Evening star., 1943-04-06
Wartime Topics Lead
Commerce Program
For Annual Meetinq
Better U. S. Protection
Of Small Business
Among Many Demands
BY EDWARD C. STONE.

BY EDWARD C. STONE.
Wartime business problems will
headline the program of the 31st
annual meeting of the United States
Chamber of Commerce, April 27-
20 in New York, it was announced
at national headquarters here today.
Monetary and banking policy,
transportation, public works, electric
power. mining, insurance and social
security are slated for special dis
cussions, while postwar planning will
also be made a top subject. Better
present protection of small busi-
ness also has an important place
on the program.
Agriculture in the year ahead,
foreign trade and the marchant
marine, and war contract problems
are down for the opening days
session. Addresses on production,
good supplies, rationing and trans
portation will open the second days
program, with Government finance,
insurance and supplies for the home
front drawing later attention. Inter-
national topics will have their inning
on the closing day.
Members will demand simpler
price control regulations, sharp re-
ductions in Federal expenses of nom
essential wartime activities, simpli-
fcation of the income tax system,
and less Government competition
with private business. Speakers will
be announced shortly, the state
ment said.
Brokers Plan Bond Drive.
The Washington office of Merrill
Lynch. Pierce, Fenner g. Beane,
New York Stock Exchange firm, an
nounced today that the sales per-
sonnel in sc cities will shortly open
a national drive for the sale of
Second War Loan Bonds, to be ac-
companied by advertising in 100
different newspapers. The Office
today was distributing very
elaborate booklet describing in detail
all the issues to be offered in the
Treasurys $4,000 100000 campaign.
The booklet stresses the value of
the different issues as investments
much more than the patriotic angle.
1t sets forth the security underlying
the bonds, saying it would be er-
roneous to conclude that some $780,
000,000,000 estimated present value
represents the total wealth of the
country. Earnings capacity and the
Nations resources are vividly pic
tured.
These bonds have the greatest
investment merit. They all yield a
liberal return. They are as safe as
the United States itself; they are
your stake in the future of the
United States" the investment firm
asserts.
Remember, you are asked only
to lend your money while others are
giving their lives"
Heavy Taxes Paid to District.
For the year 1912 Capital Transit
paid or set aside to be used in pay
ment of taxes the sum of S4.312,1O9
In 1941 the amount was $1,754,311.
OF the total tax bill s1,489, LOG
was paid to the District of Colum-
bia. S33,738 to Maryland. the re-
mainder going to the Federal Gov
ernment.
Current bank problems will be
accorded further discussion at the
April meeting of the Auditors Sec
tion of the District Bankers Associa-
ton Thursday at the Lee Sheraton
Hotel, beginning at $50. R. Earle
Haycock, auditor of the Riggs Ma
tional Bank will conduct the forum.
Lincoln Service Loans Climb.
President Charles Delmar today
that the Lincoln Service
Loan Corp. loaned 1927 PSI in March,
compared with s357,888 in March,
1912, an increase of $l69,363, or a
jump of Alb per cent.
For the first quarter of 1943 the
corporation loaned s1,O46,350, as
compared with $8o7 1893 in the first
quarter of 1912. This is an increase
of $238,95l, or 29.5 per cent.
Collections for March were over
100 per cent which was consider
able increase over March, 1912. The
results obtained In March were the
largest in any calendar month since
the corporation commenced busi-
ness in 1881. Results for the first
quarter far exceeded any similar
period in the history of the corpo-
ration, Mr.. Delmar stated.
Store Collections Mount.
The Federal Reserve Bank of
Richmond reported today that 81
per cent of the bills due Washington
department stores at the beginning
of February were paid during the
month.
Installment receivables showed
% per cent collections during the
month. Total receivables at the end
OF the month were 40 per cent lower
than on February %, 1912.
Stocks on hand at the end of Feb
ruary were per cent lower than on
the same date a year ago. Out
standing orders for merchandise,
however, were 26 per cent higher
than a year ago, the survey said.
The Washington retail sales gain
of % per cent in February over
February, 1912, was behind the 38
per cent advance in the fifth dis
trict.
Gas Stock at New 1943 Peak.
Washington Gas Light $3.50 pre-
ferred stock sold at "a on the Wash
ington Stock Exchange today, a new
high mark for 1943 and up 21a
points from the last previous sale.
Columbia Title Insurance Co,
stock appeared on the board for
the first time this year, 20 shares
selling at Is.
Capital Transit was strong, OPEN
ing with shares selling at 80, fol-
lowed by Is more at 32A, close to
the years best price.
Capital Traction IS registered a
$500 transfer at 1851, unchanged,
while Washington Gas Light IS
changed hands at 129, off u, on a
$500 transfer.
New York Stock Exchange offices
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