The Washington times., 1911-01-11
Campaign Ending in Victory
for Callahan Arouses
\ Members of Body.
NO "SORE SPOTS" LEFT
TO ENDANGER FUTURE
Voters Show Interest by Turning
Out in Full
Force.


before the public mind of Washing
ton following the annual election OF
officers and directors of the Chamber
OF Commerce yesterday. when D.. J.
Callahan was chosen first vice presl-
dent over ]. Louis Willige by a vote
of $50 to 2Ss. They are:
First-The Chamber Of Commerce
has been aroused anew to a keen
sense of its purposes and RESPONSE
bilities.
Second-The relation of public serv-
See corporations to the people has
taken a position of prime Importance
in the minds of the members of the
Chamber of Commerce as a question
that demands the attention of that
body.
Third-No "sore spots" remain TO
endanger the future progress of the
Chamber
Election a "Corker."
The general verdict of the member
ship of the Chamber of Commerce is
that Yesterdays annual meeting and
election of officers was a ''corker."
Nothing like 1t ever was experienced in
the Chamber before. Out of total
membership of something less than 800,
those who voted numbered 619-an un-
precedented number to participate in an
election.
The campaign between Mr.. Callahan
and Mr.. Willige wound up in a whirl-
wind finish. Interest in it was so in
tense that last evening, at the Arling-
ton hotel, nearly 500 members assem-
bled to learn the result. When this was
announced Mr.. Wilige took the floor,
pledged himself to continue his interest
in and his work for the Chamber, and
moved that Mr.. CalIahan's election be
made unanimous. This was carried with
a whoop, and the cheers and applause
for Mr.. Willige were Just as loud and
Just as sincere as for Mr.. Callahan.
Election Methods Satisfactory.
The announcement that Capt. James
r. Oyster had been unanimously elected
president and that Charles ]. Bell had
been unanimously elected second vice
president also was received with en-
thusia site acclaim, as was the an
nouncement of the names of the ten
successful candidates for places on the
board Of directors.
The method of electing officers and
directors by providing ballot boxes and
keeping them open all the afternoon
and for two hours in the early evening
proved great success and probably
will be adopted for all future elections.
il made it easier for the individual
members to vote and helped bring about
the heavy poll that was recorded.
The arrangement also made It possible
10 announce the results earlier in the
evening and thus obviate the necessity
hour. Those who attended the night
session were able to go home shortly
after midnight, with complete informa-
tion as to the election results.
Would Annex Trade Body.
The second session of the annual
meeting of the Chamber was not called
to order until the ballot boxes had been
closed at o'clock. At that hour, after
62I votes had been cast, President GUIDE
declared the polls closed and called the
meeting to order in the assembly room.
The big room WAS filled to overfowinS
when Mr.. Guide began to read his an
nual report and address.
The part OF the report which brought
cut the greatest enthusiasm was the
iaSl paragraon: In which he advocated
the amalgamation of the Chamber of
Commerce and Board of Trade, although
he old not refer specifically to the latter
organization.
The work of the Retail Merchants,
Association and the conventions COM
mittee received special attention in the |
report and the efforts of Secretary Grant |
and Granville NJ. Hunt to obtain con |
mended. N0iii-
The movement for the construction of
the IeorEe Washington Memorial Com
Tenton Hall was strongly commended.
Mr.. Guide declared that the time hal
come to make that dream a reality.
The report reviewed the work OF III.
Chamber Tor tn, past year. touching on
me annual reports of each COMMITTEES
rising vote of thanks for the retiring
president, to which Mr.. GUIDE briefly re-
sponded.
Propose Building Fund. !
The report of A Lisner. treasurer,
showed that dues amounting to $15,277.55
had been received in 1910. He recon-
mended that at least 5000 be added to
the invested fund for a nucleus for a
building. This was seconded by D. ].
Kaufman, but on suggestion Of Mr..
GUIDE the matter was left 10 the board
of directors. Mr.. Llsner reported on
the conventions fund, which showed
that $15,S20 already had been paid in out
of the $4,000 subscribed. OF this $5,9 .OS
had been expended on the work OF the
conventions committee. The report was
enthusia stically received. A recess was
then taken to wait for the tellers
report.
Oyster Takes Charge.
At 80 O'Clock President GUIDE called
the meeting to order for the fourth time
in the day and announced that the tel
lers were ready 10 report on the cleo
ton. He read only the first name on
The report, that of Capt. James F.
Oyster, and declared him duly elected
president of the Chamber of Commerce
r. n. Harper and Chaplin Brown were
appointed TO escort Capt. oyster to the
platform.
After expressing his appreciation on
the tribute of confidence and the highI
compliment paid him, the new presi-
dent promised to serve the organization
more actively than ever.
The Chamber of Commerce stands for
the people, for the welfare of the citf- .
zens Of the District of Columbia quot
ing from the preamble of the constitu-
tion.' said Captain Oyster.
He declared he would request earnest
support and close attention from the !
board or directors, and demanded that
members OF the Chamber Themselves he
more earnest in their efforts for the
organization. He asked each member
10 pledge himself to bring one new
member into the organization during the
bat I