Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-06
HELP UPBU|LD CITY
Chamber of Commerce Com
mittee Seeks for Factories.
LARGE FUND is PROPOSED
Suggested That Subscribers Take
Stock in Industries.
LOOK TO SOUTH'S TRADE
Urge Advantages of Washington as
Point of Wholesale
Distribution.
LARGE FUND is PROPOSED
LOOK TO SOUTH'S TRADE

A geneal fund. not only to encourage
the establishment of manufactures in
Washington, but to actually establish
new industries of that kind here, was
proposition made by Robert N Harper
this afternoon at the first meeting of the
special committee appointed by the
Chamber of Commerce to consider the
possibility Of increasing the commercial
interests Of Washington
MIR. Harper outlined his plan briefly
He declared that he believed a fund
of 100000 or 100000 could be raised
for this purpose. The understanding
would be that the contributors agreed
TO take stock in the industries recon-
mended by the committee. or another
committee specially empowered to make
such recommendations. Mr.. Harper said
he believed 500 or 1000 persons in this
city would he willing to so into such
plan, and that they would make money
by doing 80. He advocated the eStab
Hshrent of manufactures for special
articles. articles that were not manu-
featured elsewhere if possible, or in
which the Washington establishment
would be able to compete successfully.
Great Need of City.
Mr.. Harper touched the keynote Of the
movement to advance the commercial in
terests OF Washington when he said that
the great need was TO establish factories
and business houses in this city capable
of giving employment to all the young
men and women now growing up here,
and to keep money in circulation here by
giving them employment. This money is
now being shipped out of the city to
other cities, he said.
No definite action was taken by the
committee at today's meeting There
II -l,r,e.a
motion the committee was appointed;
Robert y. Harper. Oliver Metzerott, a. j.
May. II. c. Dulin. w. Topham. George
Y. Worthington and Thomas Grant. An
other meeting viii be held within the
next week or two, when it is hoped to
outline a general plan OF action.
Mr.. Stiles explained that the commit
tee had been appointed to learn whether
Washington could really be made a great
commercial city and what were the best
methods for bringing about such result.
If We find that nothing can be done
to advance the commercial interests or
Washington. then let's quit and stop
worrying about it," said Mr.. Stiles. IF,
on the other hand. we find that much
can be done TO aid the commercial In
terest here. let's do it. / believe that
much can be done along that line"
Look to Business Interest.
Mr.. Stiles said that in the effort to
bring about merger OF the SOarO OF
Trade and the Chamber of Commerce
the Board of Trade had practically come
out and said 1t would look after the
civic interests of the city, and would
leave the commercial interests to the
Chamber of Commerce
He pointed out that the Chamber OF
Commerce had not proposed to give up
any OF its activities. but said that he
thought the chamber should see what 1t
could do to advance the business inter-
ssts OF the city.
The organization of the committee was
not completed today, though both Mr.
Harper and Mr.. Stiles were suggested for
chairman. Each declared that press or
business made it advisable for him not
to accept the Craftsmanship. The commit
tee was in session for an hour. however,
and displayed much enthusiasm over the
projected campaign.
T. c. Dulin Mr.. Stiles and e. j. May
declared that they believed large whole
sale business could be established here II
Washington men went after it, DiScrim-
nation against Washington in the mat
ter OF freight rates was given as a handi-
ed out that carloads of freight could be
shipped through Washington to points
south cheaper than goods could be shipped
out Of Washington to the same points
Mr.. Duin suggested there was a good
opportunity to establish great ware
house. PERHAPS on the Virginia side of
the Potomac just opposite Washington.
where goods OF all kinds could be sold
wholesale.