The Washington herald., 1911-04-17

If the opinions of the rank anc
file of the Board of Trade and the
Chamber of Commerce go for any
thing, the consolidation of the two
bodies is only a matter of few
weeks. With one or two exceptions
the membership of both bodies i:
solid for the merger. Many give a:
their reason that it is unfair to ask
the business men of the city to pay
dues and assessments in two trade
organizations when the purpose:
could be subserved as we'll by one
organization.
ADDED STRENGTH BEST.
Another argument that has strongly
aided the effort of amalgamation is that
the added strength of the combined or
CARNATIONS would make il a factor that
would have to be reckonsd with by the
Commissioners and the District commit
tees of the House and the Senate.
This last argument is the outcome OF
the numerous efforts of the citizens as
sociations to have legislation enacted
that would improve the conditions in
their parts Of the city. On occasions two
citizens associations have asked Con-
gress for things that were Numerically
opposed to each other, with the result
that Congress has granted neither.
1t is thought the added strength Of the
affiliated bodies would make a matter
like this impossible. inasmuch as the
citizens would not go before Congress
with proposition unless 1t had obtained
the Endorsement the trade body.
a few have ventured to suggest that
the merging of the two bodies. while it
would be a good thing, would not be
feasible. and would not serve the ends
which it intended to. They say that as
soon as the two bodies are merged-it
the present plan goes through-another
business organization is bound to spring
into existence. In support of this they
cite numerous incidents where organiza-
tons of a like character have con-
solidated. and after a few months a new
organization with the same object has
budded into existence
Strongly Favors Merger.
Frederick L. Siddons said last night
that he was strongly in favor of merging
the two bodies for economic and other
reasons
The idea Of having one organization
for civic and the other for business while
good idea is not practical or feasible
in this age of municipal hustling," said
Mr.. Siddons. The two bear so closely
on each other that there are times when
it is impossible to make a distinction.
The consolidation will be a benefit to
the city in more ways than one, and II
the matter is allowed to come to a vote
by the members Of the two bodies, I am
confident the merger will quickly come
about.
Many members of the Board of Trade,
the older organization, think the name
will be dropped and have opposed it on
that ground. In the city of Buffalo n
Y. some time ago, the two bodies merg-
ed. and since then they have been a
greater factor in the affairs Of the city,
1t has been suggested that the name
of the new organization could be obtain
ed from hyphenating the two, to be
known as The Board of Trade-Chamber
of Commerce" This idea has won favor
among many of the members.
Project Wins Approval
Arthur c. Moses, William Shannon. E.
H. Droop, Henry B. F. Macfarland. and
others have expressed themselves as be-
ing in favor Of the merger ]. Louis
Willige said last night that he had not
o. he
as he was a director Of the Board of
Trade he would not care to express a
personal opinion until he had talked with
others on the board Of directors.
Harry c. c. Stiles said he was in favor
Of the merger. and always had been. at
am deeply interested in the proposed mer-
ger" he said, and have sounded many
members Of both organizations, but have
yet to hear dissenting voice against
the merger"
Former Commissioner Macfarland IA
vors an amalgamation, and said he was
of the opinion that it would be accom-
plished
Il am heartily in favor Of the merger"
he said. Both have for their aim prac-
tically the same objects, and 1 think
that combining of forces would give 1t
increased prestige and power.
The chief argument for the consolida-
ton is that it would be economy of time
and effort. The combined bodies could
present the cause of the city unitedly,
and therefore with greater effectiveness
to the Commissioners and Congress. This
in itself would be an incentive to merge
the two. Cleveland, Detroit, Buffalo.
and other cities have combined their
business organizations, and the same is
now being considered in Baltimore. In
fact. in all the cities throughout the
country the idea seems to be unity rather