Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-02
FAVOR HARPER PLAN
Approved by Directors of
Chamber of Commerce.
TO BRING FACTORIES HERE
Scheme Contemplates Formation of
Holding Corporation.
OPINIONS OF CHAPLIN BROWN
Says No Question of Violating Sher-
man Antitrust Law
Is Involved.
TO BRING FACTORIES HERE
OPINIONS OF CHAPLIN BROWN

The Harper plan for bringing many
light manufactures to Washington was
unanimously approved by the board or
directors OF the Chamber of Commerce at
Its meeting last night. The plan con-
templates the formation OF a holding
corporation, capitalized at not less than
$4,000. which shall bring to this city
many subsidiary industrial corporations,
retaining control of them
The board took action on the PROPOSE
ton after hearing a report as to the
legality of the plan by the general counsel
of tie chamber, Chaplin Brown. Mr..
Brown said the code of the District of
Columbia would prevent the formation OF
a corporation to hold stock in other cor
poratons. but that there was no reason
why the corporation should not be in
corporated in one of the states whose
laws permit such action. He pointed out
that many OF the corporations doing bust
ness in the District. of Columbia now
were Incorporated elsewhere TO get the
benefit of the laws of the states. Many
OF the great corporations in New York
were incorporated in New Jersey and
elsewhere than New York, he said.
Will Increase Trade.
4 question was asked as to whether
there was anything in the Harper plan
which would be in violation of the Sher-
man antitrust law. Mr.. Brown replied
there was not He said that instead of
being plan for the restraint of trade,
it was one TO increase trade. and so long
as there was no restraint of trade con-
templated. or in fact, il would not come
under the ban of the antitrust law, nor
Uf the common law.
Robert n. Harper. author of the plan,
Ill r.
board. saying that the plan had been
discussed at length by the manufac-
lures committee of the chamber. and also
by subcommittee. He said that it had
been referred to Mr.. Brown for legal
opinion, and that he understood the COM
mittee approved the plan. In this he
was supported by William T. GaIliher,
member of the manufactures commit
tee. though Mr.. Galliher said he believed
Ii was the intention of the committee
to receive Mr. Browns opinion before
recommending the plan to the board OF
directors But since MIR. Brown had given
his opinion and the matter had come UP,
he said he would not object to it's pres
ent consideration. On motion of Harry
King the reading of the Harper plan was
ordered. and III. G. {. Stiles made the
motion for its approval.
The plan will be laid before the entire
chamber at its next meeting. and IL the
chamber gives its approval as ii is ex-
pected, the organization of the holding
corporation will be begun Immediate y.
\ plan for financing industrial and COM
me cial enterprises which have the in
do sement OF the Chamber of Commerce.
and particularly to provide a fund for
Washington's share of the cost of the
proposed George Washington Memorial
Convention Hall, was laid before the
board by Charles W. Darr. and on his
request was refe. red to a committee of
three for consideration. II is submitted
T. the chamber by b. V. Cummins and
George Ill Gall.