The Washington times., 1913-07-29
PROPOSE 4 MERGER
OF TRADE BOARDS
Leaders of Organizations Hope
to Form Gigantic Body to
Boom Capital.

A new movement to merge the Board
Of Trade and the Chamber of Commerce
Into one powerful civic and commercial
organization is being planned by leaders
in the two organizations.
While the plans that are being formu-
lated have not been brought to the at
tention of the members of the two
bodies, the, sentiment in favor of the
merger along the new lines suggested
seems to be so overwhelming among the
officers and leaders in both bodies. that
It is probable the project will be car
ried through this fall.
President D. ]. Callahan, of the
Chamber of Commerce, always has
favored a merger of the two organiza-
tions, and it is said by friends of Presi-
dent Edward H. Droop, of the Board of
Trade, who is now in Europe, that he,
too. favors the plan. Secretary Thomas
Grant, Of the Chamber of Commerce, is
strongly in favor of the plan.
Agreed To By Chamber.
The proposition to merge the two
bodies into oSe was suggested about
two years ago, and was agreed to by
the Chamber of Commerce.
1t was defeated, however, at a full
meeting of the oBard of Trade,
Those interested in the present move
ment base their hopes for success this
fall on the belief that the defeat Of the
project in the Board of Trade was be
cause the plan at that time was simply
TO merge, carrying with it no provisions
as to the scope of the enlarged organ
tzation, and il is stated those who voted
against il in the Board of Trade did so
because they feared the new organiza-
ton would be largely commercial and
would not devite enough energy TO civic
matters that have always constituted
the chief work of the trade board.
e. C. Graham, first vice president Of
the Board of Trade, and acting presi-
dent in the absence of President Droop,
Is Strongly in favor Of the merger and
believes that If a plan is put forth
which will combine the two organiza-
tons In such a way as to carry on both
the commercial and civic work, it can
be carried through the Board of Trade.
Would Save Much Time.
IT believe the business men of the city
are tired wasting energy in two or
ganizations, when all the bigger things
have to be done by joint committees
from the two organizations" said Mr..
Graham today.
Instead of having joint committee
to do things, it would be much better
TO have one organization which would
really represent the business and civic
life of the city. The new organization
ought to have separate branches, one
for the civic and the other for the COM
nercial side cf the work. The monthly
meetings might be made to alternate,
one month TO be devoted TO discussion
of civic questions, the next to CONNER
Cial questions. If necessary, we should
have civic secretary and commercial
secretary"
Change In Sentiment.
Il believe If the members Of the
Board of Trade who opposed the mer-
ger before were shown that the civic
work is TO be carried ON more effici-
entity even than before, and that by
combining the organizations budget
might be raised large enough to do
big things, they would vote for the
merger"
not be officially considered until fall,
and when il is brought up strenuous
objections will be heard from Board
of Trade members who are satisfied
with their organization as IL is. 1t
is stated that a new proposition to
merge will be defeated even more de-
cisively- than before. The merger
resolution will likely pass the Cham
Der Of Commerce without serious OBJ
lection