Evening star., 1926-02-07
BY CHAS. p. SHAEFFER.

Washington industry, which seems
to escape general attention, is getting
ready for it's second annual eXposi-
ton. This event, sponsored by the
Washington Chamber of Commerce,
will be held at the Washington Audi
torium, March 3-13, inclusive, and IS
designed to show the public, which Is
little aware of its existence, that the
National Capital has a commercial
side of no little importance.
The Federal Government, with lts
many ramifying activities spread al
over the city, has so completely over
Shadowed private enterprise tnat oh!S
a small portion of the population Is
conscious of the fact that there exists
here many f1ourishing and constantly
eXpanding commercial establishments
of diversified types.
The mammoth business establish
ment OF Uncle Sam, the TRADITIONS Oh
the city and the absorption OF the
residents and visitors in things polltl-
cal and governmental nave uncoh
sciouSly conspired to hide the lmpor-
tant commercial development that Is
going ON here.
The exposition, which will gather
under one roof representative dis
play of industrial and commercial
products made here, is expected TO do
much to dispel this illusion.
Outputs Value S73,OOO.OOO.
An idea of the comprehensive de-
yelopment of business in Washington
is TO be found in Government figures.
which show that products manutac-
tured sere last year We're valued at
L
to automobile accessories.
Washington Industries are of what
might be called a refined type. They
are not the obnoxious type that arouse
the wrath and aggressive opposition
of those who desire, above all else, that
the Capital be kept a beautiful city.
In other words, they fit ideally the
esthetiC as we'll as the economic
scheme for the development of Wash
ington.
There is no Haunting of grimy
buildings and grimier workmen. no
smokestack belching forth volumes Of
SCOT to besmear the beauty of the
buildings. shrines and homes that have
made Washington such a beautiful
Capital Plants here are designed for
more than mere utility. Their archi-
lecture is such that they harmonic
well with their surround
ingS. They are ideal from the work
mans point OF view as well.
Plants Widely Scattered.
in no other city of similar size is
industry so unobtrusive. There IS no
district here wherein all else but in
dustry is out of place. Plants of all
kinds are scattered throughout the
District Yet, the majority here are
of their existence, and
the economic value of this develop
ment is not fully recognized.
A great many persons are given
gainful employment who cannot find
places in the Government establish
ment Students, trained in local
schools at the expense of District resi-
dents, are given an opportunity to ap-
ply their knowledge where it will re-
pay those who made it possible. An
excellent type of citizen is drawn here
where residential conditions are ideal
md where an opportunity for well paid
and wholesome employment is avail
able.
An exposition, such as the one
planned, revealing a cross section OF
this commercial achievement, will go
far to educate the city to the impor-
tance of a widespread public interest
in this phase of life here.
The exposition is the elimination of
years OF gradual, steady, but sure ef-
fort ON the part of an active group
of local producers. The word culmina-
ton should not be used perhaps, indi-
eating as it does the end. In this
case, it means signpOst, a straw in
the wind. That is the light in which
its sponsors view the exposition.
Industries on Sound Basis.
There is a quality of ''firmness'
about Washington industry that is
It's foundations are sub
stantial. Boom elements are missing.
Growth has been natural and contin-
uous. In those rare cases where 1T
has developed in spite Of difficult OBJ
stacles, it is harder than is usually
the case.
Washington's industrial develop
ment has not been of the mushroom
variety. In no line has there been a
spectacular forward movement. No
where has there been a boom. The
spotlight has not been turned on in
dustry here because of any achieve
ment characterized by sensationalism.
Rather, public attention is being
drawn tO'it by the exposition in order
to show what results have been gained
and can be gained through steady,
quiet and unpretentious application
Visitors to the exposition. many Of
them at least, will be surprised at the