The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-09-08
Fake Auctions Killed.

ant HuSuoiS hluCos
The Senate yesterday passed the so-cafed
fake auction BILL practically marking the end OF
long fight that has been waged in the Dis
trict to wipe out the evils growing out of this
form of swindle. The measure was passed by
the House some time ago and as it is almost
certain the President will affix his signature to
the bill it may be regarded in the light of law.
The legislation has the approval of practi-
cally every business man in the National Capital
except those who style themselves business men,
but depend upon the tricks of a. fake auction
to reap unfair profits from unsuspecting and
trustful victims The legislation may be classed
among the most important from the standpoint
of the legitimate business interests of the Dis
trict that has been enacted by Congress in many
years
One of the important provisions of the bill
is contained in these words "The Board OF
Commissioners shall not issue permit for any
such sale public auction), until they satisfied
that neither fraud deception of any kind is
contemplated or will be practiced." This pro-
vision alone practically empowers the Commits
sioners to wipe out fake auctions. The bill also
forbids night auctions because the auction swim
der depends almost entirely upon the throngs
that visit the downtown business streets in the
evening The bill fixes a fine Of from $40 to
$500 or imprisonment Of not more than sixty
days or both as punishment for violators of its
provisions.
Business men who have studied the bill
unanimous in the belief that it will be 100 per
cent effective in curing the fake auction evil
The question now arises as to who the people
of the District should thank for procuring the
passage of the bill. In work of this kind it is
difficult to ascertain who deserves the most credit
But surely the bulk of the credit is due to the
of business men inaugurated the fight to elimi
nate crooked auctioneers and has worked hard to
carry the fight through to success. As secretary
of the association, Charles J. Columbus perhaps
has been one of the most conspicuous among the
workers in behalf Of the measure. Credit also
will be given to the members of the associations
fake auction committee, NJ D. Rosenberg, chair
man; f. c. Graham, Isaac Cans, S. w. Straus,
George w. Spier, and Charles A. Goldsmith.
Representative Ben Johnson. of Kentucky
waged a fight for the bill in the House and in
the Senate Senator Pomerene, of Ohio, cleared
the way for the measure on the Senate calendar
and Senator James, of Kentucky put on the
finishing touches necessary to put the bill through
the Senate.
The Retail Merchants Association is deter
mined that business shall be conducted in Wash
ington on an honorable and equitable basis. 1t
has sought and secured legislation covering false
advertising and is firm in its resolve to that
the spirit and the letter of laws that tend to
keep merchandising clean shall be strictly adhered
to.
The advertising vigilance committee of the
Retail Merchants Association is making a thor
ough survey in the matter OF false advertising
and expects to keep the office of District At
torney Laskey fully informed. The fake auction
committee of the association is going to exercise
the same functions with respect to that public
parasite the fake auction sale
The Retail Merchants Association is naturally
very proud of its achievement-two bills in one
session of Congressman particularly since the
legislation will bring the greatest good to the
greatest number of people of the District. The
District is to be congratulated upon having a
Retail Merchants Association.