The Washington herald., 1908-01-21

ship which acts with such unanmity as
the National Board Of Trade Generally
Il takes position and reaffirms it from
year % year until public sentiment gets
behind it and forces legislation. Such was
its course In tie case OF the Department
o. Commerce and Labor. From the very
birth Of the organization It has advocated
the formation Of a department of COM
meTce and industries" The present De
partment of Commerce and Labor is due,
perhaps more than 10 any other influence.
70 the missionary work OF the National
Board OF Trade
But this organization itself sometimes
changes front For years il had been an
advocate Of a parcels post system in this
country and eaCu year would adopt "a
resolution recommending parcels post
legislation 70 Congress. But last year
there was a fight. The committee which
was appointed 20 consider the subject
brought 10 "a divided report The majority
report opposed parcels post legislation,
while that Of the minority favored H.
When the vote was taken the board stood
about two 10 one against such legisla-
tion. The reason, they urged referred
mainly to the effect Il would have upon
the postal service itself rather than the
economl. questions affecting the country
merchant. There has been a gradual fall
ing off in the membership from the larger
cities and "a corresponding increase in
that Of smaller cities. This probably ac-
counts for the change iu sentiment in the
organization. since the country newspaper
is the most frequent opponent of parcels
post, ON the ground that it viii hurt the
home merchant
one OF the most vigorous pieces Of work
the board has done in recent years ras
been its advocacy Of river and harbor
legislation. IL framed the motto. Sink
local interest for the general good" and
this Idea las been the IIilyinE ground Of
the river and harb0T improvements ever
since IL took more definite shape In the
organization OF the national river and
EaTbOr congress. which is now working
year iu and year OuI manufacturing SEN
t.ment for the proper Improvement Of
Che inland waterways of the United
States. A principal plank Of its platform
ls The determination not TO identify itself
with the advocacy Of any special under
taking. but 10 direct its entire efforts in
the lire of general river and canal i'm
prOyements.
The organization IS on record fl favor
Of ship subsidy. AT its meeting last year
il adopted strong resolutions in favor of
UpbUldiHE the American merchant ma
riEe II has also declared Itself on almost
every prominent question, but although
u had something 10 say about the tariff
TWO years ago. it handled that question
rather carefully last year. The position
the beard takes on public questions is
generally I'm line with the advanced
thought OF the day. Its recommendations
are not as well needed by Congress now
as they were in the past. that body pre-
ferrins 20 act IN its own way and time.
Yet il is 10 be doubted if the organization
ever did more 10 shape public sentiment
than it is doing to-day. The average
Congressman is disposed TO resent the
idea that any one else can represent the
views of his people more accurately than
me himself can, and. be he Senator or
Representatives he Tesents the idea. as a
rule, tEat other SUdies can reflect the
wishes of the people more accurately
than Congress itself.
There are now some thirty organiza-
tions in the United States formed pri-
maTily for the purpose Of steering legis-
latiOn through Congress. Most OF them
are formed to back q particular idea or
a particular bill But the National Board
of Trade is probably the only Organiza-
ton which meets annually with the idea
of promoting wholesome legislation Of
every character. 1t differs radically from
the Peoples Lobby. another self-const.-
tuted body, in that it's mission is to pro-
pose to Congress and to create public
sentiment.
Among the new topics that will com
mand the attention Of the board viii be
one that they earnestly discussed years
ago-hnanciai legislation. 1t is forecasted
that there will be a wide difference Of
opinion on the subject, and that the real
fight Of the annual meeting viii be over
this question. There will be a call on the
President during the course Of the meet
ing. and a banquet. at which many of the
leading public men of the country will
address the board.
TO-mOFFOw-The Indian and HIS
Lands.