Evening star., 1931-12-06
Board of Trade and Hotel
Leaders Ease Fears of
Shortage.
HOTELS TO MAINTAIN
USUAL RATES IN 1882
E. c. Owen, President of Associa-
ton, Joins With A. c. Case
in Reassuring Public.

Acting to dispeI fears that there may
be shortage of housing next year for
the unprecedented number Of visitors
expected to come to Washington to Join
in the Bicentennial celebration, spokes-
men for two large trade bodies here de
clared last night the National Capital
would be able to afford the usual ac-
cCmmodatiOns and comtOrs.
The statements came from the
Greater National Capital Committee of
the Washington Board Of Trade ana
the Hotel Association of Washington.
To counteraCt the recent rumOrS that
local hotels hcd been booked to capacity
for Sc.Eee Of the occasions planned for
the celebration of the George Washing
ton Bicentennial. these organizations
have sent out the word to prospective
tourists to come and have no fears of
a lack Of proper accommodations.
Usual Rates to Prevail.
Further f. c. owen, president of
the hotel association, stressed that
there will be no increase in prices for
these accommodations, that the usual
hotel rates would prevail. He reported
that this agreement had been reached
1T Illt JdoN lIittAAAAE VI AAANAAACSAS VI AIS
organization.
owens statement that Washington
would be able to afford the usual con-
veniences to out t-Of-toWn visitors during
1882 was made in response to an in
uuiry from the Greater National Cap
ital Committee which is organized to
bring tourists and conventions to Wash
ington. so that more thousands of
American citizens may see their Ma
tional Capital. and which offers its
services in aiding in welcoming these
visitors.
A c. Case, chairman of this COM
mittee, voiced his agreement with owen
as to the ability Of Washington to take
care of its guests in 1882. Members of
the organization, he said. made care
full study of the situation because of
its direct bearing on the business of
bringing conventions here.
Estimates Difficult.
owen pointed out that it is difficult
now to estimate the number Of addi-
tionaI visitors who will come to the Ma
tional Capital next year due to the
extended Bicentennial program attrac-
tiOnS
However, we do believe there will be
great many visitors here for the period
and the special OCCASION he reported,
and we believe the people in every
section of the country are ana will be
interested, because never before has such
an effort been made to attract the peo-
pie to their Capital.
The different branches Of the Fed
eral and City Government for the past
two years have been striving to get
well under way and complete the work
-, oh n
beautifying the Capital for this occasion
a gigantic undertaking which perhaps
never before has been contemplated nor
undertaken in the history of our
country.
After all, the Capital does not be-
long to the citizens of the District Of
Columbia alone, but is a part and
parcel of the possessions Of all the
American people.
Confident in Ability.
There seems to be some doubt in
the minds Of certain people that Wash
ington will be able to afford the com
forts and conveniences that the number
of visitors will require The hotel men
do not feel this way, and we speak from
past experiences in handling large
crowds Fer instance, the inaugurations
of our Presidents for the past 25 years
have attracted from 10000 to 100000
visitors for a period Of from two to five
days duration, and at Easter week per-
haps 100000 visitors, and there has been
no difficulty in handling these throngs.
There is no doubt in our minds but
that the visitors will be properly housed
and courteOusly treated while here.
"At the last meeting of our aSsOCia-
ton it was agreed that there will be
no increase in prices and our regular
rates will prevail. So far as the present
situation is concerned. the bookings are
about normal with the past for CORE
spending periods with the exception Of
February 20 to 25, the period Of the
National Education Association conVen-
ton, which brings about 1900 visitors.
Plenty of Room Left
While the bookings for this period
are above normal, there are still, even
during this time, ample accommoda-
tons
Therefore, I should say the watch
word should go forth Come one, come
all, and as guests Of the District OF
Columbia you will receive a warm well
come and courteous treatment"