Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-13

sation OF work by a large number of me-
chanics for great portion of the time and
connected with the building interest from a
profitable to non-paying investment.
Some RccOmme ndatiOns.
cit is gratifying to note, however, that
the indications point to revival OF busi-
| ness in the near future. / will commend
to the special attention Of the members
Of the board during the ensuing year the
erection Of municipal building, of which
the city stands so sorely IN need; that Con-
gress be urged in every way and at all
times that it is necessary for the safety
Of the community that appropriations he
made for the enlargement of the police
and fire departments. The bill providing
for the issue of bonds for the extension
of our sewerage system and for other pur-
poses. now before Congress, should be con-
stantly urged and the funds employed at a
time when material Is so cheap and labor
Is clamoring for occupation.
steps should at once be taken to secure
the reclamation Of the low lands along the
Eastern branch, which would greatly add
to the health and attractiveness of our
District adjacent thereto. Our railroads
should be compelled to provide proper ter
mnal facilities. both for freight and pas
sengers. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company has a station which is a constant
advertisement Of a want of enterprise on
the part Of the corporation as 1t Is posi-
tive disgrace to the capital of the nation.
cling public, who sre compelled to patron
lie 1t. Such a condition of things would
not be tolerated in any other city where
Isgi Gan e ne W
the large and beautiful tract of ground pur-
| chased by the United States for a national
park should be urged in every way. This
great investment would hardly be, for
any length of time, left unemployed II
owned by private parties.
Public Library.
The community is yet without public
library for its inhabitants and this want
| should be borne in mind and the report Of
the special committee urged to the atten-
ton of Congress. The report of the special
committee. consisting of Messrs. Dodge
Edison and Noyes. upon the relation Of the
city to the general government Is Of SO i'm
portant and intelligent character that its
circulation should be aided in every pos
sible way.
During the past year four of our prom
inent members. e. Kurtz Johnson, Frank
Hatton William ]. Stephenson and James
l.. Barbour-most public-spirited citizens
have passed away. They were broad-mind-
ed and energetic men, who cannot easily
be replaced
II cannot too highly recommend our eff
ficient secretary, Mr.. John B. Wight. for
his energy and efficiency In making this or
ganization attractive and prosperous. While
our numbers have largely increased during
the past year they should receive many
additions during that upon which we are
just entering, and all should feel that the
of the District of Columbia, aiming only
to aid in properly improving and developing
this already great city and to better the
condition of Its people.
The Secretary's Report.
Secretary Wight's report was an ex-
haustive review Of the work of his office
during the past year. and bore more or less
upon the work accomplished by the various
suborganizations of the board. After ex-
pressing his hearty appreciation of the
valuable assistance Of the local press he
gives the following summary of the men,
bership Of the board during the year:
AT the beginning of the present year 1
found on the roll Of membership the names
of 249 gentlemen. The present membership
numbers AT. Thirty -four have been drop
ped from the roll on account of reported
previous designations. Three names which
were on the list reported themselves as
never having been members of the board.
Twenty-three are still in arrears for dues,
twelve of these being new members. Four
of our number have been removed by
death, namely, Mr.. e. Kurtz johnson,
chairman of the exec utive committee; Mr..
Frank Hatton, Mr.. William J. Stephenson
and Mr.. James l.. Barbour"
Mr.. Wight made special mention of the
valuable services of his assistant, Mr.. Jo-
seph q. Gurley, and then went on to say:
Il also desire to refer to the very pleasant
relations which have been maintained with
the District Commissioners. They have at
all times given ready and valuable assist
ance whenever called upon, and have fire.
quently expressed themselves as gratified
with the action of the board of trade in
helping them promote that which is for the
general interest of the District of Columbia.
The District committees of Congress have
also expressed themselves very forcibly as
being much pleased that there exists a
body so representative as our board of
trade, which can bring to them an express
sion of the desires of the citizens of the
District for what Is needed, not only as to
to the detailed objec IS for which the money
shall be used.
Some Pressing Needs.
Speaking at some length of the establish
ment Of the new board rooms, the secretary
urged upon members the advisability Of
using them as mercantile club rooms or
headquarters, and of extending the use OF
them to visiting merchants. The Secretary
continued: 1T would also be we'll II the
rooms could be supplied with a permanent
exhibit of such light manufacturing as Is
done in this city. During a recent visit to
the city of Sprinfield, Mass, 1 was very
much impressed with the exhibit shown in
their board Of trade rooms of what is
manufactured in that city. Such an exhibit
would be not only of great interest and
value to our people, but also to strangers
who visit the city.
much TO be done. Public and private inter-
ests cry aloud for some one to champion
their rights. The system of sewerage and
street extension, which Is so clearly needed
is greatly imperiled by every years delay.
The Long bridge still exists-a dam across
the river-street cars still drawn by horses,
and the fire department Is only half large
enough to protect the city. We are serious
ly hampered by laws which were enacted
for the good of the city, and which cannot
be inforced. All Of these things can be re-
NEEDED with united effort on the part Of
the board. The opportunity of encouraging
manufacturing interests in the city has re-
Gently presented itself, and has met with
apparent favor on the part Of the board.
The committee will soon be appointed that
| shall have charge of this important branch
of the city's industries, and 1T Is hoped and
believed that they will be able to very
materially enlarge the city's growth and
prosperity in this direction without imperil-
ing it's great advantages as a resident
city,
As to Bridges.
Treasurer o. g. Staples had a pleasant
report to make, showing balance on hand
of $1,512.4O. His report was as follows:
Balance from last report, s963. 43; receipts
from dues, 1920; from initiation fees,
5000; from sale of tickets, reception and
excursion, SILL; a total of assets of IS, 704. AZ
MI tod