Evening star., 1942-04-27
Small Businessmen
Seek More Contracts
From U. 5. Agencies
Conference Leaders
Score Competition,
Urge Economy
by EDWARD C. STONE.


Washington after a careful study o
pending legislation affecting suaal
business and rotndtable conferences
with Senators and Representative
In which they explained their need
In efforts 10 survive the war period
They are most OF all interested II
obtaining small Government con
tracts. Many are in a position Il
take contracts which would make
unnecessary further expansion OF
Government agencies, they said
Along this line printing was spe.
cificaiiy mentioned.
The small businessmen were bitter
against the number OF Government,
reports they are required to make
In some instances similar reports
are required by eight differen,
agencies. Many OF these business
men say they keep only general
records OF their business and find
furnishing countless details very
costly.
While In washington these men
expressed particular opposition 10
Government competition. They
urged Congress to abolish the N
Y. A. and the G. c. c., which were
originally established as relief
agencies. One Of their strongest
appeals was for drastic Government
economy In all non-war expendi-
lures, many members of Congress
expressing hearty accord with their
views.
Stating that there are l,700 900 re-
tail enterprises dependent upon
consumer goods for their existence,
the business leaders urged that the
fiow Of these goods be maintained
to the fullest possible extent con-
sistent with the efficiency Of the
war production program. All Gov
ernment agencies were urged to
respect this need as vital to the
morale Of the American people.
ID. c. Speakers ut Chicago.
Many speakers from Washington
are on the program for the 30th
annual meeting Of the National
Chamber of Commerce, which
opened today in Chicago. Among
those appearing on the program
from Washington and elsewhere
are:
Francis B. Sayre, commissioner to
the Philippines; Edward v. Ricken-
bacher, president Eastern Airlines;
Albert w. Hawkes., president Cham
Der OF Commerce; Milo Perkins,
executive director, Board of Eco
nomio Welfare; Joseph B. Eastman,
director, once OF Defense Trans
portation; Representative Hatton w.
Summers.
Admiral Howard l.. vickery,
United States maritime commits
sioneraatC. a. Wcodruff. War Pro-
duction Board: J. B. Hutson. presi-
dent Commodity Corp, Washington;
M. Clifford Townsend, Agriculture
Defense Relations; ]. w. Follin, di-
rector, Producers Council, Wash
tngton.
]. Howard Marshall, chief counsel,
Once of Petroleum Co-ordinator;
H. A. Gray, acting director, Once OF
Solid Fuel Co-ordinator; G. H. Bur
CESS, once of Price Administration.
Representative Edward w. Smith
and 80 others.
Imitation Held Less Likely.
Washington bankers believe that
the dangers of serious imitation have
been very much reduced in the last
few days.
One Of the chief reasons is the
expected limits to be placed on prices
of host of commodities.
Another is the stepping up of the
drive for the sale of War savings
bonds which will draw more heavily
on the incomes of individuals and
leave that much less money to be
spent for consumer goods.
Wall Street has stopped expecting
menacing imitation, many stocks
bought on the imitation theory hav-
ing been recently sold by speculative
holders.
Bankers Meet at Hershey.
Washington members are attend
Ing the 3lst annual convention OF
the Association of Reserve City
Bankers, which opened a two-day
session at Hershey, Pa, today. About
$50 members were expected.
The Capitals delegation included
Robert v. Fleming, Sidney F. Talia-
ferro and Hilleary G. Hoskinsorl,
Riggs National: Joshua Evans, jr,
and Wilmer ]. Waller, Hamilton Ma
tional, and Frederick p H. Siddons,
American Security & Trust Co.
The program called for a full
discussion of problems related to
financing the war and the postwar
period. Taxation, war contracts
and a host of other similar matters
were due for consideration.
Gas Stock Sale Launched.
Washington investment houses to-
day were seeking subscriptions for
hilC TVtuNN~otluiN AoShN Va
ton Gas Light S. cumulative pre-
ferred stock at 100 a share, which
has cleared the Securities and Ex-
change Commission and had already
been approved by the Public Utilities
Commission.
A complete prospectus was dis
tributed in the financial district
today. The sale is expected to net
the company nearly $4,000. 900 which
will be applied to the repayment
of bank loans amounting to sS,-
100000 made by the Chase National,
American Security a. Trust Co. and
the Munsey Trust Co. These loans
were incurred for plant expansion,
including the enlargement Of the
East Station gas manufacturing
plant in l94l which cost S9l3,000.
The common stock holders have
until May IL to exercise their rights
to purchase the new stock. The
company has been in business eS
years.
Today's Trading on Exchange.
Washington Gas Light common
stock registered small sale or
the WASHINGTON Stock EXCHANGE