The herald., 1898-02-09
BOARD OF TRADE
MET YESTERDAY AND ADOPTED
RESOLUTIONS
Protesting Against Civil Service Mod
ificaticn and the Loud Bills.
Delegate to Food Congress

The board of trade directors met yes
terday afternoon at $3.50 o'clock, with
the full board present and President p.
NJ. Daniel presiding.
| Communications have been received
by the board from the National Civil
Service Reform league, New York city,
asking for its cooperation in preventing
the passage of HI. r. bill 1854, introduced
the opponents of the civil service sys-
tenn. This bill, so it is stated, is to
modify the act of January 16, 1888, now
| in operation.
This so-called modification would re-
| move from the operation of the civil SER
vice law about 10000 positions. One pro-
vision of the bill provides for five-year
| term and would restore the worst of the
evils connected with the old plan of ro-
tation in the minor and non political
offices. The following resolutions were
unanimously adopted:
Resolved, that we most earnestly pro-
| test against the passage of II. r. bill 5so4'
| introduced at the second session OF the
| Il
act entitled an act to regulate and improve
| the civil service OF the United States. ap-
proved January 16, 1883. and for other pur-
poses,' believing that the enactment OF
such measure would undo, to large ex-
| tent, the good already accomplished in the
matter of the conduct of the civil service
of the United States, tend to inJure and
| cripple the usefulness of the employees or
| various depaM Mments of the government
/ and work a hardship upon many thousands
| of competent persons now in the govern
| ment employ.
Resolved, that we further protest
| against any modification of the rules pro-
vided for in the act approved January l6
| 1883, except by the action OF the president
| of the United States. whose power TO
make necessary amendments is plain and
sufficient. and will be exercised, we are
certain, whenever, in his judgment, occa-
| sion arises.
"Resolved. that copy of these resolu-
| tionS be sent to the president of the United
| States and TO our senators and representa-
| tives in congress and that the latter be
most earnestly requested to use every ell
| fort in their power 10 prevent the taxing OF
any backward steps in this reform
A communication was received from
the Manufacturers association of Brook
| ly. N. Y, asking that the board take ac
ton favoring the passage of H. Il. bill
| $3.50, introduced by Mr.. Loud. This bill
proposes to regulate the class of matter
| that shall be admitted to the second
class rate at cent per pound. The pos
tai deficit last year was $12.0Oo,OO0
The postmaster general estimates that
| it cost $4,000, 900 for the transportation
| of second-class matter, while the de-
partment received only 100000 for its
transmission. Estimating the cost of
handling this matter at $40 900, 900, which
would be a fair estimate, the total loss
on second-class matter was S46,000,0 000
Deducting the deficit from the total loss
| on second class matter, it appears that
| the profit in carrying the other classes
amounts to S34 900, 900. No attempt is now
being made for cheaper rate of letter
postage. This is simply a step in the
right direction for postal reform. The
following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, that we are in favor of the
passage by congress of H. R. bill 1853, be-
| leving the reform in postal rates therein
outlined to be a step in the right direction
Resolved, that copy of these resolu-
tions be sent to our representatives in con-
gress and that he be urged to support the
measure; and, also, that copy be sent to
the postmaster general of the United
States"
A communication has been received
from the committee having charge of the
National Pure Food and Drug congress
to be held at Washington, d. c., COM
mencing March I'd next, inviting the
board of trade to send delegate to the
congress.
The congress will be made up of dele
4. io1 off
cial, scientific, medical and trade organ
izations throughout the country and
from the agricultural, war, navy and
internal revenue departments.
The governors of states and territories
are also expected to appoint each ten
delegates to be taken from agricultur-
lists, merchants, manufacturers, etc.
The matter was referred to President
Daniel with power to appoint delegate
to represent the board.
The following resolutions were adopted
as mark of respect to the memory of
the late T. D. Stimson:
Resolved, that we, the directors of the
| Los Angeles board of trade desire TO bear
| record TO the loss that the city of Los An
eeles and the people of this community
have sustained by the death of Thomas D.
Stimson. He had unbounded confidence
in the future of this city, and his means
and great business sagacity were alike
used for its upbuilding. He has left last
ing memorials to bear witness to his energy
and public spirit and his memory will be
cherished in the hearts of many to whom
he was friend in need
Resolved, that these resolutions be
spread in full upon the minutes of the
board and given to the press for publica-
| ton, and that a copy of the same be sent
to the family of the deceased"