The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-24

Topics Of large public interest bearing
an important relation to the welfare OF
the District of Columbia, were discussed
al the February meeting of the Board Of
Trade at the Willard last night. The
meeting was held in the red parlor and
was well attended. Some of the dis
cussion was spirited. ali Of it was in
teresting. and while the session held until
II o'clock. the members were enthusiastic
in declaring that it was one Of the most
satisfactory they had ever attended.
Contrary to expectations, owing to the
pressure Of routine business. the pro
posed amendment &c the bylaws, reiat-
ing TO the eligibility of members OF the
board of directors was not considered
Finance Committee Reports.
The subject which aroused the greatest
interest was the report of the municipal
finance committee. Col. George Truesdeh
read the report, which recommended the
Endorsement of the Judson plan of hnanc-
ing the District, as set forth in the bills
now pending in Congress. Col. Truesdell s
report was really history of the finances
of the District since the PRONUNCIATION or
the organic act Of 1878, and, at the same
time. a castigation of Congress for its
action Of recent years in the plain de-
parture from the spirit and letter Of the
organic act in loading many expenses
upon the local government which the ma
xionaI government under the act should
have helped to bear.
Col Truesdeu reviewed the legislation
of 1878, and quoted at length some opinions
expressed in speeches and reports on the
subject at that time. showing the intent
Of Congress to fix the half and-half prin-
ciple of the payment of public expenses
as long as the act should endure. He
then showed how from small beginnings
Congress had evaded its share of the
public expense in one way and another
until it has forced upon the local govern
ment the payment of bills amounting in
the aggregate TO nearly S10000,000
Approves JudsSn Plan.
Col. Truesden then explained the chief
features of the Judson plan of caring for
the District finances so as TO meet the
payments of the bonded debt and the
present floating debt in a period Of about
thirty years. He said his committee, after
long consideration, had found it simple,
sensible plan OF getting the District out
OF its financial straits. The plan pro-
vided for setting aside a definite sum to
wipe out the old city debt, and 20 post
pone the floating debt until that is done,
when the latter is 10 be paid. By SIM
pie division Of funds in this manner
enough money would be provided for to
meet current needs and a considerable
sum for the larger Improvements so much
desired by the people Of the District.
Considerable time having been spent in
reading the report and its general discus
sion, on account OF the lateness OF the
hour, motion prevailed to hold a meeting
for its special consideration within ona
week, when it should be made the sole
order Of business.
The subject which elected the most
animated discussion was that OF the re-
port OF the committee on charities and
corrections. which was finally adopted
without much change The report rec
commended the establishment of a pro-
baton and parole system. a curfew law.
liberal support OF Fairgrounds, estab-
lishment of public baths. censorship OF
the cheaper grade Of theaters, closing
Of places of amusement on Sunday, and
the temporary use OF the jail as a
house Of detention until a suitable build
ing for the purpose can be erected near
the courthouse.
Discussion arose upon the matter of
closing places OF amusement on Sunday.
NJ d. Rosenberg started the argument,
declaring that when the entertainments,
which are accustomed TO be held in
Washington on Sunday evenings. should
be properly censored there could be no
objection to them. He thought that the
historical, Biblical and artistic views
shown in the theaters on Sunday night
were highly instructive.
Mr.. syme RidfcuIes Report.
Conrad syme also made serious OBJ
lection to the report of the committee
both with regard to the Sunday closing
proposition and to another part of the
report which designated the control OF
children by parents as lacking and tend
ing to immoral conduct. Mr. Syme
thought the children OF Washington were
we'll brought up as a whole. and behaved
well in school, and he characterized as q
SANDER upon the people of the District
the language Of the report BY a little
slip OF the tongue, Mr.. Syme declared
that he did not know Of anything very
immoral in this world, and he objected
to the kind Of legislation which the
recommendations Of the committee pro-
posed
Nh Walter Clephane took Mt syme tc
task FOR his remarks, and showed how
boys and girls under the lack OF restraint
Of these modern days. roam the streets
at night, visit places Of evil resort. and
generally fall into bad ways.
Thomas Noyes proposed as an amend