Evening star., 1940-02-11

Voice
InFederation
IL Associations
Members of Group
Formed in 1881

putting over progressive measures
helpful to business in Washington
and representing business before
the government Of q city Of voteless
people.
Thus was formed the Federation
Of Businessmen's Associations.
Arthur Clarendon Smith, then
president of the Central Business
mems Association, called q special
meeting Of that body on September
3, 1881, to make plans for forming
such an organization. This idea
materialized on the night Of October
IS, month later, when these four
associations met together and elected
temporary officers. Presidents of
the four nucleus associations were:
Eugene Minoux, Georgia Avenue:
John M. Beane, Northeast; John L.
Fowler, Brookland- Woodbridge, and
Mr.. Smith, Central.
j. Nelson Anderson, then general
counsel Of Central; Milton r. voll-
mer, Hubert Newsom and Robert w.
were all pioneers with
these officers in founding the Fed
GRAFTON. In 1885 the body was in
corporated through the efforts of
Mr.. Vollmer, Mr.. Smith and Mr..
Anderson.
Purposes are Cited.
Unlike its predecessor, the Fed
GRAFTON of Citizens Associations
founded In 1910, to work for general
civic needs, the business federation
had drawn up in its bylaws the
following objects:
l. The mutual improvement and
education of the members of the
association; to obtain the express
sion Of the general sentiment from
the members upon matters of special
interest concerning business affairs
In the District Of Columbia; to make
effective united action for the pro-
motion and furtherance of legitimate
business enterprises in the District
OF Columbia; to buy, own, use or sell
real or personal property, or both
In the District Of Columbia or else
where for the purpose of the cor
poration; and to do any and all
other things consistent with said
purposes.
2. To foster a closer relationship
among the business and professional
men and women.
3. To serve and advance the in
terest Of the District of Columbia
by developing intelligent, service
able. cooperative and progressive
business.
4. To instill and preserve in the
businessmen and citizens an active
interest and participation in civic
and governmental affairs.
S. To promote legislation beneficial
to business.
6. To encourage any persons en-
gagged in business to present their
individual problems for considera-
ton.
This first meeting was held in the
Logan Hotel at Thirteenth street
and Iowa Circle NV. At the outset
Arthur Clarendon Smith was ap.
pointed temporary chairman and q
committee was appointed to draw
up constitution and bylaws. At
the next meeting. a month later, the
oy-iaWs and constitution were
adopted. with officers elected as fol-
lows: Mr.. Smith, president: Mr.. NC
Cuiiough. first vice president; C. E..
La Vigne, second vice president:
William H. Hessick, jr., treasurer:
Mr.. Newsom, secretary. Mr.. Ander-
son was appointed general counsel
by the president and has served In
this capacity to the present time.
Achievements Recalled.
The federation is composed most
ly OF small business groups, although
In its membership are many large
firms. 1t filled the place of q needed
institution in Washington, as each
section had its local association
which took care of local needs, but
there was no central body toward
which to turn when these individual
bodies wanted to present city-wide
front before the District Committee
The central body feels responsible
as playing major part in the re-
ductlon OF taxes in the District and
the elimination of unlicensed mer-
chants, such as flower merchants
and street vendors, and bringing
back to Washington the privileges
OF selling light wines and beer. The
federation was the first organization
TO go on record for the repeal of the
eighteenth amendment, going before
CONGRESS and asking for the same
privileges as extended other sections
OF the country.
During the course of the his
tory OF the federation our general
counsel and legislative BODY has
appeared before Congress on every
important matter relating to busi-
ness conditions and major civic
needs IN Washington" Mr.. Smith
SAID. Under the leadership of
sucn capable men as Mr.. McCul-
lough, Its second president, through
Curtis E. McCalip, Theodore Grape.
SSOAA AsANSSLCy DICSs
ent president, Louis L. Bowdler, the
federation has accomplished meas
ures no single business or civic
association could possibly have done
aione-and in the short time of
nine years"
A long fight to allow trade asso-
cations membership in the group
was finally won through the Board
OF Directors at the November, 1889,
meeting when q resolution favoring
such step was presented by Ber-
neard Elman and adopted.
In introducing the resolution Mr..
Eman pointed out that this move
would benefit the body in strength
through membership, thereby ex-
panding and solidifying its posi-
ton in District affairs and would
not involve the arduous task OF
building new organizations nor carry
the risk attached to crossing boun-
daries drawn by neighboring asso-
Citations" Cooperation and supper.