The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-30
NATIONAL BOARD OF TRADE.
Proceedings of the Second Days Session.
Call Upon President Arthur.

Odtl CpUu lNotuCut dllEuIs
WASHINGTON, Jan. eat the second days
session of the National Board of Trade Mr.. Gov
ington reported a resolution from the Cincinnati
Chamber of Commerce, asking an investigation
OF the losses of the country by fire, and that the
investigation be made either by a committee of
the board or by a commission to be appointed by
Congress. Mr.. Covington said he did not believe
in the efficiency of congressional commissions.
There was not the slightest doubt that the fire
losses in this country could be reduced from
be glad to have the resolution adopted and for
warded to Mr.. Toilet, member of Congress from
Ohio. as he was now acting in a similar matter.
The resolution was adopted.
The committee to which was referred various
propositions touching national bankrupt legisla-
ton presented a report in favor of the enactment
of the bankrupt bill already passed by the Sen
ate, and the report was adopted.
Propositions relating to fictitious bills of lading
then came up for discussion, and Mr.. Sterne. of
New York, addressed the board upon the sub
ject.
After a long discussion it was agreed-22 to IL
to submit to Congress the draft of q bill defin-
ing the liability of common carriers on bills of
lading prepared by the executive council. in
stead of the bill favored by the New York
Board of Trade.
The board then took up the recommendations
of the New York Board of Trade in regard to
regulation OF interstate commerce, and on mo-
ton of John A. Gano, of Cincinnati, the matter
was referred to a special committee, which was
authorized to report to the executive council at
this session of the board, if possible, a bill en-
bodying the legislation upon the subject which
they would, upon consideration, deem necessary.
The question OF promoting the increase Of
American shipping was then taken up, and after
a discussion lasting several hours the board
adopted as a substitute for the resolution of the
New York Board of Trade the following:
Resolved, That the National Board of Trade rec
ognlzes the necessity for quick and frequent commu-
nlcatlon with foreign markets. and that the board
earnestly commends to Congress the enactment of
House bill 1887, for encouragement of the American
merchant marine and the promotion of commercial re-
lations with foreign countries"
This bill provides that the Postmaster general
be authorized, in his discretion, to contract with
American steamship companies for conveyance
Of mails at a rate not to exceed 81 per mile, the
amount to be paid in this manner not to exceed
the sum received from ocean postage by the
United States
The board also referred the matter of Amer
lean shipping to the executive council for further
consideration, with a request that the council
examine the method adopted by the French gov
eminent for encouragement of It's mercantile
marine.
The next matter taken up was a resolution of
the New York Board of Trade and Transporta
ton, recommending adjustment of certi6cation
of invoices by United States consuls at ports OF
shipment.
Mr.. Buchanan. of New Jersey, opposed the
adoption of this resolution. He said the United
States was defrauded of hundreds of millions of
dollars by differentiation Of goods, through
connivance OF their own officers, but that this
Is not attributable to the law requiring c~ertiica-
ton Of invoices, but to the manner in which the
law is enforced.
which to reach these frauds was by appointing
new consuls. A majority of United States cou-
suls to-day, he said, are mere political barna-
cles.
Mr.. Davis, of Philadelphia, said many United
States consuls In foreign ports, who make these
certifcations. are themselves shippers, and their
statements of values are likely 20 be misleading.
Mr.. Parsons, of Detroit, said the Assistant
Secretary of State under the last administration
told him that for every 81. 900 clerkship there
were forty applicants. This he thought indica-
tive OF the character of the men who are en-
ployed as consuis.
Mr.. Sperry thought the board should content
itself with pointing out frauds to Congress, leav-
ing to it the remedy.
The resolution was defeated-9 to Is. Ad-
journed until tomorrow.
This afternoon the members of the National
Board of Trade went in a body to the White
IlOuSc u Gail upon IH0 IreSlueDL lney were
received in the library, and Frederick A. Conk-
ling, of New York, presented Mr.. Fraley, the
president of the board, to President Arthur.
Mr.. Fraley, addressing the President, said:
Eve had the pleasure of paying our respects
to you as members of the National Board of
Trade at the incoming of your administration,
and we expressed then our supreme qualification
that the reins of government had fallen upon
one who was so we'll qualified to discharge the
duties Of the office in a manner creditable to
himself and with honor to the country. You
have gone through the ordeal of an administra-
ton characterized by peaceful Incidents. general
prosperity of the country. and by the great sat
~isfaction which all its citizens have felt while
public affairs were in your hands. We come
now, at the Gloss of your administration,
to present our respects to you, and
to wish that the remainder of your days
may be attended by the blessings to which you
are entitled. l assure you the National Board of
Trade, having seen you pass through this admin
~istration with SO much honor, faithfulness and
justice to all interests of the country, are graft
fed at the results you have accomplished, and
we express the greatest regard for your future
welfare"
In reply the President said:
II thank you most heartily for your kind
words. / am deeply affected by them. Nothing
could be more gratifying to me than to foel that
l have your kind regards, and that l have the
respect of my old neighbors and friends, many
of whom l see among YOU
The members of the Board were then present
Board.
VANDERBILT HIS VALET.