Evening star., 1902-01-21
BUSINESS INTERESTS
The Annual Meeting of the National
Board of Trade.
IfS MISSION NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED
St. Louis Proposition to Dissolve
the Organization Discussed.
FOR TER ERVICE

FOR TIER SERVICE
The annual meeting Of the national board
Of trade, which began today at IL o'clock
In the banquet hall Of the Shoreham in
this city. brought together goodly number
of the representatives of commercial bodies
throughout the United States. For thirty
one years this organization has had these
annual conferences. when questions of Inn
portance to the business interests Of the
country have been discussed. and in this
way information of much value has been
made available for the information OF Con-
sress. About forty organizations were rep
resented by delegates at the meeting today.
The Washington Board of Trade sent as
delegates DR.. A. P. Pardon, s. w. Wood
ward, Archibald Greenless and W. P. Van
Wickle.
The conditions under which the board met
this year in one detail differed sadly from
those of any previous meeting since Its
formation, for during the year the vener-
able president, Mr.. Frederick Fraley, passed
away. He was the first and only presiding
officer of the organization, and up to 1896
he had been able to preside over the as
semblages. The infirmities of age, however.
kept him away only during the past hye
years, and as he was ninety-seven years
old when he died he was looked upon as
most remarkable man. Each year the board
has reelected him as its presiding officer.
At the opening of the session this morn
ing 1t was stated that the executive coun-
ell at its session today had decided to rec
ommend for temporary chairman Mr.. Alden
Speare of Boston, and upon motion this
choice was ratified and Mr.. Speare took the
chair. In a few words he expressed his ap-
probation of the honor.
A orodont{qIQ n
A. P. Pardon was chairman. was ap-
pointed.
Declaration Against Anarchy.
The report of the executive council was
read by the secretary, Mr.. w. r. Tucker,
which, after an appropriate reference to
the death of President Mckinley, urged
that united effort should be made by the
various governments of the world to re-
press anarchy. A tribute was also paid to
the life and character OF Frederick Fraley,
the president of the board. who, as stated
died last May at his home In Philadeiphia.
Reference was made to some OF the mat
tiers Of Importance now pending In Con-
gress, such as the Nicaragua canal bill,
the ship subsidy bill and the Pacific cable
bill.
reference was also made to the resolution
from the Merchants Exchange OF st.
Louis that the national body adjourn sine
die. In view Of the important questions
pending before the board, the executive
council is of the opinion that such action
is not advisable. In this connection the re-
port gave brief outline Of the origin and
work of the board. It was stated that
many of the important questions affecting
the manufacturers and the trade and COM
merce OF the country. which were pending
before Congress at the time OF the organ1-
zation, have been settled, owing largely
to the efforts made by the board. Mention
was made Of the active efforts of the board
f,oh oP hn frov,r ant of n.
lures. commerce and trade, by the in
crease in transportation facilities. in the
perfection Of the interstate commerce law,
the position taken relative to the gold
for reform in the consular service, a de-
partment of commerce, and for improve
ment in the regulations for second-class
mail matter.
Record of the Board.
The conclusion was reached that the rec
ord Of the board was one that the business
men of the country need not be ashamed
of, and that in influencing legislation the
organization has accomplished as much as
could reasonably be expected. it was de-
ciared. In view of the future development
of the commerce of the country and of It's
industries, the need Of such an organization
was greater now than ever.
The report recommended the appointment
Of a committee to report plan for build
ing up 6IQ Strengthening tnS OrSdnlZaOOn.
Upon the conclusion OF the reading the
report was ordered to be received and final
action upon 1t under the rules was de-
ferred.
Mr.. Tucker. and it showed that the re-
ceipts for the year were So ,24O, and that
there was a balance on hand of $794.
Pending the preparation Of the report of
B. Murray of Cincinnati read an affection
ate and discriminating memoir of the life
Of Frederick Fraiey.
Appreciation was expressed by Andrew
Wheeler Of Philadelphia, colleague of Mr.
Fraley, for the evidences of respect which
had been displayed toward Mr.. -Fraley dur
ing his long connection with the national
board Of trade. He also spoke Of the kind
words which had just been spoken.
Report On Credentials.
The report of the committee on creden-
tials was presented by the chairman, Dr.
A. P. Pardon, recommending, among other
things, that the American Seed Trade As
sociation be admitted to membership. The
report was adopted.
DR.. Pardon then extended a cordial inyi-
tation to the delegates to attend the annual
reception by the Washington Board of
Trade at the Arlington Hotel tomorrow
evening. He stated that those accepting
could secure cards from his colleague, Mr.
w. P. Van Wickle He also extended to
Iue ueIeSdteS the use OF the rooms or the
local organization In The Star building
The announcements made by DIR. Pardon
were received with evidences of apprecia-
tion and resolution Of thanks was
adopted.
One of the delegates suggested that as a
resolution had been offered by the St
Louis organization that the national board
cease to exist the election of officers be de-
ferred until that matter had been consid-
cred 1t was pointed out by other delegates
that as the members Of the national board
had been elected for year its existence
was not affected one way or the other nv
the election of officers
Another delegate expressed the hope that
fuH consideration be given to the ST. Louis
proposition. For one he believed that there
was work for the national body to do. and
ne was opposed to the St. Louis resolution
Stiii. he believed in having the matter fully
discussed. '
Finally resolution was adopted sus-
pending the rules and providing that the
election OF officers be deferred until to-
morrow. ~
Special Committee Named.
A motion was adopted providing for a
special. committee to consider the recon-
mendation Of the executive COMMITTEES that
plans h. adoDtad FOR huildio~ 49, -,