The Washington times., 1919-01-15
HARPER HEADS
COMMERCE BODY

Leadership of the Chamber of Com
merce today, is vested in Col. Robert
n. Harper. president of the District
National Bank. He was elected last
night.
A Leftwich Sinclair. a third-term
candidate. ran second, receiving 121
votes to Colonel Harper's 1914.
Colonel Harper was nominated by
Harry King. His seconds were Will
lam H. Saunders. Ross p. Andrews. A.
Wade Wells and e. c. Rogers.
Mr.. Sinclair was nominated by
Charles A. Baker. supported by Capt.
James F. Oyster and Henry H. Glas-
sic.
Winfield Jones was nominated by
John g. Capers, seconded by Earl
Goodwin. Mr.. Jones later withdrew in
favor of Colonel Harper.
Albert Schulteis and Isaac Cans
were nominated and reelected to the
offices of first and second vice presi-
dents, respectively.
Directors Elected.
The following directors were
elected and are named in order By
number Of votes received: William
F. GUIDE, 1871 Harry King. 1861;
Milton Z. Allies, 14sh; Sidney West,
140; Ross P. Andrews, 126: Joseph A.
Berberich, 121; William r. Dove,
i03h: Charles w. Semmes, 1924; W.
S. Corby, s5, and A. F. Jorss, 10.
The voting was by secret ballot.
Ballot boxes were placed about the
room and the voting was finished
quickly. Under the direction Of Roy
Guy, the tellers completed the count !.
ing In considerably less than an hour
1t was made clear during the nonni-
mating speeches that Colonel Harper
was an involuntary candidate. He
was entered by members Of the Cham
ber who were opposed to a third
term president.
Colonel Harper has been drafted.
may even say that he Is a conscript,"
said Ross P. Andrews during the
nomination discussions.
Tells Of War Work.
In his annual address to the MEM
bers OF the Chamber Of Commerce,
Mr.. Sinclair gave q resume of the
work accomplished by the organiza-
tion during the period of the war.
"our Chamber of Commerce has as
sisted in putting through practically
all activities brought to public atten-
ton during the war" he said. 1--WE
helped in carrying out the selective
service law; In the appraisal Of real
estate desired by the Government in
connection with housing plans; in
the Liberty loan campaigns: in the
sale Of war savings and thrift stamps:
in Red Cross activities; in the work
Of the various civilian relief organi-
zations, in the wtrk Of the food and
fuel administrations; In the war gar
IN movement. and In the solution II
transpri tation problems brought 'u'
by the Va
There is no more urgent problem
before the people Of the District to-
day than that presented by the public
schools. Our schools are crowded to
the doors and our teachers are leav-
ing in scores, as Superintendent OF
Schools Thurston says. II present
conditions continue we will soon be
at a point where we will have to close
certain schools for periods. What
we need Is a proper scale OF wages.
A marked increase would stop the
exodus"
an this connection permit me to
call attention to the small salaries
received by the members OF our hre
department. We assisted these public
servants in their recent victorious
night for the adoption of the two
platoon system ] feel that We should
assist them in their efforts to bring
about q proper increase in their
salaries-
Ninety Members Added.
Ninety members were added to the
Chamber Of Commerce during the last
year Among the honorary members
were Vice President Marshall
Speaker Clark. and Gen. John J.
Pershing.
THE frst man elected to honorary
membership in the chamber was Col
ohel Roosevelt, who was chosen
| while President. He was made an
| honorary member on the evening the
chamber was organized. May Z, 1907.
| President Sinclair also urged a re.
newal OF the activities to bring con
ventions to the National Capital.
Suffrage Efforts.
A resume OF the efforts of tho
chamber to bring suffrage to the Die
trict was given by Mr.. Sinclair.
I'VE must continue the night until
citizenship is granted to the residents
of the National Capital" he said.
The report OF the treasurer showed
that a balance of $1S4.15 was in the
treasury January ], 1918. During the
year receipts were $50, ,66596 Dis.
bursements were s19,967.3l. This left
balance, on January l, 1919. al
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