The record-union., 1897-12-17
NATIONAL BOARD OF TRADE.
THE SESSIONS AT WASHINGTON
BROUGHT TO A CLOSE.
Strong Sectional Division on the
Question of IndoPsing a Rail-
way Pooling Measure.

! WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-The Ma
tional Board of Trade to-day adjourn
| ed after a three days session. The
most important action of to-day's ses-
sion was the Endorsement of a pooling
measure which would place this ques-
ton under the supervision of the Inter
state Commerce Commission. There
was a strong sectional division on the
question, the East for and the West
against the measure.
At the opening of to-day's session
Mr.. Elliott of Philadelphia read a pa
per in favor of the establishment of a
permanent Tariff Commission. A res
Quito urging upon Congress the crea-
ton of such commission was adopted
| also one recommending "such legisla-
ton by Congress as will unity the
quarantine regulations of the country
for Jcotection against imported dam
gers. 70 enable health inspectors to give
the least possible hindrance to trade
and travel consistent with safety
Mr.. Eckart of Chicago presented a
report favoring the adoption of such
! legislation as will define the manufac-
ture sale, importation and exporta-
ton of mixed flour. The report was
adopted.
Mr.. Thurber of New York presented
a report on railroad transportation and
kindred subjects. as follows:
"The National Board of Trade advo-
Gates legislation by Congress to amend
the interstate commerce law so as to
permit pooling by railroads under the
supervision and control of the Inter
state Commerce Commission to the
end that unjust discrimination may be
prevented and reasonable, uniform and
stable rates be established.
A minority report on this resolution
was presented by Mr.. Vanlingham of
st. louis, on behalf of four members
of the committee, strongly opposing
the pooling proposition
The resolution was finally adopted by
a two-thrdS vote.
The remaining resolutions of Mr..
Thurber were adopted as follows:
THAT a start toward justice in trans
porta ton rates, greater uniformity in
the classification of freight is neces-
sary, and should the railroad compa-
MES fail to formulate and put in effect
a uniform classification Of freight with
in a reasonable time. that the Inter-
state Commerce Commission should be
empowered to formulate and make eff
fective such specification"
The resolutions deprecate all move
ments looking to Government owner
ship of railroads, reafiirm approval of
the anti-scalper bill, now pending in
Congress, and says:
s'That as the decisions of the United
States Supreme Court have so weak
ened the power of the Interstate Com
merce Commission to perform the du-
ties originally outlined for it, we petit
ton Congress to so amend the inter
state commerce law as to clothe the
commission with power to carry out
the original intentions of the Act"
The board by invitation, called on
President Mckinley.
After the visit to the White House
there was a short session, at which the
report of the Committee on Reform of
the Consular Service was read. The
report recommends such changes in the
administration of this service as will
secure permanency, judicious promo
ton in accordance with merit and ad-
equate compensation.
The report from the Committee on
Forestry was adopted. providing for the
conservation of forest lands and the
eneoura cement of timber culture over
denuded areas.