[Trade Journal]
Publication: Thirty-Seventh Annual Report of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce
Cincinnati, OH, United States
p. I,3,5,43-47,67-69,258-259,285-294,330,334,350, col. 1
THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CINCINNATI
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AND
MERCHANTS' EXCHANGE,
FOR THE
COMMERCIAL YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 1885.
CINCINNATI:
WILSTACH, BALDWIN & CO., STATIONERS,
NOS. 141 AND 143 RACE STREET.
1886.
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CINCINNATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
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COMMITTEES OF ARBITRATION AND APPEALS — 1885-86.
Arbitration:
Appeals:
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.
CINCINNATI, September 7, 1885.
To the Members of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce:
In addition to the twelve regular monthly meetings of the Board of Directors, there have been nineteen special and adjourned meetings during the year now ended.
The total membership of the organization now is 2,241, composed of 2,182 certificate memberships and 59 non-certificate memberships.
During the year the membership list has been reduced by resignations, death, and lapsed by non-payment of dues to the number of thirteen non-certificate memberships, and by one certificate membership forfeited and made void under the By-laws for non-payment of dues.
There have been 160 transfers of certificates of retiring to new members during the year.
Clerks' tickets to the number of 64 have been issued during the year, on each of which the yearly assessment is the same as upon a membership.
Fourteen complaints of unmercantile conduct in business transactions have been submitted to the Board of Directors by members, against fellow-members, during the year. Of these, four were subsequently withdrawn, or differences amicably adjusted without trial; one was not recommended for trial by the committee in charge, and was disposed of accordingly by the Board; five were settled by reference to the Arbitration Committee; four remain unsettled — two of which were filed within a few days of the end of the year; one was laid over pending a legal trial of matters at issue, and action upon one has been deferred at the request of the complaining party.
It is a matter of satisfaction to the Board of Directors that the seriousness of such complaints brought to issue between members during the year has not required the trial of a case before the Board. The only instance calling for discipline by the Board during the year was in the matter of complaint for use of improper language in the Exchange, where it was found there were extenuating circumstances in the way of provocation, and the party complained of received admonishment from the President concerning the gravity of the offense.
The financial exhibit made by the Treasurer shows total receipts of $61,667 41 for the year, after deducting $305 00 of reimbursements; for the preceding year, the receipts were $68,096 22, making a reduction of $6,428 81 the past year, of which $5,588 31 is accounted for in the interest account on the surplus funds of the Association, which have been in the hands of the Board of Real Estate Managers the past year. Including the interest and dividend account on funds held by that Board, amounting to $16,329 11 for the year, the total revenue of the Association has been $77,996 52.
In the expenditures for the year, deducting $305 00 reimbursed, the total is $39,380 62, the particulars of which are shown in the detailed statement of the Treasurer. The salary account is $156 50 less than the preceding year, due to the suspension of the Grain Call Board a portion of the year. The cost of telegraphic reports has been increased $503 15 over the preceding year. An assessment of $375 00 was paid on the guarantee fund of the Industrial Exposition, against which there was no corresponding outlay previously. The total expenditures were $3,507 84 less than the preceding year, when there was $5,000 00 paid to the Flood Relief Fund, there being no occasion for such a subscription the past year.
The net revenue of the Association, exclusive of interest and dividends on funds held by the Board of Real Estate Managers , is shown to have been $22,286 79 by the Treasurer's report, which amount has been transferred to the Board of Real Estate Managers, compared with $30,837 99 similarly transferred a year ago. The total assets now in the hands of that Board amount to $438,448 77, compared with $407,477 34 a year ago, the gain — $30,971 43 — representing the actual increase in resources of the Association for the year, compared with $31,542 11 the preceding year.
A comparison of the assets of the Chamber of Commerce, at the end of each commercial year (August 31), for five years, is shown in the following:
August 31, 1885......................... $438,448 77
August 31, 1884......................... 407,477 34
August 31, 1883......................... 375,935 23
August 31, 1882......................... 229,413 21
August 31, 1881......................... 44,301 22
Various matters, of more or less importance, have come before the Board of Directors during the year, including many affairs outside of the Association, some of which may with propriety be referred to.
In November, a communication was received from JULIUS DEXTER, on behalf of the Cincinnati Museum Association, advising the Board that $50,000 had been pledged by MR. REUBEN R. SPRINGER and MR. DAVID SINTON, in sums of $25,000 each, for the expense of the removal of the superstructure of the old Post-office building to a site near the Museum building being erected in Eden Park, this project being prompted by a desire to preserve the characteristic piece of architecture embodied in this building, provided it would be donated by the Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Directors brought the matter before the Chamber, where a ballot upon the question of donating the building for the purpose stated was held on November 11th, resulting as follows: For the donation — Yes, 368; No, 11; Blank, 2; total, 381 ballots.
