Evening star., 1932-04-03
GREATER CAPITAL
DRIVE PREPARED
Campaign to Start Tomor-
row to Raise $4,000 for
Committees Work.

A drive to raise funds to carry for
ward the second years program of the
Greater National Capital Committee of
the Washington Board Of Trade will get
under way with luncheon meeting in
the Willard Hotel tomorrow, it was an
nounced yesterday by Robert " Flem-
ing and Lloyd B. Wilson, chairman and
associate Chairman. respectively. Of the
Campaign Committee.
The goal OF the two-week campaign
has been set at $4,000. During t.lc
past yea:- officers of the Board of Trade
estimate the committee has been direct
ly responsible FOR more than $4,000, 600
going into the citys business channels
through acquiring new conventions, pro-
noting tourist trade and advertising the
Capital on a Nation wide scale
The achievements of the Greater
National Capital Committee during its
first year Of operation have meant much
to Washington" Mr.. Fleming and Mr.
Wilson asserted in statement yes
terday.
Visitors Increased.
Pointing out that the committee has
brought great deal of additional
money into the city during the past u
months they stated that the organiza-
tlons work has stimulated trade a. a
time when stimulation was greatly
needed
The organized work of the commit
tee, the trade body officers said, has
brought thousands of additional visitors
to washington; so many that while the
travel industry as a whole suffered dur
ing the past year, the Capital Is one of
the centers that noted an increase in
the number Of visitors for 1881
Such work Is good for Washington"
the committee chairmen said "As
many persons as possible should see the
seat of their Government and gain a
clearer understanding of the problems
and methods OF Government admins
tration. The National Capital should
always be ready to welcome its visitors
with every courtesy
The work Of giving a warm welcome
TO visitors and outlining the attractions
Of Washington is being carried on in
extremely satisfactory fashion by the
committee. 1t is essential that the pro-
gram OF activities continue"
Members of Committee.
Members of the Executive Committee
OF the Greater National Capital Com
mittee are cooperating with Mr. Flem-
ing and Mr.. Wilson are A. c. Case,
chairman; Francis G. Addison. jr..
treasurer; George w. Offutt, president
Of the Board of Trade; w. w. Everett,
D. L. Norman, E. C. Graham. George
Pitt, Merle Thorpe, Charles w. Morris,
Edwin c. Brandenburg, L. p McLachlen
and Robert j.. Cottren. Mr.. Cottrell,
who Is secretary of the Board of Trade,
Is also secretary Of the Greater National
Capital Committee. Mr. Fleming and
Mr. Wilson also are members of the
Executive Committee.
Curtis Hodges is executive director of
the committee and C. N. Nichols Is in
cnarge OF the convention department.
During its first year, the work of the
committee as reported by its director
has fallen into three general classes: %
securing and taking care of national
conventions, (2) attracting and extend
ing proper courtesies to tourists, and
90 promotion Of publicity about Wash
ington's attractions.
The additional money brought in by
the committee is attributed to the in
creased number of conventions for
Washington and the efforts made In the
tourist field. It is estimated by statisti-
clans in the tourist business that this
like Is per cent since 1929. In 1929 the
total of tourist expenditures was esti-
mated at $4,000, 900 900. In Washing
ton last year, the tourist business, in
spite of generally unfavorable condi-
tions, held its own and showed an in
crease. The number OF visitors regis
tered at the Smithsonian Institution
in 1891 was 1886, $50. The number in
1880 was 1.675,988. Registrations at
the Smithsonian have kept up during the
early months OF this year. January
showed an increase Of 24,73S over
January Of 1881: February an increase
OF 27,200 over 1881 and March an in
crease Of 2,316, although all Of the
sightseers who come to Washington
do not visit the Smithsonian. The total
number Of sightseers who come to
washington each year is estimated at
100000 and despite economic condi-