Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-13
The Board of Trades Program.

The Board of Trade, recognized factor
of fret Importance in the advancement of
the District, began its winters campaign
for betterments last night under clrcum-
stances which promise an exceptionally sue
cessful season. President Edson's annual
report covered the whole ground of both
accomplishments and expectations IL
showed that the board was continually &C
tive at the last session Of Congress IN try
ing to secure adequate appropriations 1or
the maintenance of the municipal enter
prises and the Inauguration OF new features
and In striving for the recognition of the
half-and-half principle which animates the
organic act In this effort the board was
entirely successful. every item in the loca!
appropriations bill having been upon the
equal division basis.
The chief interest in the boards inaus-
ural meeting lies in the program for the
winters work. 1t is long and includes
items of first Importance. 1t all makes for
the ideal national capital. Each item Is
important almost essential. Yet If the
board can through its influence, secure the
success of only a few items in the program
it will have scored a great victory at this
session. And 1t Is not beyond reasonable
hope that several, if not ALL of the projects
may receive congressional approval before
adjournment. The objects are thus EMU
merated; Completion of the sewerage sys-
tenn, filtration of the water supply. passage
of the code bill, abolishing grade crossings
on terms consistent with sound public pol
ICY, municipal building, reclamation or
the Anacostia river flats. the extension of
all streets and other Improvements in the
country beyond the city limits that are de-
manded as necessary, memorial or CEN
tennial bridge, developing complete park
system throughout the District which is
practical BILE and proper for the national cap
ital.
Such a start has been made upon each Of
these items that a comprehensive campaign
including all of them would not overtaN
the energies of the citizens. The sewerage
system required by the city has been fully
outlined and needs but a comprehensive
enactment and an adequate provision of
means to insure early completion. The
water filtration plans are already under
way. land having been purchased for the
establishment. The code bill has been
passed by the House and is we'll understood
and generally approved by the Senate COM
mittee. so that much time need not be lost
in securing enactment. The grade crossing
bills have passed the Senate and. with the
exception of the item of payment by the
government and the District to the B. and
o. company and the bridge provision of the
3. and 2. bill, are in reasonably satisfac-
tory form. The Board of Trade takes strong
and reassuring ground in opposition to the
million and a half gratuity to the B. and
O, and it is not beyond hope that the bill
will be stripped of this decidedly objec-
tionable feature before it is passed. The
municipal building enterprise is we'll under
way and generally approved in both houses.
The reclamation of the Anacostia flats is
recognized as a necessary step and the
requisite appropriation is virtually assured
through promises given last spring by lead
ers of the houses. The memorial bridge is
regarded as almost a certainty, in view of
the circumstances under which it was rele-
gated to the pigeon hole in June The i'm
provement of the park system is now being
studied by the chief of engineers Of tie
army, under a special order of Congress
and comprehensive report Is expected at
this session. laying the foundation for ac-
ton. -r-- :0--
1t is thus to be seen that the board S
program Is practical and promising of sue
cess In every feature. Such an achieve
ment Win add heavily to the debt of the
community to this organization which con-
serves the energies of citizens and supple
ments those of officials in an exceptional
degree