In December, the Board of Directors had submitted to it for consideration the Congressional Senate Bill No. 2,374, upon a plan for the adoption of electric lights for navigable rivers of the United States. The question was referred to a committee, which reported adversely, for reasons stated. This report was laid before the Chamber, and there approved, with action requesting our Senators and Representatives in Congress to oppose, and, if possible, to defeat, the bill mentioned.
Proposed treaties of reciprocity between the United States and Mexico, and Spain, were laid before the Board of Directors , and submitted to the Chamber, where the Subject was referred to a committee, which reported with a recommendation that our Representatives in Congress be requested to promote the adoption of the Treaty with Mexico. On the Spanish Treaty, the committee asked to be relieved from offering an opinion. The report was adopted .A communication was received from the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, asking an expression regarding the proposed issue of 2½ per cent. United States bonds in lieu of 3 and 4½ per cent. bonds maturing, as provided for in what was termed the Potter Funding Bill. The committee, in its report, favored the bill pending in the House known as the McPherson Bill, similar to the Potter Bill in purposes, and recommended that our Representatives in Congress be requested to advocate the passage of this bill . The report was adopted.
A request was made for the appointment of a committee to co-operate with a committee of the Board of Trade and Transportation in securing the enactment of a State Registry law for elections. The report of the joint committee, formulating the proposed law, was submitted to the Chamber and adopted, and the committee authorized to present the same to the State Legislature and urge its passage.
Certain questions relating to terminal facilities, arising from a controversy between lessees and trustees of the Cincinnati Southern Railway, were presented for consideration, and submitted to a committee . This was followed by an extended investigation upon the general question of terminal facilities by the standing committee upon this subject, which made an elaborate report in April, which was printed. After some discussion, the question was submitted to a ballot upon adoption of the report, which was had on April 23d, resulting as follows: For adoption of the report of the committee — Yes, 354; No, 266.
The Chicago Board of Trade requested the appointment of a delegation of six members to attend the dedicatory exercises incident to occupancy of their new building, the last of April, and the following members were accordingly selected for such representatives of the Chamber: H. C. URNER, W. N. HOBART, B. W. WASSON, W. V. EBERSOLE, SIDNEY D. MAXWELL, CHARLES B. MURRAY.
The city Board of Public Works invited this Board to appoint a committee of three to act with similar committees from the Board of Trade and Transportation and the Commercial Club, in co-operation with the Board of Public Works, as an advisory board in matters relating to the carrying out of ordinances in regard to paving the streets of Cincinnati with granite blocks, etc. The following were appointed as the committee: M. E. INGALLS, THOMAS G. SMITH, WILLIAM J. LIPPINCOTT.
The following delegation was appointed to represent the Chamber of Commerce at the annual session of the National Board of Trade, in January: JOHN A. GANO, SAMUEL F. COVINGTON, R. DYMOND, J. W. HARTWELL, JOHN A. TOWNLEY, HOLDEN DAVIS, H. P. BOYDEN, THEODORE COOK, CHARLES B. MURRAY.
In compliance with a request for the appointment of a delegation to attend a National Commercial Convention in Atlanta, in May, the following were appointed: F. A. LAIDLEY, C. M. HOLLOWAY, B. W. WASSON, J. B. S. EVANS, C. H. KILGOUR, CHARLES H. LUCAS, F.W. WILSON, J. C. MCCULLOUGH, RALPH PETERS, R. B. LATTA, H. H. MEYER, N. S. CLARK.
The representation of the Chamber of Commerce in the Board of Industrial Exposition Commissioners of Cincinnati for 1885 was continued by the re-appointment of those appointed last year, as follows: EDWIN STEVENS, L. H. BROOKS, JAMES B. WILSON, W. P. WALKER, JR., CHARLES H. JACOB.
The Grain Call Board was discontinued on the 1st of October, under an apparent lack of usefulness of the same. In January the Board was asked to authorize a renewal of the daily call, which was granted, and it has been maintained at an expense of $50 00 per month paid the Caller.
The Board of Directors was petitioned to authorize a Stock Call Board upon the Exchange. After careful investigation and consideration of the question, it was decided to be inexpedient.
A rule was adopted by the Board of Directors by which stocks or other articles to be sold at auction on the Exchange shall be posted on the bulletin board one day prior to sale.
The following new grade of corn was established in June: "No. 2 White Mixed Corn — Shall be mainly white, sound, dry, and reasonably clean, and may contain ten per cent. of colored grains."
In August, the Secretary was authorized to address the Commissioner of Agriculture, urging him to submit the monthly statement of his department, so far as it relates to wheat, corn and cotton, for transmission by telegraph through the public news channels, as early as twelve o'clock on the tenth of each month, instead of a time later in the day, after business hours, as heretofore.
In addition to the usual holidays , no sessions of the Chamber were held on October 14, November 4, April 6, election days; December 13, the day of the obsequies of REUBEN R. SPRINGER; August 8, the day of the obsequies of GENERAL GRANT. At twelve o'clock on July 23, on receiving advice of the death of GENERAL GRANT, the session of the Chamber was adjourned.
