Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-11
UNITE TRADE BODIES ARSON CASE HALTED
Project of Consolidation Again
Under Consideration.
WILL JOIN IN RECEPTION
Members of Congress to Be Enter.
tanned by the Two Bodies
on April ~.

The consolidation Of the Board Of
Trade and the Chamber of Commerce
is being agitated by many Of the men
who are members Of both bodies and
1t appears likely that steps will be
taken at an early date to lay the prop
osition before the membership of both
bodies.
The matter was discussed at length
at meeting of the board Of directors
OF the Board of Trade at noon today.
strong support given the proposition
by the directors.
The prediction was made by influential
members OF the Board Of Trade that
should an agreement be reached for
gained within forty-etght hours, sepa-
rate and distinct from the amalgamated
organization.
Not Strictly Trade Body.
They gave as their reason for this pre-
diction that there are many members Of
the Board of Trade who are not especial
ly interested in the development Of bust
ness interests in Washington. but are
broadly interested in the civic develop
ment of the National Capital.
They admit that the name Of the Board
Of Trade, as those words are ordinarily
construed, is a misnomer. The board.
they say, is in reality q civic betterment
association. And If a new organization
is formed it will be for the purpose Of
civic betterment.
The discussion Of the proposed con-
solidation of the organizations was pre-
clpltated by request on the part of the
Chamber of Commerce that that organi-
cation be permitted to take part with the
Board of Trade in a reception to men,
bers of Congress.
Trade. at its meeting today, decided to
accede to the request Of the chamber; in
fact, there was no opposition to the plan.
The fact that many of the members of
the directorate Of the Chamber OF Com
merce are also members of the Board of
Trade and the fact that as Warrington
ians they wished to appear before the
members OF Congress as standing solidly
together had much to do with the de-
cision for joint reception.
Plan of Joint Reception.
The joint reception will be given the
evening Of April q at the New Willard
Hotel, the date and place already set by
the Board Of Trade for the reception to
the members of Congress which it had
planned before the Chamber Of Com
merce took the matter up. The reception
will be largely informal, with brief
speeches by President George H. Harries
of the Board Of Trade and President
James F. oyster of the Chamber Of Com
merce, Vice President Sherman, repre-
senting the Senate, and Speaker Clark Of
the House.
Two years ago an attempt was made to
bring the Board of Trade and the Cham
Der OF Commerce together as one organi-
zatiOn. Committees were appointed to
look into the matter. but the negotiations
fell through.
1t is improbable that the matter will be
laid before the Board Of Trade until its
next regular meeting, which may not
take place until May, unless sufficient
meeting Of the board.
There are about $50 members Of the
Board of Trade who are also members Of
the Chamber of Commerce. The MEM
the Chamber of Commerce Is at present
about the 700 mark. Members Of the
Board Of Trade declare that many Of the
boards members are professional men
tual trade. and that they would take lit
tie interest in the development Of the
business interests Of the city.
Difficulties Of Consolidation.
Among the difficulties of the consolida-
ton pointed out at the meeting today was
the fact that the elections Of officers Of
the two organizations are conducted in
different manner. The Board Of Trade
elects a board of directors, which, in
turn, elects the officers. The Chamber
of Commerce, on the other hand. has q
popular election, not only OF its directors,
but also of its officers.
Many members Of the Board Of Trade
declare that they would never agree to
a popular election Of officers. The Board
of Trade is Incorporated. and the custom
of corporations, it is said, Is to elect a
board Of directors, which, in turn, elects
the officers Of the corporation.
On the other hand there are many
members OF both organizations who
declare that the two bodies are dupli-
eating their work, that the Chamber Of
Commerce is as 'keenly concerned in
the interests of civic Improvement rs
is the Board Of Trade, and that all
members of the Board OF Trade would
find opportunity for carrying on Just