The Washington times., 1917-03-14
COMMERCE CHAMBER
URGES ARBITRATION
Commends Efforts of Commits
sioners to Settle Street
Car Strike.
ADVISES LATER INAUGURAL
Business Men of District Pledge
Support to President In
Crisis.
ADVISES LATER INAUGURAL

A resolution urging the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company
to agree to arbitration of the differ
enees with its employees, and. offering
the good offices of the Chamber of
Commerce in any way they may be
adopted by the Chamber at a meet
ing last night.
The original resolution, which was
offered by Roy c. Claflin, provided
that the board of directors of the
Chamber invite representatives of the
company and the union to attend q
conference in the rooms of the Cham
ber and offer to act as mediator.
Chaplin Brown pointed out that
since the offers of the District Com
missioners to act as mediators had
been consistently refuRd, there would
seem to be little hope that such an
offer on the part of the Chamber
of Commerce would be accepted, and
suggested that this portion of the
resolution be eliminated, and that the
Chamber simply commend the ef-
forts OF the Commissioners to settle
the controversy.
A lively discussion ensued, in which
Mr.. Claflin, Charles W. Clagett, and
others supported the original motion,
while Mr.. Brown and Col. Robert N
Harper were the principal supporters
OF the amendment. Mr.. CIagett then
offered a substitute amendment, pro-
viding that the Chamber urge that
arbitration be accepted instead of Of
fering to act as arbitrators. This was
accepted by Mr.. ClafIin and the reso-
luton was carried.
VIII Aid Alexandria.
Col. John G. Cspers, chairman Of q
special committee to consider a pro-
posal to support the campaign for the
location OF the Government armor
plant il Alexandria, submitted a reso-
luton which provided that in the
event the officials in charge of the
plant decided not to locate 1t in Wash
ipEton, the Chamber is in favor Of
its being located In Alexandria The
resolution was unanimously adopted.
Colonel Capers told the chamber that
Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport
News, Va, had passed resolutions
supporting Alexandria as second
choice for the plant
Louis Gutenberg, chairman of the
newly appointed Americanization
committee offered a resolution OF pa
triotism, pledging the support Of the
business men OF Washington to the
President aud expressing confidence
in the loyalty of all Americans to
their country. The resolution was
adopted. Mr.. Gutenberg stated that
his committee is going to undertake
to encourage naturalization and to
stimulate patriotism in the foreign
element here in every way possible
He said his committee plans to CO.
operate with the Sons of the RevoIu-
ton and otkT organizations in a big
mass meeting on the Monument
Grounds July 4, when patriotic ad-
dresses will be made in several Ian
guages
On motion of Winfield Jones. chair
man of the committee on national |
guard, 500 was appropriated toward |
the fund for the reception to the |
guard, which is to be held at Conven- |
tion Hall. March 81. Mr.. Jones stated
that Adams Express Company had |
provided employment for thirty of
the guardsmen who returned from |
the border without positions.
Chaplin Brown eulogized Col. Rob |
ert N. Harper for his services as |
member and former president OF the |
Chamber OF Commerce. and for other |
public activities. and spoke in terms |
of highest praise for the way he |
managed the inaugural ceremonies. |
At his suggestion the Chamber gave |
a rising vote of thanks to Colonel |
Harper.
Urges Change Of Inaugural Date.
The chamber adopted a resolution
urging change of the date OF the in
auguration.
On motion of Soterias Nicholson a |
committee OF eleven was appointed |
to investigate a plan to have a ne-
tional fair held in Washington each |
year.
George Y. worthington assaiIed the
practice of betting on horse racing |
and said it is responsible for
much crime and great deal |
Of suffering in the District. |
He depIored the fact that |
newspapers print news of races and |
urged the chamber to make an effort |
have existing laws against gambling |
enforced. The resolution was referred
to the committee on municipal legis-
lation.
]. Crosby Mccarthy gave an illus
trated lecture, on the District ma
tional guard, exhibiting many photo
graphs OF the guardsmen taken while
on duty on the border.