Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-23
RESUMES BUSINESS
Second Day Of the National Board
Of Trade.
DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA DEPLORED
Discussion of Rates to Railroads
for Carrying the Mails.
OF COMMITTEES

The second days session of the thirty
first annual convention of the National
Board of Trade was begun this morning in
the banquet hall of the Shoreham. When
the hour appointed, 10 o'clock, arrived
there were only few delegates in the hail.
a large number being engaged in commit
tee work. AS all the resolutions proposed
by the constituent bodies are first consid-
cred by committees, it will be appreciated
that the functions of the latter are impor-
tant. In consequence of the absence from
the nall of delegates the meeting was not
begun as promptly as affairs in the bus
mess world are supposed to be managed.
When President Stanard raped for order
Mr.. r. b. Thurber proposed that a cable
message be sent to the associated chamber
of commerce of England expressing the
sincere grief for the death of a sovereign
whose character commanded the respect of
all nations. The board directed that such
message be sent.
The unfinished business of yesterday was
then announced, being the report of the
committee of which Mr.. Finley Acker of
fhliadelphia is chairman. on the subject of
the rates paid to railroads by the govern
ment Tor the transportation of mails. Upon
request Mr.. Acker gave a synopsis of the
report, which was presented yesterday.
Criticises the Report.
Mr. F. h. Thurber called attention to the
recent report of the joint congressional
committee, in which it was maintained that
the compensation paid to railroads was not
excessive. Mr.. Acker had stated in his re-
port yesterday that the congressional COM
mittee had only considered one side, there
by lmpugning the work of that committee.
He believed that the board was only IN
juring it's influence by trying to maintain a
contention which was shown to be not we'll
founded.
Now that Congress had decided this sub
Ject after two years of examination, he
was in favor of the board dropping that
particular phase of the subject and turn
ing to others which We're of more i'm
portance.
Exception was taken by Ex-Governor
Pattison of Pennsylvania to this conclu-
sion of Mr.. Thurber. He maintained that
one of the purposes of the board is to
gather and disseminate information, and
certainly the subject of railroad rates was
one about which business men needed in
formation. He also called attention to
that part of the congressional report which
stated that no conclusion had been reached
on this subject
burg that the report OF the committee was
a reflection on Congress and the depart
ments of the government, and that by its
adoption the board would be placed in an
unfortunate light. by declaring, in effect,
that Congress and tho Post Office Depart
ment was in collision with the railroads
He offered a resolution as a substitute for
the report of the committee, which stated
that the board declared it unnecessary to
proceed further with the investigation of
railway mail pay. Congress had fully
investigated the subject.
Substitute Rejected.
A vote was then taken on the adoption of
the substitute for the report of the COM
mittee, and, by a viva voce vote the sub
stitute was rejected. BY the same vote the
,,o,l
This brought to a conclusion the debate on
a question which is looked upon one of
the most important that is to come before
the board at the present session. 1t was
evident from the volume Of the viva Vocc
vote that there is a large proportion of the
members of the board who believe that
change should be made in the present rate
of mail compensation.
A report from the committee on bank
ruptcy was made by Mr.. Wise of New
York which Endorsed what is known as the
Ray bill amended, and favored its enact
ment into law
In the course of the discussion one of the
delegates said he never in his experience
knew of an honest bankrupt, and he be-
lieved that the bankrupt law should be
done away with, so that no man can be
relieved of his debts until he has paid
them.
The report of the committee was adopted.
The Merchant Marine.
A report from the committee on mer-
chant marine was read by the chairman,
Mr.. Andrew Wheeler of Philadelphia. He
stated that it represented the unanimous
conclusion of the committee. They recon-
mended to Congress the enactment of such
legislation as will tend to encourage and
promote the growth of the merchant ma
rine commensurate with the needs of the
country. The report was adopted.
A report from the committee on the
tablshment of department of commerce
and Industries was made by Mr.. Spear of
Boston, which was adopted This report
called attention to the growth of the in
dustries of the country and the need, in
the face of modern competition, to give
merchants and manufacturers every facili-
ty, and for this reason the establishment
of an executive department of commerce
and industries, in order that these interests
may have the immediate attention and CO.
operation of the general government, is rec
commended.
Reports from the committee on crop re-
ports and a monetary unit were made and
adopted.
as an amendment to the resolution favoring
the passage by Congress of the Brosius
pure food bill. This amendment urged upon
Congress the Importance of giving the Sec
rotary of Agriculture the means of provid-
ing for the inspection of American food
products intended for expectation to foreign
countries. The resolution and the amend
ment was adopted.
For Nat1Onal corporation Law.
A resolution was also called I'D by Mr.
Thurber recommending a national ncorpo-
ration law, which will permit the co-opera-
ton Of many small partners as stockholders
in organization, which can deal effectively
with economic problems presented as inter-
state and foreigne commerce. A motion
was made to refer the resolution to a spe-
cial committee for report at the next meet
ing of the board but after brief de-
bate. in which the apprehension was ex-
pressed that the subject Of trusts was in
volved, the entire matter was laid on the
table.
Mr.. Thurber said that the present very
efficient chief Of the bureau of statistics
had evolved a novel and useful plan OF a
floating exposition. His Idea was, when
the government got through with one of it's
transports, that 1t be placed at the disposal
of commercial bodies engaged in extending
| American trade and that 1t be fitted with
samples of the country's products and
taken to the various ports of the world
He added that Mr. Austin had brief paper
explanatory of this idea, and on motion
that gentleman was invited to address the
board at the session tomorrow morning.
I The board then adjourned for lunch
sembling again at 2:3O O'Clock.