The Washington herald., 1911-10-05

taxes to be paid by property owners,
without any notice whatever Of the
intention of the Commissioner to
act upon the matter at that time, II
unjust and Inconsistent with the
spirit and letter OF the Constitution
Of the United States, and opposed to
the principle upon which this gov
ernment In founded.
Resolved further, That q copy of
these resolutions be forwarded to
the Board of District Commission
ers as an expression of the views
of the board of directors of the
Chamber of Commerce.
In speaking to his resolution, Mr..
Brown, after voicing his opinion that
the Commissioners had acted almost
cIandestinely'' in the matter, said there
was no doubt in his mind that their ac-
tion could be set aside in the courts
Mr. Brown remarked, however, that in
his opinion such action would not re-
suit in a permanent benefit.
Contrary to Law.
This is probably a dead issue now"
said Mr. Brown, but would like to say
that my committee had before 1t all the
Data used by the Commissioners, and
that their expression of views remains
the same despite the action of the Com
missloners.
There is no doubt in my mind that the
action of the Commissioners was not in
accordance with law. I believe that
when it comes to a question of raising
money by taxation the law as interpret
ed by the United States Supreme Court
requires that some notice be given by
publication. l believe this view would
be upheld by the courts. Congress has
the right to impose additional taxation
without notice, but when 1t delegates its
powers to the Commissioners, that body
becomes a quasi judicial body, appoint
&C to consider and hake recommenda-
TONS.
There is no question but that the Com
missioners knew, with all the papers
full of the subject. and with the papers
printing a synopsis of the forthcoming
report of the Chambers committee. that
this body of 500 business men was con-
sidering the question. and yet they meet.
almost clandestinely. cut the Gordian
knot, and raise the tax
Property Owners Upheld.
Robert n. Harper. supporting the reso-
luton. told OF an increase in which he
was concerned. where improvements had
been put in without notice to property
owners. to whom a bill was presented
1T the completion of the work In this
case the matter was carried into court
and the action of the Commissioners set
aside on the ground that the improve
ments were put in without the pubIi-
cation of a notice.
D. S. Porter. while Withholding judg-
ment on the merits of the increase in
rates, Endorsed the resolution disapprov-
ing the manner in which the action Of
the Commissioners was brought about
1t is probable, unless some action is
taken at the opening fall meeting of the
Chamber, next Tuesday, that the ques-
ton will be allowed to rest without ac-
ton until the fight can be carried to the
House and Senate District Committees.
A. Leftwich Sinclair. chairman OF the
committee on law and legislation.
brought up the threatened abrogation Of
that section of the organic law which
provides for a half-and-half payment Of
District expenses and the substitution.
for the governments half, of a fixed an
nual appropriation.
- Public Calamity"
The organic act should remain in
violate said Mr.. sinclair It believe
it will be kept inviolate, but think the
contemplated attack upon II should be
resisted, and resisted vigorously. think
the Chamber of Commerce should op-
pose with all its might the proposed
change. The success of such an attack
would be nothing less than a great pub
lie calamity"
Mr. Sinclairs motion calling for the
appointment of a special committee of
ten members OF the Chamber to devise
ways and means for the effective oppo-
sition TO the proposed change was unani-
mously adopted. The committee will re-
port at the next meeting of the board of
directors.
The election of a successor on the
board of directors to the late Percival NJ.
Brown was deferred until a future meet
ing.
Robert n. Harper. D. ]. Callahan. Jo-
seph A. Strasburger. William E. Shan
non, and H. c. c. Stiles were appointed
to arrange for the entertainment of the
Bristol-to- Washington good roads boost
ers, who will reach Washington fifteen
strong in automobiles nd 1t Monday aft
ernoon. 1t is probable the visitors will
be asked to remain over until Tuesday
evening and attend the monthly meeting
OF the Chamber. 1t was decided to in
vite the local officers of the American
Association of Highway Improvement to
meet the Tennesseeans.
Medal for Young Rinemen.
The annual appropriation of $25 for~
Chamber of Commerce medal to be
awarded in the annual schoolboy COM
petition of the National Rifle Association
was approved.
A resolution offered by d. J. Callahan
calling for complete information as to the
efforts Of and results obtained by the
conventions committee of the Chamber
was passed. Secretary Grant is required
to put the information at the disposal of
all the directors.
A letter was read from Police Supt
Sylvester explaining that crossing police
men are employed by the traction COM
panies and that the regulation of the
traffic at crossings, as far asthe street
cars are concerned. is not within the
Jurisdiction of the police.