Evening star., 1915-11-16

B. Gregg custis. B. NJ. Elliott, Robert
A. Golden. Benjamin S. Graves. John
Hansen. DR.. George w. Hurlebaus,
Horace G. Macfarland. E. S. NARROW,
Charles H. Parker. Arthur G. Plant, A.
D. Prince. Frank T. Rawlings. A: j.
Schwarz, Edward Tarring, NJ. i. Weller,
Aquilla r. Yeakle and Maj. Charles 7.
Yoder.
Meetings Largely Attended.
"The meetings of the board during
the past year called out the largest at
tendance of members in it's history. In
addition to the regular order OF busi-
ness at these meetings portion Of the
evening was allotted to specially invit-
| ed guests who addressed the board.
Among the speakers were George At
| Wood, secretary of the American Asso-
| ciation of Commerce of Berlin, Ger
many: Samuel H. Ham of Baltimore,
| Nd; j. Harry Covington, chief justice
OF the supreme Court Of the District OF
| Justice of the supreme Court of the
| district: United States Senator AtLee
Pomerene of Ohio, DR.. Elmer E. Rit-
tenhouse. president of the Life Exten-
! NJ kober, DR.. H. H. Hazen and DIR.
| William G. Woodward of this city.
The meeting held February 10 last
was in commemoration of the twenty
nIth anniversary of the organization of
| the board, and on the platform were
nearly all of its ex-presidents many of
IT'S charter members, as well as the Of
| hcers of the board. The address of the
| ooards late president, William H. Sin
| gleton. prepared before his death for
this occasion. was read by his son, Ogle
| X. Singleton. The speakers of the
evening were Justice Walter l. Mccoy
| and Col Myron NJ. Parker, first presi-
| dent of the board
Problems as Present-Day Issues.
MANY problems of vital Importance
to the welfare of the District and its
citizens are today live issues. In these,
as in the past, it will be the duty of the
Board of Trade under it's constitution
to aid Congress and the officials of the
government in their solution
The idea is. constantly growing that
Washington is merely the seat of gov
ernment and residential city, and as
such should rest content with the
monthly pay roll of the great army of
government employees. For Washing
ton to remain contented with this state
OF affairs. with the constant desire for
the Identification of the capital, SO that
1t may not only compare favorabIy with
that OF any other nation, and comport
with our idea of what it should be for
so great a country as the United States,
would mean, to meet the demand, such
an increase in the rate of taxation as
10 become burden. very substan-
sons OF moderate means, both in and
out of the government employ The
rate of pay of the latter, notwithstand-
ing the increased cost of living, remains
the same as 1T existed twenty-five years
| ago, with the result that to meet the
| high taxes now imposed means the ap-
plfcation for this purpose of large
| percentage of their incomes
1T is not our desire that this boar
should advocate any action on the part
OF Congress that would have a tendency
to mar the beauty of the city. On the
other hand, provision must be made to
meet the increased demands in order
| that the growth of the city NAV not be
hampered. 1t is confidently submitted
that. located as it is, midway on the
coast, close to the great markets for
raw material in the south, an ample
supply of fuel made available by water
| transportation, and it's ready accessi-
bility to the soaboard. it's logical des-
| tiny is far greater than merely to pro-
vide homes for it's citizens
Advocates Manufactures,
| Because of these conditions, manu-
| featuring Industries should be fostered.
| 1t is no answer to say that manufac c.
turing can exist without smoke, for the
existence of as little smoke as found in
| those cities boasting Of the fact that
they are smokeless would not be toler-
ated in this District This board is
proud of the existing manufactu
establishments. b@t that the develop
| ment of establishments of this charac-
Ter is hampered by the rigid laws re-
lating to smoke cannot be denied.
With the Great Falls of the Potomac G
| only few miles from the heart OF the
city, there is no reason why long since the
river should not have been -harriessed
| at that point and the great waste of
rsepoWefsconverted to some usetnl pur-
pose. while the amount OF available
horsepower is not great, 1t is more tha
ample to provide for the lighting of the
city, with large surplusage for power
purposes. 1t may safely be said that there
is no city OF any consequence-certain
not OF the importance of Washington
which is so conveniently located to power
| as we are that has not availed itself OF
| the opportunities afforded. This certainly
| Is not due to the wish of the citizens, but
again illustrates our absolute dependen
upon congressional action, which alone
can authorize or provide for such de-
velopment.
Another subject which should have
care1ui consideration is the question of
! the railroad rates to and from the city
OF Washington. The development of any
locality is dependent necessarily upon the
railroad facilities and the rates for trans
! portation. 1t Is frequently charged that
i
certed action should be taken to the end
that relief may be obtained.
There was a time when Alexandria
and the city Of Washington were looked
upon as the ports of destination of ves-
sells engaged in the coastwse and other
trade. Gradually the city of Washing
| ton, as well as Alexandria. has lost the
prestige 1t once had in that direction
| This city is located in such close prox-
| unity to deep water that no valid reason
| exists why strenuous efforts should not
| be made to secure q deeper channel, in
| order that both Alexandra and the city
| Of Washington may once more become
ports at which vessels OF reasona BILE
draf. can find dockage. Congress should
therefore be urged to give careful con-
/ sidera tien to the project of deepening
| the channel of the Potomac, in order
| that Georgetown and the river front may
again become places Of far greater activ-
! ity than at present.
Questions for Consideration.
These and many other projects are
| open for serious consideration, and to
which. it is earnestly submitted, the
board should give careful consideration
and attention. With the expenditures
for the municipal government con.
stantly increasing through the devel.
Low ~