The Washington herald., 1906-11-11
DIVIDED ON POLICY
Coming Board of Trade Elec-
ton Creates Interest.
MANY DIsAPPROvE NEW IDEA
Think Washington Is Not Meant to
BE Commercial Center, While
Others Believe OId-time Methods
should BE Abolished and "NeYy
Blood" Injected Into Organization.

As the time approaches for the annual
meeting Of the Board OF Trade-to-morrow
night-interest grows keener in what the
purpose of the organization shall be as
foreshadowed in its election Of officers.
Since Friday. when The Washington Her
aid set forth the two courses open to the
Board OF Trade--tO follow the traditional
conservatism Of the past. or to mark out
a new course Of action toward the up
build of the city commercially and indus
trially-many expressions Of opinion have
reached this Office nat the time is ripe
for the change indicated.
Last February, IN vote of instructions
given to its committee on manufactures
and commerce. the Board Of Trade open
ly esp0used, as far as voting could do SO,
the cause of commercial and industrial
Washington. At that time its committee
was directed to prepare a plan for bring
ing factories 10 the city and 10 show the
advantage of the Capital as an industrial
and business center. In these instructions
the board committed itself to the cause,
but it failed at that time and since to
place in the hands Of the committee any
fund to be expended IN carrying out the
plan to be mapped out by the committee.
Other than the printing of the re-
ports OF the committee and the prep
aration Of 100000 circulars for distribu-
ton. the Board Of Trade has done moth
ing toward the realization Of the project.
Outgrows Organization.
1t was. however. the instructions given
to this committee that really launched
the movement for TIE Greater Washing
ton which has gained such headway dur
ing the summer and fan months The
movement has far outrun the activities OF
te Board Of Trade. and now its more pro
gressive members are asking one another
whether the Oldest and most powerful
trade body in the city shall catch up with
the movement OF settle back into the old
grooves Of inactivity. except IN line with
the hali-and-half policy Of the payment
Of the District expenses and the matters
which have to do directly with the mu-
niCipal government
A Herald reporter yesterday talked with
some fifteen members Of the Board Of
Trade, and with two exceptions, found
them eager for change Of front and
for taking I'D the new responsibilities Of
helping forward the movement for a
Greater Washington. The members talk
ed with asked that their names be with
held.
.TIred of Policy"
One said: Il am tired Of the do-noth-
ing policy Of the Board OF Trade, as
shown by the attitude Of its board Of di-
rectors and many OF its principal mem
bers. ! think it high time TO break with
tradition and take up the new movement
in earnest. and hustle for factories and
new wholesale and business houses.
Il am Of the opinion said another,
that the Board of Trade should be re-
organized. so as 10 have AT least three
I large working cCmmttees-one for Dis
trict government and legislation, one for
commerce and wholesale trade. and one
for retail trade I also think the time
has come when the business interests Of
the city should be combined iLto a body
which should be big enough and have
money enough TO advertise the city, build
a chamber Of commerce, and form the
nucleus of a big commercial club
Approves Action.
Il have been member of the Board
Of Trade since IT started, said another.
1T has done a great work for this Dis
trict i has done il cOnservatively and
wisely. 1t has held Congress IN check.
and the present beauty and grandeur OF
the Capital is due almost solely 10 the
work OF the Board of Trade II is best
in my opinion, 20 let well enough alone,
and leave to the other bodies the working
out of the freight and Industrial prob
! lens.
IF the Board Of Trade does not take
some decided stand next Monday night
on this movement 10 build up the city.
! shall leave il and cast my lot with the
new Shippers and Jobbers' body in the
| hope that something practical may be ac-
complished for the business Of Washing
/ ton" said n fourth.
The Board of Trade is dead at the
/ top, and if 1t cannot be revivlfied by the
/ injection Of new blood IN the board of
directors. IL may as well disband and
make room for some more progressive
/ body" was the way another put il.
/ The sixth man approached said: Those
/ who criticise the Board Of Trade do so
unwisely.
i have sat in the board Of directors
1 of the Board Of Trade for ten years, and
/ more practical set Of men cannot he
1 found in Washington. True, we have not
| stopped over lately about this new trade
! movement, and IN my humble opinion
/ there viii be nothing left In 1t in three
months more 10 get excited about. Wash
/ inEtOn was never intended for q manu-
+ featuring city or a trade city. and it
never win be such, no matter how wild
/ the people get about it We are doing we'll
/ enough now, so why should we strive
after that which will only bring trouble
| in its wake?''
For Greater Washington.
"Yes. sir. am in for the Greater Wash
! ington movement all the time. and I am
going TO the meeting on Monday night 10
make my views known by voting and by
making a speech if I can," was the sew
enth mans enthusiastic reply. Il am
thoroughly sick Of the present order of
/ things in Washington. and want to see il
grow into q big manufacturing place. and
! 4 place where my boys can learn business
and not be driven into the departments to
make a living"
To quote what the others said would he
Z T---