Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-16

| bOdiu VI IL ouS. |
With questions before 1t of unusual in
terest and scope regarding railroad rates,
ship subsidy, interstate commerce laws.
river and harbor improvement, tariff and
reciprocity and many other matters of COM
mercial Importance, the national board of
trade, comprising about $50 delegates, met
at noon today in the banquet hall of the
New Willard Hotel. President J. ]. Suln-
van of Cleveland, Ohio, occupied the chair.
Debates on resolutions to be introduced,
covering the subjects enumerated. are ex-
pected to be long and heated. and the re-
suits of the deliberations will, it is conf
IDENTIFY believed, have great influence on the
opinion of the country and Upon the future
actions OF Congress
1t is generally conceded that the national
BOARD of trade, representing, as it does,
boards of trade in nearly every state in the
union, is one of the most influential com
mercial organizations in the country. Steps
are to be taken at this meeting to more
closely cement the various bodies through
out the states and perfect the national or
ganization, so that solid front may be
presented on all questions of interest to the
commercial world.
The business of the session today was
confined to the hearing of the presidents
annual address the appointment of COM
mittees and other matters pertaining to or
ganiZation. Sessions will be held tomorrow
and banquet will be given tomorrow even
ing. when distinguished public men will be
the guests.
The Annual Address.
President Sullivan opened his annual adj
dress to the board by referring to the great
commercial standing of the United States
and of the part played in this development
by the national board of trade, which was
organized shortly after the civil war
Coming down to modern problems before
the commercial interests in this country
Mr.. Sullivan said In part:
Views expressed by various organiza-
lions in different parts of the country on
questions of public policy are so divergent
and antagonistic that it is impossible for
our congressman to know what the people
want This condition seems to come from
the domination of selishness or self-inter-
est. 1t seems strange that business men
who recognize and obey substantially the
same rules and usages in the conduct of
business, should so widely differ to poll
cies which have an important bearing on
the general welfare. Is 1t not possible that
q fair interchange of opinion of repreSen-
tatives from all sections of the country
would often result in agreement on general
principles? There Is no stronger factor in
trade and commerce than personal contact
with those with whom we trade.
'Of the several thousand national sec
tional, state and local organizations form
ed, it is doubtful If more than one-tenth
are an active force in their localities. and
promoting the objects of their creation for
the general welfare.
Objects Of Local Bodies
Some of the local bodies were created
and are maintained for the purpose of Sc
curing the removal or extension of public
franchises, to boom real estate, occasionally
to elect some one to office and for serving
private and personal ends instead of
the walfare of the community. The
work of many organizations is left to the
secretary, under restrictions and limita-
tions; indeed, he is often the servant of pri-
vate interests to be served. The effective
commercial body of the future will be one
allied to a strong national organization,
whose purpose is to teach that the inter-
eSts of all of first Importance, the Of
ficers of which are free to study the eco
nomic changes constantly going on and
guide their organizations to wise conclu
sions
Americans know how to build cities and
how to develop them in a commercial and
Industrial way, but in governing them
wisely and economically well, they are
learning how to do that. The local cham
Der of commerce should bring into associa-
ton the best men in the community, and
every single institution should be society
for public service. In my opinion the
greatest need of our day is work along the
lines l have indicated, and If it is not a
function of the national board of trade to
meet this growing need it is the function
of some other organization.
Communities, like individuals, differ in
characte The kind Of organization
suitable for one locality may not be useful
to another, but the fundamental principle
of the cooperative spirit is the same. An
organization to be permanently successful
and be positive force in the community
must have a sincere citizenship behind it
In other words, Its direction must be In the
hands of the best men in the community.
Result of Unity.
''The character and efficiency of the cham
bers of commerce in many foreign coun-
tries, especially in England and Germany.
working unitedly for the upbuilding of the
internal and foreign trade, in large degree
accounts for the rapid strides made by
Germany and the stability and progress of
British trade. The departments of the
government having to do with the admin
strative policies and the enactment of laws
are constantly in close touch with the COM
mercial societies.
1T Is an important function of the Ma
tional Board of Trade to create, encourage
| and foster sound public opinion. Some care
| full observers see a new alignment of politi-
| cal parties in the nation If they are cor
| rect in their views of the future, is it not
| important that the influential bodies of
| business men exert their influence through
out the country to magnify the fundamental
! principles which underIie American institu-
! lions, that party leaders may be warned
| that to minimize set them aside will
not be tolerated.
Fears Neglect Only.
LAS business men we have nothing to
| fear however. save our own neglect. Our
| prospects were never brighter nature never
responded more bountifully to the touch of
| man; trade. commerce and industry never
before returned greater rewards.
Never in our whole history was there
| a greater need than at the present time for
| an organization of commanding Influence.
/ If men of affairs are lax in their duty as
| business men and citizens, is Ii not our duty
| to arouse greater interest among them?
| Surely this is practicable. and IL ii can be
| brought about will not the national board
| of trade have done a vast service TO them
and the country at large? An organization