The Washington herald., 1916-12-20
PREPAREDNESS URGED
BY BOARD OF TRADE
Progressive Washington and Militant
National Defense Are Keynotes.

Preparedness was the keynote of last
nights meeting OF Board OF Trade at
the New willard Hotel Every angle Of
preparedness. national. local. military and
commercial, came up for discussion.
Reports OF committees reflected the
spirit of unity in behalf Of d bigger and
better Washington.
Odell S. Smith, chairman of the public
order committee, declared he spoke for
the board when he said that efficient ma
tional preparedness as a protection for
the honor and commerce of the United
States should be established. He admit
ted that a city trade board was tending
to widen its scope considerably when II
urged national measures, but added that
, the Washington Board of Trade held a
unique place. as II worked in the heart
of the national life.
We desire to be broad and not narrow
in our endeavors,'' he said. We are
glad to reach out and add our mite to
the forces that are striving 10 map the
destinics of the American nation"
Demand for Armory.
The statement that the District has
sent moro troops to the border than any
state In comparison to population caused
II storm of applause, but regrets were
heard that Congress, in the face of this.
has not appropriated funds for a much
needed new National Guard armory in
the district
The polio" force was praised fou its elf
cheney and recommendations were made
to add a considerable number Of privstes
to the ranks. Major Pullman was COM
pimented for his zeal and he was lauded
for freedom from graft in the force he
commands
Congress was thanked for its co-opera-
ton in trc building and improving OF
District bridges.
The committee on parks and highways
demanded that tho board realize the Inn
portance OF converting the National Ga p
ital into the garden spot Of the county.
, 1t urged the so .citation OF Congress
sonal help in the development OF pro-
posed park sites. amusement places and
bouleVards adjacent TO waterways
During the shower OF suggestions and
recommendations offered a man attempt
ed to steal into the meeting unobserved.
President Brandenburg recognized him
and Uncle Joe" Cannon Was called upon
for speech. He told OF watching Wash
ingtonians build their city for many years
and said their work was a source of great
pride to him. He reminded the board that
it could not hope to finish Washington
today or tomorrow, but that the future
always Offered new and larger develop
ments.
As soon as You educate US old Con-
gressmen just how to build a real nice
city, we'll bend every effort to aid you, -
| he said
Senator SmoOt. of Utah. echoed the
note of prepa redncss sounded by Presi
dent Brandenburg. He declared that otheI
trade bodies should follow the example
OF the Washington board and line up with
the forces of national preparedness.
| God help America when patriotism
dies" he said. II this country is no
worth fighting for, it's not worth Twins
| in
| Applause greeted this sentiment
! He said he was in favor Of every cffor
being exterted in behalf Of a bigger anc
! better Washington and as a mcbcr of the
S"nat" Appropriations Committee woul,
us" his influence to grant every demand
| that was reasonable for the Capitals de
Nelopment. He expressed himself as con
! ndent that the District would sooner Of
| later be represented in the Senate. Mr.
| Smoot urged the members Of the board
TO continue their fight for the improve
ment OF the Washington waterfront. H,
! suggested that criticisms Of Congress b,
sparse.
Sc molasas rather than vinegar.
| was his advice.
| Referring to the wall that has been
neard from taxpayers OF the District. the
senator from Utah told his audience
that the people here were getting on
llght as compared with the tax burdens
his own people have TO bear.
| All the recommendations urged bv the
association committees were adopted.
A buffet luncheon was served after the
meeting