Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-01
TRADE ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT CITY IMPROVEMENT
THREE BODIES CHAMPION
REPRESENTATION FORD.C.
Urge Permanent Settlement of Fiscal
Relations, Municipal Airport, AIDE.
quate Schools and Highways.

The third annual survey OF the com.
merical, financial and municipal Aotiv-
tiles of the National Capital was COM
pleted and published.
The public health committee of the
trade body made a survey of all hos
pitfalls in the District to indicate the
problem of the cost of disqualification
to a man of moderate means.
Officers of the Board of Trade dur
ing 1929 were: E. j. Murphy, presi-
dent; George Pitt, first vice president;
George Offutt. second vice president;
Ben T. Webster, secretary; r. j. Cot
trel, executive secretary; j. Harry
Cunningham, treasurer, and E. c..
Brandenburg, general counsel.
Two important civic projects were
sponsored by the Chamber of Com
merce during the year 1929, which was
marked BY strenuous activity of it's
committees and officers. The first was
WaShington'S fifth annual industrial
exposition. The exhibit was the most
pretentious of the series, with ap-
proximately 100000 visitors and a con-
siderable increase in the number of
firms participating.
The second project was cherry bios
som festival, to be held in the Spring
OF 1880. This is to be a city-wide
celebration, arrangements for which
are rapidly going forward under the di-
rection of general committee headed
by Maj. Gen. Anton Stephan.
The enactment by Congress of the
So-called diploma mill' law marked
the elimination of the chambers fight
Ior this measure. 1t repeatedly had
requested the regulation of private
schools in the District and in this con-
nection had compiled a directory list
ing all the non-public educational in
situations of the city.
another effort of the organization
Whlcn met with success during 1929
was the endeavor. in cooperation with
other local trade and automotive bodies
10 secure reciprocity for District motor
trucks operating in nearby Virginia. on
July ~, Gov. Byrd issued statement
oroerlng that the imposition of the
protested taxes be discontinued.
Promotes Representation.
promotion of the cause of national
representation has been unceasing dur
ing the past year. Aid was extended in
organization and management of the
national representation headquarters
ONCE and demonstration maintained in
the National Press Building during in
augural week. Radio talks on this sub
Iect were made in the chambers week
~ series and in The Stars radio forum.
In the field of civic activity the
chamber has been particularly active
IN the promotion of Washington as a
great aviation center. The first ami
Versary OF WaShington'S air mail sery-
Ice was celebrated at Boiling Field May
8. Throughout the year the chamber
mas worked for an airport for the
National Capital and has urged that
the Gravelly Point site be selected. The
chamber urged at various times salary
increases for police and firemen and
Endorsed the bill now before Congress
for this end.
The present left-hand turn, as pro-
Vided for in the traffic regulations, was
supported and the chamber was instru-
mental in securing modification of the
double-parking regulations, which, 1t is
claimed, was causing hardshipS to local
business firms. The organization has
also worked for the GENERALIZATION of
traffic control, inspection of brakes and
headlights, and for an automobile title
registration law.
The chambers report on the 1881
District budget advocated the creation
of properly constituted commission
to investigate and work out fair plan
of fiscal relationship between the Fed
eral and DISTRICT Governments. Com
mendatiOn was given the unofficial FIVE
year public Improvement program
drawn up by the District auditor and
it was urged that this program be
given official status.
More public school buildings, parks,
libraries and better streets were urged
by the various committees of the or
ganization. During the past Summer
figures were compiled tending to show
That Washington'S climate is not in
conducive to public comfort.
The chamber was active previous to
the Inauguration of President Hoover
to insure ceremony on scale suit
able to the dignity of the occasion. A
number of meetings Of trade and civic
body leaders were held for this purpose
under its auspices.
Directing the chambers activities for
1929 were Charles w. Darr, president;
Rudolph Jose. first vice president;
Harry King, second vice president;
Dorsey w. Hyde, jr., executive Secre-
tary; w. NICK. Stowell, treasurer. and
Walter c. Balderston, general counsel.
Tax and Budget Matters.
Tax and budget matters, traffic con-
ditions, new public development pro-
grams and scores of measures affecting
the District have occupied the atten-
ton of the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' Association during the past year,
which has been one OF the busiest in
the history Of the organization.
National representation for the half
million Washington residents has been
advocated by the body and an appro-
priation was made to carry forward
educational work of the Citizens Joint
Committee in support of an amend
ment to the Federal Constitution for
this purpose.
The organization made study of the
budget estimates for the year 1880 and
urged that the tax rate on real estate
be maintained at $170.
A recommendation was forwarded to
President Hoover urging the appoint
ment of a commission to make a study
Of the proper division of the costs of
maintaining and developing the Ma
tional Capital.
Development Of an adequate airport
for Washington was urged and approval
was given to the Gravelly Point site
on the Potomac. The association also
continued its campaign for the provi-
sion of an adequate armory for the
District National Guard. 1t urged pas
sage of bill to require the Federal
Government to buy American made
goods in the purchase Of needed equip
ment; bill to prohibit the sending Of
unsolicited merchandise through the
mails; the Cramton measure provid-
ing for the development of a George
Washington Memorial Parkway along
the Potomac and for acquisition OF
additional park and playground sites
in the District; the Simmons bill pro-
yiding for plans for a new Chain
Bridge; the Capper bill for blue sky"
law for the District, and the Capper
bill providing for a real estate license
law for Washington.
The Merchants and Manufacturers
Association urged adoption of a new
insurance code for Washington and
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