Evening star., 1926-05-12
|C. J. COLUMBUS
LEAVESM. ANDM.
viii Take Position in New
York After 13 Years
in Local Post.

Charles j. Columbus, for the past 1S
years secretary of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association OF this
city, this afternoon rendered his reSig-
nation to the board of governors OF
that organization ut Il meeting In
The Star Building. Mr.. Columbus IS
leaving to become general manager or
the Board Of Trade and Transports
ton of New York City. He viii as
sumo his new duties about June l.
1t was announced,
During the period that Mr.. Columbus
has been secretary OF the local organ
ization he has worked tirelessly and
successfully for the Improvement and
development of civic and business con-
ditions in the National Capital. and, 1t
was said by those familiar with his
work, that it was his activity in the
National Capital that decided the New
York organization to reach out for him
as its general manager.
Was Born in Washington.
Mr.. Columbus was born and has
spent all his time here. lie was edu
Gated in the local schools and early
aspired TO enter the business world.
starting as bundle wrapper in a
local mercantile house. He later be-
came q messenger. and subsequently
entered a newspaper Office as office
boy, going into the composing room
and learning the trade OF printer
Desiring to become q writer, while
serving his apprenticeship. he obtained
a chain OF trade papers and wrote for
them from here, and also promoted
many local mercantile shows and con-
ventions. 1t was Mr.. Columbus who
put on the first style show ever held
here.
During the course Of hts work for
the trade papers he became &C
Quainted with many local merchants.
and a short time after the Retail
Merchants Association was formed
he was appointed its secretary, and
remained when that organization was
changed into the present body and
its scope was widened In July, 1918.
During Mr.. Columbus regime the
organization Of which he was secre-
tary brought advertising vigilance to
Washington, and organized its first
vigilance committee, to insist upon
Mr.. Columbus, for the association.
instituted the first organized credit
bureau in Washington. which now
has developed n list OF 1905 names
and has branched out into q separate
organization.
Fought for Legislation.
Mr.. Columbus has been most active
and successful in obtaining legisla-
ton on behalf OF the business in
tcrests Of Washington. whicn also
was Of benefit to the entire pCpula-
ton. Among such may be mentioned
the so-called bad check law. the law
against fake auctions predominant
hAv~ fntx Nl.s
were mulcted of thousands Of dollars
the false advertising law and the
regulation limiting the time in the
city for itinerant shows. !
Along about the war period the as
sociation, through the efforts of Mr..
Columbus. became interested in behalf
of the Government in urging pre-.
paredness. He has conducted num-
erouS trips of the local merchants in
the adjacent territory in the interest
of bringing trade and business TO
Washington. establishing the famous
slogan of BUY in and Boost for
Washington" During the war these
booster trips were turned into re-
cruiting campaigns in the adjacent
territory as an aid to the Govern
inent in helping to obtain recruits.
On Charities Committee.
In addition TO being secretary OF the
local trade organization, he is secre.
tary Of the charities Endorsement
committee, which determines what
charities should be approved as recipi-
ents OF contributions for local work.
He was the first secretary and active
worker for the Washington Audi
toriunl.
Civic affairs have not been lost
sight OF during his regime, although
the organization primarily is a busi-
ness organization. Many civic prof.
ects, such az street lighting in the
business areas. have been developed
He was the instigator of the shop
Early-Mail Early" slogan, and CO.
operated with the Post Office Depart
ment in developing it to it's present
effectiveness, in getting the Tuletide
work done well before Christmas. so
that the day is a real one OF rest for
all.
The local organization received his
resignation w1thc considerable regret.