The Portland daily press., 1900-03-02
Characterized as UnneeesSal v by Old
Steamboat Men.
Old Home Week Com
mittee Report.
Free Trade Between U. s. and
Cuba Wanted.

On account Of the Indictment weather
the regular monthly meeting Of the Board
Of Trade which was held yesterday after
noon was slimly attsnded. After the
reading of the records OF the last meeting
John N. Plummer, Frank d. Ford, A.
bury Il. waldron,. George h. Griffin.
Allan shedley and Charles s. Webster
were elected members.
Secretary Rich stated that since the last
meeting he had seen Commander Coggs-
we'll OF the light ouse board regarding
Witch Rock. The commander had given
as his opinion that the easiest way to get
rid of the rock WAS to blow IL up and to
destroy 10, the cost probably amounting
to between 5000 and $1,000.
Augustus X. Wright, Eco, said that
survey should FIRST he made and thAt then
recommendations should be made by the
engineer.
President Boothby wanted to know
whether II the rock had not been In place
IL would have had any bearing on the
wreck OF the Californian. Mr.. Wright
answered that he dia not think that 1t
would have had and Secretary Rich said
| the same. All OF the three wrecks at this
point which had occurred during the last
thirty years. SO Secretary Rich declared,
had been stupid sfairs. The bohemian
had not struck on Irundy's reef IS has
been generally supposed.
| "This wreck will be used against Port
land" remarked Mr.. Wright. eft will
be nuts for my friends In st. John and
have expected that l would have heard
from them before this
"Ths Californian had no busipess
where she was," explained Hon. W. W.
Merrill, and any body who knows any
thing at all about our harbor knows the
absurdity OF thess rumors."
al hope that Pilot Parsons will be st
the Investigation" put in Secretary
Rich.
Mr.. Wright said that the most plausible
explanation was In the stopping OF the
ship when Pilot Pareons got oil. Mr..
Wright knew something about steam
beats as he had done some steam boattng
himself. Then this informal talk regard
ing the wreck Of the Californian and the
Witch Rock ended by the beard voting
/
charge OF the matter.
President Boothby, from the COMMITTEES
which had been Joined with special
commitss OF the city government to con-
slider plans for an "Old Home Week."
stated that the COMMITTEES had met twice
and that several communications had
been received from the Ladies' Federation
Of Massachusetts,, the members Of which
have sent out ons thousand letters, the
answers to which had caused mucn sur
Prise to them. These ladies had at first
thought that the most appropriate time
for holding 1t would be- In the first week
in JOY, but they now favored the first
weak In August and that the celebration
begin in the middle of the w,ek. Presi-
dent Boothby had received several calls
from Governor Powers, who had sug-
g,s.ed that q meeting be held at City
hall. The governor had assured Presi-
dent Boothby that he would do anything
to help the movement.
In New Hampshire, which state origi-
mated the "Old Home Week." there had
been q much more complete organization,
than President Boothby thought that
this state could hope to effect. In New
Hampshire there had been many an Or
gaDization In every town and CITY, and
the complete details for carrying ont the
plans had been made by the state. Moth
ing fu rthsr could he done until the date
had been fixed and the delegates from the
different clubs In the state. the president
thought, stoult meet and fix the date.
Secretary Rich thought that the board
should wait awhile and get suggestions,
and Presideot Boothby thought that the
subject would be q good thing for the
state board to consider at Its meeting at
Biddeford.
Secretary Rich brought mp the subject
regarding notwithstanding adopted re-
garding exchange Of merchandise between
the United States and Cuba. These resolu-
lions have boon adopted by the Shoe and
Leather Dealers Association Of Boston
that free trade should be established be-
tween this country and these new posses
sions. Secretary Rich stated that he had
sent kilograms to congressman Allen
and Littlsdeld that the Portlsnd Board
Of Trade was In favor Of the adoption of
these resolutions.
Zsnas Thompson. Esq. urged that the
setion that the president and secretary
had taken should be approved. and he
moved that the board sustain this action.
This motion was unanimously adopted.
Chairman Goding Of the banquet COM
mittse reported that two hundred and ak
tickets had been sold and President
Bootbby took occasion to sxpreas his
thanks for the. kindness which the news
papers had shown in hslpi ng to make the
banquet q success.
Secretary Rich called the attention of
the members to set Of resolutions which
had been adopted by the National Board
Of Trade that an appropriation Of 500. 900