared that the action of
the Central Labor Union was surprising
because Of the efforts which have al
ready been made by the Chamber of
Commerce to secure the annual meetings
of other big labor organizations for next
year. The only official cognizance of the
Central Labor Unions wishes in the mat
ter of securing the American Federation
of Labor's next annual meeting, Mr..
Guide said, was embodied in a request re-
ceived at the last meeting Of the cham
Der for an appropriation Of $1.50O. and
this request for funds necessarily had to
20 over until another meeting.
No Hostility to Organized Labor.
Scouting any idea whatever Of hostility
to organized labor on the part Of any of
the chamber membership. Mr.. GUIDE de-
clared that II was the aim and purpose
Of the chamber to go after and assist any
of the local bodies to secure annual meet
ings of their organizations II cooperation
is sought in the regular way, but that
any one familiar at all with the work
ings of trade or any other organizations
which have to do with the handling of
other peoples money knows that appro-
priations for any purpose whatever have
to be made in an orderly and systematic
way.
VERY likely at called meeting Of the
chamber said Mr.. GUIDE, "the matter
VIII be taken up and disposed of in the
regular way and according to all real
business methods. So far as l am con-
cerned. I will say that the action of the
Central Labor Union is the first intima-
tion I have had that the union was hold
Ing back its efforts for the convention
pending action by the chamber on q re-
quest for cash that necessarily had to
await the REGULAR oficial action OF the
chamber before the request could be an
swered. The chamber Is not In the habit
or handing out money for anything so
unceremonious'y as one might Judge from
tne unwarranted condemnation of the
Central Labor Union.
Some Recent Cash Guarantees.
AT the November meeting Of the board
of directors Of the Chamber of Com
merce the treasurer reported a cash bal
ance OF less than $50.
In the last month the boar1 had con-
frmed an offer of. 81 800 toward the ex-
penses Of the rivers and harbors con-
gress. which meets In this city in De-
cember. In June, 1910, contract was
entered into with tho tHovb 90
connective Enginemen and Firemen In
volving an expense for entertainment
hail. ETC.. OF $500. In September, 1910,
the Brotherhood Of Carpenters had been
secured for Washington in competition
with ten other aggressive cities, and
$2.5OO had been guaranteed by the cham
Der toward that organizations expenses.
In addition to these amounts the COM
mittees sent, to st. Paul and Des Moines
had spent for novelties. hotel. railroad
fares and all the expenses of the fights,
500 (St. PauD. $500 (Des Moines). On
the last Sunday In October the chamber
spent 500 toward the expense OF the fifth
Sunday meeting Of the Brotherhood of
Engineers in this city. In addition to
these amounts the chamber had spent
other sums in its convention work aggre-
eating In all over $1,000. which large out
lay accounted for the then depleted con-
cttion OF the cash balance.
Board Disposed to Go Slow.
''The amounts pledged. ss5oO. $500 and
$500. or a total of $500. made the
board pause before guaranteeing other
amounts until the conventions finance
committee had completed It's labors and
the Observation-Disclosures fund was
In actual possession. The memorandum
with regard to the American Federation
or Labor, approved by the conventions
COMMITTEE. and involving a guarantee of
M
least 500 to send a representative to the
convention. was. therefore. laid over till
the next meeting.
I'm addition to this, it may be re-
called that the Chamber Of Commerce
In september spent $l25 for a luncheon
TO the visiting teams of the Union
Printers Baseball League decorated
the hall for the nth sunday meeting of
the engineers. and have consistently
aided every effort to advance the cause
OF labor in the District The action of
the chamber in connection with the
threatened discharge of navy yard en-
pIoyes in 1909, and in connection with
the annex train" for railroad employees
may be remembered as indicative Of the
chambers stand In such matters
These figures. representing a greater
outlay OF money than ever before made
by any organization in this city for the
purpose of bringing conventions Of any
nature. regardless of their membership.
TO the Capital city, speak for them
selves"
Now in Session at st. Louis.
Members of the Central Labor Union
In attendance at the meeting last night
were up in arms against the Chamber Of
Commerce because they thought the cham
Der had been unresponsive in the matter
OF cooperation to secure the next fed
Grafton convention, and was therefore an
tagonistic to organized labor.
For some time prior to the assembling
OF the federation in annual convention a,
81. Louis, which cyan fits two-week
session In that city Yesterday morning,
the central body here has had committees
At work to secure. IL possible, induce
nients to proffer the national body to