The Washington herald., 1912-11-12


est possible moment. He said II had been
agreed that the efforts OF the board
should be centered upon a few needed
projects and that these should be pressed
with all the vigor at the command OF the
body.
One Of the results Of the meeting of
the chairmen CT the committees had been
the organization of a national campaign,
having for its purpose the execution OF
that part of the Mcmillan park plan.
which refers to the chain Of parks and
driveways by which II Is proposed TO
encircle the city.
What Has Been Done.
With reference to what has been done
and what is reasonably certain to be
done in the near future, Mr.. Moses said:
THE development of the city along
large lines. as laid down by the Mcmillan
Commission in 1901, has been gradually
but we see only a scattered
result. Nevertheless, we do not have to
look SO far ahead in our minds eye to
see the great driveway from the Union
Station, passing the Capitol Building,
through the Mall TO the Monument. We
already see the new Museum Building,
New Agriculture and Bureau Of Engrav-
ing Buildings on this parkway, and the
erection OF three additional government
buildings at the north end Of the Mall
This much of the city's development,
which fits so beautifully into our park
system. we are permitted to share in
without any expense to the District. so
that we should not begrudge any individ-
ual or District assessment that Is fair
and reasonable, enabling US to obtain
completed or even partially completed
park system"
At the conclusion Of the reading Of the
report, Mr.. Moses presented some views
Of what has been done in the way of the
physical improvement OF Paris. and
showed the board how much better op-
portunity was afforded in Washington,
because of the comparative cheapness OF
land and the greater experience OF the
nations from which landscape artists
have to draw in making Washington the
most beautiful city of the world.
Capital Invites Conventions.
Mr.. Moses referred to the plan insugu-
rated by the trade bodies of the city
to bring large conventions to the Cap
ital. He said that by action of the di-
erctors the board was now committed
to the project, and he felt hopeful that
the fund of $4,000 would quickly be rails
ed to be used for this merttorious pur-
pose. Mr.. Moses said the coming OF the
having a direct money value to the city
where they are held, and helping in a
practical way to advertise the city abroad.
President Moses compIlmented the mem
bership committee upon increasing the
rolls OF the body to 1000. and said that
the Board of Trade was at this moment
in a more fiourishing condition than ever
before in its history.
Reference was made to the recommen-
dation of the committee on law that a
new corporation law is urgently needed
in the District, and Mr.. Moses commend
ed the suggestion OF the committee that
the District Bar Association be urged
to take up this matter. prepare the bill.
and work for its enactment. It is also
suggested that the Bar Association pre-
pare a new municipal code to supplant
that now in force which Is regarded
faulty in many particulars. A modern
factor act and a new law regarding COM
mittments Of the insane, Mr.. Moses de-
clared, were urgently needed
Reviews Committee Reports.
In reviewing the reports Of the stand
ing committees, Mr.. Moses approved the
submitted by the COM
mittee on charities and correction. that
the proposed abolition OF the Board Of
Charities and substitution therefor of a
director of charities be disapproved, and
that electrocution be substituted for the
gallows as a means OF punishment for
murder in the first degree.
Mr.. Moses reiterated the recommenda-
ton OF last year that a standard for pri-
vate schools be established in the Dis
trict, and that these schools be prohib-
tied from graduating pupils who may
be below such standard in scholarship.
The committee on universities is COM
mended for its excellent report on the
of learning in the District.
Mr. Moses laments the fact that WASH
ingtOn is somewhat behind other cities
in the public use Of school buildings for
neighborhood meetings, and other civic
and public purposes, and approves the
board TO accomplish such change of the
regulations as shall permit of the use
of the school buildings for civic purposes
when not needed for the work of the
schools. Mr.. Moses hoped that in the
future construction of school buildings
the attention of architects should be di-
rected to the public use Of the buildings
as well as the educational purpose.
More Money for Library.
Three recommendations from the pub
lie library committee. that the Board of
Trade urge generous appropriations for
increasing the force and salaries of the
Public Library employees; that the salary
of the librarian be increased, and that
provision be made for the establishment
Of additional branch libraries in various
sections of the city and District, in ac-
ceptance of Mr.. Carnegie's offer within
the very near future, such extension be-
ing conditioned on ample appropriation
for the proper maintenance and develop
ment of the present library plant.
The committee on streets urges that
the Commissioners be urged to take up
with the Secretary of the Interior, or 9TH
er proper government official, the de-
STABILITY of narrowing the footwalks
about the Interior Department Building,
at the corners of Seventh and F Streets,
and Seventh and G Streets Northwest.
Would Enlarge Police Force.
THE committee on public ORDER
said Mr.. Moses, calls attention to the
for increasing the police off,
GERS of the city. 1t points to the growth
Of the suburban sections within the past
lew years and the necessity Of additional
protection by increasing the force. The
committee asks that the Board of Trade
use its influence to aid in the accom-
DIishment of this much needed legisla-
lion.
For more than a year the Police and
Firemen's Pension Fund has had mo-
adequate provision. The Board of Trade
should not for a moment diminish its
Efforts to cause proper provision nv