The Washington herald., 1908-01-21

The thrty-eighth annual bombardment
of the National Capital, which is to be
the principal business of some $50 dele
gates 10 the meeting Of the National
Board OF Trade. begins some time suit
ably after the dawn's early rise. this
morning.
The bombardment is 10 be replete with
salltes, encounters. retreats, and forced
marches upon Congress and other people
bat there is 10 be time on the side for
tae delegates 10 attend a reception by the
President, large banquet at which some
Dig men are to deliver some noteworthy
addresses. and TO indulge in a number OF
discussions where the hot-shot of oratory
IL TO be sent flying back and forth across
The banquet room Of the New Willard.
The sessions VIII last for three days,
and will be devoted, fer the most part.
10 the discussion Of topics which are dear
10 the heart OF the great commercial Or
CanizatiOns OF the country. The meaning
OF these discussions is that the members
and delegates may call to the attention
n Congress what they consider TO be the
need of pressing reforms in some OF the
avs Of the United States regarding trade.
A Commercial Nature.
The National Board Of Trade Is. its
members maintain, the most important
organization Of a commercial nature IN
the country. Its influence for good along
he lines of fostering trade. &c. is said
10 have been marked. For many years
before the final action was taken the Ma
tional Board OF Trade sought to have
Congress create Department Of Com
merce and Labor
The present bom6ardment. of which
there We're few preceding echoes roar
ing about the New Willard last night be-
@ins in earnest this morning when one OF
,he principle committees will meet to con-
slider special business.
The first real engagement will begin AZ
1oon when most of the $50 delegates will
nave arrived, it is believed. loaded for
5aar and Congress. There are many
hinEs which the National Board Of Trade
wishes 10 put before the attention of the
national legislature this year. and they
fee! that two or three of these desired
measures must be put through,
one Of the most important measures
which viii be discussed viii be the ques-
Ion Of uniform bill Of ladIng. Several
weeks ago when the Merchants and Man
ufacturers Association OF Illinois and
several other similar trade organizations
az the Middle West came before the IN
terstate Commerce Commission on almost
exactly this same business il was assert
q that a uniform bill of lading was one
20 the greatest reforms possible under
me Hepburn act. The National Board Of
Trade wishes 90 back the movement for a
Uniform bin with all its Influence. and It's
representatives VINO were in Washington,
last night We're positive such a hill of
l6cing is OF the greatest Importance 10
shippers all over the country
The Merchant Marine.
Another measure to which the national
board attaches especial significance is
the subs.diziHg IF the merchant marine OF
the United States, although the delegates
use % term milder than "subsidizlng.
preferring to call such governmental as
sistance merely protection
Another measure which the board will
consider, and which, it has been asserted.
80 viii attempt 20 procure, IS the passage
of some currency reform measure, prob
ably emhodying tie idea Of an asset cur
rency. II was STATED last night that as
yet il is net known just what form either
of the two latter proposed reforms may
take, as it is possible the representatives
If The yaI.c'-~ organizations which will
he present may have different ideas upon
these questions. But before the meeting
7djuUTus on Thursday. it is considered
rlost likely that some measures covering
both these ideas VIII have been approved
5y the board
Aside from the discussion OF these
measures, as well as the discussion Of
many more which, II not quite so i'm
portant, are, nevertheless. considered Of
pressing interest, to trade bodies through
out tile country there will be two events
Of some magnitude. The first Of these
viii bee the reception given the delegates
by President Roosevelt. This reception
VIII take place at the White House,
probably in the East Room. at 2.30 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon. The President. il
is understood, viii address the delegates
present.
The second side event. which viii also
he Of great interest. viii be the banquet
which viii he held Wednesday evening
iu the Red Room Of the New Willard
AZ this banquet there will be probably 200
guests Vice President Fairbanks. Speak
er Cannon, Postmaster General George
Won l.. Meyer, Attorney General Bona
parte Secretary Of Commerce and Labor
Straus, Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson,
Senator Newlands and possibly others
VIII be the speakers of the evening
Frank u. La lame, president Of the
board, viii preside. The banquet will
begin at $50 O'Clock.
some Of the Delegates.
Among the delegates who will be pres
ent al the meetings Of the board. or at
least have been officially designated 10
be present. viii be four or more Con-
gressnen and other men of prominence
Interested in the fostering of the nations
trade,
The election Of officers. including the
president, vice presidents secretary. and
board Of managers. will take place to-
day The old officers are. President
Frank j. la lame; first vice president,
Ambrose Swasey; second vice president,
=. VI. Estes; secretary, William r. Tuck
o.. board 0f managers. James T. Parker,
New York; Clinton White, Boston; Capt
W. r. Rodgers, PittsbuTg: i. L. Gilbert,
Montgomery; Josiah Marvel, Wilmington.
Del. and Harry Weissinger. Louisville.