Evening star., 1928-12-31
GREAT FALLS PROJECT OUTSTANDING WORK OF PLANNING
DISTRICT TRADE GROUPS 1
EXPAND SCOPE OF WORK
Board of Trade, Chamber of Commerce
and Merchants and Manufacturers
Association Gain Influence.

legislation now before Congress. final
action of which is expected at this
session.
Congress was urged to base its ap-
preparations for the District on the
60-40 divisional plan, as now provided
in substantive law, and it was urged
that some proper agency be created
to decide upon a permanent plan for
fiscal relations, including the introduce
ton of specialized accounting methods
and the adoption of permanent long,
term financing program covering all
activities of the local government.
The chamber urged that there be
no increase in the $1.70 tax rate and
recommended budget which woulo
come within expected revenues of the
District, including the $9000000 Fed
eral contribution on which the official
proposed budget was predicated. The
body worked increasingly for national
representation for Washington, through
special meetings, radio addresses. pub
lished articles and other promotion
activities
The chamber gave whole-hearted
support to the proposed merger of the
street railways, leaving notifications
of the plan to Congress. 1t held, in
adopting a report by its committee on
public utilities, Harry King. chairman,
that Investigations of the merger plan
by the Bureau of Efficiency and DR..
Milo B. Maltbie produced no serious
stumbling block to the merger. y
Back Community Chest.
An investigation of local fire ir-
surance rates was made by the com-
mittee headed by Charles j. Stocks
man, and on this information the
chamber urged enactment of legisla-
ton to increase the regulatory powers
of the District superintendent of in
Surance. -
The Community Chest plan was
whole-heartedly supported. The cham
ber. through its committee on police
and fire protection, Charles w. Darr,
chairman, insisted on the need for in
-stalling traffic control lights on down.
town street intersections, which plan
now is being put into effect I'M
provement of street lighting in the
congested section also was urged.
The chamber urged an increase in
the salaries of the District ComniS-
sioners, continued and stressed its
Buy Washington" campaign, par
ticipated actively in the work of the
Joint Industrial Council, promoting ex-
pansion of industrial and business
activities of Greater Washington, urged
postponement of the vacating of Center
! Market until the time it actually Is
needed in the Federal building program.
voiced concern over the failure to COM
plete the present five-year building pro-
gram for public schools and urged
preparation Of subsequent flve-year
program.
One of the major activities Of the
chamber was the presentation of its
S~zl, -&~s1
which attracted thousands of visitors
and was the most elaborate of the
series.
A survey of possible sites for the pro-
posed municipal airport was made by
the aviation committee, headed by
Jerome Fanciulli, and the chamber i'm
dorsed the Gravelly Point location. 1t
also has promoted local aviation devel-
opment, including extension of the air
mail services.
M. and NJ. Branches Out.
The Merchants and Manufacturers
Association has had an active year and
organized four new trade sections,
known as the adjustment managers
council, wholesale gasoline and oil sec.
ton, fuel oil section and dyerS and
cleaners section.
1t continued its efforts seeking pro-
vision of an armory for the District
National Guard, enactment of a law
requiring certification of titles to auto
mobiles and for compulsory automobile
liability insurance, providing both per-
sonal and property damage provisions;
adoption of more specific smoke ordi-
nance and legislation to make illegal
sending and receiving of stolen prop
erty. -
The association supported the WEIGH
bill to increase salaries of Federal en-
ployes, urged development of an airport
on Graveliy Point, supported the Un-
derhil workmen's compensation law,
the plan for a Roosevelt memorial
stadium here, the Community Chest
plan for charities and the movement
for national representation for the Dis
trict. AS a member of the Joint In
dustrial Council the association pro-
noted expansion of local business and
industry and supported the work of the
citizens joint committee on fiscal rela-
tions.
AS one of its important activities. 1t
conducted the annual mail early-shop
early campaign. 1t urged widening OF
Defense highway, adoption of simpli-
fed calendar. awarded a trophy in q
fire truck speed contest, held a WASH
ington booster" trip down Chesapeake
Bay and made a number of recom-
mendations for changes in traffic regu+
lationS.