Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-06
the heart Of the city. The membership fee
is $40.
Influential Memberahfp.

is So Nv
Influential Member.hfp,
The names of nearly all the leading res
| idents In professional and business life are
| on its membership list, which aggregates
| over 5oO and includes two of the District
Commissioners, with other municipal Off
cials AS many of its members are active
| ~ connected with the smaller associations
| 4 Is tafrIy representative of the whole
District. 1t has over twenty standing COM
nittees, including those on bridges parks
and reservations. public buildings. public
| health. public library, public schools. rail-
roads, river and harbor Improvement. legis-
iatlon, sewerage, streets and avenues and
water supply Through their agency the
beard performs a work Of inestimable value
In coiiecting statistics and acquiring de-
tailed knowledge of municipal affairs. 1t
publishes an annual report of more than
| a hundred pages. well digested and packed
with trustworthy data and thoughtful con-
illusions.
Conservation and Tact.
The policy of the board of trade has been
marked by solid conservatism and wonder
| full tact, which have won for its opinions n
high standing with the city authorities
AS representative of the public it aims to
work in conjunction with the authorities,
assisting with advice and information.
AS an organ of the mass of the citizens il
can speak with some weight in yoicing thu,
sentiments of the governed. In all its ac-
lions II aims at sympathetic cooperation,
and avoids any policy such as has brought
some of the local associa tions into sharp
clashes with the District Commissi oners
The board of trade usually takes up only
questions affecting the whole city which
Its members can agitate with practical
unanimity. This unbroken front increases
the moral momentum of its action in any
matter.
Social Influence.
Tie board knows the strength of social
influence, and it annually invites prominent
rit mbers of Congress and of the District
government 10 meet at dinner for q frank
Interchange of views. 1t also arranges an
excursion along the water front for tie
city's aldermen, and carries them down
stu cam to a shad bake. The utmost cor
ciality obtains between the board and the
commissioners. 1t constitutes. in fact a
spontaneous supplement to the District
government. Again and again questions
are referred to the board for report AMI
conferences are held with it's committees
Lately committee of the board was clos
eted with the Commissioners for an en-
tire evening on the subject of tax assess-
rents; ana other committees have labored
Oh street extension. street railway
transfers and on the regulation of the
width of tires. One of the local associa-
items even offered to engage counsel to
aid the Commissioners in some fight with
also arc often appointed to urge measures
on Congress: and they are heard at length
ard with respect
Earnestness is Characteristic.
The Il ceilings of these associations, beth
local and general, are marked by earnest
ness and directness of purpose Those al
tend who are interested, and no clap-trap
tricks are used to draw a crowd. Difficult
qrcstions are expounded with a fulIness of
detail and of technical precision that
would never be dared before the usual po-
litical audience. Little appeal is made to
the emotions, there is no soul-stirri1g
'eloquence" or spread-eagl eism. The at
moSphere Is one of hard facts and cogelt
reasoning. These associations are a happy
means for Harvesting the substantial men
OF community to the veNatious
but noble task of civic counsel
and influence. For such men-who,
even If fully imbued with public
spirit. would find the more common species
of municipal politics quite distasteful-they
furnish congenial theater for the exercise
of their talents, and one in which their
character and intelligence are appreciated.
In these bodies some of the foremost men
in every vocation in the city are active.
Thus. the president of the board of trade
is the managing partner in the largest de-
partment store in Washington, while OF
the two former presidents, one was sue
cessful real estate dealer and the other
a man of large financial interests who had
once been District Commissioner.
Representative AristOcracy.
The value of these associations is freely
conceded by ALL and the papers give full
reports of all their doings. The District
Commissioners cheerfuly acknowledge in
debtedness to them for sound suggestions
and useful information. The members OF
Congress rely on the occurrences and dis
interestedness of their motives. A senator
considered it ample recommendation for a
bill that it had been Endorsed by the board
of trade. Mr. William L. Wilson, during
his service as democratic leader in the
lower house, gave the fullest recognition
to the work of these spontaneous organi-
cations of the people. Through their ac-
tvity. in fact municipal government in
Washington has assumed In operation a
very different form from that contem-
plated in its organization. BY law, the sys-
tenn is benevolent Gespotism: in practice,
1t is representative aristocracy.