Evening star., 1922-01-11
DC. REPRESENTATION IS NEAR,
COMMERCE HEAD DECLARES
People Close to "Promised Land" Schulz
tets Asserts Sums Up Chambers
Busy Yea-O&cers Elected.

Frederick W. Plugge: Joseph R.
President Schulteis. in his report.
outlined the work Of the committee
which B. A. Bowles. is chairman.
This committee. he said held several
meetings for the consideration of mat
ters pertaining to this project. both
as to deveiopement OF water power
and water supply. Following hearings
officials and others. the committee
reported in favor of the water sup
ply project as recommended in the
report of Mat. NJ. c. Tyler and the
report was adopted by the chamber.
The committee on harbors and
waterways, under the craftsmanship
,f J. H. Crawford. made a thorough
investigation of the water front Of
the city. Mr.. Schulteis stated. The
policy adopted was for the improve
ment and identifying Of the harbor,
whiie at the same time providing
ior lis use commercially.
such commercial use must be pro-
tecteo. the report declared, "as
otherwise we may look for increased
freight rates. With proper water
transportation facilities. tie prod
ucts of southern Maryland and
Virginia will find ready market and
shipping rates will be kept at
reasonable figure"
Convention Hall Plans.
Tle portion Of the report touching on
a convention hall for Washington sup
piemented an announcement earlier by
hopert N. Harper, chairman of the joint
committee fostering this proposition, to
tne enect that the long-sought- for con-
venton hall is within the grasp of the
cltizens now. A committee of 100 per-
sons TO raise by subscription the sum
OF 10000 to finance the enterprise Is
pelng got together, Mr.. Harper said.
Plans call for q hall centrally located
on the two street railway lines and with
automobile parking facilities.
Inc building, it is contemplated, will
cover an area of 10000 square feet and
nave seating capacity of 5000, enough,
Mr Harper asserted, to take care of any
convention coming to Washington. A
larger hall could not be financed under
the present plan. he said Subscribers
Will receive a bond, secured by first
deed OF trust on the property. in the
amount of half Of his subscription, the
remainder being in stock.
President Schulteis' report an
nounced that the chamber does not
propose to let go of this matter until
II has succeeded in providing a con-
yention hall for our city" Remarks by
Solvin b Brown of the United States
indfspensahility of a convention hall
to a city were quoted as applicable to
Washington.
Efforts to Secure Conventions.
Praising the efforts of the eonven-
tlons committeee. headed by M. A.
Leese. in working consistently and
faithfully to bring conventions to our
CITY,, the report emphasized that con-
vention rivalry between various cities
grows keener and keener. "But with
all the rivalry. Washington is rapidly
becoming recognized as the most de-
sirabie convention city in the coun-
try" 1t was stated.
Every American citizen claims part
ownership in the Capital city. No
other city has SO many and varied at
fractions for the convention delegate.
The Washington Chamber of Com
and civic organisation which is work
ing to bring conventions to the city.
We appreciate and acknowledge the
hearty cooperation of the Hotter
Mems Association. Working without
money. we have already succeeded in
bringing the following large conven-
tions here this year: Chamber of
Commerce of the United States. Ma
tional Booksellers Association. Ma
tional Air Brake Association, National
Restaurant Association"
Reports on Retail Trade.
Results of the Investigations Of the
chairman. have shown local business
conditions to be on a Sound, safe
and healthy basis" the report con-
tinued. Our retail trade is the back
bone OF our business life. We are
glad to find that our mercantile estab-
lishments are stable. reliable and
permanent. Our population is near.
ing the half-million mark. The re-
sources of our banks are sufficient
for any reasonable demands. Our
tro 4rfa q,
The possibilities for our retail mer-
chants are greater than in many other
cities Of even greater population"
Status of Anacostia Flats.
The status of the reclamation Of the
Anacostia flats. as of October 1, 1921,
was explained in the report of the
president. On that date the project
was 80 per cent completed. Four mill
lion cubic yards Of material had been
pumped upon the flats, 672 acres had
been reclaimed, 4.6 miles Of rip-rap
foundation stone laid, IS acres Of land
had been acquired and 106 acres had
been donated or quit-claimed without
ing equipment is ready to proceed
further, as soon as Congress lifts the
restriction limiting work beyond the
Benning bridge. The total cost Of the
project was given as $3.740.000. Of
which $1,450.000 has been appropriate
The report stated that the chamber
has pledged its hearty support IN i'm
proving existing conditions with regard
to the District National Guard, and its
cooperation in its thorough reorganiza-
tion. The committee considering the
guard, with Gen. Anton Stephan, COM
mander of the District National Guard.
as chairman, has thoroughly inspected
the present armory, it was stated, flnd-
ing 1t in poor repair and wholly in
adequate for the purpose for which It
was intended"
Committee Reports Praised.
Accomplishments of the committee
on law and legislation, James T. Lloyd,
chairman; membership committee. Sid
ney West, chairman; police and fire
protection. Rudolph Jose, chairman;
public utilities, Harry King. chairman;
transportation and freight rates. Jo-
seph A. Berberich. chairman. were ex-
toilsd.
1t was announced that the chamber
will continue its policy Of giving prizes
to the winning cadet company and Of
the R. o. T. c. at Georgetown Univers
sity.
Activities of the chamber during the
past year in securing adequate parking
work and along general civic lines were
recounted.
The devotion to duty ana efilciency
of the office force of the chamber,
comprising Mr.. Seymour, Mrs. Rueb-
sam and Robert Cupid, were praised.
Sums Up City's Needs.
In concluding his report, President
Schulteis said:
Reference to the various matters
which I have brought to your atten-
tion leads to the following summary
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