The Washington times., 1916-02-09
Commerce Body Adopts ResoIu-
ton Favoring Vote by Resi-
dents on Question.
uNLY ONE VOICE AGAINST IT
Opposed by S. T. Cameron, Who
Z Declares Its Purpose Is to
defeat Sheppard Bill.

Request for a referendum vote for
residents of the District before legis-
]ation entailing prohibition shall be
! enacted will be sent to Congress by
the Chamber of Commerce.
BY an almost unanimous vote the
hnmber at it's regular monthly meet
hg last night adopted resolution,
resented by Albert Schulteis, calling
Upon Congress for a referendum vote
and dir Getting that copies of the reso-
Ylution be sent to Congress through
the presiding officers of the respective
branches.
The subject of the referendum, brought
UP under the head OF new business, was
disposed OF in a few minutes. 8.
r. Cameron alone voiced opposition
to the Schulteis resolution. He de-
clared the movement for the referen-
dunn was designed to defeat the Shep-
pard bill. which he termed one Of the
best pieces of legislation ever pre-
sented in behalf of the District, and
added that Senator Sheppard recog-
nized the backing being given the
referendum campaign as a direct at
tempt to defeat his bill.
Calls 1t Dangerous.
"It Is a dangerous movement" Mr.
Cameron continued, because 1t starts
with a vicious element opposed to this
legislation"
Mrs. Schuletis supported his resolu-
tion with the declaration that It would
prove an opportunity to further the
attempt for representation. and added
that until that right Is given to resi-
dents of the District they should. at
least, be given voice in questions
that so vitality affect their interests.
Chaplin Brown. reporting for the COM
mttee appointed before the adjourn
ment of the last Congress to further a
bill providing an amendment of the
Constitution to give representation to
, the District in both branches of Con-
gress and the Electoral College. out
lined the progress of bills introduced a
few days after the present Congress
convened. In the Senate the bill was
referred to a special subcommittee or
the District Committee. of which Sena-
tor Pomerene is chairman, and by him
stoners for approval. The Commission
<rs, Mr.. Brown said, may hold public
hearings on the measure.
Expects Bill To Pass.
Mr.. Brown said he had not yet found
a member of either House or Senate
who is opposed to the bill, and ex-
pressed the opinion that within ninet ;
Gays the measure will have passed the
Senate and by the end of the present
Congress will be ready for submission
to the legislatures of the States.
within four or six years am con-
, fldent that the District will have two
Senators and one or more delegates In
Congress- asserted Mr.. Brown.
Endorsement was given 10 the bill
regulating street improvements in the
District which has been introduced in
the House by Congressman rinkham
Of Massachusetts,. The Chamber asks.
however. that before its passage the
bill shall be amended In accordance
with suggestions made by A. l.ettwich
Sinclair making clearer the provisions
prohibiting condemnation proceedings
for street, impro, ements until the
money shall have been appropriated for
the prosecution of the proposed i'm
provement.
Edward A Filene. former president of
the Boston Chamber of Commtrce, ad-
dressed the Chamber on Tie Economic
Effects Of the War and American
Business"
At the instance Of Chaplin Brown the
'hhInber gave vote Of thanks to the
members OF the District Committee Of
the House for the manner in which that
hndy had dealt with the proposed
changes in school legislation, and corn-
mended the residents OF tho District
who had gone before Congress TO op-
l'cae the changes embraced in the lcgis-
lation considered.