The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-11-10
INTEREST in
LECISLAT ton
BY7.'HEB.OF /.
Secretary Naylor
Makes Report To
Association

OF Trade members is recommended by
Secretary R. B. Naylor in his annual
report to that organization which was
submitted at the opening session OF
the body's fourth annual convention
at the Waldo hotel Tuesday. He tells
in his report OF the efforts that have
been put forth TO increase the boards
membership and to procure sugges.
tons for general work. The report is
as follows:
Wheeling, Nov. 8, 1908.
To the Members Of the West Virginia
Board OF Trade:
The State Board of Trade assem-
bles in its fourth annual convention
with larger and more Representative
membership tnan ever before in its
history, and therefore with greater
powers for usefulness to the state
and It's manifold interests than It has
had since the organisation in Wheel
ing in 1905. There is every reason
to believe that the State Board will
| become still larger and extend its
work into every phase of our indus
trial life which marks for the up
building cf the state.
During the past year our efforts
have been largely devoted to build,
ing up the membership and we have
met with gratifying success. Under
the revision Of the constitution made
at Ellsins, the Ohio plan OF admitting
to membership Individuals, firms and
corporations as well as commercial
organizations vas adopted with i
View tinReFestlng uncre people in the
State Board and thereby extending
its influence and creating larger
fund with which to do tle work.
Following up this change the sec.
rotary, early In the year sent out
about 500 letters to business men,
bankers, firms and corporations in.
Wiling them to Join the movement
These letters we're accompanied with
circulars, membership blanks, and
copies of cur annual report. This
plan, however, did not work we'll and
later field agent was secured vino
succeeded in materially increasing
the membership. At tle July meet
ing of the Executive Council the
treasurer, Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. Blackford
and the secretary were authorized to
employ field agents to visit the towns
PERSONAL yand solicit memberships.
This Idea was carried out and was
quite successful. There were secur-
ed in all lao members in II different
towns, and representing about every
line of business and manufacturing
in the State There Is no doubt
whatever blu what this list can be
greatly increased by continued work
along this line
After the EIkins meeting the an.
nual report was compiled and 1000
copies printed by the News Publish.
ing Co. at cost of nearly $4,000.
These reports were sent out to all our
constituent bodies and also to many
cities of the country in response to
Inquiries about the organization and
our state.
In June letters were addressed 10
all of our constituent AMI active
members inviting them to express
their views as to the most important
matters which the State Beard should
take up at this meeting. These com,
munications met with gratifying re,
Spouse and quite number OF letters
were received setting forth the writ.
ers' ideas as to various subjects which
the Board should consider. Follow.
ing this a meeting of the Executive
Council was held in this city on July
9th, which was attended by quorum
and which took up all Of these sug.
gestions and referred them to the
proper committees of the Board. At
this meeting President Fleming an.
nounced his committee appointments
which were confirmed ami all mem.
bers notified of their appointment and
all chairnlen informed of the matters
which had been referred to the respec.
tive Committees. The subject most
frequently mentioned in the con1muni-
cations was the Bulk Sales law and Il
is hoped that the organization will
be able to secure this NEEDED lesisla-
tion at the next session Of the Legls.
lature,
The Board mas shown It's interest
in River and Harbor matters by a
i-5FTF