The Washington herald., 1911-05-17

Drilling through a small but de-
terlnined and well-prepared opposi-
ton that sprang up altogether with
out warning, a meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce last night
passed a resolution heartily ap-
proving the proposed consolidation
with the Board of Trade.
The resolution, introduced by H.
c. c. Stiles Immediately after the
special meeting had been called to
order by President Oyster, was
brought to vote only after a bitter
debate, in which a number of the
most prominent members of the
Chamber were foundson the side of
the opposition. The debate lasted
nearly two hours.
Reputation Voted Down.
Before the vote on Mr. Stiles resolu-
ton was brought about the Chamber
voted down without division by a sizable
majority a counter resolution prepared
and introduced by George Y. Worthing-
ton, calling for a complete reputation
Of the merger plan and a refusal to con-
slider such a proposition at any time in
the future.
Mr.. Stiles resolution, whictawas passed
by practically the same vote as that by
which its proposed substitute was de-
feated, was as follows:
Be it resolved That the-rresident of the Chamber
Of Commerce be. and he is hereby. empowered 10
appoint couIttee of seven to meet with similar
Committee rum the Board Of Tfade. If appointed.
The said joint committee To be empowered select
q chairman not one Of their nurnher. and to hear
Suggestions To ways and means by which tie
merger may be effected. the form Of organization Of
the body and all matters pertaining thereto.
and to report to both Ugznizatious EHh their rec
onmeidations and that the report of the said joint
committee shall be printed and cuTT mailed to the
members Of both organizaJOns. not less than two
weeks before the respective organizations shall meet
to consider said report
Meeting Well Attended.
The attendance at last nights meeting
was larger than any recent session o.
the chamber. 1t was called by order of
the board of directors as a result of a
mail poll of the combined membership
of the two organizations and which
brought out a vote of 655 in favor or
consolidation; ;, fifty-nine opposed, and ten
neutral The poll was taken by four
local business and professional men who
claimed membership in both bodies.
Although the leaders of the pro-amal-
gamation contingent had the situation
thoroughly il hand at all stages. 1t was
evident from the beginning of the debate
that the room contained a we'll organized
opposition party. From the moment
when Charles c. Lancaster opened the
discussion with a vitriolic diatribe. in
which he accused those who favored the
resolution with being parties to a con-
spiracy that had as its object the stick
ing Of a knife in the, back of my friend,
Capt. Oyster" the debate was heated
and general.
Mr.. Lancaster made up in the energy OF
his oratory what he lacked in facts. In
asmuch as my friend Capt. Oyster is
generally admitted to be one of the
spirits in the anlalganlation prof.
ect. Mr.. Lancaster's generous anxiety
lost something of its Intended effect. For
historical parallel. ME-. Lancaster went
back TO lS6l, when an order to the conr-
officer of a revenue cutter d.
rected, IF any man attempts to haul
down the American flag, shoot him on
the spot" Mr. Lancaster, who, fnc,-
dentally, attributed the historic order
to Gov John A Dix Of New YORK.
II has up to the present time
been generally understood Secretary of
the Treasury Dix signed the order, ap-
piled the direction to the existing stu
alton. Dramatically throwing his arms
and poising himself on his
toes, the local civic leader exclaimed: II
say, II any man attempt to haul down
the Chamber of Commerce flag. shoot
him on the spot" 1t was generally un-
that Mr.. Lancaster did not