Evening star., 1941-04-27

Fred A. Smith the new president
of the Washington Board OF Trade,
last night pledged himself to con-
tinue with increased vigor" the
fight for national representation for
the District and a more adequate
Federal share in District expenses.
The Board of Trade is primarily
dedicated to the task of making
Washington the worlds finest city
in which to live and work, and
sincerely hope that during the next
year we will be able to make i'm
portant contributions toward that
end" Mr. Smith said following his
election to the presidency at the
annual meeting of the directors.
The 43-year-old realtor, who rose
from Office boy to the executive vice
presidency Of the Floyd E. Davis Co.,
during 27 years service with the
firm. was happy to learn that one
of his former teachers also had be-
come an officer of the trade board.
Prettyman Elected.
E. Barrett Prettyman, who was
elected secretary of the board, once
was teacher in an Alexandria high
school-and MIR. Smith was one of
his pupils. Mr.. Prettyman. a for
mer corporation counsel of the Dis
trict. was out of the city and unable
to attend the meeting, but he sent
the following telegram to James z.
Collif1ower, whom Mr.. Smith sue
ceeded:
"Keenly regret unable to attend
meeting. Wanted to second nomina-
ton of Fred Smith for president.
He went to school to me- Has been
fine fellow since knee pants. Wish
him luck fer me
Mr.. Smith. an energetic man with
a passion for anonymity and no
mean reputation as dinner
arranger for tie board, probably
has spent less time looking for jobs
than most people
Born and reared in Alexandria. he
became Office boy at the Davis firm
at Is and has been there ever since.
He says he's never had too much
time to develop hobbies, but he plays
golf and fishes, and last month he
caught the biggest fish of his career
when he landed a 45-pound tuna
off Miami Beach.
Active in Civic Organizations.
Mr.. Smith has held virtually every
Office in the Board of Trade and has
ben active with other civic and busi-
ness organizations. He was presi-
dent of the Washington Real Estate
Board last year, is member of the
Cosmopolitan Club, Columbia Com-
! try Club, University Club. National
Press Club and he recently headed
the special gifts unit of the Police
Boys Club campaign.
His first important assignment on
the trade board was the chairman
ship of the Membership Committee,
which he held 10 years ago. He has
been member of the Board of Di-
rectors since 1884, and in 1888 he
was elected secretary. BY his elec-
Prettyman will become president of
the board in 1914, if the customary
promotion procedure is followed.
Besides his other positions, Mr..
Smith is vice president of the Lin
coin National Bank and secretary
of the Columbia Permanent Build
ing Association.
Mr.. Smith lives with his wife at
812 Marietta place NV. His son,
Fred w. Smith, is in business with
him.
Smiths Statement.
In his statement last night. Mr..
Smith said he was conscious of the
responsibilities which are attached
to this important position" and
would exert every effort to dis
charge them successfully" Then he
added:
1--WE recognize that the unusual
conditions now existing require that
there be a denomination of many
things for which we are striving, in
the light Of the increasingly heavy
demands of the national defense
program. We in Washington have
a real responsibility in this defense
effort. The city has grown rapidly
and will undoubtedly continue to
! expand.