The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-02
EXPRESS PARCEL STAMP
BOARD OF TRADE WILL PROCEED
AGAINST THE COMPANIES.
Lively Discussion Over Obtaining a
apOIis-Canadian Relations.

The governors of the Board of Trade met
last night with light attendance. At sew
eral stages, however the interest mani
tested by those present made up for the lack
in numbers After the various committees
had made their reports action was taken
and assessments levied on the members for
the deaths of Col. Eli Lilly, Harry Ryan
and George w. Snyder. The committee on
membership then recommended ]. X. Lilly
ana Alexander NJ. Graham, Of Madison, to
I'LL vacancies and these gentlemen were
duly elected members. The report of Horace
E. Smith, who went as a delegate to the
fourth annual meeting of the National Law
League at Putin Bay, was read and acted
upon favorably. Mr.. Smith reports that he
was accorded every favor possible by the
members OF the league, but does not be-
lieve that any material good may be &C.
complished by an af1liation between the In
dianapolis Board Of Trade and this league.
Communications to the board were then
read. A letter from the ST. Louis Traffic
Bureau called attention to the position
taken by the express companies in regard
to the war revenue bill. The letter referred
to the fact that only two companies in the
United States are complying with the law,
which has been sufficiently explained by the
assistant attorney general of the United
States. Information was asked as to the
attitude of the local board in this matter
and questions of advice were asked Dupli-
Gates of these questions have been sent over
the country and the answers will govern
the st. Louis organization in their actions
toward Congress- The communication called
up this question, which had never been
definitely settled by the governors Mr..
Martindale reported that, as chairman of
the committee in whose hands this matter
had been placed, he had gone to the man.
ayers of the express companies here and
explained to them the construction placed
upon the revenue law, and threatened suit
if they persisted in their course. They
asked for time to consider. This was grant
ed, but month has passed and nothing
has been done. Last night resolutions were
passed instructing the committee to notify
the express companies that action will at
once be instituted against them unless they
adhere. to the law and place stamps upon all
documents themselves. A test case will
thus be brought at once.
letter was also read from George Mer-
rift in which he called attention to the fact
that quartermaster stations had been To-
Gated in several of the larger cities and
asked the cooperation of the Board of
Trade in securing such an Office in Indian
apolis. Mr.. Merritt's letter had been re-
ferred to Major Varney, who replied, how
ever, that his department is entirely sep
arate from that of the quartermaster.H Con-
Sequently no real information could be OBJ
tanned An attempt was made to table Mr..
Merr1ttS communication, which resulted in
a lively discussion. 1t developed that the
arsenal here is an ordnance station where
articles of use in the army may be manu-
featured. Only five different pieces of &C
couterment are now made where, without
changing any rule of the department at
Washington, something like one hundred
might be handled giving employment to al
most one thousand men instead of the 100
now used there. The letter was referred
Jointly to the committees on manufacturing
and local mercantile interests. 1t is likely
that an attempt to get a quartermasters
office located here will be made, thus giving
the local dealers an advantage in bidding on
supplies in times of peace as well as during
the war. The possibilities Of having the
force increased at the arsenal will also be
investigated.
An appeal from the Santiago (Cal) Board
of Trade for assistance in having the
Nicaragua canal venture pushed through at
once by Congress was received and referred
to O. committee. The following resolutions
relating to our relations toward Canada
were also passed:
whereas, For both diplomatic and trade
reasons it is desirable that the most friendly
relations should exist between the United
States and the Dominion of Canada, there
fore,
''Resolved That the Indianapolis Board Of
Trade trusts the international commission
soon to convene for the purpose of adjust
ing the differences now existing between
these two countries, will succeed in making
a satisfactory settlement of these, and that
this settlement viii include such a removal
Of existing barriers as will promote the
mutual interests in trade and commerce of
the people living on both sides of the border
line.
Resolved, That copies of this resolution
States, to our senators in Washington and
to the congressman Representing Indiana in
the national House of Representatives, with
the request that they do all in their power
to bring about international understand
ing unon the lines Indicated ahnVen