The Washington herald., 1917-06-07
MERGERPLAN
GAINS HEADWAY
Twenty-four Citizens Will
Devise Consolidation
Of Trade Bodies.

Definite constructive work to-
wards merging the three leading
civic and commercial organizations
of this city into one representative
body will begin tomorrow, when a
committee of citizens will meet to
form a committee on consolidation.
After the preparatory discussion
and canvassing of the past few
weeks, body of twenty represent
ative men has been selected from
to take definite action, and will
proceed tomorrow to draw up work
able plans for the merger, which
will be submitted to the Board of
Trade, the Retail Merchants Asso-
ctation,- and the Chamber of Com
merce.
The membership of the committee
will probably include Charles J.
Bell, John Dolph, Joseph A. Ber-
berich. A. Leftwich Sinclair. f. p.
aAndrewS An P 7, Moran, William +.
Cooper. Col: Robert N. Harper.
Henry Lansburgh. John Poole, A.
Rrtsooll. Commissioned Louis
Brownlow, S. 7. Cameron, d. ].
kaufman, Capt James +. Oyster
killlan, Harold Levi, 1. Goldenberg.
Sigmund Kann, II. A. Leese, and
Thomas Grant:
Thorough Campaign Contemplated.
An organized, thorough educa-
tional campaign to acquaint citi-
zens with the advantages to the
city OF consolidated organization
will be prepared at the first meet
ing and will be followed up vigor-
ously by a subcommittee appoint
ed for the purpose. Nothing will
be left undone to accomplish what
the members feel will go toward
making a bigger and better Wash
ington, and the prospect of ultimate
success seemed nearer to the we'll
wishers of the movement last night
than ever before.
P. T. Moran, a former president
Of the Chamber of Commerce, aid
for many years conspicuous in the
community for his public spirit. ex-
strongly in favor Of the appoint
ment Of the committee as a first
No city in the United States
needs its civic and commercial
forces organized under one mead
more than Washington" he said
Where city has self-governmcnt
the administration reflects the
views of the majority of the peo-
pie. United public opinion can get
action quickly and effectively. In
EuGh q city less neeQ
of commercial organization that
can truthfully speak and act for
the people than in a city where the
citizens are not self-governed.
There are probably more organ
izations of local nature in WASH
ington than in any city of its size
on the entire continent This city
is over-organized aRd at the same
time ineffectively organized.
~ApprOaeh Congress United"
Il have always thought that If we
could 90 before Congress in a united
way, with proposition which was
backed by the city, and put up by
strong men, We would not only gain
the utmost respect, but the chances
are we would obtain whatever with
in reason we asked for.
1T Is somewhat of q puzzle to me
that the consolidation plan does not
sweep the city with enthusiasm. We
are at a perilous time in the history of
our country. II some crisis should
confront our city, would 1t be best
to call upon half a dozen organiza-
tons to take action, form commit
tees to confer with one another be-
fore acting, or would 1t be best to
have at call a great. smooth-running
well-managed organization that
could act quickly and effectively IN
der one directing head? There is
every reason in the world for united
effort in Washington. There are few
good reasons, II any, against it."