Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-21
MEETING OF BOARD OF TRADE d.
RECTORY.
Unusual Interest Shown in the Work-Address
by President Rouse.

ing of the board of trade directory yester-
day afternoon, and the interest evinced
was very gratifying, the presence and en-
thusiasm of all the new members being
especially encouraging to the old mem
bers.
President Geo. L. Rouse. ST., on taking
| the chair, spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the Directory of the Board Of Trade
OF Wichita:
At this particular time so much can be
done for the good of the city that l think
it may be profitable for you to consider
some propositions which have in part sug-
gested themselves to me, but mainly are
the ideas of others, both in the board and
out of it. We unite our councils and
efforts for the common good, and for that
purpose not only do we exist as an organl-
cation, but to consummate our desires and
the expectations of those who placed us
here, as well as to satisfy our own well de-
fined purpose. We must work. In and
out of season always work. To aid IN the
effectiveness of that work beg to suggest
for your action that we meet in the board
of trade rooms unofficially at from to 6
p. m. every day, and use our influence
with other members to meet with us
for consultation and interchange Of ideas.
To add to these meetings bulletin should
be set up with announcements of commit
tee meetings, entertainment of strangers
and other matters Of like character. AS
to the committees it may be said that in
many cases the work on them is done
when the selection is made, hut in our
case let US not fail for lack of work. For
as your president can do nothing without
the hearty cooperation of the chairman Of
the committees. so only in less degree do
the chairmeD depend on the committees
over whose efforts they preside, and in still
greater degree do each and every one of us
depend upon the best efforts of all the
rest. The committee of ways and means
ought forthwith, to set about the consid-
Grafton of turning our assets into cash
in order to pay off our debts, stop interest
and realize surplus out of which
the slnews of war must be supplied to the
immigration and advertising committees
and for other necessary expenses.
The railroad committee has very i'm
portant work to perform, and it must be
done in time to vote subsidies for the fol-
lowing lines at the spring election: The
Wichita, Mcpherson & Gulf; the Wichita,
Belle Plain & Southern; the Kansas City,
Wyadotte 81 Northwestern; the Wichita q
Texas; the Wichita & Southeastern; an
extension of the Rock Island to run from
Wichita through southwestern Kansas
Also what has been called the Diamond
line, running from some point on the
Wichita & Colorado to point on the
Denver, Memphis & Atlantic. A good
deal to do surely. But all or
such part as shall be desirable can
be done in time with work enough.
All lines of manufacture would prosper
here, whose raw material is produced In
this vicinity, provided there is demand
here and IN contiguous territory for arti-
cles manufactured of such raw material,
and that. at present, is the only safe basis
of manufacturing 1t is therefore earnest
ly urged upon the manufacturing commit
tee to set about the procuring of paper
mills, starch factories, wooden and cotton
mills, tanneries, agricultural implement
and other works of like character. Also to
investigate and encourage the culture and
manufacture of silk, and particularly to
inform themselves and keep abreast of the
development of our local sugar interest,
made of beets rs well as from sorghum.
That is promising manufacture that we
can not afford to ignore. 1t appears to all
observant men that this industry is on the
verge of success and we must encourage it
now, ard possibly take it up in the near
future.
Market gardeners would find it very prof
tia BILE TO locate on our lower bottom lands
and could distribute their products for
hundreds of miles TO the south, southwest
and west at good paying prices. Fruit
growers would find an excellent market
here and in the territory just indicated,
the basis for the establishment of canning
factories. Wichita is an excellent point
for the distribution of such goods, as well
as affording large market for their con-
sumption, but as yet none are here pro-
duced.
The attention of the agricultural COM
mittee is called to this mater, to be Iol-
lowed by the action of the manufacturing
committee, when the location of market
gardeners and fruit growers shall Justify
the establishment of vegetable and fruit
canneries. The attention of the agricult-
ural committee is also directed to the pro-
motion of southwestern Kansas fair to
be given next fall, as it is hoped the mod
crate success of last year may be improved
upon.
The packing house committee should
visit the packing houses at least once "a
month, inquire into their wants and needs
and report TO the directors for such action
as they may see proper TO give III the
prem seS.
The transportation committee should
visit the jobbers and manufacturers, and
other heavy shippers and receivers of
goods, at least once month, and report
10 this board their grievances, for sucn re-
lief as it nay be proper TO give.
The advertising committee will have an
important work TO perform in connection
with immigration, and it is hoped they
will have well matured plans ready when
the ways and means committee shall have
provided money to carry forward this i'm
portant work.
l recommend the board to appoint per-
manent committee on jobbing houses,
whose duty will be the establishment of
wholesale druggists, hardware, boots and
shoes, dry goods. groceries and other lines.
Also advise the committee of lmmlgra-
ton to work in unison with the state and
county boards of immigration, and that
the committee of the board the county
board and a board appointed by the real
estate exchange act together with office in
board of trade room. Also recommend
this board to encourage in all proper ways
the real estate exchange now being estab-
liShed here.
lean not too strongly urge the commit
tee to hold their meeting in the directors
room and have such nesting announced
on the bulletin board SO that all con-
cerned may know just where and when
they may give aid to the Committee or OBJ
tain Information. Asking your serious
consideration of these matters with such
action as will bring about the desired re-
suits" am etc.
The directory adopted the suggestions Of
fered by newly elected president without a
dissenting voice.
1t was decided to have a committee to
look after the jobbing interests, and as
members of such were appointed: II. W.
Lewis, W. l.. Corbett. b H. Campbell, A.
A Hyde, Kos Harris. There will be more
members Of the committee who will be
selected by those who have been appointed.
OF the twenty-four members of the direc-
tory twenty-five were present and showed
more than the usual interest in the work
A number of new questions were intro
duced and the new year starts out most
promising for good results.