The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-18

There is an unpaid balance of 81, ,56b due
from members; $1,000 considered good.
Expenditures for eleven months of the
year were as follows:
salaries :. 81 S35. 81
Postage Observation-Disclosures. ... 347j
IflnlnB ...'.,......... ............... $3.50
Lleht '''''''''''''''.''.'''.... ....... 2O.9O
Rent ....... Observation-Disclosures. 291 81
X. q. Dun & Company ........... 500 90
Furniture, carpets, etc ............. 17j6 Sc
Banquet .............. .............. S52.30
Decorating Assembly Room ........ 1900 90
Attorneys fees, collecting assess
ments .......................... 800
Expense of delegates to National
Board of Trade Neutrality-suspicious.. 1872 is
Telephone ..... NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 5260
printing annual report ............. 2500
National Board of Trade dues ..... 5000
Sundry Expenses ................... 5214
s7,1S173
1t will be seen from the foregoing that
out of the regular funds of the Board we
have during the past year furnished
these beautiful quarters in a most ap-
propriate manner at q cost of 81, 1886. In
addition to that the expense of the most
successful and largely attended banquet
ever given under the auspices of this or
ganization was met without cost to the
members.
our current bills are all paid in full
to date. There is yet a small balance due
for extra floor assembly room which can
easily be paid out of the funds received
from assessments due February 1st.
There is an unpaid balance due from
members of s.. In this connection I
can only repeat what | said in my last
report, namely. to urge upon every MEM
Der the prompt payment Of dues as soon
as statement is received. Had we the
amount of arrearages now due from
members in the treasury, the question of
supplying the much needed literature
herein referred to could easily be solved
through which a great amount of good
could be accomplished for our city and
every individual citizen in It.
In my last report I spoke of the adj
visibility of the Board OF Trade acquir-
ing this property under the terms of the
agreement made with the Real Estate
company. / am still of the opinion that
to purchase It would be a wise step on the
part of the Board of Trade. Under the
terms of the agreement the board can
purchase the stock of the Real Estate
company any time within the next three
years at $40 per share. | am informed
that a number of the present stockhold-
ers are willing to donate all or part OF
their holdings to the Board of Trade in
order that 1t may own the property. be-
lieve If ninety thousand dollars could be
stock of tn company could be pur-
chased. The building is rented complete,
with the exception of one store room;
this will be occupied April list. There
will then be an income of nearly $50 900. NO
annually. There is a mortgage of $40 ,OU
at five per cent against the property and
preferred six per cent stock of $40, 90,
or, in other words, an interest charge OF
81, 10000. leaving a balance of $4,000. OC
from which 10 pay the running expenses,
taxes, insurance, etc. | would suggest
that this matter be referred to the build
ing committee for their early considera-
tion.
FOR EARLY ATTENTION.
There are several matters of the ut
most importance that should receive the
early and earnest attention of the sew
eral committees of this board
First-The equalization of tax assess
ments. While this matter has been dis
cussed at considerable length during the
past year, yet no definite move has been
attempted.
Second-The adjustment of freight
rates from Scranton to points west and
south. This question was referred to a
special committee, with instructions 10
make personal appeal to the tariff
commission of New York. but as yet
nothing definite has been accomplished
Thlrd-rhe paving of the alleys of the
central city. This matter has received
the earnest consideration of both the
| Board of Health and this body, with nc
| indication of advancement In the mat
ter The public health demands that
these disease breeding arteries of the
city be cleansed and that at the earliest
| possible moment
Fourth-That proper slsn boards be
erected at all street intersections. A,
present 1t is almost impossible TO direct
| q stranger to any part OF the city. Ever
| In the country districts you will find &
| sign pointing the way and naming tht
| road; but In this city with its number
| less streets, avenues and alleys, there IS
| not thing to enlighten the stranger as
| TO where he is or how he arrived there
| In this respect at least, Scranton is about
| half century behind time. Let us not
boast Of our enterprise and progressive
| ness with this glaring inconsistency
staring us IN the face and calling dowr
upon us the wrath of the lost stranger
| within our gates.
| II Is sincerely hoped that the eX-presi
dents who have not yet signihed their in
| tention to donate portrait of them
| selves to the board, will do so at theil
| earliest convenience, as ii is very muct
desired to have the number complete.
Before closing this report It seems tC
| me proper that I should make more thar
I
OF my thanks and the thanks of tn,
| board to the newspapers of the city
| They have borne a peculiar and impor
tant part In keeping alive the interest o
| the general public in the doings of thii
| body; and, not considering any benefits
| received from a newspaper standpoint
| they and their representatives have beer
| imbued with our progressive spirit anC
| anxious AT all times to help us. l thinl
| this statement will be borne out b!
| those members who have, with me
stood as mediums between the boart
and the public. and are thus conversan
with the facts, The newspapers certain
| ly deserve our gratitude.
| In conclusion, permit me to express M
| hearty and sincere thanks TO the officer
and members of the board for all III
kindnesses extended 10 me in my officia
capacity during the year just closed
IL Is my fortune TO be again entruste,
with the affairs of the Office. It shall b
my constant endeavOr to so perform tn
duties that these pleasant relations ma,
not be disturbed.
| Respectfully submitted,
ID. b. Atherton.
| Secretary.
Scranton. Pa, Jan. II, 1895.