Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-21
Greater Mercantile Washington.

The Greater Washington movement in so
far as 1t is a campaign to expand the bust
ness of Washington's merchants. is as
strong as ever and as promising. 1t is pro-
duclng results and in lines to yield even
greater results in the near future. Any set
BACK which the plan to foster the establish
ment here of manufacturing industries may
have suffered does not signify that there is
lack of reason to look for success along
other lines in the commercial advancement
OF the District. In the field of mercantile
expansion the District is progressing most
encouragingly. 1t has awakened to it's pos
sibilities as trading center for a wide
area and the local merchants are bestirrins
themselves commercially in the matter of
supplying such deficiencies as may now ex-
ist In the equipment of the city for this
work They had won after struggle the
local trade, which had drifted to other cities.
by improving their establishments and offer
Ing the local buyers advantageous oppor-
tunities to supply themselves fully here al
home. Their experience in this campaign
Is now proving useful in the competition
with Baltimore, Richmond and other trad
ing ccnters for the business of the neigh
boring territory.
What the District must have in this en-
advantageous shipping facilities and finally
publicity. II must have the goods to SELL
1t must proclaim that fact throughout its
trade area. and it must command the
means of cheap and quick delivery. II is
now working along all three lines Progress
has been scored during the past year in
every direction. Branches of business which
have been locally weak being strength
ened and the merchants have made in
telligcnt study of transportation questions.
In the line of publicity they have also
proved their enterprise in many ways; some
by contributing through their attractive
and creditable exhibits to the success of
The Stars Greater Washington train, which
carried word through the nearer south that
the capital city is ready for business.
With all its natural advantages for de-
yelopmpnt a mercantile city. with good
water and rail transport. with a growing
country at its doors and with an active,
intelligent business community alert for op-
portunites for expansion. Washington must
develop and prosper The incidents of the
past year of discussion and activity have
all demonstrated beyond question that the
spirit of progress is aroused. The time
spent in debate over the most advantage
Gus line of expansion and over ways and
ment in enterprise. This has indeed been
largely an educational year There has
developed a difference of opinion concern
ing the wisdom of exploiting Washington
factory city. but none whatever over
the proposition to expand the trade of the
Washington merchants.
On" of the lessons apparently taught in
the educational year is that the merchants
and those affiliated with them must by in
dividual action. organized or unorganized,
largely finance and control the movement
for commercial Washington if they wish
speedy action and certain results. For di-
rect and adequate pecuniary backing they
cannot reasonably rely upon general rep
resenjative citizens organization like the
Board of Trade. including in its member
ship ali sorts and conditions of men in
Washington. three-fourths of whom are
non-Commercial, and, as an organization. of
the limited financial resources that are de-
rived from small annual dues. The hearty
cooperation of a general organization like
the Board OF Trade should, however be
extended to the movement for commercial
expansion. this being one of the objects for
which the Board exists. Such cooperation
has been forthcoming. In response to the
representations of it's energetic committee
on commerce and manufactures the Board
has given much time and thought to COM
merCial questions and has appropriated out
OF its scanty revenues more money for the
committee on commerce than for its other
twenty-five standing committees combined.
The Greater Mercantile Washington Is
surely coming. What now confronts the
citizens of the capital is the duty to take
advantage OF every practical opportunity to
secure for the city the greatest possible re-
suits In trade. population and wealth.