Evening star., 1929-12-20
VIRGINIA BODIES
MERGER FAVORED
Arlington Chamber Directors
Approve Consolidation With
Northern Bureau.
BY JOHN T. LIPSCOMB,
Stan Correspondent of The Star.

CLARENDON, Va, December 90
Plans for consolidation of the activ-
ities and resources of the Arlington
County Chamber of Commerce and the
Northern Virginia Bureau we're ap-
proved by the board of directors of the
former body at a meeting here last
night.
This action was taken on recon-
mendation of special committee con-
sisting of Clarence r. Ahalt, Ashton
c. Jones, G. w. Fitch, G. A. Keefer
cent meeting of the board to consider
the adviSability of a merger.
Seek Public Confidence.
The committees recommendation was
based on a belief that some means
should be adopted to renew and re-
establish the confidence of the public
in the activities of the two organiZa-
tionS, the committee pointing out that
possibly many memberships could not
be procured for the ensuing year un-
less some definite and apparently
beneficial changes occurred; that two
much time is expended by the bodies
in an effort to collect the pledges
given. it being rather alarming when
the actual time thus spent Is taken
into account"
Consummation of the plan. however,
must await Endorsement by the North
ern Virginia Bureau. This, it is said,
is assured as many members OF the
bureau who have been approached on
the subject have expressed themselves
as favorable. 1t is said that the two
organizations will retain their separate
identities.
On 1880 Basis.
The board decided that funds coll
- I~,ay- szS.
should be divided on a 40-60 basis.
The Northern Virginia Bureau has, at
this time, the committees report cites,
signed contracts extending over into
next year from Arlington County people
which will return to 1t about $2,500.
Last year the amount received by the
chamber, exclusive of zoning, was ap-
proximately $4,000. 1T is doubtful
whether $4,000 can be raised next year
unless some change of set-up is ef-
fected," the report states.
Under the merger plan it is proposed
that efforts be made to procure $500
annually from eight or ten firms and
$4,000 additional from supplemental
memberships.
Another recommendation of the COM
mittee which was approved provides for
payment in advance of the regular
membership dues of $40. Notice will
be sent to the membership during the
month of January setting forth the new
method and pointing to the losses here
tofore sustained in pledges and the
cost of collection and the uncertainty
of the amount of available funds, as
the reason for such requirement of
payment in advance.
Secretary to Go.
The services of full-time secretary
If the chamber will be dispensed with
"as soon as practicable" as a result of
the adoption of another recommenda-
ton of the committee, it being felt that
the funds of the organization will not
warrant the payment of such an ex-
penSe. Instead it is proposed to en-
ploy an experienced secretary -stenog-
rapher at salary not to exceed $500.
The resignation of p. P. Woodbridge,
who has held the position of secretary
for the past year, which was submitted
to the board several days ago, was ac-
cepted by the meeting. 1t becomes ef-
fective January Is.
Following discussion of the proposed
Federal airport for the metropolitan
area of Washington, the meeting unani-
mously indorsed the Gravelly Point site,
and the secretary was instructed to
communicate with Representative r.
Walton Moore and Senator Claude S.
Swanson urging their support of the
fight for this location
Ashton C.. Jones presented a letter
from Walter Hinton of transatlantic
flight fame, in which he points out the
advantages of Gravelly point over other
proposed locations.