Evening star., 1926-12-14
BUSINESS LEADERS
/ TO VISIT HARRISON
viii Discuss Means of Keep
D ing Southern Railway
Offices Here.

The presidents of the Washington
Board of Trade, the Washington
Chamber of Commerce and the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers Associa-
!. ton will seek an appointment with
Fairfax Harrison, president OF the
Southern Railway. for next Thursday
to discuss the possibility OF that or
ganization's removal from Washing
ton and means to retain it here. This
move was agreed on by representa-
tiVeS of the three trade bodies at a
luncheon conference at the CITY Cluo
this afternoon.
The Joint committee to visit the
railway officials is composed of Edwin
C.. Graham, president of the Board
of Trade; Martin A. LeeSe, president
of the Chamber of Commerce, and
Ross p Andrews, president of the
Merchants and Manufacturers AS
ISOLATION.
Will Seek Suggestions.
The purpose of the visit will be to
discuss, if possible, what can be done
by Washingtonians to keep the rail-
way company here and to get sugges-
tions from railroad officials.
WClC pa CCCAI az NiiC
luncheon from the Washington Board
of Trade, the Washington Chamber of
Commerce and the Merchants and Man
ufacturers' Association of Washington.
While the statement of Mr.. Har-
rison, president q. the Southern Rail-
way, in The Star yesterday indicating
that his organization had nothing def1-
mite in mind as to whether 1t would
remain in or leave Washington has
aroused anxiety on the part Of Wash
tons trade bodies, the prime factor
in bringing about this meeting was
the information that Atlanta, Ca,
through its Chamber of Commerce.
has made a very substantial oner to
the railway company to move there.
Employees Greatly Concerned.
Just what Washington can do to en-
courage the railway orga nization to
remain here is not known, but busi-
ness men feel that there is some way
of working out a solution through the
cooperation of Washington business
organiZa tions and real estate men. who
may counteract offers by other munci-
palities which have their own affairs
in their own hands.
The general conclusion in regard to
Mr.. Harrison's statement yesterday
by members of local trade organiZa-
measure to allay the fears Of the
Southern Railway headquarters per.
sonnel that any definite decision had
been made to move from Washington.
Indications that a great many OF the
clerks employed at the Southern Rail-
way office are greatly concerned about
q possible move have been shown by q
number of letters received from them
by trade organizations and business
men.
Officials at the Southern Railway
this morning refused to enlarge on
Mr.. Harrisons statement, made yes.
terday, and declined to give any infor-
nation as to either their feelings in
the matter one way or the other.
Other Businesses Sought.
Those who discussed the situation at
the City Club today were: Representing
the Washington Chamber Of Com
merce, Martin A. Leese. president, and
Dorsey Hyde, jr., secretary; represent
ing the Board of Trade, w. w. Everett,
first vice president, and Samuel j.
Prescott, one of the directors, and
representing the Merchants and Man.
ufacturers' Association. Ross P. An
drews, president, and Edward Shaw,
secretary.
The determination of Washington
business men TO retain and encourage
other industrial organizations here is
doubly emphasized by this joint meet
Ing, which follows a similar joint meet
ing of the various local trade body
representatives yesterday to work out
a plan for the encouragement of de-
sirable commercial establishments in
Washington.