The Washington times., 1902-08-07
Bogus Room Renting
Agencies to Be
Squelched.
SAFE GUARDING THE GUESTS
MI Weller's Committee on Public Com
fort Able to Take Care of All In
quirers-Applications for Halls as
Headquarters A. R. Notes.

A movement. has been inaugurated by
the public comfort committee TO nip in
the bud and squelch in its incipiency
series OF alleged bogus room renting
bureaus that have sprung into existence
as a result of the immense business con
nected with the coming of the veterans
TO the Grand Army encampment. Some of
the proprietors of these establishments
are conducting legitimate business en-
terprises. but there are quite u number
that. it is said, have been securing busi-
ness through misrepresentation. and the
matter will shortly he brought 10 the at
tentiou of Captain Boardman of the de-
tective Office with purpose to institut-
ing legal proceedings against the Of
tenders.
Just what the police viii be able to do
is not known and will not be until the
District Attorney has been consulted. as
the offenders are exercising the utmost
care to keep within the letter Of the law.
Their usual method of procedure has
been to write to probable visitors from
the rural districts and lead them to IN
derstand that the bureau in question is
the official bureau in charge of proVid-
ing visitors with accommodations in the
city. They state that they make no
charge for their services. but announce
that the accommodations are being
taken up 50 rapidly that il is wise for
intending visitors to make deposit to
secure their space. With the cash for
warded by the many victims, the bureau
managers go to hotel and boarding house
managers and announce that they have
the placing of so many visitors and ask
what cash commission will be paid if the
business is given to the proprietors in
question. AS a rule a rate is made with
out regard 10 the character of the accom-
modations furnished and with the cash
divided between the proprietors Of the
hotel and bureau the deal is closed.
Conducting Investigation.
The matter was brought TO the atten-
tion of Chief Clerk johnson of the pub /
lie comfort committee recently, and he
has been quietly conducting an investi-
EdtlDD- No EEdI gE vi duN hAaAN - AiNNN
by the public comfort committee, whose
books and records and the personal
services OF their agents are at the com
mand Of prospective visitors. No ques-
tion would be raised at outside bureaus
making a charge for their services, as
they have right 10 do, if they confined |
themselves to the facts. but the ele- |
-. h, .bo;r 1,.er,tforr tbat IL I{kaly /
to bring them TO grief is the wording /
Of their advertising in such manner
as leads recipients to believe that the
communication is from the committee
maintained by the citizens of the city.
The work of the public comfort com
mittea is growing day by day. and ali
of the employees are kept busy showing
the visiting committees about the city
and in arranging for accommodations
for ogt OF town organizations.
Yesterday Mr.. Z. l.. Gecigan, adju
tant of the G. A. K. Post 1872, of Oxford,
Pa, was in the city seeking quarters
for seyenty-five members of that post.
Requests for quarters also game from
Mr. Nathan Kernst, who desires ac-
commodations FOR twenty-five members
of the G. A. X. Post at Wapakoneta,
Ohio: and John c. Joss of New Phila-
delphia. Ohio, who desires accommo-
dations for $50 members of the Andrew
Crawford Post No. of that place. Mr..
jess is an aide on the stan OF General
Torrance.
Applications for Halls.
Several applications for halls and
headquarters were also received. Gen.
George F. Foote, L. 5. A., of this city, ,
is seeking headquarters for the De-
partment of Florida. Mrs. Margaret B.
Dixon. captain commanding the Ladies '
Naval Veterans Associations, of De
.roit. has also informed the public
comfort committee that her organiza- =
lion desires to engage a hall in which
20 hold their meetings. Ii
The contract for furnishing the /
medals and badges for the use of the
sncampment was let yesterday 10 /
James X Davidson, OF Philadelphia, and g
he contracts were signed. Mr.. David /
sons designs were not only excellent
recording to the Judgment OF the of1-
,ers OF the badge committee, but his
lgures were satisfactory TO all con b
.erned. Under this contract $50 medals
ire . be provided for the use OF the J
delegates to the encampment: 500 d
,adges for the delegates to the couyen- St
i5ns OF the Woman's Relief Corps ana
aides OF the Grand Army OF the Re- b
ublic. and Army Nurses Association. II
No 2oG0 badg-~ for the Use of the p
aembers OF the committees These ii
adges and medals, il is believed. will n
e tho handsomest ever prepared for 7
imilar occasion, and the members OF y.
he committees are looking forward u
nth interest to the completion of the
ontract
The uamrs of Messrs 6. G. Cornwall
|. e. Cotter and Cant. \ T. Mcmillan
-ere yesterday added TO the member
hip Of ihe committee on entertain 70
rent at 4he request OF Chairman Bur
cite OF that committee. Il is The pur-
csc Of General Burdette 10 call his 10
1mpletc committee together in the near
iture as soon as he shall have ascer- 10
lined tho amount Of money that viii
e allotted to his committee b.
To Make Markings Permanent
Mr. W ?. Van Wicble. who was re ~
sntly designated as chsirman CT. the ia
,mmittee that IS to be charged with
le proper marking or labelling of Cl
lints Of historic interest in and around ,
le city, was caller yesterday on
hartman Brainard H. Warner. of the fa
tizens' executive committee. 10 whom ci
CASTORiA Forlnfanis and Children