The Washington herald., 1911-04-16

by tomorrow morning the cOl1l-
bined membership of the Chamber
of Commerce and Board of Trade
will have been sounded" on the
proposition to merge the two or
ganizations into one civic body.
The members, individually, will
have been asked the question, DO
you not feel that the interests of
the CITY will be best subserved by a
consolidation of the Board of Trade
and Chamber of Commerce And
they will have received addressed
postals on which to return their
answers.
CANVASS FOR REPLIES.
This is the result of the efforts of a
committee appointed by influential MEM
berS of both organizations, and which
yesterday mailed TO every member a
circular letter setting forth a few argu-
ments in favor of the amalgamation
/ scheme and inclosing return postal card
for the answer. The letter, which is
signed by James Sharp. Julius Garfinkle
Alexander Hensey. and John B. Sleman.
jr., reads as follows:
We whose names are signed below
are members OF both the Board of
Trade and Chamber of Commerce.
We have never held office in either
body and rherish no aspirations in
deeply interested in these organiZa-
tions and greatly concerned that they
should render their highest possible
services to the District of Columbia.
We are repea tedly made conscious
of the fact that in having two such
organizations there IS constant dupli-
cation of effort and conflict in action.
Much energy which could be used to
advantage is disSipated by reason of
the maintenance of two offices. two
boards of officers and directors. and
two sets of committees covering Vir-
tually the same field
The .,hief drawback however is
that the ideas of the citizenship gen.
orally cannot be effectively voiced to
Congress- the Commissioners, or in
any other direction save by joint ac-
tion of both bodies-a tedious and
wasteful process.
We have, therefore. been moved to
ask you TO answer us informally the
question propounded on the inclosed
reply postal card. so that a con-
sensus of opinion on the subject of
the amalgamation of the two bodies
may be secured.
TT has been urged that the Chamber
of Commerce should attend to matters
of strictly a business nature. while
the Board of Trade should look after
civic affairs, but efforts to segregate
the work of the two organizations in
this way have up to the present time
proved frutlesS. Therefore the only
solution of the problem seems to lie in
the policy of consolidation
Interest in Movement.
That the action of the committee, fore
casted by The Washington Herald last
week, will result in an effectual lining
up of two parties-pro and con ANAL
gamation-is expected from the interest
shown in the movement. Moreover, If
the charges hurled against certain off,
GERS of the Board of Trade are true the
committee would seem 10 have taken the
most certain means of laying the propo-
sition directly before the membership of
the two organizations.
While the names of many Of the influ-
entail men who are in favor of the ANAL
SamatlOn ana VINO were instrumental IN
launching the present project are with
held for the present. il is believed the
appearance of the men in question on
the side of amalgamation will stir the
membership of the two bodies to i'm
mediate action. 1t is considered not un-
likely that the meeting of the executive
committee of the Board of Trade this
week will be the scene of some i'm
promptu debate on the question
As far as the Board of Trade is con-
cerned, the plan is assured of opposition
as well as support. That it will be
strongly supported is certain, provided
1t is shown upon the floor of the full
membership. But that there will be well
led forces in opposition is assured also,
and that this opposition will be directed
from. high quarters in the body is be-
lieved TO be certain