Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-13
Progress of the Capital City Subject
of Discussion.
ANNUAL MEETING HELD LAST NIGHT
President Edison Submits His Re-
view of Years Work.
REELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The progress of the capital city during
the twelve months just passed, its present
high position among the municipalities of
the country and the world. and its magnih-
cent promises of the future were the themes
which found the widest expression last
night at the annual meeting of the Wash
ington board of trade. The gathering of
the citys representative men in all lines OF
endeavor was held at Rauscher's. Connec-
ticut avenue and l. street. The meeting
was attended by over 300 members of the
organization, and was one of the most
enthusiastic In the career OF the board.
Imbued with the purpose of ceaseless eff
fort in behalf of their home community
the members came together. and, after lis
tening with eager attention to the inter
esting reports of the officers, remained until
late to discuss informally among them
selves the affairs of the city and plan for
its continued betterment.
The annual reports of President John Joy
Edison, Secretary George H. Harries and
Treasurer F. l.. Moore were received The
review of the years work was most COM
plete. President Edson's paper detailed in
thorough and striking manner all that
the board had undertaken. Accomplished
anG planned in behalf of the nations city
and its nearly 800, 600 inhabitants. Mr.. Ed
son was frequently interrupted by applause
Ten Directors REFLECTED.
The terms Of ten directors expired last
evening" and the members were called upon
to select their successors. By unanimous
vote all Of the incumbents were reelected.
They were chosen, in fact, by reclamation.
and Secretary Harries was instructed to
cast the ballot of the board for the follow
ing: Messrs Charles J. Bell, Henry +.
Blount, William V. Cox, Frederic l.. Moore,
Theodore w. Noyes r. Ross Perry. Albert
NJ. Read. Brainard H. Warner, John b.
Wight and Watson ]. Newton.
The full directorate will hold meeting
within the next ten days, and 1t Is re-
garded as highly probable that all the pres
ent officers will be reelected at that time.
They are John Joy Edison, president; Chas.
]. Bell, first vice president; Thomas w.
Smith, second vice president; R. Ross Perry,
general counsel; Frederic l.. Moore, treas
urer, and George H. Harries. secretary.
With the conclusion OF business matters
at about 10 o'clock refreshments were
served, and an hour or more was spent in
informal social enjoyment Mr.. Edsoh
urged upon the members. before they ad-
jCurned, the necessity of holding as largely
attended meetings as are possible during
the present month and the first week OF
December, that the claims and affairs or
the District may be properly and forcefully
prepared for presentation to Congress.
President EdsOn's Address.
After the preiminaries Of the formal
opening of the annual meeting President
Edison addressed the board as follows:
The year which closes with this meeting
of the board of trade has been one full or
activity and effective work. The reports
of the various committees submitted are
worthy of your careful reading ana con-
sideration. They are able documents and
credit to the board of trade. They ex-
hibit a complete knowledge of the sub
jects assigned to each committee. Their
recommendations are important and should
be acted upon at an early date me VIM
ter campaign Is before us and should be
entered upon with renewed zeal and deter
mination to make substantial progress and
attain the largest possible success.
Code of Laws.
The special committee on the cOdiication
Of the laws of the District Of Columbia re-
ports material progress and good prospects
of securing the final enactment Of code
al the next session of Congress
The efforts made by the Bar Association
and the board Of trade prior to last winter
to secure code are well known. In Feb
ruary last before again presenting to Con-
gress the bill prepared by Justice Walter
S. Cox, and as final precaution, joint
committee, consisting Of Justices A. c.
Bradley, c. c. Cole and Job Barnard Of
the Supreme Court Of the District of Co.
iumbia and the legislative committee of
the Bar Association, consisting OF A. s.
Worthington, chairman: r. Ross Perry, w.
F. Mattingly, Leon Tobriner. ]. ]. Darling
ton, w. G. Johnson. A. A. Birney, Nathan
lei Wilson and George E. Hamilton, held
sessions from day to day from half-past 10
to half-past o'clock for over four weeks,
going over the bill and considering care
fully and critically not only all of its pro-
visions, but every word In which the same
were expressed In addition, this joint COM
mittee of the bench and bar had before it
suggestions from many members of the
board Of trade, from members OF the bar.
from justices of the peace and from clti-
zenS generally touching various provisions
of the code. All of these were carefully
considered by the said joint committee.
The final result of these labors the present
proposed code, was submitted to the Bar
Association of the District Saturday,
March 10, 1900, and was unanimously ap-
proved. 1t was recommended to the board
Of trade on March IA at one of the largest
meetings ever held, and after an able re-
port and explanation made by the special
committee on codifcation was unanimous
ly approved. 1t was introduced into the
House Of Representatives and after one
or two amendments was passed and is
row before the Senate.
Taking advantage Of the recess of Con-
gress, the Bar Association exercising abun-
dant precaution, appointed special CON-
mittee to further examine the bill and re-
port any objection found or amendment
needed to perfect the bill so the Bar Asso-
citation may be again unanimous in its re-
port.
Although many attempts have been made
from time to time since 1916 toward the
preparation and enactment of code of
laws for the District of Columbia, prob
ably there never has been so much ability
labor and self-sacrifice bestowed upon all
of them as upon the present bill now be-
fore Congress. The community Is deeply
| indebted to the bench for adjourning court
and for time and ability freely given, and
to the eminent members of the bar on the
legislative committee for their public
spirit in suspending business to give theiI
valuable time to work upon the code, seek
ing no other reward than the approval OF
their fellow citizens in their efforts to as
sist in making it as complete and perfect
as possible.
In view Of the vast subject which the
proposed code covers and the diversified
| interests to which 1t relates, 1t Is safe to
| say that no other could be presented more
acceptable than the present one Should
| this now fail, 1t may be considered a grea,
misfortune to the community. There is nc
part of the Union that has not a modern
| or Intelligent system of laws, and IL this
code fails at this time 1t Is doubtful wheth.
er another SO well prepared will, in this
| generation. If ever, be presented for the
consideration of Congress. 1t is therefore
| hoped that as few additional amendment.
| or criticisms will be made as possible tina,
| would endanger favorable action by Con
| gress All should unite in the endeavor tt
| OBTAIN the enactment of the code at the
| coming session.
| Matter of Seweraxe