The Washington times., 1906-09-05
Presidents of Three Bus
mess Associations to
Meet and Talk Over
Amalgamation.
DESIRE TO AVOID
POSSIBLE FRICTION
Aim of All to Contribute
Share TO Greater Washing
ton Without Endanger-
ing Dissensions.

While frequent suggestions con-
eerning the feasibility Of cOnsoH-
dating the Washington Board Of
Trade. the Business Mems Associs-
ton, and the recently formed job
bers and Shippers Association into
a central body, TO be known as the
Chamber of Commerce, have been
made, it is not thought likely that
any move in this direction viii de-
velop until the real sentiment Of the
three associations Is tested; and
then. if it is done, it win not be
with the idea of making the two
older associations subordinate 10
the younger.
This, in n nutshell, is the feeling
expressed by several members Of
the three representative business
mems organizations, all of whom,
while they realize the vital inn
portance of getting together on
the principle of uHaE3iEnity, are
striving 10 avoid the possibility Of
friction arising over any suggestion
that the new reorganizs tion-Which
they a,auit essentially owes its ex-
istence to the joint action of the
Board Of Trade and the Business
Mems Association--in any way seeks
to dominate the two older bodies.
Harmony of Interests Desired.
Far from wishing to create dissen-
sion IN the ranks Of the older organiza-
tions. themselves holding their share ot
the cfty's vital interests in their keep
ing. and considering their obligations
no lass sacred than the newcomer.
President Bells position, as pointed out
by his friends. is that Of Wishing 20 di-
rect the affairs of the Jobbers and Ship
pers' Association into complete accord
with the Board of Trade and the Busi-
ness Mems Association. His path, they
firmly adhere, does not lie along the
lines of one wishing or attempting 10
dominate these two organizations, ooth
of which lie realizes We're created 10 DO
and are doing an important work in
the community. II President Bell, they
say. makes any move 10 bring about an
understanding between the three bodies
0T. anv subject, 10 will be 10 learn the
sentiment concerning the proposition OF
forming a local Chamber OF commerce
through a merger of the three
Presidents to Hold Meeting.
Having this in view. It Is stated that
President Bell. representing the job
bers' and Shippers Association Gen.
John NJ. Wilson, president Of the Board
of Trade. and James F. Oyster, presi-
dent Of the Business Mems Associa-
tion Will meet IN the course Of the next
few davs when a general discussion Of
the interests concerned IN the Greater
Washington movement will be taken
nm Then it is thought likely that the
Chamber Of Commerce suggestion viii
come I'D. and the head of each Of the
three organizations will have ehanee
10 discuss freely the feasibility Of unit
ed action along this or other lines
Tnasmuch as General Wilson has been
sv-a,- from the CITY for several days and
ddi not hear OF the proposed Chamber
of Commerce plan until this morning.
when asked TO express his opinion as
TO the merger of the three bodies, stated
that he would make no expression un-
Ill he had gone thoroughly into the
subject He said h5wSTer, that while
he had not as yet been invited 10 talk
with either Mr. Bell or Mr.. oyster. he
would be glad 10 discuss with them any
suggestions concerning the Greater
Washington movement they might have
I'm mind.
Vice President Allies Views.
BY way Of setting forth clearly the
position Of the Jobbers and Shippers
Association, Vice President Milton Z.
Ailes said that its members, although
devoutly desiring united action with
the other organizations, were stin firm
" convinced that the most important
consideration at hand was along the
line Of arranging better freight facili-
ties Tor Washington Without such ar
rangeutants Icing made the central idea
of the Jobbers and shippers Associa-
ton, he said. would be lost. Mr. Allies
further expressed an opinion that the
real purpose Of the association is eX-
pIained iu It's name-JCbbers and Ship
pers' Association. II Is not the idea OF
the organization at this juncture. he
said. 90 deviate from the plan of ac-