The Washington times., 1906-06-30
BUSINESS MEN
WILL DEMAND
BETTER RATES
Seek to Make Washing
ton Jobbing Center of
Importance.
SHOE AND HAT TRADE
Business Mems Organiza-
tons Will Form Strong
Body.
SHOE AND HAT TRADE

The formation of a freight bureau,
under the title of the Shippers As
sociation Of Washington, was deter
mined upon yesterday afternoon at the
joint meeting OF the committees of the
Business Mems Association, the Board
of Trade and the Bankers Association,
named % consider means for increas-
ing the jobbing trade Of the city.
The organization meeting for this new
agency in the campaign for wider bust
ness activities will be held September
L The joint coL'nittee yesterday
drafted a letter. copies OF which viii
be sent to the shippers here. inviting
them to take an initial and active part
in the movement 1t is believed the
association will start with at least a
hundred members and probably with
more.
Business Men Organizing.
This united force VIII be brought to
bear upon the railroads. to induce them
so to revise their tariffs that Washing
ton business men may be able to ccm-
pete for the jobbinG trade in those sec
tions of the country naturally tribu-
tary to the city. Those behind the plan
are SO confident of its success they look
with assurance to a time in the not
far distant future when Washington
shall have taken its rightful place as
one of the most important jobbing cen
ters of the Middle and Southern States.
r. /. Fletcher. who has written a
number OF articles upon the subject OF
increasi.lS < Washington's jobbing trade.
was selected as the temporary secre-
tary Of the new organization.
r. 2. Andrews. chairman OF the com
mittee Of the Business Mems Associa-
ton. To-Day expressed the greatest Optf-
mism aS 10 the success of the movement.
There is no reason whatever why
Washington should not have an import
ant and Profitable jobbing trade" said
Mr. Andrews. 'Of course. there are
Determinations now in the matter OF
railroad rates TO outlying territory. but
even under present conditions wholesale
houses handling drygoods. hats. and
caps. and boots and shoes would pay
and pay handsomely
Think of it-a city Of this size and
importance, without single 1obblng
house in any one of the three lines OF
business I have mentioned. The record
cannot be duplicated in this country. and
one must look beyond inequalities in
railroad rates 10 understand the full
reason Business men are not appreciat-
Ing. their opportunities here l will
undertake TO say there are 1obbing
houses scattered all over this country,
with large capital, which depend for
their business upon smaller number
District and just outside the District,
in Maryland and Virginia
Neglected Opportunities.
The Shippers Association is going to
endeavor to apprise the business public
Of these neglected opportunities. We
think large tObbing houses in the three
lines I have mentioned would find It TO
their interest to establish branches here
IN Washington. A lot of information
as to the advantages Of the city will be
disseminated
When the association has been or
ganized completely we are going TO pre-
sent our case to the railroads. OF
course, they viii listen more readily TO
an organization representing the entire
shipping interests of Washington than
TO the complaint of a single one or
few merchants. We expect confidently
TO secure the right sort of treatment
from them.
with rates equaIized, the fight ought
to be considerably more than half won.
Merchants would be glad TO make their
purchases here in Washington, because
of the many places OF interest there are
for them TO visit and the small cost OF
this entertainment. ! believe they would
rather come here, other things being
equal, than 10 any other city In the
country They will not come, however,
when they are not able 10 buy a COM
plete stock Of goods here. II they made
some of their purchases in Washington
they would have TO 80 on to Baltimore.
Philadelphia or New York 10 make the
others"
Others interested in the project are as
enthusiastic as Mr. Andrews Meetings
OF the joint committee will be held at
intervals during the summer. to hear
reports and decide upon a further course
OF action.