Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-11
BIG BATTLE OF IDEAS
MOVEMENT FOR A GREATER
WASHINGTON so DESCRIBED.
Must Be Fought and Won on Power OF
Individual Initiative
Merchants Week.

$50 far from Washington being imuaedi-
ately overrun by traffic or factories as
result of the present movement for expan-
sion." Mr.. Robert L. Fletcher. acting sec
rotary Of the Jobbers and Shippers Asso-
citation, said today. eft must be apparent
to any one who has thought about 1t. that
to secure either factories or wholesale
houses for Washington Is not an altogether
easy proposition. 1t 10 a question Of COM
petition-very close competition at that
and there are many who will wish us sue
cess in so difficult an undertaking.
1.-THE most convincing argument Is the
one that lies on the surface, namely. that
we have great city-approaching the half
million mark-but we have an inadequate
and insufficient commercial representation.
For Illustration there are several cities in
this country the size of Washington whose
bined, according to the trade statistics Of
1905 would approximate 800 600. 600. while
the wholesale traffic and factory output of
Washington will scarcely exceed $35. 600. OOO
annually.
Important and Cogent Reason.
1.-THE very fact that we have not got
business here in sufficient quantity in pro-
portion to the population Of the city is the
most important and cogent reason why 1t
might profitably come here.
This is but one argument. A hundred
and one others might be adduced why the
commercial and industrial advantages OF
the District of Columbia might be better
utilized.
Those ideas are gradually being ad-
vanced. The movement for a Greater
Washington is battle of ideas-a battle
that must be fought and won, If ever
fought and won at all, on the power Of in
dvfdual initiative"
Will Initiate Permanent Feature.
1t is said to be more than probable that
the Jobbers and Shippers Association of
Washington will initiate as a permanent
feature OF the Greater Washington move
ment a period each year to be known as
Merchants Week" This plan has been
followed by Baltimore with marked sue
cess. 1t Is said. Six days are devoted to
country and village merchants from Mary
land. Virginia and West Virginia, who are
invited to come to the city as the guests Of
tertained and incidentally place large orders
for goods with the city houses.
A proposition favored by Mr.. Robert L.
Fletcher. acting secretary Of the Jobbers
and Shippers Association. and other men,
bers of that organisation, Is to take advan-
tage Of the forthcoming national encamp-
ment Of the United Spanish War Veterans
to be held here the week beginning Oc-
tober 8. to inaugurate the Washington
Merchants Week" 1t Is proposed to in
vite a large number Of storekeepers and
others from the surrounding states to visit
here at that time. While In this city the
visitors will witness the proposed big In
dustrial parade. the military pageant and
other interesting features that are being
arranged for the occasion. At the same
time the officers and members Of the local
commercial association will take occasion
to preach Greater Washington doctrines to
the visitors and show them what the bust
ness men here propose to do along the
lines of increasing their facilities for sup
plying the country and town trade with
merchandise.
Another movement that Is contemplated
for the exploitation of the Greater Wash
ington movement is to have a comprehen-
sive commercial display from this city at
the jamestown exposition next year. The
sentiment in favor Of such an exhibit ia
said to be growing among the business men
of the District.