Evening star., 1941-06-18
Progress Of Fight
Curb Frauds in
Merchandising Cited
Better Business Bureaus
Activities Reviewed
At Annual Meeting

| "A quarter Ol century Vi plOSi cSS
In the elimination of confidence
men, false advertisers and other
types of crooks from the business
activities of Washington was de-
scribed yesterday at the 22nd an
nual meeting of the Better Business
Bureau in the Willard Hotel
| Claude H. Woodward, director,
gave summary at the luncheon
session of what has been accom-
plished In the prevention and prose-
cution Of fraud, the promotion of
fair advertising and selling practices
and the education of the general
| public in money management, buy
ing and in everyday relations with
business.
An account of conditions in Wash
| ington before the bureaus day was
related by Fleming Newbold, vice
president and business manager of
The Star. For instance, attempts
to insert fraudulent or misleading
advertising in the newspapers were
so frequent that Mr.. Newbold, on
January 6, 1912, published on the
front page of The Star:
THE Star will be glad to have
its attention called at any time to
misleading or dishonest advertis-
ing"
Checked Medical Ads.
Some of the more persistent
crooks, Mr.. Newbold said, he per-
sonally ordered out of town, threat
enlng them with exposure.
On the subject of medical adver-
tisements he obtained the advice
OF Federal experts, and edited or
rejected the copy.
The executive expressed graft
flcation that conditions have i'm
proved, thanks to a large extent to
the Better Business Bureau. which
ne praised for its growth, effective
ness and the way 1t is managed"
Fraud prevention" Mr.. Wood
ward said, "is our most important
service. 1t is much better for all
to prevent fraud.
This means the crook has lost an
opportunity and his intended victim
has saved his money, and above all
1t means public confidence in busi-
ness has not been damaged.
Therefore. the Bureau constant
ly reminds the public of the need
to investigate before and not after
a purchase. Through newspaper
writings, advertising and radio talks
the consumers are urged to come to
the bureau for factual information.
Prevalent racketS are publicized and
many warnings issued"
Praises Nationwide Effort.
Another speaker was Ganson Pur-
cell, recently-appointed member of
the Securities and Exchange Com
mission, who declared that Better
Business Bureaus in WASHINGTON
and throughout the country are
performing invaluable service in
supplementing the work of the Fed
eral agency.
The modern crook, he said, travels
far and fast, and may quickly estab-
nsh himself in community far
from the scene of his last opera
tions. For this reason, he continued,
Nationwide systems for educating
the public and advertising the lat
est rackets are especially effective.
Y. E. Booker, chairman of the
bureau. presided at the meeting.
H. l.. Rust, jr., and other business
leaders, including spokesmen for the
building industry, department stores,
banks and newspapers, pledged sup
port to activities of the bureau.
F. G. Addison, jr., chairman of the
Nominating Committee, placed 40
board of trustees members in nomi-
nation, and their election was by
unanimous consent.
Names of Trustees.
The trustees follow:
F. G.. Addison, jr., Security Saw
ings & Commercial Bank; c. A. As
pinwall, Security Storage Co.; Ed
ward c. Baltz, Perpetual Building
Association; Meyer Barnett, Hub
Furniture Co.; Hubert T. Bisselle, |
Riggs National Bank; Y. E. Booker
Y. E. Booker & Co.: Everett j.
Boothby, Washington Gas Light Co.;