Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-13
LOCAL INTERESTS
Ably Presented at the Annual Board
of Trade Meeting.
THE PRESIDENTS REVIEW OF THE YEAR
A Large and Representative Gath
ering Of Citizens.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Washington board of trade last
night demonstrated that 1t is now a most
1ourishing as well as a most busy organi-
cation. The Builders Exchange Hall held
about five hundred people, who were
brought thither by the announcement of
the annual session of the board. and they
sat for over three hours listening to reports
from committees and officers, covering
every conceivable matter of municipal in
terest. The large attendance was compos-
ed not only Of members. but Of their
friends, and probable members at no dis
tant date. They were rewarded for their
presence not only by the feast of good
civil cheer presented by the various chair
men, but by a fine collation. spread In the
front rooms of the exchange, which was
served during a recess at about 1880
o'clock.
The meeting began at 7:45. before Presi-
dent Warner had arrived. Mr.. 8. II. Wood
ward, in his absence, called the board to
order and started the ball rolling. Mr..
Warner entered the hall in about ten min
utes and apOlOgized for his delay by blam-
ing the street car lines for their slowness,
thus making a strong argument for a
rapid transit that was warmly applauded.
Against Civil Service Exception.
The minutes Of preceding meetings were
read by Secretary Wight and approved
without dissent. But there was ripple
ahead on the seas on which the meeting
was floating. 1t was encountered when a
resolution was presented from the board of
directors and read by the secretary approx
ing the plan to put the District Commits
soners' offices under the operations of the
civil service law. The resolutions. as origi-
nally drawn, embodied not only this propo-
sition. but an other. approving the plan for
the increase of the pay of the District fire.
men. Upon the suggestion of Dr. A. p.
Pardon, these questions were separated,
and the civil service matter was first
brought to the attention of the board. The
resolution on this subject recited that 1.-The
proposed extension of the operations Of the
civil service law to the offices OF the Dis
trict government meets with the hearty
approval Of the board of trade. believing
that such action Is in the interest of better
and more business-like administration"
When the proposition had thus been sepa-
rately put, DR.. Pardon al ose to object to
the principle embodied in it. There have
been. from time immemorial. he said,
certain fads of the American people. and
one of them has been, of late years. this
matter of civil service reform, not only in
tins, but in several preceding administra-
tions, of both parties. i am opposed to the
extension OF tnlS lued 10 tne gov
eminent. If the same rules are applied to
the District buildings that now govern the
departments IN the matter of the appor-
tionment of appointments the District
will get one place out Of about every
800. We have had enough of people
being foisted of on US who have no
earthly interest in us or our wei
fare We have as Commissioners some very
trust them to make proper selections for
the offices under them. l consider the civil
service the colossal political humbug of the
nineteenth century. | would suggest, as a
substitute for this resolution, one declaring
that all the employees of the District of
Columbia shall be bona fide residents Of the
District"
Before this suggestion could be acted
upon Mr.. Jesse Wilson arose with another
speech against the civil service idea. He
based his opposition upon the ground that
the board Of trade has nothing whatever
to do with political matters. 1t Is organ
lied for mercantile purposes. and 1T could
not properly take up such a question as
the present one. The board should con-
slider every question relating to the COM
mercial welfare Of the city, but IL it once
should take up political questions it would
soon find itself overwhelmed. Mr.. Wilson
therefore moved that the resolution about
the civil service extension be tabled and
this was carried by viva voce vote.
Increase of Firemen's Pay Favored.
The second matter in the original reso-
luton. regarding the salaries Of the fire.
men, was unanimously approved This en-
ables thu officers of the board, as such. to
sign the petition Of the firemen, which
seeks an increase Of 25 per cent Of their
salaries, of which one-half shall go to the
relief fund.
DIR. Pardon then presented the report of
the committee on manufactures, after
first announcing that he dissented from the
report in that 1t did not go far enough
and was not strong enough. The report
was In the form Of resolution, as fol-
lows: THAT we heartily favor the intro
due ton into the District of Columbia of
such manufactures as will not tend to de-
tract from the beauty and comfort of the
national capital as a city of residences and
therefore urge the board Of trade to do all
In it's power to encourage the establish
ment and extension within the District Of
manufactures Of the character set forth"
This was adopted by the board.
The board then adopted number of
amendments to its bylaws that were pro-
posed at the last meeting and approved by
the board of directors The first Of these
was to restrict membership in the board
to persons residing or doing business In
the District, but the adoption Of this does
not affect those who may not fall within
these provisions who are now members;
modifying the method of electing members
passing their applications through the
committee on membership instead of
through the board of directors; rearrang-
Ing the terms or membership with regard
to the payment of dues, so that all dues
shall be paid annually hereafter on the
LIST of January; creating the standing COM
mittees on public library, sewerage uni
versities and insurance, and defining their
duties. In addition, upon motion of Dr.
Pardon, the word ''manufac lures" was
added to the, title Of the committee on
commerce. and 1t was increased to twelve
members.
When this had been done President War
ner read his annual report, which was
listened to with eager interest and ap-
plauded vigorously. His reference to the
city post office building evoked special ap-
plause and laughter. The report follows:
President Warmers Report.
This organization was formed five years
ago on the 27th Of this month to advance
the interests Of the national capital in
every proper manner. It's career has been
marked by steady growth. both in num-
bers and interest, and its influence Is now
more marked than ever before. In most
cities, where boards of trade have been
formed. they are regarded as requisites of
government and essentials of trade. 1t is
highly desirable that in this District, Whel @
the people have no voice in the govern
ment, except as they influence those who
legislate for US. that a representative body
such as this should be maintained. There
o,,pht to ha No question RI 70 dasi,.a apd