The mortality list of members of the Chamber is unusually large for the year, the number being thirty-four, or 1½ per cent. of the membership. In nine instances committees were appointed and reported resolutions, which were adopted, in memory of and tribute to deceased members. The following is a list of members whose death occurred during the year:
ADOLPH KREBS, WILLIAM H. HILL JOHN MORRISON,
CHARLES W. WEST, HENRY KESSLER, THOMAS L. MACDONALD,
C. H. DRUHMAN, ALFRED C. THOMAS, WILLIAM WISWELL,
CHARLES E. HAYWARD, DOMINICK HOPPE, JAMES ROBINSON,
REUBEN R. SPRINGER, HENRY WOOD, NATHANIEL ROPES,
LOUIS LEONARD, ANDREW SPENCE, W. P. HULBERT,
CHARLES H. SKINNER, THOMAS C. CHAMPLIN, JAMES W. GIBSON,
CHARLES O. TANNER, MURRAY C. SHOEMAKER, GEORGE S. GRAY,
ANDREW ERKENBRECHER, OTTO VON BARGEN, CHARLES RULE,
ADDISON F. BAILEY, ERNST ARLETH, GEORGE C. MILLER.
JAMES N. WILLIAMSON, DAVID J. WORKUM,
W. B. OGLESBY, R. W. BUCHANAN,
As legal adviser for the Board of Directors during the year, MR. JAMES H. PERKINS was appointed.
The executive and clerical force of the Chamber has not been changed during the year. The salaries paid per annum are as follows: SIDNEY D. MAXWELL, Superintendent, $5,000; ROBERT J. H. ARCHIABLE, door-keeper and reporter, $1,300; W. E.BRADBURY, statistical book-keeper and reporter, $1,200; C. W. TALBOTT, statistical book-keeper and reporter, $1,100; E. S. FRAZER, river reporter, $1,100; A. G.BARRINGTON, statistical book-keeper and reporter, $800; GUSTAV G. WISSER, reporter and assistant, $700; MAGGIE A. DALY, secretary to the Superintendent, $600; JOHN R. MORTON, Clerk, $2,400; GEORGE S. BRADBURY, assistant to Clerk, $1,000.
On behalf of the Board of Officers,
CHARLES B. MURRAY,
Secretary
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1885
* Estimated
† Last year's report
†† 24,410,987 pounds. Hands included with provisions.
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POTTERY, ETC.
There have been no marked changes in the business in pottery, at this city, during the past year, which brought a spiritless trade. An active competition has existed between domestic and foreign wares, as well as between the manufactures of our own country, the result of which has been the general tendency to a lower range of values, so that margins have been very narrow. It is quite apparent that England is not disposed to surrender the place which she has in the past so largely and profitably occupied, without resisting the march of American ideas and purposes to the bitter end. All the shelves of our dealers, however, bear testimony to the progress which American manufactures are making in such goods. The artistic shapes and handsome decorations of the dinner sets made in this country make them the peer of foreign product, and furnish a splendid testimonial to the progressive work in which our enterprising manufacturers are engaged. The multiplication of beautiful articles of this nature for the household, both at home and abroad, is a very notable aspect of the period, and the manner in which the artistic is impressing itself upon useful articles, especially in the manufactures of our own city, which occupies such a conspicuous position in the higher walks of pottery production, may be regarded as one of the most significant features in this department of manufactures. The multitude of articles entering into the daily use of the people make, upon the public taste, a widely different impression from that produced by the creation of a few notable works of art, which are seen by comparatively few. A noticeable feature of our business here is the steady increase in the scope of our distribution, especially in those articles in which both beauty and utility are studied, which now find sale throughout the entire country, and which are favorably regarded also in other countries. Much as may be said of the reputation which Cincinnati has made for herself in the great departments of industry, it is doubtful if, in anything, this city has gained more favorable repute than has deservedly come, in the past decade, from the heroic efforts of the noble women of this city in the field of pottery. Their names may cease to be familiar to the masses, but the work which they inaugurated has become a permanent factor in the progress of art in the New World.
To the manufacturers of glassware, the year has been largely a continuation of the depressed condition which marked the preceding year. The market has been lifeless, and prices have been depressed to a point below any previous period. Purchasers have been singularly conservative, buying only to meet immediate wants, and apparently bestowing no special thought on the future. Perhaps the only favorable condition of the business, in late years, has been found in the manufacture of specialties, which were removed from the tremendous friction which was experienced in articles of universal production. The suspension of Eastern factories, growing out of labor troubles, has somewhat increased the volume of trade among our own manufacturers, without, however, bringing any advance in prices. With the restless condition of labor, the advance in wages based on the Eastern schedules, and the extraordinarily low prices which are prevailing, the immediate future does not offer any special encouragement to favorable changes in this branch of our industries.
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MEMBERS
OF THE
CINCINNATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND MERCHANTS' EXCHANGE.
JANUARY 31, 1886.
(The first column indicates the number of the Certificate of Membership. Where a blank exists therein, the membership has no Certificate.)
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