Evening star., 1937-01-03
FISCAL WORK TOPS
TRADE BODY'S 1886
1900 Members Push Varied
Programs Through 80
Standing Committees.


to the city during 1885 was its ac-
tiyities in connection with the 1888
District budget and the preparation
and presentation Of the Parker tax
report regarding the size of the Fed
eral contribution to District expenses,
according to Robert j. Cottrell, ex-
ecutive secretary.
Under Craftsmanship Of E. F. Cola
day the Municipal Finance Commit
tee conducted an extensive investiga-
tion and, after the House had fixed
the Federal contribution at $4,000, 900,
the Porker report was presented to the
Senate Appropriations Committee,
with the result that the sum was
boosted to $5,000,000.
The board continued its steady
growth during the year and now has
a membership of nearly 1000 OF the
outstanding business and professional
men of the city. Thirty standing
committees continued their work. with
approximately 1900 members serving
actively.
Continue Airport Fight.
The board has continued efforts
begun some years ago for the creation
of an adequate commercial airport
for the District and during the past
year prepared a complete digest OF
all legislation which has ever been
introduced in Congress in the field
of aviation.
The Bridges Committee was success
full in its activities for the replace
ment of Chain Bridge. The inclusion
of this item in the District oudget
was the elimination of many years OF
work to replace the old structure.
Largely through the activities OF TINS
committee in its program OF brldge
structures, which covers a l0-year
period, a small amount of money was
also included in the District budget
for studying plans to replace the now
obsolete PENNSYLVANIA Avenue Bridge.
Many organizations and groups
have benefited by the cooperation
of the Committee on Community Al
fairs. Outstanding activities which
this committee has aided include the
Presidents Cup Regatta, the Hal
loveen celebration, the Fourth OF July
celebration and the organization OF
the Washington Civic Theater.
The Insurance Committee was help
full in disseminating information to
local business men regarding the un-
employment insurance law of the ma
tional social security act and they
have also kept in close touch with
all public and private insurance mat
ters in the city.
Health Group Busy.
The Public Health Committee has
been active in its efforts to secure
additional funds for the Health De-
partment. Health conditions in WASH
ington from a comparative standpoint
are considerably worse than those IN
other cities and a great deal of work
Is necessary to remedy this condition.
The board has also continued its
efforts in behalf of the Fire and
Police Departments. 1t has conducted
several extensive surveys of equip
ment. personnel and efficiency in order
to Justify its position in requesting
additional funds for these depart
ments.
Among the subjects concerning pub
lie schools which have been under
consideration are educational costs,
admitting of many non-resident1al
students to District schools and school
buildings. Regarding this latter. the
board has approved the fve-year
building program which has recently
been brought up by the Board OF Edu-
cation. The Public Schools Commit
tee also has interested itself in physi-
cal education and athletics and has
Endorsed the School Boards statement
Of its principles on this subject.
Subway Study Made.
A detailed and comprehensive sur
vey of the proposed subway system
for Washington has just been COM
pleted by special committee. The
findings of this committee have not
vet been made public, but when they
are they will be the basis for the
Board of Trades position in regard to
this proposed alteration in our trans
portation system. On water as well
as on land and in air, the board is
watching the transportation conditions
and its Committee on Rivers and Har-
bors has made tremendous strides In its
activity to improve the Washington
channel and harbor.
A matter of particular Importance
to residents and taxpayers in the Dis
trict has just been brought forward
BY the Committees on Streets and Ave-
nues. All States and Territories ex-
cept the District share the Federal
road aid grants. and the Board OF
Trade Is now agitating for the inclu-
sion of the District in these benefits
and has secured the support of great
many Senators and Representatives.
Traffic Group Active.
Probably the most active group
within the Board of Trade Is the
Traffic Committee. Over 800 men
serve on this committee and frequent
meetings are held, at which various
phases of our complex traffic problems
are studied, discussed and considered.
The work of this committee has been
of inestinable value to the Police De-
partment.
Through the Greater National Cap
ital Committee the board has contin-
ued. its efforts to obtain suitable
assembly place for large conventions
and has renewed its activities in be-
half of combined auditorium -armory-
stadium.
The number of tourists visiting
Washington last year was approxi-
mately 2,500,000, an increase of about
100000 over 1885. Their expenditures
here are estimated at between 81 ,000.-
600 and 81, 100000 more than the pre-
vious year.
The number of conventions con-
tinued to increase and Washington, as
o convention city, now ranks next
New York and Chicago.
The year brought to close the ad-
ministration of John Saul. who retired
as president last April. He was sue