The Washington herald., 1906-11-09

Much interest centers in the annual
meeting Of the Boardz0f Trade, 10 be held
next Monday night. At that time ten di-
rectors viii be elected. and the fact that
a ticket Of members has been proposed
which VIII bring new blood" into the di-
rectorate is being widely discussed among
the members Of the organization, which
numbers about 400.
Within the Board of Trade is the old
conservative element which has ruled its
destinies for many years. 1t is universal
Is conceded that these men, who have
borne the brunt Of the fight for the half
and-haIf principle in appropriations for
the expenses of the District government,
are worthy of the highest praise. No one
seeks to disparaee in any way what they
have done.
But there is also in the Board Of Trade
"a younger and more active elemert. which
has been energized by the movement going
on for the past six months toward expand
ing trade aud industry in the District.
This element is convinced that the Board
of Trade should take on new life to meet
the changed conditions. and become, in
fact, what its name indicates. These
younger men maintain that the organiza-
tion should stand for more than the one
principle They declare that the con-
serva:ism of TIE Board OF Trade should
now give way to a more progressive activ-
fly, and that the body should adapt itself
10 the new purposes which have come in
the wake of the movement for a Greater
Washington.
Few Ticket in Field.
To this end Il ticket OF directors has
been proposed containing the names Of
men who have been closely identified
with the new movement While to elect
this board VIII in some measure cut
across the ancient usage of continuing
the directors in Office during life or good
behavior. it is declared that there is
nothing in letter or spirit to be violated
by such step at this time. It is said
10y those seeking the election of this
ticket that their action is entirely within
the constitution and bylaws, and that
the expressed wish of the majority of
the members is the only law which can
govern in the matter.
There is. of course, opposition to the
proposed departure from past precedents-
The conservative element in the organ
ization holds to precedent and conscien-
tioUsly thinks that the Board Of Trade
should cling To its traditions, leaving TO
other bodies the work of building up
Washington commercially and industrial
~. This portion of the association Is
strong able, and diguifed, and win not
surrender without volcing its protest
with the ballot
The discussion of the question is now
going on i'm q lively manner among the
members of the body. and the Indications
are that next Monday nights meeting
Will be one OF the largest and most en-
thusiastic ever held.
Last night a member Of the board
talked freely with a Washington Herald
reporter. giving at length his views upon
what the Board of Trade might do and
oJght 90 do This man Is one of the old
est active members of the body and has
its interests much at heart. But ne ex-
pressed himself decidedly that there
ought 10 be "a widening and enlivening Of
the energies of the Board of Trade TO
take In the new movement for the bet
terment of the city.
FavOrs Central Body.
lie declared that in the place Of three
trade bodies there ought to be one,
strong. powerful. united. energetic. pro-
sressive and efficient In bringing things
10 pass, not only for the Identification Of
the Capital but for its business and in
dusuial interests as well He insisted
that it Was the province Of the Board Of