Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-16
Citizens Vigilance Committee
Pleased With Proposed Law
to Regulate Auctions.
OUTLINES THE BENEFITS
OF SIMILAR LEGISLATION
Chairman Berberich Cites Reforms
Under the Recent Enactment For.
bidding False Advertisement.

With the possibility OF the fake auc-
ton" bill being passed by Congress in the
near future, members Of the citizens vigi-
lance committee on false advertising be-
lieve they will soon have in their hands
another weapon with which to fight for
cleaner advertising and straight business
In the District of Columbia Scores OF
cases for complaint have already been
remedied. by the committee since the pas
sage Of the false advertising law. In
practically very case it was found that
moral suasion was sufficient to remedy the
conditions of which complaint had been
made, but at the same time the committee
stands ready to enforce the law to the
limit II results cannot be obtained In the
easier way.
Joseph Berberfch. chairman OF the
committee, explained last evening that
the body which he heads is ready for
instant action and fullest cooperation
in cases of which complaint may be
made and with which the committee
has power to deal. Unfortunately. he
stated, difficulty had been experienced
in obtaining sufficient discriminating
evidence to deal with the cases OF
bankrupt" fire" and other sales.
Methods of Filing Complaints.
While blocks to be used for filing
complaints in a formal manner have
been distributed throughout the city
by the committee. he said. any one
wishing to make complaint might dc
so without the blank, IL they could
not obtain one The blanks simplify
and expedite matters. however.
Many of the dealers who. II is
charged, are placing a stigma upon
Washington and the reliable merchants
of the city are willy enough to remain
within the limits of the law in their
dealings, or, at least, contrive SO that
no case can be made out against them.
With the passage Of the fake auction"
bill, however. this obstacle to dealing
with them will be removed. as the
District Commissioners will then have
the authority to revoke the licenses
under which they are operating. 1t
was suggested last night that the
vigilance committee might write to
other cities which are in the same po-
sition as Washington, 80 that they
may take immediate steps for the
passage Of necessary laws to prevent
the "ny-by-night" merchants from
finding new prey" in other parts of
the country.
other cities regarding the false adver-
Using law and urged countrywide CO.
operation in making advertising clean
er and better. The Associated Adver-
Using Clubs of America co-operated
to the fullest extent with the local
vigilance committee.
Anxious to Weed Them Out.
Of these fraudulent Dealers" said Mr..
Berberich. emphatically, last evening
we want to do everything in our
power to get rid Of them. They are
1oins great injury in Washington to
the legitimate business interests.
The public must be protected II we
would keep the confidence of the pub
lie, and this is the desire of every reli-
able business man in Washington.
Any one who complains to us may be
assured that we will take, action i'm
medietely: also. we shall &C. in every
case which comes to Cur attention even
indirectly"
In a number of cases which the COM
mittee has handled so far it has
found perfect willingness upon the part
OF business men to Cooperate and that
the false advertising of which they had
been guilty had been done largely through
negligence, rather than intent Since the
same results were accomplished by ex-
planning matters to these business men
and having them take action in this way
as would have been accomplished through
the arm of the law. the easier and more
amicable manner was chosen.
Cooperation probably will prove the
most effective means of cleaning Wash
ington of its present pests it is be-
ieved. by a number of members of the
committee Complaints should be made
Of false advertising and word should be
passed around to keep clear of fake sales
and fake auctions is the advice given.