Evening star., 1938-08-14
little BUSINESS
CONVENTION SET
Program to Be Adopted Will
Be Submitted to Congress
Candidates.
By CARLOS J. YIDELA.

NEW YORK, Aug. ia giant who
represents the pygmies In American
business arrived in New York this
week to announce that the small mer-
chants and manufacturers OF the
country. "for the first time since
1887" will hold a national conven-
ton this year to draft policies for
their own protection and for the
economy and welfare Of the country.
He is De Witt M. Emery. 6-foot-
6, 24o-pound president OF the Ma
tional Small Business Mems Associa-
ton. with headquarters in Akron, Ohio,
where he is head Of a printing con-
cern. The convention will be held
at Pittsburgh. September 13. The
program adopted there will be the
official little businessmen's plat
FORM" which will be submitted to
candidates for congressional office.
The associations members, said Mr..
Emery, will back those candidates.
regardless Of political affiliation. who
are in accord with the principles set
forth in the platform.
Since Nov. 13, 1887, when he sent
q circular letter to hundreds of small
businessmen, asking them to Join
In fight for their rights, the organiza-
ton has been growing until now,
according to Mr.. Emery. the asso-
citation is represented In 40 per cent Of
the congressional districts. Of the
country. He declined to state the
number OF members
Association Non Partisan.
The National Small Business Mems
Association, said its president, is en-
tirely partisan. small mer-
chant. according to the associations
definition, is an individual or incor-
porated manufacturer, wholesaler or
retailer, operating on a limited capi-
tai or whose shares are not quoted on
the ''big board"
The basic philosophy of the associ-
alton was expounded by Mr. Emery
In the following words: Nothing
worth while can be accomplished by
turning out one bunch of politicians
under one label and replacing them
with another bunch under a different
label. Party lines must be disregarded
and individual voters must satisfy
themselves with reference to the quail
flcations for Office Of each candidate
Has the candidate the courage of his
convictions? Are his the right convic-
tions? Is he recovery -minded?"
Never since 1887. affirmed Mr.. EN-
cry. has a similar gathering taken
place in history. He does not think
that the small business mems meeting
In Washington, held last February.
was worthy Of the name It was. he
said. "a lot Of fun for the newspapers,
disgusting spectacle to most of the
delegates, a headache for the Depart
ment Of Commerce. and a major blum
der. politically speaking for the New
DEAL
The National Small Business Mems
Association Is not an offshoot. Of the
Washington meeting. Mr.. Emery en-
pi1asizes His organization dates from
three months before that conclave.
and its program had already become
matter Of record December 8. When
the stormy session opened at Washing
ton IN February. the association al
ready had members in IL States. At
In 40 States
A membership fee of IS goes to the
treasury of the national association.
Mr.. Emery explained. and individual
dues Of IS are collected and retained
by the local chapters. Naturally, he
added, national movement could not
be financed with only such meager
contributions. Consequently, an ap-
peal is made for donations and space
is currently being sold for advertising
In the souvenior program for the Sep
tember convention
I'VE are very strict when it comes to
accepting contributions or selling pro-
gram space" declared Mr.. Emery.
1--WE only accept money from people
who have legitimate reason for ad-
vertlsing in our program as small
business men or as larger firms serving
small business, like automobile manu-
facturers. for instance Everything
in our finances is open and above
board, and We would welcome any in
vestigation Of our books, especially
congressional one"
Opposes Z. s. Meddling.
The association is against Govern
ment meddling and experimenting in
business, against unjust" taxation
and for reduction in Federal expendi-
lures and balanced budget. This,
the associations president emphasized.
is not to be taken as an official ex-
preston Of policy: 1t Is for the con-
vention to 60 on record definitely As
far as Mr.. Emery himself is concerned
the problem confronting the Nation at
this moment Is either democracy or
New Deal" The latter, he said, leads
to "isms." foreign to the American
temperament.
One thing the association will not
do Mr.. Emery said, is lobbying in any
manner. All the pressure necessary
will be exerted, he explained, from the
Congressmen's own home districts.
This pressure has already been tried
out, he added, during debate on the
reorganization bill. which the asso-
ciation fought strenuously More than
100 letters were received by the asso-
citation from Washington lawmakers,
ne said, approving its attitude on the
bill
The Wagner Act also has been
target for some heavy-caliber proiec-
tiles from the Small BuSinessmen's
Association. AS sample. Mr.. Emery
exhibited Al by 30 inch broadside,
'one OF the largest ever made" re-
printing newspaper editorials against
features of the Wagner Act which
the association opposes.
Ccpyrtsht, 1888, by the North American