Evening star., 1938-05-15

few pieces Of car equipment and not
really F. o. B.
Also, there are many classified ad-
vertisements of used automobiles, SUD-
posedly privately owned, which really
belong to automobile firms.
The newspapers have been most CO.
operative, the bureau says, in DENYING
the use OF their classified ads to those
found guilty Of advertising stuffed
mats and dealers jewelry as private
ly owned.
RESIDES all these, there is the char
ity racket. Washington's char
liable work has had a lions share Of
sour discordant notes. The National
Capital is a recognized mecca for dis
honest charity promoters. Ours is
one Of the easiest cities in the world"
Mr.. Marshall says, "in which one can
make money quickly but question:
ably"
AS matter Of policy, the bureau
feels that every legitimate charity in
Washington should show the public
complete account Of both its receipts
and disbursements. And further, it
should be remembered that when
charity knowingly and willfully plans
an expense Of from $4,000 to $4,000
to raise $4,000 something is wrong.
Promotional costs have eaten up far
too many charity receipts in Wash
ington. Too many dollar boxes of
candy have been sold for SO in the
name of supposed animal protection
organization for the sake of sweet
charity.
Even the lawn party the Presidents
wife gave for the inmates of the Ma
tional Training School was used to
solicit money to provide a home and
vocational training" for women and
girls on parole from the training
school.
A campaign to collect funds provid-
ing vocational training for the blind
revealed, upon investigation by the
bureau, that only three people received
the training and they were not blind.
In addition to all these is the
racket offering money to buy silence
Few. indeed, are the prominent busi-
ness men and leaders in official life
who have not been approached many
times with offers of enormous pay
"just to keep quiet" about something.
INVESTIGATION has shown also
that there has been too frequent
violation Of license laws in Govern
ment departments. Almost every
thing-milk, butter, eggs, even Christ
mas cards-has been sold without a
license. which, since last October, is
compulsory. Information regarding
this violation and the penalty are
being mailed to chief clerks in all
Government departments.
Only two things, the bureau feels,
will eventually stop unscrupulous
pirates operating in Washington. First,
ask the advice of the Better Business
Bureau before you get in trouble, and,
second, take advantage of the bu-
reaus educational program to INFORM
the public.
The bureau has taken definite steps
toward the education of the consumer
by providing free bulletins On some
of the most important subjects.
An ll-page bulletin on Facts You
Should Know About Jewelry" tells
the difference between gold, gold
filled and gold-plated jewelry. 1t gives
valuable facts about watches, clocks
and silver, besides complete informa-
ton on diamonds and gems. How to
care for jewelry is included.
Where, what and how to buy furs,
with q complete description OF Al
kinds and detailed instructions as to
their care, is found in the same sized
bulletin on furs.
A DvICE to protect. the public from
the ravages OF loan SHARKS wnen,
and II, they need to borrow money
and where to get it, is given in the
14-page leatiet on Borrowing" The
importance Of security, the cost of
credit, as well as information con-
corning loans on life insurance,
stocks and bonds, from credit unions,
commercial banks, industrial loan
companies and pawnbrokers, is in
cluded. It also stresses the fact that
one should always read what they are
signing.
The l5-page pamphlet on Savings"
shows two men who earned the same
income over a period Of years, one of
whom became financially Independent
while the other found himself in debt.
Startling facts on saving are given
in this free booklet.
As a further aid in the educational
program, Mr. Marshall, the director;
Mrs. Sally Muchmore, his assistant,
and members of his stan are available
for educational talks about the bureaus
services.