Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-19

DedlerS NaUOndl ASSOclduOn, XII
cairn, Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce;
c. S. Seamans, Scranton board of trade;
A S. Reed, Wilmington board Of trade;
Frank Brainard, New York Produce Elk
change.
Finance-E L. Rogers, chairman, Ma
tional Hay Association; F. A. Scott, CIeve-
land Chamber of Commerce; e. G. Preston,
Boston Chamber of Commerce.
Work Of the Organization.
Just before the announcement of the
committees the president read short
history of the work of the organization
the past two years. The establishment of
a Department of Commerce and Labor he
said, was one of the initial purposes of
the National Board or Trade at it's or
ganization in 1867. The accomplishment
Of this much-desired end Is. therefore,
very gratifying to the members of the
association. The board should be in close
touch with the Secretary of this de-
partment at all times, he said, and be at
all times ready to assist him. The future
work of the board needs the fullest sort
of cooperation and assistance of the
constituent bodies of the organization.
The report of the council was then
read. The report reviewed the work of
the year.
Councils Report.
With regard to the congressional action
of interest to the members of the board
the council reported:
"It has been customary for the council to
briefly report upon the progress Of congress
sfonal and other legislation In which the
national board was interested or had given
by memorial, petition or resolution express
sion thereon. This is made unnecessary at
this time in view of the bulletins published
by our commissioner, Mr.. Barry. in March,
May and July. wherein the action of Con-
gress upon the various bills occupying the
attention Of the commercial and business
ant or
1T might not be out of place, however, in
view of the long and persistent efforts made
by the national board for new depart
ment of the government, to mention the
success of that measure In the establish
ment of the Department of Commerce and
Labor, with Secretary Cortelyou at it's
head. Another justification for this allu-
sion, If it needs one, is that during the con-
sideratiou of this bill In Congress an effort
was made to give the President authority to
place the interstate commerce commission
as bureau of this new department.
Through the activity and alertness of
our comm .issioner this proposed action and
the motives prompting II were brought to
the attention of a number of the constituent
bodies of the board and prompt and forceful
representations of the unwisdom of such a
course, to members of Congress, secured the
defeat of the proposed amendment to the
bill.
sented by the committee on Department of
Commerce and Labor, at this meeting, in
which a history of the boards intimate con-
nection with this legislation will be given
while there seems to be no great differ
ence of opinion to the wisdom of having
representative at Washington, yet the un
willingness or inability of the membership
to contribute to his support should invite
the serious consideration of the meeting to
secure, if possible, satisfactory solution
of the problem.
The remainder of the report dealt with
the membership Of the board and the
deaths of members. The report was APP
proved
Other Reports Received.
The report of the treasurer was then read.
This report contained a financial statement
of the board and was followed by the re-
port of ex-Commissioner Barry. Mr.. Barry
retired in December and Mr. John b. Daish
was appointed in his place. Mr.. Barry
had charge of the work the greater part of
the year however and his report contained
a statement of what he had done. The re-
port was devoted to statistical explana-
ton of the work that has been done during
the year. The work of the commissioner
since the retirement of Mr.. Barry was read
by Mr.. Daish.
Report of the Commissioner.
Mr.. Daish said:
LAS commissioner pro tenn, have the
honor to report that since my appointment
December 8, 1903. the number of inquiries
made OF me in my official capacity. has
been comparatively small and has consisted
of requests for information of various
kinds copies of bills, reports and statistics.
securing quarters for delegates, and other