The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-06-28
BOOM RETAIL TRADE
Chamber of Commerce Com
mittee Holds Meeting.
INACCURATE SHOPPING DAYS
Chairman ID. j. Kaufman Offers Sug-
gestiOns Tending 10 Attract Buy
Be Appointed TO Work Out Details
of PIans-FavOrs salary Increase.

The committee on retail trade of the
Chamber Of Commerce. D. J. Kaufman
chairman. held its initial meeting last
night in GUIDE Hall, and took up its pre-
liminary work.
The committee organized by electing
Charles F. Walraff. OF the Moore & Hill
Company, secretary. The committee Of
fifty was well represented by the business
men of the city. Chairman kaufman
said that as this was the first meeting
Of the committee, he would ask for sug-
gestions relative 20 the future work Of
the body, and said that parliamentary
rules would be given a wide latitude 10
allow of a general discussion Of what
might be done and the ways and means
TO bring it about.
julius Garfinkle offered a suggestion
that the committee should undertake as
one of its special efforts the cultivation
OF trade with the rural territory around
Washington. He thought that by nam
ing certain days in each month as shop
ping days" by getting up excursions
into the city on the railroads from re-
mote points in Maryland. Virginia, and
West Virginia, such days would bring
special trade to the city.
Rebates for Strangers.
Mr.. Garhnkle proposed, as part Of the
general scheme, that for a certain
amount Of goods purchased the visitors
might be given rebates which would cover
their railroad fares 70 the city and back
to their homes. He suggested that some
headquarters for the visitors should be
established. provided with a waiting OF
resting room, where mail could be re-
ceiyed. letters written, information Oh
tanned as % hotels, restaurants. railroad
schedules. and the direct way 20 the re-
tail stores. In short. he thought the VS.
itors should be looked after while in the
city, and given every attention so that
they would be DESTROYS Of coming TO
Washington again and again 10 do their
shopping
Mr.. Garfnkle said that he had proposed
this plan as something % be undertaken
and worked out by degrees until IL should
be a special feature Of the retail business
Of washington.
WIN VI 1AtbHthE Bdg -
William Hahn warmly seconded the
proposition Of Mr.. GarhuFle. and said he
would wish to modify il slightly. Mr.
Hahn's idea was that the Shopping days
should be continued over three or four
days, or a week. He thought excursions
should be run from points as FAR away
as Norfolk. Lynchhurg. CharIgstOWn and
Baltimore. and that this should be done
once each month during the busy season
Of the year.
Mr. Hahn proposed that extensive adj
vertising should be done over the terrific
~ from which the trade was expected.
He thought that II might be wise 70 en-
ploy a man with a salary % work up the
excursions. 10 publish q paper or booklet
setting forth the advantages Of Wash
ington as a shopping center and scatter
this widely so as 20 interest the greatest
number Mr. Hahn said the matter
could not be worked out except at the
expense Of much time and effort. and
that In his opinion it would be n matter
of time and growth from a somewhat
small beginning.
This general plan was discussed some
time by Messrs Blackstone. Lee. and
others Of the committee and Il was de-
termined that a committee of fifteen
should be appointed 10 consider the sub
ject. find out about the possibility Of
special railroad rates and other details
OF the plan, and report TO the committee.
BY motion the chairman was authorized
TO appoint such q committee.
FavOrs Better Salaries.
D. J. Kaufman offered a suggestion that
the committee should undertake a cam
paign in favor Of d general increase Of
pay to the government employees. includ-
ing those Of the municipal government
Mr. Kaufman said that this ought 10 be
done through the Chamber Of Commerce
In the way Of a request that Congress
take action upon the matter and provide
by appropriation for better pay for such
employees.
Mr.. Kaufman said he had not matured
any set plan Of action. but thought the
committee should work out one between
now and the time Congress meets, SO as
to have the subject ready 20 be presented
and then TO be followed UP by all the in
nuence the Chamber Of Commerce could
command.
This subject was discussed at some
length. and by motion it was decided that
q subcommittee, not to exceed ten in
number. should be appointed by the
chairman to take up the subject and work
out the details.
After a short discussion Of several mat
tiers, It was determined that these two
subjects were sufficient 70 occupy the at
tention Of the committee for the present.
and the meeting adjourned, to meet at the
call Of the chairman.