Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-15
THE BOARD OF TRADE
Interesting Annual Report of Presi-
dent Myron NJ. Parker.
THE SUBJECTS TREATED
An Exhaustive Review Of Matters Of Especial
Interest to the Citizens of the District-Com-
mittee Reports Submitted and Acted Upon
Directors Elected.

Der OF commerce in one" 10 the way the board
OF trade Of this city was characterized BY Alex
ander ID. Anderson. the secretary, in the course
OF report made by him at the annual meeting
Of that body last evening. However it may be
designated, the board Of trade has member
ship Of some 400 of the influential citizens Of
the District. 1t was representative gathering
that assembled In the banquet hall Of the
Arlington last evening" and when the president,
NJ. NJ. Parker. called the meeting to order he
looked in the faces Of citizens who represent
solid and substantial interests of the city.
PROGRESS OF The CITY.
As 1t was the annual meeting the progress
made by the city in various directions was re-
viewed. The president CO the board in his
annual address gave bird's-eye view of the
city's growth and progress, and the reports Of
the various committees embodied the details
which go to make mp the material history Of
the city during the same period. After the
minutes of the last meeting had been read by
the secretary the president presented his
annual report
President Parker's Report.
The report was as follows.
| have the honor to submit my second an
nual report as president Of the Washington
board Of trade. The year about closing has
been one Of continued prosperity to our city.
Business in all branches has been satisfactory.
| No epidemics or confagrations have visited
| our people. Our population has been increased
| to marked degree. Foreign capital has con-
| tin ued to be attracted by safe and profitable
| Investments Our banks and trust companies
| show increased business and added prosperity
and enjoy, al they should, the confidence OF
our people. All sections Of our city have SYM
pathized with our general prosperity and have
| kept touch with the march Of improvement.
The appropriations made by Congress for our
municipal needs have been liberal and in keep
ing with the progress and dignity of the capital
| of q great republic. The disbursement and
application Of these moneys has been geograrh-
| ically equitable, and no cause of complaint Is
| believed to exist respecting sectional favorit-
ism Our form Of government, while not en-
| tirely satisfactory to all by reason of non-suf-
frage, meets with the general approval Of our
citizens and IS regarded as economical! and bet
ter that il is free from political entanglements.
Those who have been called upon to administer
| our laws have generally been men of ability
| and unquestioned integrity. free from all sus-
picion of jobbery and worthy the confidence
and support of our citizens 1t may truthfully
be said that the present incumbents practically
| illustrate these conditions.
Our city having become recognized as q
leading educational, art, literary and scientific
center continues to attract national and inter-
national gatherings. Prominent among those
that have met here during the past year might
be mentioned the American Association for the
Advancement of Science and kindred societies.
the international convention of biologists, the
international ecumenicai council. under the di-
rection Of the Methodist Episcopal church. and
the annual convention of old-time telegraphers
These and other conventions have brought to
our hospitable city distinguished and repre-
sentative citizens from all sections Of our
country ami from all parts of the world.
The meeting here next year of the Grand
Army OF the Republic will be the most conspic-
n "a afrtnff shnr a.,
war. 1t will go into history side by side with
the grand review held in 1865. Very few of the
old soldiers have visited Washington since the
war. They only remember it as of old. Their
services to our country entitle them not only
to city 8, but to a nation . welcome. and that
they will receive this from our hospitable citi-
zens goes without saying. The committees
having these matters in charge deserve and
will receive the support and cooperation Of all.
The board Of trade. through every possible
and legitimate agency, has promoted and en-
couraged these gatherings. In some instances
it has very properly acted the official hosts
Of the city in extending Inequalities, such as
the reception at the Arlington rendered the
American Association for the Advancement Of
Science, DC. In addition to the pleasure it
always affords our people to occupy the posi-
ton Of hosts, it is believed that money Judi
ciously spent in this direction will emphasize
| our future prosperity.
l. NATIONAL BOARD OF TRADE.
At the annual meeting Of the national board
| OF trade held one year ago in New Orleans a
| committee was appointed for the purpose OF
permanently locating the headquarters Of the
| national beard Of trade in Washington. Our
| secretary, Mr.. Alexander ID. Anderson who was
| made a member Of that committee, las been
promoting sentiment in this direction and has
| strong hope of accomplishing this much-de-
sired result The advantages that would result
ia the establishment of .the headquarters Of the
II
/ manifest The business OF the country Ii ma
| terlally affected by national legislation. With
great force does this apply to our manufacture
ing industries. With the headquarters of the
national board Of trade in Washington the Va
rious boards Of trade throughout the country
could be kept advised Of proposed Legislation
| and the rulings of the departments materially
| affecting our commercial interests could be
| often anticipated The action of the American
Bar Association in selecting Washington as "a
permanent place for future meetings is very
gratifying.
| PERMANENT CENSUS BUREAU.
| There should also be legislation creating a
permanent census bureau. There are very
| many reasons why this should be done The
growth Of the country from a numerical stand
point would seem TO be sufficient reason, bat
| in nv judgment .here are others more weighty.
| Ii may, perhaps, be sufficient that on a certain
| day. once in ten years, we determine the popu-
| lation OF the United States. but there are many
great industrial and commercial interests that
/ should be compiled from day to day, month to
\ month and year to year, that at any time
/ infor nation could be had through the census
/ bureau respecting these and other leading ia.
dustries. The use of electricity, the tele phone.
| the management and motor power Of street
| railroads the dangerous accumulation OF
wealth by individuals and syndicates, our for
| ests, that are fast passing away, the geological
| conditions and the annual serial products
i might be mentioned as some OF the leading in
dustries Of the country that should be KEEP,
posted to date ready for distribution in epit-
omized form II is important to the welfare
Of our PEOPLE that there be q bureau estab-
| lished from which information could be fur
nished on these and kindred subjects, not as to
| what their conditions were ten years ago or
what they might be ten years in the future, but
what they are today.
WORLDS FAIR
1t In an undisputed fact that the idea OF
properly celebrating the four hundredth ami
versary Of the discovery Of America by Column
bus had its origin in Washington. local
| committee. composed Of our leading citizens,
| was organized, with Mr. Alexander ID Anderson
| as ITS very efficient secretary. To this was
added the national board Of promotion. with
| Representatives from almost every state and
| territory mass Of literature, carefully pre-
pared, was spread over the country. Govern
ors OF states declared themselves enthusiasts
tically in favor Of the proposed celebration.
boards OF trade, chambers Of Commerce in
dorsed the project For about five wears we