Evening star., 1938-06-22
BETTER BUSINESS
BUREAU PRAISED
Trustee Head Urges Spread
of Good WOrk-Sidd0nS
Chosen Chairman,

OIIUSCI VIIdiIIIIdU.
The Better Business Bureau, which
for Is years has been the foe Of un-
ethical business and bogus enterprises
in Washington. celebrated its birthday
ut the annual m0ting yesterday at
the Raleigh Hotel.
Through its staff Of trained business
investigators, the bureau amasses and
disseminates free information on
business, finance and advertising and
co-operates with Government agencies
in preventing unethical practices. 1t
Is supported by funds contributed by
its 2l8 member firms.
More than 40 members Of the
bureau and honor guests representing
Federal and District government
agencies with which the bureau CO.
operates heard Lanier P. McLachlen,
who completed his two-year term as
chairman of the Board of Trustees.
express the hope that the bureau will
continue to be powerful force for
fair play in advertising and business
in the Nations Capital"
IT every concern in Washington
were to join we could have better
business bureau second to none In the
country" he said.
Sidd0ns Elected Chairman.
At special meeting of the Board
of Trustees following the meeting,
F. P. H. Siddons, vice president OF
the American Security and Trust Co..
was elected chairman to succeed Mr..
McLachlen.
Other officers were reelected as
follows: B. B. Burgunder, vice chair
man: Y. E. Booker, treasurer, and
R. B. H. Lyon. counsel.
In his annual report, presented at
the meeting. Director Joseph w. Mar
shall outlined the work OF the bureau
during the past year.
Some OF the incidents of unethical
business methods outlined in the re-
port had a humorous side which was
overshadowed. however. by the realiza-
ton that they had been costly to those
Ill able to stand the loss
One of the cases dealt with the
operations of religious" sect, and
a person who, claiming divine inspira-
ton, persuaded a woman to turn over
to him stock which he disposed Of
and invested the proceeds elsewhere
Rayon Ruling Increases Work.
The work Of the bureau has been
increased materially by a ruling Of
the Federal Trade Commission which
requires goods containing rayon to
be identified as such.
Mr.. Marshall hailed this ruling as
forerunner of additional requirements
for woolens, silks, cottons and other
materials.
In brief space Mr.. Marshall out
lined how the bureau had been in
strumental in preserving the ethical
standards Of advertising and business
by curbing shady dealings ranging
from fake cold storage advertising to
charity racketeers and wildcat oil
and gold stock.
He hailed in particular work of the
Washington Real Estate Board. with
which the bureau closely co-operates.
Our clty's real estate activity Is
undoubtedly heading for flner, fairer,
more ethical planes" he said.
Hospital insurance projects received
special attention at Mr.. Marshalls
hands. He described one with 5000
members whose actual liquid assets
totaled so cents per member. and
another with an entire capital of sl25.
Not Measurable in Dollars.
1T will never be possible to measure
the results Of Better Business Bureau
work In actual dollars and cents. Our
effectiveness can be approximated
more by the things that don't happen
In Washington business than bv those
which do. Much of our effort is
devoted to standard drafting and to
correcting conditions which, if al
lowed to continue, would penalize
reputable business as we'll as DESTROY
the consumer confidence without
which no enterprise can long operate
satisfactorily" Mr.. Marshall said.
James w. S. Hardey. chairman OF
the Merchandise Advisory Committee.
comprised of l6 leading Washington
merchants, pointed out that the Bet
ter Business Bureau cannot prevent
underhanded business practices any
more than the Police Department
can prevent all crimes. However.
we can be OF service in providing ma
terlal Tor corrective measures" he
said.
Mr.. Hardey paid particular atten-
ton to two resolutions passed by his
committee during the year, one ad-
Vocating that all fiber content of
cloth merchandise be identified and
the other that businessmen. news
papers and radio broadcasters refer
plans for all sensational selling
schemes. such as going out of busi-
ness sales" fire sales" ETC., to the
bureau In advance so that they may
be advised as to whether they meet
with Federal Trade Commission re-
quirements.
All three speakers took opportunity
to extend to Government officials, the
press and the radio thanks for their
cooperation in raising the business
standards Of the city.
Many U. S. Onicials Guests.
Government officials present as
guests were United States Attorney