The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-28
REPORT AGAINST TRADE MERGER
STIRS UP LOCAL BUSINESS MEN

of the city for them 20 form a corpora
uons and thus create a permanent or
ganization. Upon examination OF the
law IN force in the District Of Columbia
at Ihat time, II was fOunS that there
was no section of the statute which
contemplated the incorporation of an
organization Of this kind other than
mat section which specifically provides
for board OF trade. They were, there
fore, compelled to Incorporate under
TINS secuon, which requires the use Of
the name Board of Trade This ac-
counts for and explains the apparent
misnomer.
The Board Of Trade has. fro-n the time
or its organization. largely devoted its
attehtlon 10 business which has been Of
civic character although there are
several committees OF the board which
nave FOR their object matters CONNER
clal or semi-cOmmercial Efforts have
Deen made upon various occasions to
stlLluiate action along commercial lines,
put these efforts have not been success
fuI y any substantial degree.
Birth Of Organization.
Some years ago certain members of
the board. who were particularly inter
e5ted In the commercial feature, sepa-
rated from the Board OF Trade. and with
others. formed an organization known
as the Business Mems Association.
Later, the agitation Of what was
known as "the Greater Washington
movement brought into being another
organization, which was called The
Shippers and Jobbers' Association. %
started primarily for the purpose Of look
ing after commercial interests. and this
because of the fact that neither the
Board Of Trade nor the Business Mems
Association was giving sufficient atten-
uOn 10 that particular branch Of work.
The work Of the Shippers and Jobbers'
Association along commercial lines was
successful and much that was Creditable
was accomplished.
These two organizations continued in
existence until about one wear ago,
when the Chamber of Commerce was
formed as a result of the union of the
Business Mems Association ana the
shippers and Jobbers' Association. We
think IL Is fair 10 say that 10 was the
general impression of the public that
the Chamber Of Commerce was organ
lied foI the express purpose Of caring
Tor that branch or the work which was
not sufficiently looked after by the
Board OF Trade.
The Board of Trade has accomplished
IN the period OF It's existence a large
amount or public work. and has, by the
eHort6 or It's 0uiceTs. directors. and
members, created and nodded public
opinion and carried through successfully
many large and important schemes.
having TOT LltElA IlAi4 pose AAlE hFlldFE Oh
the citizens OF Washington upon purely
civic lines. The code of laws OF the
District of Columbia, which is now
recognized as being OF much value TO
the profession and 10 the citizens, Is
the direct result OF the work OF the
Board of Trade. Many other things in
connection with parks and reservations.
taxation. sewerage system. filtration
plant, grade crossings. street extensions.
Public Library. Municipal building, etc.
might be mentioned.
Want Board Preserved.
We hold and maintain that the Board
OF Trade should be preserved in its en-
tirety along the lines II has chiefly
worked and which have been so sue
cessful; We hold firmly 10 the opinion
that there should be an organization in
this District whose duty IL shall be 10
protect and promote commerce and
manufacture la all OF its phases, and we
believe that united and concentrated
effort on the part Of the Chamber OF
Commerce. which IS composed OF so
many men of high character and enthu-
siasm. would certainly bring about great
good and benefit 10 commercial inter
ests.
We also believe that If the Board Of
Trade were TO devote its attention ex-
clusiveIy 10 civic matters that orEaniza-
tion would still be more effective. We
further believe that il is unfortunate