Evening star., 1933-12-31
Capitals Trade Organizations
Vie,o 1888 os Important Year
Street Car Merger, Tax Rate Reduction
and Public Works Included in List
of Accomplishments.

| features. These proposals are now
being put into legislative form for 10.
PRODUCTION in the new Congress
The chambers success in securing the
inclusion of the District in Federal re-
lief appropriations, points out President
William c. Miller, greatly reduced the
local burden of emergency relief and
paved the way for District participation
in the public works funds. These addi-
tional funds, coupled with the reduc-
ton in the tax rate. as advocated by
the chamber, caused substantial savings
to District taxpayers.
The trade body urged successfully the
| holding Of dignified large-scale in
augural celebration and loaned its Of
fees and staff to the Inaugural Trans
portation Committee. 1t also published
an inaugural guide book. which resulted
| in advertising Of considerable value to
Washington.
Helped With y. r. A.
The chamber took the lead in or
ganizing and conducting the local N
r. A. campaign, with Thomas P Little
page, former president. acting as gen.
eral chairman. Work of its Office staff
in supplying information and interpre-
tation service enabled many district
firms to secure their Blue Eagles
promptly
A major project Of the year for the
chamber was the movement to promote
relations with the Eastern Shore OF
Maryland through construction Of the
Chesapeake Beach ferry. The approval
of the Interstate Commerce Commission
was secured, a mass meeting was held
at Cambridge and final hearing was
conducted before the Public Works Ad-
ministration with every indication OF
final favorable action on the applica-
ton Of the Chesapeake Beach Railway
for loan to establish the service.
Local industrial development was
promoted through holding the cham
bers ninth annual Industrial Exposi-
tion. with over $4,000 attendance, and
dresses ON the leading industries OF
Washington"
Took Part in Pay Fight
The chamber took an active part In
the movement for the re-esta blishment
Of Government pay scales. 1t partici-
pated In the Inter- Chamber Fire Waste
Contest. in which Washington was
placed in the honor city class. The
first night pageant and parade on the
Potomac was organized by chamber
group as part of the 1888 President
Cup Regatta with splendid results. The
chamber also successfully opposed the
maintenance Of taxi dance halls in the
District.
The Merchants and Manufacturers
ACSnciQfi0Y y
er. president. has during 1888 expert
enced the busiest period in its entire
history
With the passage Of the national re-
covery act the association, which Is a
federation Of local trade groups, has
been called upon to act as a clearing
house for information on the require
ments Of the codes of fair trade prac-
tice. which affected its various trade
sections. Having such diverse groups
as department stores, coal, fuel oil,
ice cream and ice manufacturers, gas
oline service stations. jewelers.. reStau-
rants, mems and women's wear, shoes,
and oil heating, some Of which are
competing or overlapping and each of
which have different codes, neceSSi-
tated much research work. Over 200
meetings of these groups have been
held, at which codes have been formu-
lated or interpreted. The association
is now assisting its constituent trade
groups in setting up local code COM
mittees to administer the various codes
in Washington.
Seek Street Widening.
The association has been endeavoring
to have F street, between Seventh and
Ninth streets, widened so as to permit
two-way traffic through this important
downtown business street
In cooperation with the District
Federation Of Women's Clubs, the mer-
chants group inaugurated a plan to
cut down unnecessary return Of mer-
chandise, realizing that such returns
are incurring severe economic loss,
which Is amounting to more than $780,
600 annually to the Washington stores.
The reduction of freight rates on an
thracite coal from the mines to WASH
ington has been requested of the In
terstate Commerce Commission by the
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
citation.
The board of governors of the asso-
citation has advocated the passage Of
dulOllOUuC AlOul dI1NC w
protect the public from irresponsible
drivers of motor vehicles. The measure,
which would give the District superin-
tendent of insurance power similar to
that granted In many States to fix in
surance rates on workmen's compensa-
ton insurance in Washington, was ap-
proved.
Ferry Plan Supported.
The plan Of the Chesapeake Beach
Railway Co. to inaugurate a new ferry
service across Chesapeake Bay was
given the backing Of this association.
The board of governors vigorously op-
posed any increase in gasoline tax in
the District as being unwarranted. and
advocated that such tax be used for
repair and upkeep of streets only.
The association advocated a 20 per
cent reduction in water rates, having
found that the so per cent increase
made during the previous year resulted
in revenue in excess Of the amount
needed for the purpose Of maintaining
q water system In the District Of Co
lumbia.