The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-24
THE sEcRETARr,s REPORT.
Two Columns OF Very Interesting Mater for
Business Men at Home and Abroad.

secretary Oh Tue DOdru Oh jTdOei IOI 1HO 1Cfti
ending Jan. q, 1892, and read before the
annual meeting of the board last Tuesday
night. 1t is a very interesting document
all the way through and one that should
be read from top to bottom by every man
interested in Wichita or who desires TO
know something about the future great
commercial metropolis of the west
WICHITA, Jan. 81, 1892.
To the President and Members Of the Board Of
Trade Of Wichita.
GENTLEMEN:-I have the honor to sub
NIT the following as my annual report for
the year ending January q, 1892. The
membership of the board includes many
of the best merchants. jobbers, nlanufac-
turers, bankers, lawyers, real estate, news
paper and business men generally of the
city and consequentlyis representative of
the best thought, purpose, fairness and
honesty of the community; therefore is
bound to desire the welfare and prosperity
of Wichita.
The directory is representative in every
respect Of the membership. It's duties are
not always pleasant, but no more I'M
pleasant than other organizations of
similar nature 1t is subject to the usual
criticism by those not familiar with its
cares and responsibilities. While the
board at all times cannot please every
body it has always maintained its place IN
the confidence Of fair minded people. II
any particular interest has suffered, or
any measure proposed. not fulfilled. 1t
was because of lack of interest and sup
port, on the part of all its members in that
particular thing.
Its officers are elected to carry out the
will and pleasure of the directors and COM
mittees, who represent the membership
and so are only in measure the lnstru-
ments through which the activity or pass
iveness of its members is reflected. While
organizations like this are more or less To-
cal in their character, they are by no means
confined to local matters entirely, but as
the general business expands and branches
out into new territory, and into new mar
kets, this body is so identified with our in
terests in that territory, or that market,
that it becomes the protective organiza-
ton to guard US against imposition. Its
strength is in the number and efforts of
its members, nothing more, nothing less.
Mistakes may have been made. but they
have been less than we have all
made in our private affairs.
While the year passed has been an &C
tive one for the directors and officers, the
value of the work performed is not so APP
probable at this time as it will be hereaf-
ter.
We have reason to be proud of the
Board of Trade of Wichita, and proud be-
cause it has a reputation and recognition
among similar organizations throughout
this country.
The attention which has been accorded
TO this body in many ways by
similar bodies is an evidence
that we have an influence. The
acts which we have been asked to per-
form from time to time, indicates conf
dence in our ability, and faith in our
power to accomplish whatever we under
take.
As the representative organization re-
flecting the best thought and business
tact of the most ambitious and enterpris-
ing city of Kansas. With reputation al
ready established. With four years ex-
perience, full of accomplishments, and with
the brightest of prospects before us, it
becomes our duty to prepare to success
terests which are now here and will
center at this point in the near future
As the wholesale, manufacturing, pork
packing, grain, live stock and distributing
market of the Southwest it is important
that we take care of all those interests.
As all of these industries increase and our
city continues to advance and increase in
wealth and prosperity, so must the re-
sponsiblities and duties of this organiza-
ton correspondingly increase to better
serve the city which it represents.
While the year just passed has been one
of the most trying ones in the history OF
Wichita, it certainly has been one of i'm
provement and advancement.
WHOLESALE.
Our Wholesale business is in q more
healthy condition than it was year ago.
Our advantages as a wholesale and dis
tributing point are being recognized.
All lines represented report increased
sales. New houses have located here in
the last year, and we have reason to be-
lieve, that as soon as our advantages and
facilities for wholesaling and distributing
are better known and understood, others
will be established.
The diversified interests which are con-
centrating here because of the natural ad-
vantages of our location makes this an at
tractive point for the wholesale business.
The opening of the Territory on the south
in the near future will create demand
for all the goods we handle, which will
equal if not exceed the present demand in
Kansas Immediately tributary to this city.
The fact that Wichita has direct railway
lines to seven different points on the line
between Kansas and the Indian Territory.
with three lines extending entirely
through it, and no rival within two hun
dred miles which can furnish so quickly,
over as many railways. to every portion or
that territory. the goods which will be re-
quired when it is opened, and during its
development Is being recognized by all
jobbers. Being so fortunately located in
the center of n rich and rapidly developing
agricultural country, already settled by
over SOC, coo consumers and producers, and
in the midst of prosperous and growing
towns who pay tribute TO and receive their
supplies from this city quicker, Mt
less expense, and with more cef-
tainty is another advantage which
the jobbers appreciate and will be quick
10 take advantage of.
MANUFACTURING.
Wichita is rapidly becoming a CONNER
cial center as well rs a wholesale and dis
tributing point. and in time will become
a large manufacturing city. This natur-
ally comes from the fact that industries
seek those points where money can be had
at a low rate OF interest; where there are
established firms to handle their products