Evening star., 1933-10-25
ROPERLAUDSN.R.A.
AT TRADE MEETING.
1000 Attend First Fall Ses-
sion of Board; Col. Grant
Honored for Services.

An appeal for popular support OF ef-
forts to enforce provisions OF the ma
tional recovery program was voiced last
NIGHT by Secretary of Commerce Roper
in an address at the first Fau meetlne
of the Washington Board OF Trade,
held in the Willard Hotel.
I'm our national recovery program,
he said, I'VE are passing from the code,
or agreement, period, which We mlght
call the educational period into the
period of enforcement
I'VE have learned in this country
that a larger percentage OF the poten-
tial results sought depends upon prop
er enforcement of law rather than
on the law itself. We have also learned
another thing of equal importance
namely: That officers charged with
enforcement responsibilities cannoI
alone enforce any law. Ihey can prU,
ceed no further than the puohc Will
support. Therefore. If we would get oe-
sired results from any legislation we
must keep the people behind the pro-
gram of the administering officers.
Sees Civic Body Role.
Civic bodies. he asserted, can oe OF
real help in enlisting community CO.
operation behind the N. R. A.
He outlined the principles and aims
Of the Recovery Administration and
said that it is duty to record steps
taken in the battle against depression
as a means of defense against 1uture
depressions. .,o,,,d
The Government can and snouio.
Secretary Roper declared, give succor
ito the wounded, and economic hos
pitalization to those in distress, as
result of operation of the recovery pro-
gram.
Predicting the rapid development OF
Washington, he said that air transpor-
tation will be one of the great factors
in this growth, and expressed tne
opinion that solution of the problem
of an adequate airport for the city
soon will be worked out.
The meeting was attended by almost
1000 men, including heads OF various
other civic organizations.
In response to a presentation to him
of a resolution of appreciation LOT nus
services. Lieut.. Col. U. S. Grant, 80
of director of public buildings and
nublic parks. outlined three goals to-
ward which he asked the members oi
the board to work.
Urges Recreational Facilities.
The first objective. he said, should be
adequate and safe, but Inexpensive OUT
door recreational facilities for Washing
tonians. This is particularly important
now, he pointed out, due to shortening
of hours of work and the consequent
added leisure time.
Col. Grant said the total yearly cost
of recreational facilities in the Dlstrlct
Is less than the cost Of paving one city
block. He said this country has done
less for its citizens in this regard tnan
any other major nation. He suggested
that this was a partial explanation OF
the higher crime rate here.
The second goal cited was elimlna-
ton of slums
The third was longtime financial
program, extending over at least nVe
years and preferably ten. Such pro-
gram, he said, would provide the only
logical and reasonable way OF spending
the Districts money and would prevent
unwarranted raids on the pubic treas
ury by small but vigorous groups 10
the detriment of the majority OF
citizens
Senator King Speaks.
In an impromptu address, Senator
William H. King of Utah, chairman OF
the Senate District Committee. advo-
Gated creation of a park north along
the banks of the Potomac River and
steps to prevent pollution of the stream.
He predicted that the coming session
of Congress will be the most important
one since the World War.
Work of the Board of Trade during
the Summer was reviewed briefly by
the president, Claude w. Owen.
He listed 10 subjects which have en-
gagged the boards attention. They
were: The grant to the District OF
s1.9O0,000 of public works funds; re-
duction of the District tax rate from
$40 to S1.50; the securing of an ap-
preparation for construction Of the new
Calvert Street Bridge and selection OF
a masonry type: release for local use
of the s1,5OO,O0O District gasoline tax
surplus: the fight for allotment OF
funds from the Public Works Admin
istration for construction of the pro-
posed Municipal Center: the fight for
appropriation for funds, under the
slums clearance act to continue the
purchase of properties in the South
west section, begun several years ago;
successful conduct of the renovize
campaign; cooperation with the local
N. r. A. group by furnishing office
space, stenographic and other service;
a telegram to President Roosevelt re-
Questing that any change in the form
Of the District government protect or
increase the city's voice in its own
affairs: and. finally. cooperation with
Senator King in drafting suitable
liquor control law for the city.
Mr. Owen introduced Thomas P. Lit
tlepage, president of the Washington
the local N. r. A. Compliance Board
Mr.. Littlepage thanked the Board OF
Trade for use by the N r. A. unit OF
its Offices and said that so far 5000
persons have been put back to WORK
here