Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-23
Representatives of Business Interests
in Session Here.
The NATIONAL BOARD OF TRADE
The Venerable President Reflect
ed by Unanimous Vote.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION


chambers of commerce and other CONNER
assembled this morning in the banquet hall
of the Shereham Hotel. The occasion was
the annual meeting of the national board
of trade, an organization which has been in
existence for the past thirty years. and
which has met each year In this city with
but few exceptions. About forty-five bodies
are represented in the board and as they
are located in many of the principal cities
of the Union, the national body is looked
upon as representative of the commercial
and business interests of the country. 1t is
Geliberatve body and has no legislative
function, but the conclusions reached upon
the important questions that are consid-
cred have weight with Congress and are
influential in legislation.
The program for the present meeting in
cludeS nearly 100 resolutions which have
been acted upon by the constituent bodies
and relate to postal matters, interstate
commerce law, merchant marine railroad
pooling, banking and currency, revenue
law, improvement of western waterways.
Nicaragua canal, consular service, re-
ciprocai trade relations with Canada, for
estry, bankruptcy. law, &c.
In Behalf of Local Board.
The following resolutions, presented on
behalf OF the Washington board of trade
by DR.. A. P. Pardon the chairman of the
local delegation, appeared in the printed
program: THAT the proposition to reduce
the local letter rate Of postage to 1 cent is
Of pressing and immediate Importance and
that the national board of trade should
place before. Congress the best available
arguments in behalf of such a reform.
That strenuous effort be Immediately
put forth to bring about the creation of an
executive department of the government
to be known as the department of com
merce and industries: the necessary legis-
iation to be secured, If possible, during the
present session of Congress.
THAT not only the commercial but the
political and social, interests of the coun-
try demand the reorganization and i'm
provement of the consular service, an end
only to be reached through the medium of
extended civil service rules"
owing to the advanced age of the pres
ident of the board, Mr.. Frederick Fraley of
Philadelphia, now in his ninety-sixth year,
he was not able to be present. but his place
was filed by ex-Gov. E. q, Stanard of st.
Louis, who was selected at the meeting of
the executive board which was held prior
to the assembling of the national body.
Mr.. William r. Tucker of Philadelphia,
who has been the efficient secretary of the
board for some time, was in his place.
There was good attendance of the dele
gates.
The Washington bolrd of trade is repre-
scented at this meeting by the following: S.
w. woodward. DR.. 4. r. Pardon Frederic
l.. Moore and George TrueSiell
Mr.. bowman of Chicago called the board
to order. and stated that the executive
committee had selected ex-gov. Stanard to
preside over the proceedings in the abb
sence of the president. ~''-';
Chairman Stann.d's, Address.
In taking the chair MIR. Stanard spoke of
the services of the presidents Mr.. Fraley,
and saint he~had served" t he board since its
organization, thirty years ago, and although
he had now reached the great age of nine
ty-six years. his mind was still clear and
vigorous. He did not suppose there would
be any thought of eIectipg any one else to
fill the chief office in the gift of the board,
except Mr.. Fraley, as long as mis- lie should
be spared.
Mr. Stanard then went on to speak of
the representative character of the board
and the important interests represented
by it. He said the increase during the
past few years in the population OF the
country has not been equal to the increase
in the industrial interests. He expressed
the conviction that the greatest need of
the day was broader markets, and this SEN
timent elected expressions of approval from
the audience. Another need was an 18TH
mus canal to unite the two oceans.
The roll was called by the secretary, and
a committee credentials was appointed.
The report of the executive council was
read by the secretary and reviewed some
of the matters which would probably claim
the attention of the board. 1t was stated
that the finance question, which had for
some years been a troublesome one at the
annual meetings, was likely to be settled
at the present session of Congress Refer
ence was also made to the arbitration and
the bankruptcy questions.
The treasurer's report showed a balance
of $4I3. 1t was decided to hold daily SeS-
sions at 10 o'clock and $50 o'clock
Unanimously Reelected.
When it announced that the election
ofo IN, l.r Nfr YTra2 arin INra-
ley was unanimously reelected president
no other name being mentioned
1t was announced that Mr.. Robert Adams
of Pennsylvania would address the board
tomorrow morning on the consular bill
The resolutions on the program relating
to the various subjects were assigned to
committees, generally consisting of one
member for each of the associations sub
hitting the propositions.
The query was asked if only two bodies
had presented resolutions on the same sub
ject whether the committee to which they
were referred would consist of only two
members. 1t was stated such was the case
and the arrangement was made to save
time, then the propositions would likely
be submitted to the board in one form and
could be discussed. The plan formerly
adopted of charging these committees and
placing on them those who We're opposed
or were not specially interested was found, |
it was stated, to consume time and to delay |
business.
The board decided to adopt the recon-
mendations Of the executive council in re-
gard to the composition of these commit |
tees, and as the names Of the various bodies |
were called the representa- tives on each
committee were named by the respective
delegations. Mr.. F. L. Moore represents
the board of trade of this ,sity on the COM
mittee on postal affairs, Mr.. S; W. Wood |
ward was placed on the committee on the
department Of commerce and industries and |
DR.. A. P. Pardon on the 'e5hlmttee on the
consular service. iat7 81
GOV. SMITH SNkyaN BED
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