The Washington times., 1912-09-14
FEDERAL AID FOR
CONVENTION FUND
WILL Be SOUGHT
Washington Has Arrived as
Gathering Place for Socie-
ties-Money Is Needed.


past three years have been directed, but
the successful elimination Of them.
Now that the conventions are here new
plans are to be put into effect to
systematize the collection of funds for
the purpose of bringing further conven-
tions to the city, and for providing
funds for the entertainment of delegates
when they come.
Not only have efforts to bring con-
ventions to Washington been successful.
but delegates to the conventions them
selves are pleased with Washington as
q convention city.
There will have been held this month
In Washington no less than seven ma
tional and International conventions with
an aggregate attendance Of about 1000
delegates and visitors. Many other con-
ventions are scheduled for the fall ana
winter.
Conventions Next Week.
Two conventions of members Of the
dental professions have just closed. A
week ago the International Congress on
Applied Chemistry was held. On
Monday the convention Of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners
of America will open. bringing about
1900 visitors from all parts of the
country and Canada.
On the same day the exhibit on health
In connection with the Fifteenth Inter-
national Congress on Hygiene and
Demography will open its doors for
three weeks. On Wednesday the public
United States, Canada. Mexico, and
Cuba, who are members of the Amerl-
can Public Health Association. will
open a three days convention.
On the following. Monday, the Fiji
teenth International Congress on Hy-
giene and Demography will go into ses-
sion for a week, and on the same day,
the American Association Of COmmer-
cial Executives, composed of the active
young executive officers of the COM
mercial organizations of the United
states and Canada. will meet for a two
days convention.
Even before the last of these conyen-
tons has adjourned the Chamber OF
Commerce campaign for new conven.
tion fund will be under way. The COM
lnittee in charge Is now perfecting its
arrangements. John Dolph, chairman
OF the conventions committee Of the
chamber. in commenting today on the
criticisms voiced in yesterdays meet
Ing of the executive committee OF the
Board of Trade, said that the commit
tee would seek to frame some plan by
which Washington business men would
not be continually called upon to con-
tribute to- entertainment funds for in
dividual conventions.
Suggests Annual Subscription.
IT hope the Chamber of Commerce
committee appointed to raise the new
convention fund will adopt some meth.
cd whereby the business snd profes
sional men of Washington may bt
called upon for an annual subscription
for the purpose of bringing convention.
to Washington and assisting in thei
entertainment. when necessary, with
the distinct understanding thai they
will not he called upon during the pc
riod for which they make subscriptions
for other contributions for entertain
ment," said Mr.. Dolph.
with Or. William C. Woodward, Sec
retary Grant, and William F. GUIDE
have had the pleasure for the pas
three days Of making a door to dooi
solicitat tton for funds for the entertain
ment Of delegates to the Internationa
Congress of Hygiene and Demosraphy
and the convention of the American
Public Health Association. I say Il
although every one is complaining
about the constant and repeated call!
for contributions for various purposes
we have not met single man in oul
three days automobile trip about tn,
business section who has refused to gt
down in his pocket and contribute t
the fund.
Indeed, we have been pleasantly
surprised. too. by receiving In many
This proves, I believe, that the bust
ness and professional people of Wash
ington are doing their fun share O
public duty in this respect
Urge Federal Appropriation.
Referring to the suggestion made yes
terday at the Board of Trade by Johl
L Weaver, that Congress be asked t.
provide funds for the entertainment o
delegates to conventions in Washington
Mr.. Dolph agreed that Congress shoult
make some provision for the entertain
ment of delegates to conventions invite,
to Washington by the United State
Government, and also to permit tn
citizens of the District generally t
share in the burdens of entertainment
of conventions.
"The guests of the nation" said MI
Dolph, should, undoubtedly, be pro
vided for by Congress, 1 see no reasol
why, If the people of the United State
invite international conventions, Con
gress should not make provision 70
their entertainment, which, of course
would be shared in proportionately b
the people of the District, but Congress
should also make provision whereby tn
city of Washington, in the same man
ner as practically every other city /
the United States. can use a part of II
taxation revenues for convention enter
tainment purposes
The Commissioners now have no sue
authority. The business and profes
sional men and leading citizens of tn
city have been forced to bear the entir
burden. While they have done this an
are continuing to do so, they shoul
not be expected to bear the entire cos
when the entertainment is ostensibl
provided by the whole city of Washing
ton"
Seek New Legislation.
AS a result of this discussion, there
fore, efforts will be directed both b
the Board of Trade and the Chamber {
Commerce to secure legislation fror
Congress looking to a more eduitabl
adjustment of the duty of entertain
ment. The plan will probably be to as
Congress to make regular appropris
tions for international congresses whic
have been invited here by act of Cor
gress. and also to place at the dispos;
of the Commissioners a sum of none
annually out of District revenues to |
used in connection with the Chamber
Commerce and Board of Trade in eI
tertaining other conventions which a
otherwise brought to this city
That delegates to conventions then
selves are pleased with their receptio
is shown by an expression of apprecii
ton by DIR. II. II. Street, of Baltimor
one OF the delegates to the dental col
vention.
81 have to give ii to this city for II
way in which II entertains and TAX,
care of its VISITORS" said DIR. Stree
1.-THE dental convention is the large
gathering the dentists have ever ha