Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-03
DISCUSSION BY MEMBERS
Brigadier General John M. Wilson the
Presiding Officer.
HEARD FROM NINE COMMITTEES
Business Session Adjourned to Partake
of Buffet Supper-Names OF
Those Present.

The Washington Board OF lTaue met h'
the New willard last evening and heard
annual reports. The committees on COM
merce and manufactures on public build
ings on parks and reservations, on public
library. on water supply, on membership,
on mercantile interests. on railroads and on
conventions made their reports, and consid-
cradle discussion followed some of the
propositions that were embodied in the rec
concentrations submitted to the board.
Gen. John NJ. Wilson, president of the
board, called the meeting to order. Gen.
George II Harries served as secretary and
Mr.. W. NJ. Shuster as assistant secretary.
Later in the evening Mr.. e. Southland Par
ker was called to the chair.
The first business transacted related to
the ship subsidy bill framed by the mer-
chant marine commission, of which Sem
ator Galinger is the chairman and which
bill is pending before the Senate and House
of Representatives. a letter from the Ma
tonal Board of Trade read favoring
this legislation and requesting that the
Washington Board of Trade should adopt a
resolution to that effect. Secretary Harries
was requested to read the subsidy bill pend
ing before the Senate. Upon motion of Mr.
F. L. Siddons this letter was referred to
the committee on commerce and manufac-
lures with instructions to report recon-
mendation on the subject to the board at
Its next meeting.
Pay of Government Employees.
The board of directors recommended that
the resolution offered at the last meeting
instructing the board to use its influence to
have government employees in the District
paid the LIST and 18th of each month be
tabled which was done
The report of the committee on COM
merce and manufactures was submitted by
Mr.. B. H. Warner. The committee stated
that II regretted that no general advance
movement had been made during the past
year TO secure the location of manufactur-
ing plants in the District.
mo project of unusual Importance has
been presented to the committee" the re-
port stated. THE magnificent water power
of the Potomac has not been utilized nor
has the manufacturing spirit been stimu-
lated to any marked extent. The commit
tee Is still of the opinion that the District
of Columbia affords unusual opportunities
for the establishment of light manufactures
and IN sections where they could not come
in conflict with the residence DEVELOPMENT
OF the District.
I'VE earnestly reiterate the report of this
committee made to the board last year, and
while we realize that there is divided SEN
tlment in regard to the desirabilty of pro-
noting the operation of manufacturing en-
terprises in this city, 1t is our opinion that
no reasonable person can oppose the intro
duction of wholesale and jobbing establish
ments. Your committee feels that the geo.
graphical location of Was hington has given
this city a great opportunity for develop
ing O. large trade with the south; that its
wholesalers in various lines may enlarge
the volume of their business to an almost
unlimited extent If they take the proper
steps to get in touch with this territory.
Already number of our local business es
adjustments send their statesmen through
the south, and It is paying them to do SO.
Washington being the northern terminal of
the three great trunk lines that penetrate
the southern states has an advantage
u hn Tyrar nla1 "a d.
iunct to the expansion of the city's business.
While few local business men have COM
pretended the extent of the possible trade
within this territory, II is to be regretted
that as yet practically all OF 1t goes to
Baltimore and points further north. We
believe that this is largely on account OF
the fact that the business men of other
cities hustle for this trade and that our
local people do not
THE south is great wealth producing
section from its natural resources and from
the sale of its cotton. tobacco and ether
products 1t receives vast sums of money
annually. We firmly believe that much
trade could be attracted to this city If our
local merchants, both wholesale and retail,
would go after II in the proper manner. To
get business anywhere means to advertise
for 1t. Advertising does not merely indicate
newspaper publicity. but 1t does mean that
the purchaser should be made aware of
the fact that we have goods for sale. Any
method which Will provide them with this
Information may come under the head of
advertising.
Printed matter In the form of circulars
booklets, etc, sent to users OF what we
have for sale, would often bring satisfac-
tory results. When the Introduction that
Is made IN this manner is followed up by
the personal solicitation of a salesman
business IS bound 10 result as a logical
conclusion.
Much of the mail from the south is de-
livered TO the addresses in this city on the
second delivery and would necessarily be
from one TO three or four hours later in
reaching cities further north This in itself
should be factor In the development of our
trade with the southern states, as ii would
often tend to expedite shipments, and
prompt service is often in itself a great
business getter
Within the next few years the compile
ton OF the great terminal railroad facili-
ties, now under way, will transform the
methods OF transportation storage and
travel OF our District. and we trust that
many new enterprises will be set In motion
in order to take advantage of the increased
facilities and inducements offered. The city
is growing with marvellous rapidity We sec
no reason Why the board of trade Should
not undertake 10 use its influence in a more
active manner for the increase of trade
Its motto has always been clean bust
ress for clean people" The need of ceanly
and desirable manufacturing where our own
people can be employed is greater than ever
before.
THE views of this committee are So well
known and have been so frequently ex-
this time 10 give further prominence TO
them"
Great Deal of Criticism.
The report called forth a great deal of
criticism Mr.. F. l.. Siddons moved that It
be referred back to the committee, with
instructions 10 bring In another report en-
bodying a general plan for the upbuilding
Of the city as a manufacturing center He
said IL had been stated that this city should
be developed as 10 attract wealthy people
That was what he heard when he first
came here, but after living here he was
satisfied that 1t was mistake. He wanted
greater activity in developing the business
interest
Mr. A. p. Pardon approved the motion
and said while he wanted beautiful build
ings and attractions for homes he also ia
vored manufacturing to give employment
to our boys and girls so that they could
make a living without going away from
home. There was no city of which he knew
that does not have manufacturing that had
become great
Mr.. w. II Singleton thought the report
Should be adopted, and that then the COM
mittee could be instructed as to any other
MA An hot a ch.a II, q