Evening star., 1937-08-22
Host City
Continued from Page F-1)

that national officers find attractive.
On one occasion gentleman inter-
ested in growing nuts exerted himself
to bring the Northern Nut Growers
Association to the Capital for their
annual convention next year. At
other times, Government groups, such
as the Department of Agriculture, will
extend special invitations to groups in
which they are particularly interested.
AS an example of this cooperation,
the Department of Agriculture inter-
ested itself in securing and inviting
the American Honey Institute. SINH
larly, the Federal Bureau OF Investi-
cation extended formal invitation to
the International Association for
Identification, due here in October.
THE hotels of the city often conduct
- little private campaigns to secure
certain conventions in which they
have a particular interest. Whenever
this occurs, and the Board OF Trade
Is taken into their confidence, CO.
operation is the keynote of all activ-
1ties, and hotel and committee work
hand in hand from then on.
Once the convention is secured for
the city, 1t is every hotel for itself. BY
their own literature or .persuasiveness
they secure such delegations as they
can best accommodate Washington
Is fortunate in the diversity of accom-
modationS and price range of its
hotels. There is every type available
from the luxurious resort hotel to
the moderate-prlced hotel or listed
rooming house. For convention Wis
ttors and tourists the Capital has
available more than 10000, hotel
rooms, scattered from Union Station
Plaza through the main business dis
trict to Rock Greek Park There are
also about 1000 romming houses.
Yet, in the opinion of the executive
director OF the committee, from 40 to
30 more conventions could be received
IN Washington annually If there were
even more extensive accommodations
AS a matter of fact, the Board of
Trade believes that very definite
effort should be made to make room
for entertaining as many visitors as
wish to come to Washington. They
regard the matter from point of
view which appreciates the mercenary
angle and benefits derived CONNER
clally from these visitors, but also
considers important the fact that
American citizens have the right to
visit their own Capital in large groups
If they so desire, and should be
afforded the facilities. They recog-
nize that Washington belongs to the
entire nation and should be able to
take care OF its own, If they come from
East, West, North or South by the
thousands. There is national bene-
fit to be gained, as well as local, they
believe, in thus acquainting citizens
of the United States with their center
Of Government.
CERTAINLY the Greater National
Capital Committee does everything
possible to take care of all visitors.
Every problem in connection with
groups stay in Washington is taken
over by the committee. and every effort
made to assist in such details as ac-
commodations, publicity, entertainment
and similar features. The motto of
the committee is "One hundred per
cent cooperation" and the members
live up to it. There are registration
service, hostess service, direction of
publicity, information bureau service.
planning of programs and a hundred
other minor attentions.
All kinds of booklets, pamphlets,
maps and information folders are
either mailed out in advance to
delegates, or supplied when they
arrive. One booklet describes How
to Spend Day in Washington" and
the day or week is obligingly mapped
out. There are calendars of events,
published and distributed by the Hotel
Association Of Washington, and
Greeters' Guide to the National Cap
ital that lists all public buildings,
when they are opened and what they
contain; traffic rules, theaters, air.
ports, parks. statues, memorials, and
countless other things Of especial
interest to the delegate.
Thousands of dollars are spent in
the preparation and distribution of
such pieces of literature Not less
than 5000 maps, folders or brochures,
advertising the city or making the
visitors stay pleasant, are sent out
each month by the committee of the
Board OF Trade. Some months the
average runs far ahead of this conser-
Vatlve 5000 figure. In March of this
year. for example, the Greater Nation
al Capital Committee mailed out 49,
600 pieces of literature; and in April
1900 pieces were sent forth to adver-
= the Washington, The Spring months
are the best for such distribution.
Tor then Interest in the Capital is at
its keenest.
1t Is in the Springtime that most
requests come in for information about
washington. In June of this wear
1,O4s direct requests for information
about the city were answered: in
April there were 1929 requests, and
IN March the total was 1892 requests
all with regard to group visits.
oCAL groups and hotel men co-oper-
ate. once the convention arrives
IN entertaining or accommodating the
delegates. The hotel, and often the
railroads. will make special rates to
the convention delegates. And local
groups will raise funds to help enter
tain the conventionites Sightseeing
rides, bridge parties for the ladies,
dances and other entertainment are
scheduled, free of cost. by local groups,
Tor national members OF their organi-
1ations. Sometimes commercial Or
ganizations such as department stores
will take upon themselves entertain
ment OF groups with allied interests.
window dressers or others.
Washington business men and
i others interested in the Capitals prog
/ ress and prosperity subscribe annually
to the fund that makes possible the
activities OF the special committee of
tne Board OF Trade. But despite the
great numbers who are taken care
nf onnno11v