Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-30
ICE SHOULD PREVAIL
The National Board Of. ,Teade Sends Me-
sage, to England.
ne.olutions Adopted ON variety OF
1"p"rt"Hf Questions : Closing
'Procee4dnEs of the Meeting.

PROCEEDINGS of the Meeting.
81
The NationaL BOARD of Trade, at Its clos
ing session today, by a unanimous rising
vote. directed the president of the board to
send the folld6iRg peace sentiment to the
Associated Chambers Of Commerce; Lon
don. England: 81
1.-THE National Board Of Trade Of the
United States. assembled in annual meeting
at Washington. sends greetings to the AS
ISOLATED Chambers of Commerce OF Great
Britain, reciprocating all the friendly SEN
timents uttered by English commercial
bodies, and expresses the earnest wish that
commerce and religion, representing the
great progressive and civilizing forces of
the world, may honorably avert collision
between the English-speaking nations, who.
more than any other. represent the senti-
ment Peace on EARTH good will to men,.
The committee on railroad transportation
made report, which was approved by the
national board. deprecating all movements
looking to the government ownership or
railway lines, but strenuously advocates
wise, firm and continuous supervision over
the operation and management or these
great agencies IN all matters anect1ng their
relations with the public in the conduct OF
interstate commerce. 1t was also resolved
bonded Indebtedness of the Pacific railroad
to the government should be extended on
the best terms practicable, and recon-
mended the passage OF the smith House
bill No 3459, now pending In Congress.
1t was also resolved that in the opinion
of the national board Congress should at
once pass a law making any person who
has been director. officer or employe CT
any corporation engaged in interstate COM
merce ineligible for appointment as as
signee or receiver of such corporation.
At the conclusion of the business and
after the passage Of the customary votes
of thanks the delegates, with the venerable
Frederick Fraley at their head. visited the
White House in body to pay their re-
spects to the President.
Received by the President.
The President this afternoon received the
members Of the national board of trade at
the White House by appointment. The
members were introduced by Mr.. Stannard
of St. Louis, who delivered short address
explanatory of the history and objects of
the organization. In response the President
said he was very glad to have the oppor-
tunity to meet those having such important
interests In charge.
He was exceedingly gratifed and encour-
aged to witness the growth Of these vol
untary associations, whose purpose was to
stimulate trade, and he wanted 10 acknowl-
edge for himself the benefit they conferred
ard to tell the American people that the
day would come when they would appre-
ciate themselves the Importance of the
work done by such organizations.
Proceedings of Much Interest.
When the national board of trade con-
vened after luncheon yesterday afternoon,
a committee consisting of Messrs. Leighton.
Gano, Eakcr, Randall and Cook was ap-
pointed to urge upon Congress the import
ance CT taking action upon the financial
condition of the country in accordance with
the views expressed in the resolution adopt
ed at the moraifS session, which was vir-
tually an approval of the system favor ID
by President CleyelaIiJ, including the retire
ment of the gTeenbacks and an extension
of the national Banking system. The dis
cussion uponritiie subject of necessary
changes in the postal laws was continued
at some length, and it was finally decided
to recommend, that the rate of irss-class
letter postage be one cent for each half
ounce; restrict second-class matter to bona
hide newspapers and charge to every de-
partment of the government now using the
ranking privilege the actual cost of such
service.
ways was received and contained recon-
mendatons, which were adopted reciting
that the most immediate and direct returns
may be secured from moneys expended in
the rapid prosecution of the works of deep
eEing the channels of the great lakes to a
width Of not less than 600 feet; of opening
deep draft connections between the lakes,
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and the At
lantlc; OF continuing the Improvement of
the great rivers of the central basin, con-
secutively, and by the construction of an
Interior coastwtse canal for domestic COM
ncerce and national defense. In ord. r to
provide the means to curry out these works
as expeditiouSly as the exigencies of the
times require, the report declared the gov
ernment would be justified in imposing a
special tonnage tax on all vessels Of fer
eign register.
1t was also recommended that the Secre-
tary of War be authorized to appoint a
mixed commission of one army, one navy
and three civil engineers, with Instructions
to determine the cost of securing al, Prop
erty rights and franchises belonging to or
claimed by the Chesapeake and Delaware
Canal Company, the Delaware and Raritan
Canal Company, the Albemarle and Chesa-
peake Canal Company, and any similar
navigation company holding title to i'm
portant navigable channels, and to report
their findings to the Secretary of War, tho
shall transmit the same to Congress with
his recommendations at the earliest practi-
cable moment.
1t was declared that the policy heretofore
existing of granting rights and franchises
to private corporations for the purpose of
improving tributary channels as feeders
and thereby developing the resources and
industries connected Herewith, involving
also the power to collect tolls thereon for a
limited period, is judicious, and should he
encouraged as the most expeditions and
economical method of improving lateral or
connecting waterways.
In conclusion, 1t was resolved that the
national board Of trade would respectfully
urge upon Congress the immediate granting
of such financial aid and support as will
secure the control Of the Nicaragua canal
to the government, free from foreign inter-
ference; provided, however, that in extend
Ing such aid, it will acquire such title there
to as will secure the ultimate payment of
the bonds guaranteed or the money nd
vanced.
Other Resolutions AdODted.
A resolution was also passed recon-
mending that Congress make immediate an
preparations for removing impadiments in
the Mississippi river above it's junction with
the Ohio, and to maintain a nayigable
channel by dredging or otherwise until the
work of permanent Improvement is ccm-
pleted.
Resolutions were also adopted recon-
mending the establishment of an executive
department Of Commerce and manufac-
tures to equip league Island as a naval
station, and petittoning Congress to amend
the steamboat, libel law, SO that a vessel
may not be subject to detention for an in
significant claim,
After the meeting the executive co,,nc,
met and organized, and elected William r
ri sl<~<1 IL. l. l.