The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-19
FOR THE CITY'S WELFARE
b. II. Warner Advocates the Intro
ductiOn of Manufactures.
Outlines n Project in an Address He
fore the business Mems AssOcia-
tion-Advantnges to BE Obtained
His Ideas Unanimously Endorsed.

A meeting of the Business Mems Asso
citation, held last night at Elks' Hall, WIS
addressed by B. II. Warner on the subject
of manufactures in the District of CO.
lumbia. In the absence of the president,
the meeting was presided over by the
Vice President, V. Baldwin Johnston.
Following Mr. Warmers address gen.
eral discussion of the subject presented
by him was held, and on motion the ques-
tion of inducing manufacturers to locate
in the National Capital was referred to
the Committee on Manufactures of the
association. Mr.. Warner said in part:
Gentlemen of the Business Association:
Washington stands alone in its position as
the Capital City of the Republic. 1t is
prominent in the eyes of every patriotic
American citizen and dear to his heart.
Among our citizens and residents are
large number of men and women whose
educational qualifications and attainments
are far above the average. The depart
ments of the Government require high
grade of employees to intelligently deal
with the important work upon which they
are engaged-in many instances ability of
exceptional character. The amount of
compensation they receive is no measure
of their capacity, and is far less than the
rewards attained in the commercial world
by those of less calibre and merit.
There is, however, .dways a very con-
siderable percentage of our people who
need employment and who cannot find 1t
in Washington under present conditions
In no city of equal size throughout this
country are the industrial opportunities
so limited. Nor is there any city where
development once started along Industrial
lines would be more rapid.
I'VE start out in this century without
manufactures to any considerable extent
and we have the objections named stand
ing in our way as we seek to obtain them
am aware that the Governments sta
tistics, just furnished by the Census Of
flee, gives us quite a prominent position
as a manufacturing city. This. however,
is made up of the gathering together of
the earnings of a number of lines of busi-
ness, which are incident to every city,
in fact, which are largely necessary for
the necessities of those who dwell there
in. Most of these business houses are
so small that even to the casual observer
they would not be looked upon as manu-
featuring establishments of any magni-
tude.
In any event, no matter what the sta
tistics are, every citizen of the District
from our railway stations and wharves
indicate no large manufactures here;
there are no extensive transfers of goods
to other markets; nor Is there any local
distribution of manufactured articles
worth considering, except those used in
building, or the needs of daily life. We
are practically without manufacturing in
terests. We may take this for granted.
DO you want to change this situation?
This is the important question. If SO,
what can be done to accomplish this re-
suit? Let me remark that 1 do not wish
to be among those who would for one
moment detract from the position of
Washington as a capital city for the
transaction of national business, the high
character or grade of the larger percent
age of its population, or from its beauty
as a place of residence 1 do desire to
walk with those who seek TO advance
the public good, to improve present con-
ditions.
1T is not a benefit to -i' ID increase
its population h~ The addition of amy
class who T.. .- ... .rt.If IfiEtn.a lH-l
III 4