The Washington herald., 1908-02-08

AS a result of the canvass of the men,
bcrs Of the boards Of directors Of the
Board of Trade and Chamber of Com
Inerce yesterday, the poll given herewith
represents the sentiment on the subject Of
merging the two bodies into one strong
organization. Two members OF each Of
the bodies are out of town, but the senti-
ment Of two Of them is We'll known to be
III favor of the amalgamation.
Owing TO pressure Of business, the re-
porter was unable to reach two mem
bors of the, directorate of the Chamber
of Commerce and two of the Board Of
Trade. Otherwise the expression of
opinion was such as to leave nc doubt
Of the position of each member as in
dicated
Indecision, Not Opposition.
The members OF the Board of Trade
directory marked undecided are not nearly
I'll Of them opposed to the merger. Their
feeling is that they have not given the
matter sufficient attention, or that the
plan of merger has not as yet been so
stated that they are in a position to
form a decided opinion. Most of them take
the stand that If the merger is TO be
accomplished, it should be done in such
a manner as not 10 lose the great object
of the Board Of Trade. its traditions and
the splendid work it has accomplished
for the civic good of the community.
With that assured, several Of the "un-
decided would be found in the affirm
atlve column.
Ralph W. Lee, who is a member Of both
boards, voted yes on the general propo-
sition. But Mr. Lee said ne would like
to see the two bodies come together I'm
such "a way that the Board Of Trade
would be represented by a large and
strong committee that would give its at
tention solely TO civic matters. and that
the Chamber of Commerce would be rep
resented by q similar committee. which
would give It's attention 10 commercial
Industrial. and trade matters.
Would Give Large Discretion.
Il vas Mr.. Lees idea that these COM
mittees should be armed with such large
discretion as 10 bee able 60 act largely
within themselves. taking the initiative
and only seeking the sanction of the en-
tire body when plans had been fully
worked out and made ready TO carry for
ward to elimination. Mr.. Lee expressed
confidence that something Of this sort
would be brought to pass. and voted
yes TO the question of the reporter
T. p. May Of the Chamber of Com
merCe. stated that the ground of his in
decision was that the Chamber Of Com
merce and the work it had done should
not be lost or merged in the larger
body. Mr.. May feared that the larger
body might prove unwieldy. and that the
objects of both might in a measure be
neuualized by the combined work Of the
two
Mr.. May also called attention to the
present organization of the two bodies.
and said that II the same kind of or
sanization was to be carried into the
larger body he should be opposed TO the
merger This was the practice OF calling
up committee reports at each meeting.
listening to a mass Of possibly undi-
gested suggestions, often passing upon
them in a perfunctory way, and spending
much time in talking at random upon
matters that had not been brought sufi-
ciemtly to head for intelligent action.
Would Mar Personal Interest.
M May said that larger body. with
more committees and q wider range Of
subjects. carried on as both bodies are
| something to be avoided and dreaded by
/ the members. II the merger was to come
/ or, Mr. May hoped there woald be q
/ general plan Of action adopted that would
reduce the time necessary for the con
sideration of so many matters at one
/ time and give greater elasticity TO the
meetings both of the directors and the
/ central body.
/ r. Ross Perry. Of the Board Of Trade
! directors, while undecided" on the main
issue, stated that he was In favor of the
Board Of Trade passing over that portion
! OF its work devoted to commerce and
/ trade. abandoning It's present name.
/ changing its character, and taking on the
/ appearance of a large citizens ass0cia-
/ ton, which should work alone for the
| civic betterment of the District.
! Mr.. Perry thought this proposed body
should be mate up of citizens from all
parts Of the District, possibly of dele
/ gates from the several local citizens as
| sociatiOns, and that it should give its
/ attention to the enlargement and improve
ment of public utilities laws for the
/ District, and such matters as affected the
| community as a whole.
Masks Under n MisnOmer.
AIr. Perry said the Board OF Trade had
/ for years masked under misnomer
which it should consent to wear no
longer. He approved Of passing It on TO
! the Chamber ef- Commerce or Board of
Trade or whatever the commercial body
might please. and that the present Board
Of Trade, or that portion of it not spe-
| cially interested in commercial affairs
/ should become the nucleus of the pro-
/ posed association of citizens. resembling
the Committee of One Hundred, which
preceded the present body.
The impression left, after conversa-
ton with nearly all the members of
both bodies was that with the proper
! organization Of the amalgamated body. so
as preserve the distinct characteristics of
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