The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-15
TO PROMOTE COMMERCE.
Plans for the Expansion of Wash
ingtOn'S Business interests.
The BOARD of Trade Is Considering
Ways and Means tn Make the Cap
itaI Manufacturing Centre-BilIs
to he Introduced in Congress-
Statistics of Present Industries.

The Washington Board Of Trade has
again taken up the question if Washing
ton can be made a manufacturing and
commercial centre as well as the Capital
Of the nation and the handsome residence
city that it now is. The Board Of Trade is
Of the opinion that there is a great field
for new business in the District and that
the field should be developed. AS means
to this object bills will soon be introduced
in Congress giving manufacturers special
privileges and exemptions in the District,
among them freedom from taxation for a
number of years.
The Committee on Commerce and Manu-
features Of the board has had the matter
under special consideration recently and
has adopted a report and a set of resolu-
lions which it will ask the board to
adopt at its next meeting. The resolu-
lions are as follows:
Whereas. The Washington Board Of
Trade believe that encouragement should
be given to the introduction Of manufactur-
ing industries. located within the District
Of Columbia, and to encourage the location
Of the same within our District; therefore
be it
Resolved. That Congress. in the eonsid-
Grafton of the subject of taxation and Ii
cense now before it. or by a separate meas
ure, be requested to provide by proper leg
islation the designation Of all that part Of
the District Of Columbia lying within the
following boundaries. within which manu-
featuring industries may be located viz:
east Of the Eastern Branch and north Of
Anacostia: south Of Virginia Avenue and
between Seventh Street west and South
Capitol Street. and thence south TO the Po-
tomac River. south of NJ Street in George
town. and along the Potomac River west Of
the Aqueduct Bridge
Also That all manufacturing plants now
located within the District. whether To-
Gated within said boundaries or not, be al
lowed to continue in their present loca-
lions.
Resolved further. That Congress be re
quested to grant to manufacturing indus
tries exemption from taxation on their
plants actually occupied and used as such
when located within the limits designated;
also. exemption Of all license fees. for
period OF at least ten years after date Of
passage Of such an act.
Resolved further, That the Committee
on Commerce and Manufactures be author
lied to urge upon Congress legislation as
herewith recommen "a and to cooperate
with any other association or associations
in securing the same
Resolved. That said exemptions shall
be subject to proper inspection Of sucn
industries by the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia by the methods
usually employed by cities granting eX-
emptions from taxation to industrial OF
manufacturing plants"
The fol1pWiUp 6purpg have bpen gOul-
piled from the District records: The total
capital invested in all kinds Of local in
dustries in 1890 was $2S,S76, 600; the total
amount paid in wages by these Industries
was SI4. 53S 600; the cost Of materials used
was s17.lS7 600; the value Of products was
nearly 10000. 900; the average number
Of hands employed in that year was $4,000
These figures have been increased largely
in the past decade.