Evening star., 1923-01-24
General Stephan Again Heads
Merchants and Manufacturers
He Lauds Work of
the Association,
IL, 1922.
Charles ]. Columbus
Is Reelected
Secretary.

Stephan as president. Louis Levy as
retary end M. d. Rosenberg gen
eral counsel. and the election OF DR..
NJ G. Gibbs hrst vice president and
NJ. E. Horton second vice president.
the Merchants and Manufacturers
Association held its annual meeting
yesterday in the assembly rooms in
The Star building.
A review Of the activities Of 1922
was made by Presidnet Stephan in a
comprehensive address. He pointed
out that high overhead and falling
prices taxed the ingenuity OF every
one In the mercantile business in
order that the years business would
not show loss. Taxation, accord
ing to Gen. Stephan. in so far as II
applies to business, was the cause Of
incessant care. and he urged that the
legislation having for its object a
simpltfication of taxation and it's ap-
plication.
Lands Bad-Check Law.
THE association may well feel
proud OF it's achievement in being in
strumental in the passage of the bad
check law for the District of Column
bia," said the speaker .'Other legis-
lation for (which this association may
claim credit is the false advertising
law, the regulations covering fake
auctions and numerous other laws
Affecting the individual lines Of mer-
chandise represented in this assocta-
ton.
/! The committees Of this associa-
OF civic matters affecting business,
have given the matter Of traffic regu-
lation considerable thought. They
have assisted the District authorities
in the solving of the many perplex-
ing questions arising in connection
with motor traffic in this District.
The results obtained during the year
show that as organized this associa-
ton is fundamentally correct.
How Association Works.
The various trade sections met fire.
quently throughout the year and
solved the problems pertaining to
their own interests Their chairman,
in turn would present to the board of
governors, of which he Is a member.
such business as would apply to the
association as a whole. This scheme
of administration functioned perfect
". and in this connection ! cannot
empha size too strongly the support
every member OF the association in
sustaining the actions OF your board
of governors, who carefully and con-
scicnticusly consider all problems
placed before them. Without a whole
hearted support OF each and every
member OF this association your gov
erning board can accomplish but very
little. 1t Is always of utmost impor-
tance that there should be a concert
OF action on the part OF business,
holidays. trade development. and a
unification with respect to business
policies which affect exchange of
merchandise, deliveries. alterations
and appropriations of funds for pub
lie. semi-public or private causes.
ness and should receive your most
earnest conside ration.
Long Hours Have Passed.
Years ago. prior to the organiza-
tion of this association, and before
we had the opportunity of enjoying
the benefits derived from afaiiation
with the Merchants and Manufacture
ers Association, business houses were
open from In the morning until II
and ~ O'Clock at night.
LAS a result Of bringing together
men and women who are leaders in
their respective lines. suspicion, dis
trust and doubt have gradually given
way to confidence and cooperation.
A state of perfection has not yet been
by conscientious endeavor on the part
of business houses incorporated in
this association, great things have
been accomplished along the lines
which / have enumerated.
Certain types Of legislation that
are proposed from time to time con-
stitute a terrible menace to business
welfare. This must be watched. The
individual merchant cannot afford
the time to follow up these mat
ters. and under such conditions he
must rely upon the strong arm of
unified endeavor, as Is presented by
the Merchants and Manufacturers
Association.
Refers to Recent Bill.
Quite recently a bill was intro
duced permitting the purchase by
government employees OF all necessities Is
from government stores at govern
ment prices-a bill which. II enacted