Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-11
made very exhaustive report submitting sta

4 siy ior ueepenlng the channel OF the POTOMAC
| river. This committee also urged the neces-
sity Of immediate appropriation for the con-
mutation OF the work inf the reclamation Of the
| Potomac flats.
During the same month our board disap-
proved OF q bill introduced into Congress to
| do away with deeds of trust substituting there
| Tor mortgages, under the provisions of which
| about two years would be consumed in a fore
| closure. 1t was believed that an act of this
| kind would have q tendency to not only pre-
| vent foreign capital from coming to WASH
| ington, but that it would drive away a large
amount already here, and that, in addition to
this. 1t would raise the rate OF interest at least
\ per cent Our present forms of deeds Of
| trust which have been in operation many
| years, have proved themselves to be entirely
| satisfactory and 1t il not believed that there
| exists on record single case where, through
their operation, a hardship has been worked.
At the suggestion of the House District COM
mittee the committee on streets and avenues
| prepared most comprehensive bill for the
| extension of streets and avenues. This bill
| was considered before full meeting of the
| House committee and was found so satisfactory
| that II was accepted as q substitute for one
already introduced in the House. The same
bill was also introduced in the Senate. This
bull was carefully considered in all its details
! not only by the committee, but by their attor-
ney, MIR. A. $. Worthington, who has had wide
| experience IN condemnation proceedings in
| connection with the new library.
| Every effort was made to push this bill
! through Congress, but many other matters
| materially affecting the District were regarded
| of more Importance. and it therefore failed Of
passage. 1t is believed, however, that with
proper effort II can be passed at tho next scs-
sion Of Congress. 1t is an undisputed fact that
there ID now no measure before Congress affect
| ing the interest Of our District which is of as
| much importance as the bill for the extension
| OF streets and avenues. The rim of Washing
ton has been knocked of, and already very fine
residences been erected OntSI6p ia
limits. Many Of the subdivisions adjacent to
Washington are irregular and in few instances
| the streets and avenues conform to the general
plan of our city. The ground is rapidly in
creasing In value, and steps should be taken at
the earliest moment TO carry out the great plan
| conceived and inaugurated by the projectors
and founders of our city. Under the provisions
of this bill. as fast the necessity OF the case
would require, our streets and avenues. under
the direction OF the District Commissioners,
would be extended to the District line.
The committee on public buildings took an
early and decisive action respecting the neces-
slty for new city post Office building. On this
subject they made an exhaustive report, which
was submitted to Congress, recommending at
the earliest possible date suitable building
for that purpose. With much wisdom the COM
mittee made no recommendation respecting
the site on which 1t should be erected, prefer
ring to leave that to Congress or to u commits
sion to be appointed by Congress. 1t was only
the necessity of such building that was urged
by this committee. In addition to this rcpor.
the individual members of tho committee and
OF the board of trade used their personal in
huence with various members Of Congress and
it is believed that the happy result attained
Was attributable largely to these efforts.
THE ROCK CREEK PARK.
The bill for the creation of the Rock Creek
Park was urgently recommended by the COM
mittee on parks and reservations and had tho
full Endorsement of tho board of trade. No
measure has passed Congress during the last
twenty years that was of as much importance to
the District OF Columbia as the passage of this
bill The beneficial results that are sure to
follow are far reaching, and will be more
appreciated q hundred years from now than at
the present day.
do not intend to convey the idea that the
board Of trade alone secured the passage of
this great measure. l simply want to put on
record that as an organization it used all its
influence and bent every energy to accomplish
that result. L take a pardonable pride, how
ever. in referring to the fact that it was at the
residence of Mr.. c. c. Glover. an honored
member OF our executive committee, that the
first meeting having for Its object a national
park for our city was held. The record of that
meeting will also show that the gentlemen who
were invited to be present, with one or two
exceptions, were or are members Of the board
Of trade.
1t also assisted in the passage OF an act es-
tabllshing Geological PARK not on a basis,
however. that half the expense in connection
Herewith should be borne by the District, but
tnat all the expense should be borne By the
general government where it pronerly be-
longed. 1t is yet hoped that Congress will so
far modify its action as to assume liability
that wholly belongs to itself and which should
never have in any particular been apportioned
to the District
1t is gratifying TO note that it was the board
OF trade that took the initiative in celebrating
the centennial of tho city of Washington
Many months ago at a meeting of the board
this question was considered and referred to
the executive committee to formulate some
plan. Since this time several meetings of the
committee have been held, and it is expected
that full report in connection Herewith will
be submitted during the evening.
The celebration of the centennial Of our ex-
istence Will be an event of no ordinary import
ance. The ceremonies incident to this occa-
sion should be national in character and should
be participated in by every state and territory
in the Union. 1t must be remembered that
Washington is not only our home, but the ma
tons home"
1t was through the efforts of the board of
trade that the superintendent Of the census
directed that the population of the District of
Columbia should be regarded of the city of
Washington. by this ruling no distinction il
made between the cities of Washington.
Georgetown and the District All are en-
braced IN one, which makes compare favor
ably with other leading cities i'll the Union.
THE NATIONAL BOARD OF TRADE.
During the year we have had large amount
of correspondence with various boards Of trade
throughout the country in the promotion of
the idea that the national board of trade
should have permanent headquarters and
that It's location should be in the city of Wash
lnSton. 1t Is gratifying to note that most Of
the replies received in response thereto have
been favorable to the idea, and il is believed
that at the annual meeting of the national
board OF trade, TO be held in New Orleans in
December next the subject will receive favor
able consideration OF that body. BY this act a
great commercial factor of our country will
have Its headquarters in our city.
During the year the board has been called
upon several times by the District Commits
sloners and leading citizens to aid in the enter
talnment OF individuals coming to Washington
in a conventional capacity. The Commission
ers have asked for this assistance on the ground
that there were not funds at their disposal
that could be diverted for this purpose and
that since these gatherings had for one of their
objects the betterment Of Washington, it was
believed by them that the board OF trade
representing as citizens. could with propriety
expend money for that purpose.
With single exception, however, these re-
quests have not been complied with In the
case OF the convention for charities and cor
rections which met III Baltimore our board as
sisted in the entertainment Of them while they
were in this city. The members OF this con-
vention were influential people of the respective
states and territories, and it is believed that
their entertainment was proper and right.
The board of trade, however, was not organ