Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-06

ices of the medical profession. Its appeals
to Congress for legislation were backed by
100 representative citizens. the representa-
lions of some of whom, varying in diner
ent cases. would receive thoughtful consid-
Grafton from almost every legislator.
Too little was done along commercial
lines by the board for many years, but
within the last two years or more its COM
mittee on commerce and manufactures has
been especially and commercially active. 1t
framed and the board adopted, a broad
plan of commercial promotion. 1t entered
upon a publicity campaign. and the board
approved It's recommendations concerning
the publication of booklets and circulars
Indeed, the board has responded favorably
to every proposal of the committee except
when it thought that 1t was asked to pro-
vide from the boards revenues between
$500 and 1000 annually for a commercial
secretary, the boards total revenues from
all sources and to meet all expenses being
about 5000 annually. The board encour-
aged the effort to secure individual sub
scriptions for the maintenance OF a COM
mercial secretary. and pledges of support
from members aggregating over 5000 per
annum were reported.
The conclusion seems. however, to have
body like the Board of Trade, with 500 non
commercial members, cannot reasonably be
expected to raise the necessary money and
to push vigorously to success the campaign
for the Greater Commercial Washington.
The hearty cooperation Of the Board OF
Trade should not be disdained; but. as The
Star has frequently suggested, the mer-
chants, manufacturers. jobbers and ship
pers and those affiliated with them. must
by individual action. organized or unor-
ganized, largely finance and control the
movement for commercial Washington, II
they wish speedy action and ceItain re-
suits. For the establishment and main
tenance of equitable freight rates capable
and high priced legal services may be es-
sential. For thorough and effective cam
paign of a 'ertising publicity for CONNER
cial Washington large expenditures may De
required. Responsibility for the sinews OF
war will fall primarily upon those who will
profit directly and Enthusiastically by the de-
velopment of commercial and industrial
Washington.
If the consolidation project now under dis
cussion gives to Washington a purely COM
mercial organization of the kind suggested
a public benefit will be conferred. The COM
munity needs now, and will need in the
future. both a general representative citl-
zens' association, like the Board of Trade.
to speak for all Washington in respect to
issues affecting the general welfare. and
compact quicklyacting combination of its
merchants, manufacturers. jobbers and
shippers. laboring solely for the develop
ment of commercial Washington The
former organization should exact very
small dues. should include all public
spirited citizens. commercial and non-com-
mercal. in it's membership. and should deal
with broad projects of general concern. The
latter should be smaller in numbers, with
comparatively large dues, and should bring
to the work of quick trade promotion the
intense vigor and enthusiasm of a direct
financial interest.