New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-08

The North Side Board of Trade is one
of the best organizations of its kind in
the greater city To it must be given a
large share of the credit for the remark
able improvement in living conditions in
The Bronx i'm the last ten years or more.
This organization is ever watchful of
the varied interests of the borough. IL Is
not only always alert to conserve It's nat
ural assets, but also to enhance in every
way possible it's artificial physical factors
Briefly. It is a live organization of men
in various walks of life who have the well
fare of this great part of New York at
heart.
II was on March 6. 1894. that this asso-
citation was formally organized with the
late John c. De La Vergne as president
and with a charter membership OF over
a hundred At that time the population
of The Bronx was somewhat less than
liO.OOo To-day the association has mem
bership of over five hundred. and The
Bronx is proud Of its population of over
43s,ooo.
If this thriving borough was city 1t
would rank as the tenth largest IN this
country.
Wnat a lGlladlhdbAt 'tiN-S COT
The Bronx of 1894 and that of to-day!
When the North Side Board of Trade
was launched most of the sections OF TINS
mart of the city closely resembled an IN
tidv village district. The mileage OF paveo
streets was indeed small. The area oc-
cupied by robust business centres was
very limited. The transit facilities were
moor. the entire territory being apparently
developed in a haZy, care-free atmosphere
For some years previous TO that PERIOD
certain prominent citizens of TINS ustrlct
had vainly appealed to local authorities
10 improve the intolerable condition oil
the majority Of the streets. On wet days
OF when the frost was leaving the ground
many public thoroughfares, being only
dirt roads. were almost impossible, We
hicles sinking way up to the hub.
In order that the outside world, as 1t
were. might know about these conditions
a novel tour Of inspection was planned
on that tour members of the State Legs
lature were present. So they would not
easily forget the needs of The Bronx they
were taken through the worst streets
The pains and aches of travellers on the
Rocky Road 10 Dublin" were mild com
pared 10 what those investigators Of high
WAYS in The Bronx endured.
This tour was fruitful of much good at
an early date. Local authorities be-
stirred themselves at last 20 win the APP
prevail of the people whom they repre-
sented in public office. This was the be-
ginning Of the transformation of The
Bronx into one Of the most enhancing
residential and commercial centres of the
greater city.
In this transformation the North Side
Board of Trade has not played small
but a most important part. Its success
in this respect may be rightfully attrib-
uted TO the fact that the association was
splendidly organized, with a body of more
than one hundred forceful men, and has
ever since been managed in such a way
as 10 rebound to the credit of the Dor
ough Mr.. De La Vergne was succeeded
as president by James l.. Wells. who Is
often anectionately described as 1.-THE first
citizen Of The Bronx" He has waged wal
for many years against the Vaccinations
of politicaI tricksters, often in the face
of seemingly overwhelming odds.
Mr.. Wells was succeeded president
OF the organization by Albert e. Davis
the well known architect who IN turn
was succeeded by DIN J. stephens ano
John +. Sleeves. Then J. Harris Jones
was chosen head OF the organization. Ht
is making a record of which every mem
Der of the board is proud.
II is a truism that no big organization
NJ this kind can be a most successful
agent for good in the community unless
Charles ~
Reid is its secretary, and il seems need
less to say it would be hard 10 ind his
equal. He is the engineer. as it We're
with his hand constantly on the throttle
directing, according TO the wishes or the
members, the running Of this great ma
chine for civic betterment. He is ever on
the Job, being every weekday at the
beautiful home of the Board OF Trade, al
ISsth street and Third avenue, when he
IS rot representing the board at Albany
or elsewhere.
What are the principal propositions
now advocated by the North Side Board
OF Trader" asked a well known real es-
tate broker yesterday. The query was al
once presented 10 an officer of the Board
Of Trade. He replied
There are three things which we are
more vigorously supporting than other
matters. We hope to have those efforts
reach the goal we aim for.
There are thirty thousand children on
part time In our public schools Above
all. getting full time for these children is
our greatest desire.
"Our children must be well educated,
and they must be educated under as good
conditions as we can possibly devise.
These thirty thousand children are losing
precious hours every day. We cannot
estimate the value Of these hours. and
therefore we do not know what our loss
Is I'm this respect, but II is stupendous
I'VE could do without many public i'm
proyements, such az laying out new
streets, and devote more moneys to add
ing TO our public school facilities
1T is said that this part time question
IL likely to give as more trouble some
years hence than now, owing TO the very