Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-23
COM MERCIAl BODIES.
Their Representatives Meet in Annual Ses-
sion Today in This City.
The National Board of Trade and Its
Venerable President-List of Ac-
credited Delegates.

which exist in the various cities of the
country. 1t was evident to any one who
looked into the banquet hall of the Shore
ham this morning that these same COM
mercial bodies were in the habit of sending
substantial men to represent them at such
gatherings the annual meeting of The
national board of trade. The annual ses-
sions of this body. which has now been in
existence since 1865 furnish an opportunity
for the meeting of the representative busi-
ness men of the country and for the ex-
change of views on topics Of vital impor-
tance to the entire country. The national
board of trade is a delegated body, and
when 1t met for its annual session today at
IL O'Clock the roll called blythe secretary,
Mr. Hamilton Andrews Hill of Boston,
showed that there were accredited dele
gates from some twenty-five boards of
trade, chambers of commerce and other
chartered bodies in this country which are
organized for general commercial purposes.
The Venerable President
MI Frederic Fraley of Philadelphia who
was elected president of the board at its
nrst meeting twenty-six years ago. and has
served the board in that capacity ever
since. occupied his usual place. When he
was elected president of the board in 1868,
he was then not young man. although
he had not quite attained the limit of three
score and ten. That was twenty-six years
ago. Today Mr.. Fraley is about ninety-one
years old. venerable looking man, who
shows the evidence of his great age when
he walks, as he finds it necessary to have
assistance. When, however, he Is seated
In the chair of the presiding officer. or even
when he is standing his feet addressing
the board. he does not betray his great
age. He was reelected, of course this
mi he will a alyyn he ba
continues to live. In fact the members
think of no one else in connection with the
place and there is only one name mention
ed when the call for nominations for pres
ident is made. In accordance with his Gus
com, Mr.. Fraley, when the time for the
election came. left the chair and went out
of the hall. A committee was appointed to
notify him of his election, and they escort
ed him to the chair. their progress being
marked by a continued round of applause.
When Mr.. Fraley once more took the chair
the members showed their affection for him
and appreciation of the event by giving
him quite an ovation.
Mr.. Fraley's Speech.
Mr.. Fraley remained standing. and when
the applause had died down he made a
speech in acknowledgment of the renewed
honor which the board had paid to him in
his reelection. He then continued speaking
at least ten minutes and all that time with
a voice so we'll sustained that he was heard
throughout the hall. His line of thought
was clear and connected and altogether the
address was appropriate and finely express
ed. He referred to the early years OF the
board and the remarkable record il had es-
tablished by the publication of its proceed
ings- During that period number of i'm
portant questions had come up which the
board had considered. Other questions
were now before the board, although not
all of the old ones had been disposed of.
He thought that in the future as in the
past the board would continue its digni-
fled and thougEtful treatment of the mat
tcrs which appeared before ii. He referred
to his advancing years and the probability
of which he was constantly reminded that
he would soon be called upon to leave the
duties and the cares of this world. Upon
the conclusion of his address the election
OF officers was concluded. Mr.. Hill con-
tinues to serve as secretary and treasurer.
A list of vice presidents selected from the
organizations constituting the board was
announced.
The following organizations were admit
ted to membership: NV England Leather
and Shoe Association, Boston chambr of
commerce. board of trade, Easton, Pa.
Report of Council.
The report Of the cOnucl was read by
the scrtary. Mr.. Hamilton A. HILL and it
presented IN a brief way the salient pionts
in the twenty-six years Of the boards ex-
istence and pointed out the value of the
services performed the board in making
suggestions relative to legislation. The
report spoke Of the exceptionable conditions
under which the present meeting was held
owing to the financial depression. 1t is
proposed. he said, that action will be
taken by the board on subjects which
ought to receive the immediate attention
Of Congress. He referred to the methods
employed in Switzerland for ascertainng
the will of the people and said that it
would be an excellent thing If the right,
fhO hrflf los Gfratr fhn hon nd of
trade had in making suggestions was back
ed up by instructions which would result
In them being carried into effect.
A tribute was paid to the life and char
acter of George NJ. How of Chicago and 8.
s. Guthrie of Buffalo, whose deaths occurred
during the year.
Committees were appointed to draft ap-
proprtate minutes relative to these mem
bers.
A Civil Service Matter.
1t was suggested that as the Merchants
Association of Boston had been interested
IN the matter of appointments and removals
In the consular service and had made a re-
port on that subject. copies of which were
available for distribution. that Mr.. Theo-
dore Roosevelt of the civil service board be
invited tomorrow afternoon to give his
views. This action was taken. One of the
members suggested that Mr.. Sherman and
Representative Storer Of Ohio be invited to
attend the meeting. This prompted another
member. who proposed that Representa-
tives III Congress from his district be eX-
tended a similar invitation. Then some
other member with a veiled sarcasm which
was appreciated moved that all the men,
bers of Congress be invited to attend the
session. This resulted in having the entire
proposition laid on the table so that invita-
tions were extended to no one. 1t was sug-
gested however, that the persons familiar
with subjects which came before the board
might be invited to attend the sessions
when particular subjects were up for dis
cussion. The board adjourned until 2:3O to-
day. Sessions will be held each morning
beginning at 10 o'clock
THE LATE CONSUL MEADE.