Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-18

District OF Columbia at that time it was
found that there was no section of the
statute which contemplated the incor-
poration of an organization of this kind
| other than that section which specifically
| provides for board of trade.
They were. therefore, compelled to
incorporate under this section which
trequires the use Of the name board
of trade This accounts for and cx-
plains the apparent misnomer.
+ Business Of a Civic Character.
"The Board of Trade has from the
time of it's organization largely de-
voted its attention to business which
has been of a civic character, although
there are several committees of the
board which have for their object
matters commercial or semi-commer-
| cial. Efforts have been made upon
various occasions to stimulate action
along commercial lines. but these eff
forts have not been successful in any
| substantial degree
| Some years ago certain members Of
| the board who were particularly interest
! ed in the commercial feature separated
| from the Boayd of Trade and with others
| formed an >ganization known as the
| Business Mems Association.
| Later the agitation of what was
known the Greater Washington
| movement brought into being another
| organization which was called the Ship
pers and Jobbers', Association started
primarily for the purpose of looking after
commercial interests. and this because Of
the fact that neither the Board of Trade
nor the Business Mems Association was
giving sufficient attention to that particu-
lar branch of work. The work of the
Shippers and JObbers' Association along
commercial lines was successful and
much that was creditable was accom-
plished.
! Origin of Chamber Of Commerce.
These two organizations continued in
existence until about one year ago, when
the Chamber of Commerce was formed
as result Of the union of the Business
Mems Association and the Shippers and
Jobbers' Association. We think it is fair
to say that it was the general impress
sion of the public that the Chamber OF
Commerce was organized for the express
purpose of caring for that branch OF the
work which was not sufnciently looked
| after by the Board of Trade.
1.-The Board of Trade has accomplish
| ed in the period of its existence a large
| amount of public work, and has by the
efforts Of its officers. directors and
opinion and carried through success
| fully many large and important
schemes. having for their purpose the
welfare Of 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 to the citizens, is q 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 ex-
tensions, public library. municipal build
ing, ETC., might be mentioned.
| Division Of Functions.
1--WE hold and maintain that the Board
of Trade should be preserved i'm its en-
| tirety along the lines it has chiefly
worked and which have been so success
full. He hold firmly to the opinion that
| there should be an organization in this
| District whose duty it shall be to protect
| and promote commerce and manufacture
| in all of it's phases, and we believe that
united and consecrated effort on the part
| of the Chamber Of Commerce, which is
composed of so many men of high char
acter and enthusiasm. would certainly
bring about great good and benefit to
| commercial interests.
I'VE also believe that if the Board of
Trade were to devote its attention ex-
clusively to civic matters that organize
| ton would still be more effective. We
| further believe that it is unfortunate to
| have two organizations operating along
the same general lines. This ought not
( 10 De, anu we DcHSNS IuoS IL 10
| unfortunate that there has never existed
in Washington an organization devoted
exclusively to commercial and trade in
| terests.
"The non-existence of such a body for
/ SO many years has been a great loss to
trade and commerce. The subject OF
| traffic rates and discrimination against
merchants and manufacturers alone Is
sufficient to justify an organization work
| ing exclusively, along those lines. me
lfc To, hn tf7r,v
judgment, would be far reaching and
beneficial beyond computation.
ITO consolidate these two organiza-
tiops might mean a conflict at once;
municipal or commercial interests
dominant. one to the exclusion of the
other. and we might find ourselves
practically in the same position after
a lapse of time as has been in the
case of the Board of Trade and the
Possible Disaster From Merger.
"There were other matters that devel-
oped during tine course Of the discussion
of the general subject by the joint COM
mittees raising questions that, in our
| Judgment, would create a very serious
| difference of opinion and possibly result
disastrously to the merged corporation
We believe that members OF the Cham-
Der of Commerce who are favorable 10
| this amalgamation would insist upon very
radical and far-reaching changes in the
bylaws OF the Board of Trade
Two of these changes have already
been suggested, both of which as a
whole were opposed by your commit
tee. and which we believe. If carried
out would be departure from the
conservative court always maintained
by the Board Of Trade.
These bylaws, at least. in SO far as
they relate to the reference of new bust
ness to appropriate committees, have re-
suited in the highest degree of accuracy
in the work of the Board of Trade. 1t
has ever been the policy of the board to
prevent in every possible way hasty or
ill-considered action. Therefore. when the
Board of Trade expresses itself upon any
question, the respect and attention of
Congress, the general and local govern
ment. as well as the public at large, is at
once secured.
Your committee. entertaining as it
does the belief that there ought not to
be two organizations. each working
along civic and commercial lines, re-
spectfully suggests that the Board Of
Trade confine itself to matters purely
civic in their nature and that it sub
nit to the Chamber Of Commerce the
advisabi Of that organization. con-