The Washington times., 1908-02-22

Whether or not the Board OF Trade
and the Chamber OF Commerce be
brought together TO form a new single
organization with new name and Of
fioers, considerable interest is being
manifested just now in the subject.
Since last Monday 227 members Of the
Board Of Trade have expressed to The
Times their views and recorded their
votes on the question of merging the
two bodies.
Up 10 this morning Isl members have
voted in favor Of consolidation, even
though it may mean dscarding the
present names and organizations of the
Chamber OF Commerce and Board Of
Trade, SO have voted against the propo-
sition and six are non-committaI.
In order to determine as far as pos
sible the feeling regarding a merger
among members OF the Board OF Trade.
The Times mailed the following inquiry
to each OF TIE 60 individuals appearing
as members OF the Board OF Trade. as
set forth IN the official list, furnished by
the secretary.
In the much discussed question Of
a consolidation Of the Chamber az
Commerce and Board OF Trade the
only unknown factor IS the opinion
OF the members OF the Board OF
members put themselves on record in
the vote that authorized a committee
TO confer with a Board of Trade
committee with the object OF consoI-
dalton.
The directors OF the Board Of
Trade, in authorizing a committee or
that body. specified that no PROPOSE
ton involving the existence Of the
Board Of Trade as such could be
considered.
In order TO determine the senti-
ment of the Board Of Trade as an
organization, The Times is asking
each member TO answer this Ques-
ton:
Are you in favor Of the CONSOLE
dalton OF the Board of Trade and
the Chamber of Commerce. under
standing that the merger may mean
the disCarding OF the names and or
ganiZatiOnS OF both bodies in the
tion?"
a prompt reply viii be especially
welcomed.
Very truly yours.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES.
A postal card was attached for reply
Mr.. Siddons' Letter.
Several letters also were received
one OF these is from Frederick l. SID
dons. and vigorously advocates the
union. He says;
To the Editor OF The washington Times:
Dear Sir; Replying to your postal in
ouiry as to whether a am in favor Of
the consolidation OF the Board OF Trade
and the Chamber Of Commerce, IN
Outstanding that the merger may mean
the discarding OF the names and Organi-
cations Of both bodies in the formation
OF the united association, ! would state
that / am emphatically in favor OF the
consolidation OF the Board Of Trade
and the Chamber OF Commerce, and
that too even though such COnsOll-
laTfnn would result IN snH abandonment
OF the corporate character OF the Board
OF Trade. which corporate character ]
do not consider is Of much, II any, i'm
porLanCe-
should. however. consider It unfor-
tunate II the consolidation resulted IN
the abandonment OF either Of the names
Board of Trade and Chamber OF Com
merce. ! am decidedly in favor. OF the
consolidated organization assuming the
name of "The Washington Board OF
Trade and Chamber OF Commerce, and
sincerely hope that. In the interest OF
4 Greater Washington, from whatever
standpoint one may choose 10 regard
it. that The consolidation now under
consideration will be effected.
Under the name of the Board Of
Trade, that organization has been OF
very great service TO the District ol
Columbia and. as one or its influential
members recently POINTED out II has
acquired assets under that name IN thS
form OF achievements noncompliance
which it would be unfortunate 10 lose
the benedt of. as might be the case if
the name itself We're discarded by the
organization which Will result from tnt
hoped for consolidation.
+. l. sIDDONs.
William Muehleisen suggests that the
question OF name should be left until
after merging and then decided oy
We 6. swormstedt advocates the "se-
lection OF a name for the new organi-