Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-11
Mercantile Interests.


This is board of trade, and needs active,
pushing and determined men on RS COM
mfttee on mercantile interests. Volunteers
are wanted to help make Washington
great commercial center.
Baltimore was at one time our great COM
mercial clearing house. 1t is no longer such.
Washington is waking up and a new era
has commenced; is in fact now upon US.
Witness the magnificent private structures
being erected, vying with our great public
buildings, attract the admiration of our
citizens and visitors. This is but the be-
ginning. The Washington Of the future
cannot be held in leash by those who decry
commerciaism. Its location fits 1t to COM
mand, and command it will the trade of the
surrounding towns and country. There is
need for better and more liberal smoke
law, lower freight and passenger rates
Prompt distribution of freight originating
here. Larger incoming freight facilities and
general betterment of transportation incom-
ing and outgoing.
Many recommendations are made by this
committee which will be called to your at
tention during the ensuing year.
Parks and Reservations.
The keynote of the admirable report of
this committee is the following resolution
proposed by Gen. John NJ. Wilson and unan-
imously adopted by this board 1t set forth
that the committee on parks and reserva-
lions having implicit confidence in the high
character, eminent ability, skill and wise
Judgment of the distinguished architect
sculptor and landscape architect who form
the park commission appointed by the
United States Senate committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia, recommends to the Board
of Trade that 1t shall unanimously urge
upon Congress the adoption Of the mag
nifcent plan presented by the park COM
mission for the development of the park
system of the District of Columbia
The park commissions plan is a grand
one; the way to its completion was blazed
by a grand mind now laid in the dust We
cannot feel the great loss this District has
sustained by the death of Senator James
Mcmillan. Only time and events will deter
mine the value of his services to u.s. He
was the faith and the forethought of a
father for the future welfare of his chill
dren. 81
He saw clearly the future needs of this
people and shaped Legislation for our pres
ent benefit and also for the benefit of the
national city OF the future His motto was
now is and to- perfect plans for future
grandeur Your committee urges legislation
which will add large parking areas and
the Improvement Of those parks now neg
iected: liberal appropriations for the Ma
tional Rock Creek Park Potomac Park and
the Anacostia Park. All of these large,
grand reservations should be connected by
a national boulevard and riverside drive.
Public Buildings.
From parks we come to public buildings,
a proper connection, for where should pub
lie buildings be located other than with ex-
tensive park surroundings; more and
fresher air Is then contributed to the Of
ficers and employees, one-third of whose
hours are passed in their offices Your
committee congratulates the board on the
successful issue of its efforts. covering more
than ten years labor, Congress having
made provision for site and suitable
municipal building. The hearty thanks of
the board are extended to Mr.. David H.
Mercer for his untiring and successful work
in this connection, and our boards commit
tee on public buildings must not be forgot
ten: 1t shares with Mr. Mercer the distinc-
ton of accomplishing great task, one of
lasting benefit to US all. You will note
its recommendations for. a grand armory
building, of proportions generous enough
to accommodate the largest conventions and
| to be used at inaugural periods.
The disreputable condition of our Police
| Court building is called to your attention,
| and you are urged to press upon Congress
| the necessity for additional land on which
| to erect suitable court building.
Public Health.
The recommendations OF the committee
on public health are:
| LIST Consideration Of the high death rate