Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-22
WHERE BUILDERSMEET
Rapid Growth Of the Recently-Or'
ganized Exchange.
CLUB WITH A PURPOSE.
The Officers and Membership Of the
Exchange-Men Who Design and Men
Who Constructive Purchase Of .
New Building-Its Description.

I<1Z5 III. ItLSLNA puIcHdse Dy the OuLu.
~z}hers exchange of the Baptist church
IN property ON 18th street has brought
ri that prosperous organization into
~ prominence. 1t is surprising to learn,
especially in connection with this purchase,
which will involve an expenditure OF some
100000 that the exchange is only eight months
old. II the infancy Of this organization is so
vigorous and promising what will its manhood
and middle age be? The members ask this
question sometimes themselves in a wondering
way. Even those who were active in organ
izing the exchange look upon its success with
amazement The fact, however, seems to be
that the time WAS ripe for just such an organ
izatlon, and now that it has started it is re-
garded as one Of the permanent business or
CARNATIONS of the city. While there are similar
bodies in other large cities but few OF them will
be able to boast of the accommodations which
this exchange will have when the new building
Is ready for occupancy. The exchange is really
a successor of the master builders association n,
but Is much wider in its scope.
PURPOSES OF THE ORGANIZATION.
tits not simply an organization for the COM
bination Of certain interests to produce GER
tain result but it is an associ alton formed
primarily to furnish headquarters where con-
tractors, material men and others can meet
daily for the transaction of individual business.
The membership includes individuals or firms
practically engaged as employers in any of the
constr uctive mechanical trades necessary in
the erection of buildings, dealers in or manu-
facturers Of building supplies, architects,
decorative artists or other persons profession
ally employed in the construction of buildings.
The object of the organization, as stated in
the bylaws is ''to maintain suitable rooms for
the daily meetings of its members; to establish
general and good understanding on the part
of its members; just and equitable principles
in all business done in its limits: to acquire,
preserve or disseminate useful business infor-
nation; to arbitrate, adjudge and adjust all
differences or misunderstanding between
members; to enhance its membership and
contribute in all reasonable and legitimate
ways to the success and prosperity of its men,
bers in business matters, individually and col
lectively."
THE DAILY MEETING.
The feature Of the exchange the daily meet
ing, has been maintained with great success
The advantages of meeting together in one
particular place at specified hours on every
business day are, perhaps, more definite to
builders than to men in trade. The exchange
is the daily place of meeting for those engaged
in the various branches of building, whose
trades have to be prosecuted in conjunction
with each other. Also for those whose lines of
business make it desirable for them to fire.
quently see the contractors in various trades
for the purpose OF selling material. Builders
are, as class, so situated as to appreciate such
an institution an exchange. The large pro-
portion of builders are obliged to be during
the day wherever their work happens to be.
The builder is therefore, rather an unreliable
individual as to whereabouts Under this sys-
tenn of daily meetings all these men are
brought together in one place at certain
time.
THE PRESENT EXCHANGE BUILDING.
When the exchange was first organized they
leased the building 1921 street northwest and
this is their home at present. 1t is plain,
four-story brick building. Only the first floor
is occupied by the exchange, the remainder
Of the building being leased for Office purposes.
The exchange rooms are plainly furnished. A
cocoa mating covers the floor and in the CEN