The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-18
FOR ALL THE STATE.
Liberal Plans Of Work by the
Board Of Trade.
RESOURCES or WASHINGTON.
4 Pamphlet to Describe the Strength
and the Riches Of the whole
Commonwealth.

and the Riches Of the whole
Commonwealth.
Yesterday afternoon the executive COM
mittee Of the State Board Of Trade held
meeting. at which the following were pres
enf; President, g. v. Calhoun, of La
Conner; secretary, w. r. Rupert; treas
urer, Percy w. Rochester; DIR. s. B. Con-
over, of Port Townsend. W. l. Clark, of
san de Fuca: Charles Liftchild. of
Waterville. and j. F. Eshelman, of Seat
ue. Secretary Rupert presented an eiab-
orstc report showing the progress Of the
work thus far, and the contents of the
first pamphlet were outlined.
The secretary's report was as follows:
So far the work has been confined to 6rganiza-
tion, education and solicitation. In the drst
pace sent to every newspaper in the state
copy OF an address in which the objects and
purposes OF this board were fully set forth. ]
Ar now In receipt of many OF the state papers and
md that this board has met With almost uni
versal favor. Nearly every paper in the state
has published the address in its entirety or else
mas referred to 1t editorfasly In most favorable
terms. have endeavored to write all editors
who have shown much interest in the work con-
tefapiateu, thanking them for the encouragement
tney were giving US, and whenever saw any ar
ucse which was not entirely favorable, or which
indicated that the editor was not fully CONVEX
SAINT with our aims, l have endeavored to over
come objections and place our board in its prop
er light In several towns In the state this per-
sonhi correspondence has led to q movement
fossered BY newspaper men for the organization
OF local boards of trade. and am inclined to
think that before the year closes every town of
any importance and enterprise win have an eff
l--.x a.<s~ r.
some other cases this work has resulted In re-
organization of commercial bodies whose work
Tor some cause or other had been allowed to
cease These organizations viii eventually all
become members OF this board, and some of the
new ones have been formed for the sole purpose
OF cooperating with u.s.
Petitions have BEEN sent to every board of
county commissioners and 10 every commercial
organization In the state, asking for both moral
and financial support So far, the first install
ment OF the membership fee has been received
from only one board of county commissioners,
though am advised that the money win soon
be sent by others. The petitions were not sent
out In time to be acted on at the February ses-
sions OF these bodies, and have not had time to
receive returns from the March sessions. Sew
eral OF the commercial organizations have re-
sponded fayorably. and only one complaint has
been received 10 the effect that the membership
fee is too large As many OF these bodies meet
Dut once u mouth answers Will NOT De received
to communications sent out until some time
this month. From the drift of sentiment think
our support throughout the state win be quite
liberal
Invitations have been sent to land and town
site companies aud to some of the wealthiest
men In the state to become members of this
board. Consideration of the matter has been
promised by some Of them, and hope the bene-
fits of membership will be 90 clearly shown be-
fore long that we viii have generous support in
this direction.
In the address issued to the public soon after
this board was formed may be found the follow
ing sentence; at is to be essentially state in
stitution, though independent of state support,
and we hope that the benefits of our work will
be so evenly and equitnbly distributed that
within two years 1t will become apparent that
the board might justly become an adopted child
of the state. whose support could properly be
provided by general taxation" For the work
of our first year will be forced to rely largely
on the generosity of the people OF Seattle. This
trust, it win appear, has not been misplaced.
We cannot expect seattle to support this board
alone for all time, and think the legislature in
time must recognize our efforts The state
constitution provides that there may be
maintained in the Office of the secretary
OF state bureau of statistics and immigration,
ana at the late session of the legislature bill
wassintroduced on request by Representative
Plummer creating an appropriation of 5000 for
the work. Having the future in view, had
consultation WITH Mr. Plummer aud told him .
substitute bill might be introduced giving the
appropriation to this hoard. He agreed that this
board could accomplish more good than any
state institution of similar purposes, and said he
would not unduly press his bill. thereupon
sent personal letter to every member OF the
legislature, defining the plans OF this board and
preparing the way for the introduction Of the
substitute bill. Before the session closed
il became apparent that no new APP
propration would pass, and l there
fore took steps to see that action was taken
on the Plummer bill. 1t was closely watched by
friends of this board aud when the bill was
called for passage, ii suffered defeat Our work
now must be so impartial that at the next ses-
sion OF the legislature there viii not be the
slightest opposition TO giving this board state
support. In the meantime think the people of
the state viii see that our work does not lag for
lack OF funds.
This work of education he's had good effect.
need only mention that have had letter from
one of the leading citizens of Tacoma saying
that the Tacoma delegates 70 the Olympia con-
yention did not represent the sentiment of the
people, and rendering any possible aid in our
work. This feeling ] hope will become uni
yersal throughout the state.
Itwas decided by the local ways and means
committee to solicit subscriptions from about
ESQ citizens of Seattle To each Of these persons
| have sent personal letter preparing the way
OF the soliciting committee. Considerable time
has been spent on this work, in which progress
is necessarily slow. Seattle has now exceeded
the guarantee informally made, ana from the al
most universal willingness 10 subscribe some
thing am inclined To think the city of Seattle
will give this year for the support OF the board
at least $3.50 month. This will insure most
effective work.
Considerable work hiss been done already IN
the collection of material Cor pamphlets which
suppose we shall issue think the outlines of
our immediate work should be decided upon at
once.
Though we have hardly got into working order
vet this board has already begun with It's good
work am now aiding some Eastern capital
lists in securing control OF piece of mineral
property which is now undeyeleped and which
they wish "a make productive OF wealth ] be-
gan with this matter, however, before taking
charge Of This work. / am also endeavoring 10
assist an Eastern manufacturer TO obtain
proper site tor his plant. which he wishes 20
bring TO this state. As it is bis intention 10
bring with him twenty-five skilled mechanics
with their families, | think he should be given
every encouragement
ne tact that this is state board viii draw
attention 10 il. and / am confident we shall
soon have our hands full
The committee talked over the first
pamphlet 10 be used and il was finally
decided TO have sn Introductory chapter
on the state at large, giving statistics. etc.