Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23

| The fortieth annual meeting OF the
| National Board OF Trade which will be
| held at the New Willard Hotel Tuesday
and succeeding days, gives promise of
| being more largely attended than in
many years.
The annual banquet of the board. which
promises to be most notable because Of
| the list of distinguished guests. will be
held in the red room of the New Will
| lard Wednesday evening at 40 o'clock.
President Taft will deliver an address
on the occasion, while other speakers
will be Secretaries Wilson, Nagel and
Meyer and Director John Barrett. The
guest list also will include Assistant
Secretary Adee, the minister from the
Netherlands. the Argentine minister, the
Chilean minister and the minister from
Costa Rica.
In addition to these there will be pres
emf dozen fifteen senators and repre-
sentatives. while tentative acceptances
have been received from half a dozen
other men, who are known throughout
the United States.
Past Work of the Board.
AS the Importance of this organizatio
dawns upon commercial bodies member
ship in the national board is being eagerly
sought, for it has played a conspicuous
part in shaping the policies of the nation.
The work of the board from the date of
its first meeting, in 1868, until the pres
ent time is but reflection of the growth
and activity of the country during that
period in all of its different phases
of prosperity or depression, and it in
cludes all the most vital questions of in
terest to business men and the country at
large.
During the early years of its existence
the National Board of Trade set out to
satisfy all sections Of the country by
meeting on invitation In different cities
but as the scope of the subjects for con-
sideration broadened, and as they touched
upon the vital problems concerning ma
tional growth and development, it was
thought the part of wisdom to have these
annual meetings in Washington, in order
to be put in touch with the national gov
eminent and the representatives of all sec
tons in the Congress of the United States
1t is a subject for congratulation on the
part of the members of the organization
that its influence has been universally
recognized as representing the enlightened
thought OF those engaged in commercial
activities, a reference to the list of sub
jects which will come before the conven-
ton at it's sessions this week showing
the boards universally.
What the Board Stands For.
Since it's institution the National Board
of Trade has taken a pronounced stand
for the readjustment OF railway mail
pay, advocacy of the gold standard
steady Improvement Of the rivers and
harbors and amendment Of the immigra-
ton laws.
But this IS not all that is has urged.
One cent letter postage has been u slogan
of the national board for many years,
and among many subjects which will be
discussed during the sessions of this week
are the resolutions of the Philadelphia
Chamber of Commerce and the Scranton
Board of Trade protesting against the
prevailing postal inequalities and urging
Congress to pass q law in favor of one
cent letter postage. AS a preparatory
step toward this end the Philadelphia
Chamber of Commerce recommends the
immediate adoption of one-cent local let
ter postage to be applied to letters which
are delivered in the same town and cities
| in which they originate.
The National Board of Trade has been
| a consistent advocate 1OI al AMERICAN
| merchant marine, postal savings banks,
uniform bills of ladins. improvement Of
the consular service and the enforcement
| of treaty obligations.
Modelled somewhat on the plan of the
| British Association of Chambers of
| Commerce OF the United Kingdom the
existence of which organization undoubt-
| edly gave the impetus for the formation
| CT similar one on this side OF the At
| lantic. the national board believes that
| 1t is only through concerted action that
| any reform is accomplished, and to this
| end has banded together scores of cham
| bers of commerce ard boards of trade for
| the common good of all.
| President of the Board.
| Frank D. La lame of Philadelphia, who
has been the president of the national or
ganization since 1906, is one Of the suo-
cessful business men of the Quaker city
and of Independent fortune Since his cleo
| ton to the presidency Mr.. La lame has
devoted practically all his time to the adj
| vancement of the boards interests and
assisting in carrying out Its recommended
| tons upon the great national questions
| before the country.
| He has given the board an international
| standing by representing 1t as a delegate
| at the International Commercial Congress,
held at Milan in 1905 and at Prague In
1903. under appointment by the federal
| government.
/ Since his incumbency Mr.. La lame has
| become we'll known to the bus ness men
/ of the United States. having during the
period named visited every section of the