OF THE THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL BOARD OF TRADE HELD IN WASHINGTON JANUARY, 1908 PHILADELPHIA JOHN R. MCFETRIDGE & SONS, PRINTERS, 927 ARCH STREET Resolution on Military Training in the Schools Report of Committee on Postal Savings Banks Report of Committee on Tariff and Reciprocity Report of Committee on Consular Service ... Report of Committee on Interstate Commerce INTRODUCTORY NOTE The Thirty-eighth Annual Meeting of the National Board of Trade can be safely characterized as one in which the greatest interest was taken by the delegates attending. The Official Programme also proved conclusively, by the topics suggested, that there is much requiring the careful consideration of the Board in its efforts for the betterment of business conditions and the advancement of those interests which tend to place and keep the United States in the foremost rank as a world power in trade and commerce. The temptation to refer in detail to the business of the meeting is great, but space will not permit and only the salient features are here alluded to. In considering the report of the Committee on Forestry and Irrigation, an interesting address was made by Mr. GEORGE H. MAXWELL, an associate member of the Board, and pioneer in the movement for a broader and wiser National policy in dealing with the questions of irrigation, the reclamation of arid lands and the preservation of the forests. In opening he said: "The National Board of Trade has been for so many years an earnest and consistent advocate of a great National forestry and irrigation policy, and so much progress has been made along the lines that you have favored in your resolutions in the past, that I am sure you will be interested to know somewhat more in detail the exact facts showing what remains to be done to insure the full success of the movement for forestry, irrigation and the necessary reforms in the public land laws." He followed this by a succinct history of the work of the reclamation service and an emphatic warning as to the danger of apathy on part of the country as to fraudulent acquisition of land by others than those who desire to build homes. The remedies suggested by the committee were set forth in the resolutions adopted. The report of the committee and the discussion thereon were ordered to be printed in pamphlet form and sent to the active and important trade organizations of the country. The question of a parcels post again claimed the attention of the Board, under suggestions appearing on the Official Programme. The committee to which this topic was referred failed to agree upon one V |