Evening star., 1945-01-06
Conventions
CONTINUED From First Page

prepared to use wartime powers to
deny repair materials, manpower
and possibly rationed food to hotels
who refuse to heed the request.
Action to halt conventions met
with immediate promises of support
from big organizations and officials
OF convention cities. Albert H,
Skean, manager Of Atlantic City's
Convention Bureau, said the pro-
posal, was pretty stiff" but that the
resort center would Cooperate 100
per cent" the Associated Press re-
ported.
Mr.. Skean added that Atlantic
City had booked about 50 big meet
Iings for the next few months that
would be affected by the ban. He
said an average Of $50 conventions
are held yearly in the resort, at
tended by about 100. 900 delegates.
Approved by President.
MIR. Byrnes said his action had
the approval of President Roose-
welt. He said he recognized that
some meetings were desirable in the
best interests of the war. but added
the belief that even these meetings.
could be reduced both in number
and size.
He pointed out that the railroads
are carrying the greatest passenger
load in history and that similarly,
our hotels are crowded to the extent
that persons travelling on important
war assignments, and our service
men find 1t difficult to obtain ac-
commodations."
The Government committee which
will pass on all conventions of more
than so persons, in addition to Mr..
johnson, will include representatives
Of the War and Navy Departments,
War Production Board and War
Manpower Commission. The COM
mittee will act not only on requests
from the public, but also on requests
from the civilian Government agen-
cies.
Agencies Asked to Cut.
Heads of all Government agencies
were requested by Mr.. Byrnes to
examine all travel by employees
with a view to reducing such
travel to the minimum consistent
with their responsibilities" He
likewise urged the public to defer
nonessential trips. :.
Mr.. Byrnes said the President
told him that even invitations to
the fourth-term inaugural cere-
monies January 20 are being re-
stricted as never before because OF
demands the war has brought
about, particularly on transporta-
ton and housing" The great ma
jority Of Inauguration invitations
will 60 to residents OF Washington,
he said.
| While many organizations volun-
tarily have Cancelled meetings since
the war began, Mr.. Byrnes said
joptimism In the last year regarding
early end Of the war led to SUBJ
stantial increase In the holding OF
conventions and postwar trade
shows.
Railroads are operating in this
war with 80 per cent less passenger
cars than in 1918, although or
tganized military movements are
NEARLY three times greater than in
lthe World Wat. with the military
lusing from 10 to Is per cent oi
coach space and nearly half of the
Pullmans, revenue passenger miles
LOT railroads have increased from
22,600. 900 in 1889 to an estimated
|96, 900 900 In 1914.
j In Cincinnati, Joseph S. Turner
secretary of the International As
socistion Of Convention Bureaus
Isaid his organization would "co-
Ioperate freely" with the Byrnes pro-
|posal. He added that hotel men and
Iothers In the convention business
will be happy" II Mr.. Byrnes' com.
Intttee distinguishes between essen.
'tial and nonessential meetiues, I