Evening journal., 1918-01-11
LcontInued NON 90 Tenl

reduction can be made in the present
tax rate Of ninety cents.
Industrial.
So soon as war conditions will per-
NIT the Industrial DEVELOPMENT Bureau
Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co..
cooperating with your organization,
will make a thorough industrial sur
Ney Of the Wilmington district This re-
port should furnish invaluable data Of
a corrective nature in addition to in
dicating phases Of needed industrial de-
velOpment The survey viii provide a
thorough inventory of the community's
industrial advantages and resources.
A Regional Committee Of shippers
has been appointed to hold regular con-
ferences with a similar committee re-
presenting the rail carriers All traffic
problems of am emergency nature oc-
casioned by war conditions are being
arbitrated 10y the committees in Joint
session. Your organization fought hard
against The suspension of the Clyde
Line Steamship service between Phila-
delphia and New York
An omineutly successfui Fall Dress
Up Week was held during the week of
october 3 and this event was backed
mp b. liberal advertising tending TO
promote the mercantile influence OF
Wilmington throughout the immediate
and tributary territory. The feature Of
This week was an evening parade ana
pageant designed Jointly TO promote To-
cal business and create enthusiasm for
the Second Liberty Loan A window
dressing contest was held coincident
with this celebration
TWO highly successful Dollar Day
Sales have been held during the year.
During the Christmas shopping period
an essay contest was held for the
school children of Wilmington on
Shopping at Home" and 70 proved TO
De eminenily successful The outsiand-
ing feature of The work Of our mer-
chants was the institution Of special
luncheon meetings for retail merchants
exclusively. These luuchcOns proved de-
cidedly popular and have been sd-
dressed by George Frank Lord, Adver-
tising Manager Of the dupont Company,
and b. D. Berlet, President, Walnut
Street Business Association, Phlladel-
phia In addition meetings We're de-
voted TO consideration of The T. NJ. c.
and the War Savings stamp Campaign.
Among the recommendations for the
early attention of the Mercantile See
tion. an important one is that an IN
stitute on Sslesmanship be held, to be
followed by night classes for sales peO-
pie connected with local stores.
The Credit Rating Bureau, conducted
by your Mercantile Section has dur
Ing lhe year, been paironized by thir-
ty-nve concerns. There were 1860 calls
for ratings during 1911 in addition to
many requests for special service.
Following an audit and expert ex-
animation of the records Of the VIII
mngtOn Board of Education, that body
adopted and is following for the first
time, the budget system OF preparing
estimates and controlling expenditures.
Material assistance has been extended
IN entertaining three conventions dur
ng the present year: the International
sunshine Society in May; the National
Protective Legion in September and the
Tri-Stale Conference Of Social Workers
in November.
Your body maintains membership in
and is affiliated by close ties with the
following organizations Chamber OF
Commerce of the United States, Ma
tional Municipal League, Atlantic Deep
or Waterways Association, National
housing Association. National Associa-
ton Commercial organization Secrc-
iaries, Pennsylvania Commercial Secre-
taries' Association.
An Investigation is being made to
determine whether active steps should
aud can be taken TO insure proper in
come for worthy local charities during
the war period.
The acquisition and Improvement Of
the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal by
the Federal Government has been con-
stantly urged by your organization and
your President IS serving as member
Of a special committee formed by
Senator Willard Salisbury, TO facili-
tate the work Of securing a right Of way
for the new canal
The work Of The Atlantic Deeper
Waterways Association has been fol-
lowed closely throughout The year by
your members. This association is leud-
ing every effort TO assist the Chesa-
peako and Delaware Canal projects.
Special luncheon meetings were held
for general discussion Of the Board OF
Education Bill, City Charter Amend
ments, Workmen's Compensation Bill
Work Of the Navy League, Abutiing
Property Paving Bin and Railroad
Rates
Recommendation.