The Washington herald., 1907-11-13

Publication OF a book for general dis
tribution, setting forth the advantages
OF Washington as a commercial, indus
trial, resident, and sightseeing city. ap-
proval Of the immediate improvement OF
the Anacostia Flats, and. incidentally.
the general discussion OF the employment
Of "a commercial secretary, were the steps
forward taken by the Chamber OF Com
merce at its November meeting at the
Raleigh Hotel last night. The meeting
was attended by about 800 members. and
It was essentially full OF snap and vim.
many expressions being made that WASH
ington has now arrived at a point where
work for its betterment viii count
The general routine prescribed by the
order Of business was adhered to, and
the greater part OF the time was taken
up with reports by the standing and
special committees and discussions grow
ing out Of the recommendations and sug-
gestions made
Subject OF the Book.
The subject of the book was presented
by Charles W. Claggett. chairman of the
special committee instructed by the
chamber TO investigate the cost Of pub
fishing such a book, an estimate Of its
cost. with plans for its contents and dis
tribution. Mr.. Claggett's report contained
all the information covered by his in
structlons. The committee proposed the
publication Of a book Of sixty-four pages.
AZ by 6 inches in size. and printed on
sixty pound paper, with half-tone illus
trations
The table Of contents embraced from
two 70 four pages upon such subjects
as the city government, manufacture,
jobbing. conventions. station and steam
boat terminals, shipping the residences.
public buildings, general guide to Wash
ington. and advertisements. The articles
were TO be prepared by a man or men
specially equipped 10 write them in a
high-class manner. The cost was esti-
mated at S1.6c0 to S1.S00. and. in the Opin-
ion Of the committee, enough revenue
would be derived from advertisements
to pay this cost The distribution was
10 be carried on through the advertisers,
the secretarys Office. and through such
special channels as placing them In hO-
tells, Pullman cars, sending them TO trade
bodies In the cities OF the country and
by such special methods as might be
suggested. Each Of the members would
be given ten copies 10 be distributed
among his friends, preferably at a dis
tance from Washington.
When the subject was opened for dis
cussiUn It aroused considerable talk, and
it was at this point that the expressions
about going forward with the work OF
the chamber, and making no compromise
with "go-slow methods came out.
Much interest in the work OF the cham
Der was awakened by two or three short
talks by Simon Wolf, who attended The
meeting OF the chamber for the first
time. lie cbunseled the go-ahead policy.
and admonished the members it was time
10 put the sentiment. that Washington is
a great and beautiful city before the
world. Mr.. Wolf startled the chamber
by declaring that the proposal 10 employ
paid secretary to do the work which
ought to be done by the membership was
the rankest nonsense. He said there was
no way TO move Washington TO the front
but for it's citizens to take of their coats
and make IL go.
Commercial Secretary.
John l.. Weaver was the leader among
those who took the ground that the pub
licaton OF a book should await the ap-
pointment of the commercial secretary,
which IL was expected would be done
about the first OF next year Mr. Weaver
thought that the publication might not
fall in with the ideas Of the secretary.
who would be employed and that 1t would
be better 10 wait and get the views which
this secretary might have before going
forward with the advertisement Of the
city.
The discussion was participated in by
c. F. Wallraf. Arthur c. Moses, T. c. II.
Vance. c. Y. Worthington. Conrad Synie.
and Chaplin Brown.
The instructions 10 the committee to go
ahead with the work. ana the appropria-
ton Of $50, as a guarantee in starting the
publication led TO animated discussion Of
the rights OF the board Of directors as
against those Of the chamber, and before
the matter was ended II became neces-
sary TO pass upon an appeal from Il
ruling OF the chair. Everything ended
happily, however, and the committee was
Instructed to 90 ahead.
TIE matter relating 20 the reclamation
OF the Anacostia flats was brought I'D In
a resolution offered by Edward II. Droop,
which, In substance, was that the Ana
costa channel be dredged and improved
TO the Benning Bridge, and that the ply
sical work be undertaken as soon as the
necessary surveys and estimates could be
prepared by the engineers OF the army.
The resolution was adopted, and the presi-
dent instructed 10 appoint a special COM
mittee OF three to take up the subject
and submit a report at a future meeting
Of the chamber.
At the beginning of the meeting COM
munications were read by the secretary
from the presidents OF the chambers OF
.F ~f.~ ..rN
nizing the receipt Of "A letter sent TO them
by the Washington chamber. suggesting
that future interchange of views be had
on questions affecting the welfare OF
hoIh countries. A communication was
read from Justice Brewer, inviting the
membtis Of the chamber to attend the
meeting o. the Associated Charities. on
Monday evening. November IS, at the
Metropolitan NJ. Z. Church, in this city.
Receiving Members.
+. W. Siddons. Of the membership com.
mittee, reported that the proposition sub
mitted to it at the last meeting with
reference 70 receiving members represen-
tative OF other civic and trade bodies in
the District, would require an amend.
ment to the constitution TO become ef.
fective. and the committee refrained frcn
cfrering recommendation to take such
a step.
Chaplin Brown reported for the buildinl
committee that its plans had been post
poned temporarily until there should b,
Improvement in the financial outlook be
fore going forward with the building pro
Ject. II was explained the committA,
had made great progress with its plans
even to the point of practically decidinl
upon site. II had considered sketcl
plans Of the proposed building. and haC
gone into the subject of financing tn,