Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-06
IUNCEASING WORK FOR CAPITAL
MARKS TRADE BOARDS GROWTH
Great Record of Achievement In Further
ing Civic Welfare Is Recalled as Group
Moves to New Offices.

Almost AZ years ago small group of
business and professional men met in the
old Ebbitt House and formed the WASH
;ngton Board of Trade, which, by the
time of its incorporation, month later
boasted of 200 members. the same or
panization, with $500 names on its rolls
Yesterday formally moved into new and
Spacious Offices on the second floor of
The Star Building.
In the time that has elapsed between
these two events the history of the
Board of Trade has been of steady
growth and unceasing endeavor for the
creation of Greater Washington.
Organization Call Is Cited.
On the list of its accomplishments are
many of the most notable improvements
and civic reforms during the period of
its existence.
The board had its beginning at the
meeting in the old hotel The following
is a copy of the letter that brought its
organizers together:
Dear Sir: A few of the representa-
tive business men will meet at the Eb-
bitt House (the red parlor) on Wed
nesday evening, November 27 at q
o'clock for the purpose of organizing a
Board of Trade for the City of Wash
ington.
you are invited to be present and
join in what promises to be a very inn
portant and influential organization
in our city. Very truly,
''BERIAH WILKINS"
Beriah Wilkins later became one of
the incorporates and first directors.
Achievements of Body.
' "A nf
ments between then and now include:
Abolition of railroad crossings in the
urban area, reclamation of the Anacos-
tia flats, creation of Potomac Park; un.
der the Craftsmanship of Fred G
Coldren, the committee on parks anc
reservations drafted a bill for the
establishment of the National Capt..
tai Park and Planning Commission,
worked increasingly for the aboli.
ton Of the overhead trolley anC
the installment of the underground
system; was instrumental in bring.
ing about the establishment of the
filtration plant and conduit for the CITY
water supply; took active part in bring
ing about the codification of the law
OF the. District and participated in tn,
compilation of the code; So years age
took a congressional committee on thu
first trip to survey a site for a pro-
posed memorial bridge; formulated thu
original street-extension plan, on tn,
request of the House District commit
tee; advocated the public school teach
ers' retirement law and the five-yea
building program, and was instrumental
in the creation of the Juvenile Cour
and the Municipal tuberculosis Hospi
tai and In the erection of the Munich
pal Building and Gallinger Hospital.
Parker Was First President.
The first president of the board wa
Myron M. Parker, who served from
1890 to 1893. During his term the boart
took up the problem of eliminating
grade crossings, and also began a f1gh
for the removal of railroad tracks from
the Mall. The erection of Union Sta
ton on its present site was advocate,
and a petition containing $4,000 name
was presented to Congress.
At the request of the House Distric
committee, the streets and avenue
committee of the board prepared com
highways, which has been the basis o
street development here until recen
years.
During the first year of its existenct
the board began the movement for {
national park for Washington, out o
which grew Rock Greek Park. Two
years later the trade body inaugurateC
q vigorous fight for a new city pos
Office and submitted a report to Con
gress that did much to influence sub
sequent legislation.
Library Campaign Waged.
Washingtons Public Library and tn,
present uniform system of tax assess
ment resulted from campaigns set II
motion during 1894. Assessments for
merly had been made by several differ
ent boards. Due to the trade body's eff
forts a group of three assessors was ap