The Washington herald., 1911-05-17

favor the amalgamation. Besides, he
believed the work should be left to live.
energetic young men like we are" rath-
er than that 1t will be divided with the
Board of Trade. q.
Leaders in Debate.
The most effective strokes by the
opposition were dealt by former Presi-
dent Robert N. Harper and George Y.
Worthington. The fight for the resolu-
ton was led by William F. GUIDE, former
president of the Chamber. and by Will
lam E. Shannon, a member OF the d.
in the Chamber.
followed Mr.. Lancaster with a short
speech in opposition to any definite ac-
ton at this time THE Chamber Of
ing the initiative at this time," said Mr..
Darr. From what I can understand,
the Chamber has much that the Board
of Trade needs in energy, financial
health. and strength. But as I under
stand 1t, the Board of Trade has moth
ing we need.
We have nothing to gain and every
thing to lose by such move. The
Board Of Trade should take the initia-
of the resolution be changed to place the
Chamber on record only for promise to
give the matter favorable consideration
after the Board of Trade has taken fav-
orable action on the proposition"
The next event on the oratorical pro-
gramme was a debate between "the only
two living ex-presidents Of the Chamber
of Commerce Messrs. Harper and
GUIDE. After some preliminary maneuv-
ering for second place in the start. Mr..
Harper led of.
self on record as for or against the
proposition, he said. but he could not
but see objections to the proposition. He
did not think cooperation always OBJ
tained the best results. He believed
competition between the two bodies
would bring about. in many instances.
better results than cooperation in the
form Of a merger. Mr.. Harper suggested
that the committee, authorized in the
resolution. be directed to draw up new
sets of bylaws and arrange for new
standing committees, with a view to do
ing away with the duplication of effort
without merging the two bodies.
The applause that followed Mr..
Harper's talk showed the opponents of
the proposition were out in force.
Mr.. Guide, who spoke after Mr. Harper,
insisted that the greatest good for the
greatest number could be achieved only
through amalganation. Referring to the
suggestion that the work of the two
bodies be separated, Mr.. Guide said It
would be impossible.
Other Supporters.
Oliver Metzerott, speaking in favor of
the merger, said that questions of ini-
tiative and future name were petty con-
siderations at this time. I'VE are here
to decide he said, whether we can bet
ter the interests Of the citizens of the
District of Columbia by presenting a
united front as one organization in work
ing for them
William E. Shannon in a forcefui
speech took cognizance of and answered
all the principal arguments advanced by
the opposition and shot the heaviest
blows for the resolution.
The business experience of the United
States in the last ten years repudiates
the statement made here that the best
inerests are not to be obtained by CO.
operation he said. Pointing to the
citizens associations here, Mr.. Shannon
said they had been able to accomplish
almost nothing until they had co-operated
as the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions.
Referring to the argument that the
Board of Trade should take the initiative.
Mr.. Shannon insisted it was perfectly
proper for the Chamber to take such a
step. He paid high tribute to the men,
bers of the Board of Trade and insisted
that the Chamber. as the younger body
and containing younger men, should make
the advances. Mr. Shannon cited num-
Der of cases where different organiza-
tions in large cities had united and at
tanned infinitely better results as con-
Conrad H. Syme, a local attorney. put
every one in a good humor again at the
expense Of Mr.. Lancaster, starting a gale
Of merriment at the outset by his COM
nents on the latter's oratorical powers.
Adjournment was followed by an in
formal debate and a buffet luncheon.