The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-10
Retiring President of Chamber
of Commerce Condemns
Proposal in Report.
WANTS RETIREMENT FIRST
Says Government Should Show
Ability to Care for Old
Clerks.

Government ownership of public
utilities in the District was con-
demned by retiring President P. T.
Moran Of the Washington Chamber
of Commerce in his annual report
to that body last night.
The theory OF government, owner
ship. 1t seems to me, can be more
readily punctured in this city" said
Mr.. Moran, where It's business men
are in daily contact with the red tape
and slow methods OF governmental
departments. wherein we see from
year to year enormous outgo, as
against fair dividends paid by private
establishments who yet find ways to
retire superannuated employees.
Wants Retirement Law First.
Let Uncle Sam do something along
this line for the wo-n-out Govern
ment clerk" shouted Mr.. Moran, be
fore he reaches out for control Of
institutions better managed than his
own"
Mr.. Moran's report reviewed in de-
tail the achievements of the past year,
and spoke in terms of high praise of
the support given him by committees
and membership at large Of the cr-
Eanization.
UnanImous Choice for President.
without a dissenting voice and
with no other candidate mentioned
for the honor, A. Leftwich Sinclair
was chosen president to succeed Mr..
Moran. In nominating Mr.. Sinclair.
Col Robert N. Harper referred to him
as "a man who has stood firmly by
the Chamber of Commerce and has
worked for everything that has
meant security to the District, and
has always striIen for the best inter
ests OF theNpeople of Washington"
was One Of Founders.
Mr.. SincIair's connection with the
Chamber of Commerce dates back to
its organisation, ten years ago, he
having been one Of the founders
Since that time he has been an indie
fatigable worker for the organiza-
tion and for Warrington. He has
served on important committees, was
for four years chairman of the com
mittee on law and legislation, and
has served long as g director, and
has held the position of vice presi-
dent Because OF his public activities,
his name Is well known throughout
Washington. He was for twelve
years second assistant corporation
counsel, resigning in 1911 to devote
his full time to private practice and
other activities.
Albert Sekalteis, Vice President.
Albert Sehulteis, formerly second
vice president, was elected first vice
president, and Isaac Cans was chosen
second vice president to succeed Mr..
SchuIteis. Like Mr.. Sinclair, both
these candidates were elected by
unanimous vote. Charles W. Clagett,
who nominated Mr.. Schulteis, paid q
high tribute to his past service to the
chamber. 'Mr. Schulteis has great
strength, common sense, indefatig-
able energy, and he will always serve
the people as he serves his friends,
because the people are his friends"
declared Mr.. Clagett.
Isaac Cans Nominated.
Mr. Cans was nominated by P. T.
Haltigan, who after reviewing at
length Mr.. Cans public activities and
citing a long list Of organizations
with which he is connected, closed
by saying, "If we searched our city
from one end to the other, we could
not find a man more suitable or
better entitled to the office of vice
president of the Chamber of Com
merce than our good friend Isaac
Cans"
There were thirty candidates for
the ten directorships and competi-
ton was keen. The result of ballot
ing showed the following elected d.
rectors: William d. Barry, Roy c.
CIaflin, Charles w. CIagett, z. c.
Graham, Charles L Howser, Samuel
A. Kimberly, p. T. Moran, James T.
Oyster, D. s. Porter, and william
Mex. Stowell.
Give Moran Chest Of Silver.
A feature of the meeting was the
presentation by william F. GUIDE, in
behalf OF members of the Chamber,
of a mahogany chest containing 100
pieces of flat silver, to retiring Pres
ident Moran. Mr.. GUIDE spoke of Mr..
AIoran's faithful service during his
two terms as president of the organi-
cation, and said members Of that body
wanted him to accept the silver as a
token OF their esteem and apprecia-
tion.
A roar of laughter and applause
was heard when Secretary Tom Grant
in submitting his annual report pro-
ceeded to unroII what looked like .
hall carpet, in size, but which proved
TO be a mass of press clippings which
have appeared during the past year
regarding activities of the Chamber.
The roll was three feet wide and sew
enty-five feet long, and, at that rep
resented only a portion OF the space