The Washington times., 1915-12-11
'AD' VIGILANCE BODY
WILL Be INCREASED
Heads of Thirteen Citizens As.
sociations Indorse Move
: Against False Advertising.

Having received Endorsement from the
head. of thirteen citizens associations
tbe Retail Merchants Association -
now laying plans to increase its aoVer-
Using vigilance committee to lnciuoe
member from each of fcf.y-fve CIVIC
bodies. The purpose ot the comH't'eo
will he to eliminate false ana misIeau
ing statements from all forms oil au'er-
tising in the District
Az an organization conference OF the
merchants committee, and the presi-
dents and secretaries of citizens asso-
riations called by Chairman Joseph Ber-
bericb last night at the Raleigh, repre-
sentatives from thirteen associations
were present.
While the majority Of the citizens
representatives came unlnstructeu
and were unable to act as OFFICIAL
delerA tes, they unanimously indorsed
in their individual Capacities the pur,,
nose of the movement ana commenced
the public spiritedness or the mer-
project. The motion for Endorsement
was made by William Il. H6rr, presi :
dent Of the Columbia Heights Citi-
zens' Association.
A Big Problem.
Secretary Columbus, of the mer-
chants association. was directed to
send to each citizens association a
copy of the Printers Ink" law,
which covers the subject OF false I'D
vertisng and has been adopted in
twelve States. and also to forward
an outline of the plan under which
tho joint committee will be perfected
consist of six merchants and forty-five
delegates from the associations. A sub
committee would be constituted from
this body, containing five merchants
and ten delegates. to whom complaints
as to advertising would be referred.
This is one of the big problems OF
the day." said Chairman Berberich ir
outlinin gthe plan for curbing mislead
ing advertising. 1T will do more pub
lie good than anything of similar nature
must protect the public II we want tt
continue to live on the public. Truthful
advertising saves time and money O.
the public and brings better results t,
the merchant. False advertising handi
caps the merchant who desires to Civ,
the public the truth"
A. j. Driscoll. Of the Mid-City Citi
zens' Association. proposed that tn,
canpaisn be .broadened to carry pro
lection to. residents of nearby section
Of Virginia and MARYLAND. Alfred r
Gage. president of the Connecticut Ave
nue. Association. expressed the belle
that II the campaign were made brOat
enough to include not ouly merchants
but professional men also. the move
mcnt would receive the support Of tn
Patent Law Association. Cf which he i
member.
Would Provide Penalty.
John Hadley Doyle. Of the George
town Associa ation, urged the adoption O
law providing penalty for publica
ton Of false statements in advertising
declaring that it would be impossibl
to reach the willy advertiser with &C
crcion or moral suasion. Others VIII
expressed APPROVAL Of the movement wer
G. J. James. of the Petworth associa
tion; NJ. ]. Mcnamara, Of the Centre
association, and DIR. l.. +. Kebler, wht
while not member Of any associat tior
was invited to join the committee.
It is expected that meeting will
called by Chairman Berberich within
month in which the delegates who al
to be selected by the citizens associt
tons will take part.
The associations represented la
night included Bradbury Heights. Cei
tral Columbia Heights. ePtworth. NJ
Pleasant, Connecticut Avenue. Nortl
eastern, Suburban. Park View. Mi
City. Georgetown. North "ashingto
Northeast Washington. and the Federi
ton Of Citizens Associations.