Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-13

ton and energy on the..part of the board
OF trade but aim to certainly secure some,
and make decided advancement toward sue
cess for the others
In President Woodward's report of 1897
recounting the needs of the District of CO.
!umbia, that the board of trade should
labor to bring about, The spoke of the mu-
nlcipai building, Increase of water supply
and filtration, public library, completion
or sewers and sewer disposal system for
the entire District, street extensions. the
necessity Tor better system of charities
ana the establishmentp f sanitary homes
for wage earners at Reasonable rentals.
OF these how many have since been ac-
ccmplished?
list: An abundant water supply is Sc
cured Tor lso2. filtration of the water sup
ply is near at hand, the ground for the
plant having been purchased.
Advantages Secured.
A public library, equaled or surpassed by
few elsewhere. is secured for Washington.
almost wholly through the constant labor
and able efforts of my immediate prede-
cessor, Mr.. Noyes, and of former presi-
dent. Mr.. Warner. who quickly availng
himself OF a casual opportunity, suggested
TO MI Andrew Carnegie the need OF a pub
nc library In Washington. which resulted
IN the magnificent donation Of $s5O,OOO. A
better system of public charities Is provided
for by board of charities. The building
OF forty-four houses, containing eighty
eight flats, at cost of Sill, 4Si.54 by the
washington Sanitary improvement Com
pany, which, it must be said, is a splendid
beginning, insuring future growth Of this
movement. At the Paris exposition models
or these sanitary homes were exhibited,
fngton received gold medal or first pre-
mium the only one awarded. Such valu-
able results of well directed labors and in
tel1gent efforts is a rich reward and a
npnr g. c,,t,, In
behalf of the public welfare and improve
ments for the District Of Columbia.
1t is interesting to know that during the
past year valuable contribution to the
history OF Washington of a catalogue OF the
title of publications relating to the District
OF Columbia, prepared similar to what has
been done in many states of the Union, the
photography of the District, makes avail
able knowledge of what has appeared IN
print. tending to diffuse correct informa-
ton Of its past and present. 1t was pre-
pared by w. B. Bryan, under the auspices
and at the expense of the Columbian His
torical Society.
The roll of membership and financial con-
dition of the board makes good showing,
will be seen in the reports OF the sec
rotary and treasurer.
General observations.
1t would be an omission did l not express
my sincere appreciation and acknowledge
ment for the ready and substantial aid rem
dered me by the directors and by each and
every committee. 1t has been an encour-
agement at all times, and, in fact, has
enabled me. with some degree of success,
l hope, to discharge the responsibilities
of president. To the secretary, General
Harries, l must in addition express my ac-
acknowledgements for his prompt and faithful
support on all occasions, and also testify
to his fidelity and ability In serving the
board of trade.
The position of the board of trade in
Washington is unique and different from
that of any organization known by that
name in other cities. Its existence, as
we all know, is made necessary by the
form Of government established for the Dis
trict of Columbia, a government which,
for twenty-five years, since 1878, has been
so administered in all its departments that
there has never been once breath of
scandal involving the integrity of any of
it's municipal officials. All moneys are eX
pended as authorized and for no other
purpose. No corrupt rings exist, as in
most other cities. The taxpayers of Wash
ington and the citizens generally have
many reasons for congratulation for good
government and to believe that the Dis
trict of Columbia is the best governed mu-
nicipality in the United States. Neverthe-
less it was found desirable that the citizens
should have some general and properly
organized body which could consider pub
lie measures and the needs of the District
and cooperate, as far possible, with
the Commissioners and officials of the Dis
trict to indorse, recommend and present
them to Congress for appropriate legisla-
ton.
Membership Qualifications.
i The qualifications for membership Of the
board Of trade are to be citizens in good
standing and to pay annual dues to the
amount of $40. This enables all who take
an interest in the public welfare and are
so disposed to take part in the work Of
no ord Of ba is bat ba
membership is composed of every branch
of society, architects auctioneers, bankers
and brokers, capitalists, dentists, civil en-
gineers, merchants, contractors, editors and
journalists, florists storage keepers, hotel
proprietors, iron and building supplies,
lawyers. judges livery stable keepers, man
ufacturers, managers and agents, mechan-
les, ministers, physicians, printers and
publishers, tailors. railway officers. real es-
tate and insurance brokers, teachers, I'M
dertakers and few United States and Dis
trict officials. For character, ability and
patriotism and all that goes to make good
citizenship and society 1t Is certain that
the membership Of the board of trade will
compare favorably with any board of trade
in the country. Boards of trade in other
cities are composed of men engaged in
the different trades. Unlike such boards,
the board of trade of Washington is COM
posed Of men in every walk of life unitedly
interested in and laboring for the public
welfare. l do not believe that any organi-
cation could be more free from unworthy
procedure than this Washington board of
trade Its history in acting upon the many
questions that it has had to deal with has
almost without exception, exhibited wise
and accurate action, showing that the
highest and most unselfish motives control
the membership individually and collective
ly. This has been so conspicuously true
that when measures now are presented to
the Commissioners or officials of the gem
eral government and to the Congress the
more they examine into the merits of the
same the more they discover that the ac-
ton of the board Of trade may be relied
upon. The result Is, We feel, that we enjoy
the full confidence of the Congress and
government officials. an enviable reputa-
ton which we should with the most jeal-
Gus care, continue to deserve and main
tain.
Secretary Harries' Report.
In submitting his annual report, Secre-
tary Harries said:
During the year which closes tonight
this organization has been successful in all
the departments of endeavor in which it
has been interested. The legislative pro-
gram had in 1t many perplexing numbers,
some of which called for persistent atten-
ton and a maximum Of active effort, but
there were no serious disappointments, nor
does it now appear that the work done
could have been better planned Or executed