Evening star., 1939-03-26
DC. Store Sales
Remain on Par
With Year Ago
RetoiI Volume Gains
1919 Per Cent Over
Previous Week
By EDWARD C. STONE.


partment stores for the week ending
Wednesday were on par with the
corresponding week last year and
100 per cent above the previous
week this year, the Commerce De-
partment reported yesterday in re-
viewing business in 36 important
cities. Compared with the same
1898 week, sales ranged from a de-
crease of 13 per cent to an increase
Of IA per cent, thus maintaining
the recent upward trend.
Building permits in the Capital
showed surprising increase, being
more than four times higher than
year ago. total of 81 1892 500, con-
sisting chiefly of small houses and
apartment houses in the suburbs,
comparing with $445,650. Bank
clearings disclosed a good gain
$23, ,495, ,406 contrasting with $2l ,03l,-
730 in the same week in 1885,
Approach of Easter brought sud-
den upswing in the number of peo-
pie visiting Washington, the Smith
sonian Institution reporting more
visitors than in the previous week
or the corresponding week year
ago. Capital Transit Co. passenger
revenues continued to forge ahead
S224,975 comparing with s212,616
last year.
All other reporting cities in the
Fifth Reserve District reported an
Easter trade pickup, with increases
over 1898. Baltimore, Richmond and
Norfolk were among the more ia
vored trading centers. while the
flower show at Charleston, S. c.,
jammed the hotels to the doors and
gave trade splendid boost, the
Commerce review stated.
Barker Transportation Chief.
Willard G. Barker, president of
the Morris Plan Bank, has been ap-
pointed chairman of the Transpor-
tation Committee. arranging for the
annual convention of the District
Bankers Association at Hot Springs,
Va, June 8-11, President Hilleary G.
Hoskinson announced yesterday.
George M. Fisher, vice president
and treasurer of the Washington
Loan & Trust Co., was named vice
chairman of the committee. Both
bankers have already served the as
sociation on important committees.
The other members include:
David Bornet, National Savings &
Trust Co.; Frederick H. Cox, City
Bank; James c. Dylin, jr., American
Security g. Trust Co.; S. Wilson
Earnshaw, East Washington Savings
Bank; R. Earle Haycock, Riggs Ma
tional; w. L. Koontz, Anacostia
Bank, and William v. Simmons, Lib
erty National
Banks Under Labor Standards.
Calvert Magruder, general counsel
OF the wage and hour division of the
Department of Labor, advises all
banks to consider their employees
subject to provisions of the Fair La
Dor Standards Act, Administrator E.
F. Andrews yesterday sending no.
Aces to the banks announcing the
ruling.
The letter says that in view of
section Is of the act it would seem
advisable to consider all bank en-
ployes subject to it," The section
referred to gives employees the right
to recover double the amount of
any unpaid minimum wages or un-
paid overtime compensation.
The notice, though not final, is
considered of vital Importance. Fur
ther study will be given the Inter
state commerce" phase of the prob
lem. Activities of all bank employees
may be so closely, interviewer with
activities in interstate commerce as
to make them a part thereof.
1t was said in the financial dis
trict yesterday that most Washing
ton banks have been very cautious
and for a long time have considered
employees as coming under the Labor
Standards Act.
Mrs. Reed to Address Women.
Mrs. Helena D. Reed, assistant
trust officer of the Lincoln National
Bank. will address the Business and
Professional Women's Club of the
District of Columbia and guests at
the monthly dinner at the Lafayette
Hotel, tomorrow evening at $50
O'Clock, on the subject of Invest
ments" and with particular refer
ence to suitable types of investment
for the business 0r rrofesSiorol
woman who is able to save only
relatively small amounts each
month.
Mrs. Reed is a native of the Dis
trict, a graduate of the Washington
College of Law and one of the early
women members of the District bar.
She has been connected with the
Lincoln Bank for years and is one
OF two women in Washington to hold
the position of trust officer and one
of the 10 women in the United States
holding that position.
Baber Addresses Bank Club.
Julian T. Baber of the United
States Secret Service addressed the
Security Club of the American Sc
curity g. Trust Co. last night on
"Counterfeit Money" The subject
proved of special interest to all the
young bankers.
The club, meeting in the banks
recreation room, also enjoyed table
tennis and music by the banks glee
club, Louis A. Potter, director. who