The Washington times., 1911-06-14
OYSTER HOLDS UP
PROTEST AGAINST
: PLAYGROUND BILL
Chamber Passes Resolution
at Behest of Attorney
6. G. Lancaster.
PRESIDENT FINDS HE
DID NOT KNOW FACTS
Action Ordered Suspended Until
Investigation Can Be
Made.

For the first time in the history of the
Chamber of Commerce its president to-
day is holding up an action taken by
the Chamber itself. Convinced that the
Chamber made a serious error, based
upon misinformation, in adopting last
night resolution Of protest against the
purchase of the Mt. Pleasant play
ground, Capt. James F. Oyster is sus-
pending the Chambers action.
The cause for this unique act by
President Oyster was one Of the live
liest finales to a Chamber meeting in
months. d. ]. Callahan crossed swords
with C. c. Lancaster and for a few
minutes sparks few thick and fast.
The trouble arose at the end of the
regular meeting of the Chamber until
the fell. Mr.. Callahan introduced a
resolution of Endorsement for the Gal
linger bill 10 purchase the Mt Pleasant
playground. The resolution was re-
ceived at once with applause, which
was cut short by a statement made by
Mr. Lancaster that the bill provided for
the purchase Of the ground entirely
from the revenues of the District of Co.
luInbia.
Mr.. Lancaster asserted that the ''or-
ganir act" would be violated by the
passage Of the bill. and that it was only
another attempt to break down the
half-and-half contract between the Dis
trict and the United States. He then
moved substitute refolution. declaring
against the enactmcI of the bill
changed4ttitude.
Taking it for granted that his state
ments were true, the Chamber changed
its attitude and voted for the Lancas-
ter substitute. Adjournment was taken
h. h,,Nf ~
supper started. Meantime the friends
OF the playground resolution had dis.
covered that the Gallinger bill provided
for the purchase Of the park upon the
regular half-and-half principle. This in
formation they conveyed to Captain
oyster, who called the meeting to or
der again.
A copy of the bill was then produced
and the statement of Lancaster attack
ed by Chaplin Brown, D. ]. Callahan
ana others. Mr.. Callahan accused Mr.
Lancaster of introducing his substitute
as a mere subterfuge, and the lattel
retorted that he had acted in good faith
The post-adjournment meeting vas ad:
iourned after the president had declared
that the Chambers action at the regu
lar meeting would be suspended until Il
could be determined whether the body
had acted upon a false assumption.
For the present, at least, the Chamber
Of Commerce will not incorporate itself
After a two-hour discussion by the
lawyer members present last night vii
liam z. Shannon's resolution, which was
earlier suggested by Chaplin Brown, was
carried. The resolution declares tha
'ft is not expedlent or advisable to in
corporate at this time" The adoption o
the resolution was victory for th'
Chambers general counsel Chapir
Brown, over the entire committee OF
law and legislation, of which A. Left
wich Sinclair is chairman.
Vote of Thanks.
Another vote of thanks was rendered
to George NJ. Oyster. jr., for his infan
milk philanthropy. The vote was pro
posed by Mr.. Shannon and adopted b!
a unanimous rising vote without dis
cussion. The resolution also hearth,
approves the philanthropy"
The advertising committee of th'
Chamber has the task before II now o
determining the best steps to advertis
Washington as the best city in tn
country in which to reside, as the re
suit Of instructions given 1t last night
The committee on cooperation will
Baltimore in securing the nationa
Democratic convention for that cit!
willu be discharged unless it reports
This was President Oysters answer I,
an INQUIRY from A Leftwich Sinclai
about what the committee, Which hat
been appointed February II, had dom
about the big meeting in 1912.
Resolutions providing for elimination
of duplication of work with the Boar
of Trade were introduced by c. c. Ian
caster, but the presiding officer coulC
get no one to second them.