Evening star., 1950-10-10
Board Of Trade
Adopts Program
On 0bjjectives
Home Rule Bills
To Be Judged
On Their Merits

More effective and representa-
tive operation of the District gov
eminent Is a major aim in IL
major objectives the Washington
Board of Trade hopes to achieve.
The program. announced last
night by Thornton w. Owen,
board president. was prepared by
a special planning activities COM
mittee headed by E. D. Merrill.
1t suggests moves or studies in
connection with mobilization, aids
to business, District government,
taxes and other fiscal affairs here,
area development and decentrali-
cation, tourist and convention pro-
motion, air travel facilities, archi-
tectural awards, world trade and
American opportunity.
Home Rule Stand.
Concerning the Kefauver bill
for home rule in the District, the
program stated:
THE Board of Trade has op-
posed enactment of bills which
would provide local self lf-govern-
ment where it was apparent that
more effective municipal opera
ton would not result. The
board will continue to judge each
home rule bill on its individual
merits and prosecute an intensive
campaign aimed at amending the
Constitution to secure national
representation for citizens of the
District"
The program proposed possible
elimination of the District unin-
corporated business tax. 1t an
special studies are under
way to determine whether the
sales tax needs revision because
receipts are greater than esti-
mates.
Municipal Services.
The board also plans to make
recommendations soon "in the be-
lief that objective examinations
Of certain District operating costs
will be helpful in preventing un-
warranted expansion of municipal
services or unwise expenditure of
funds" the program
stated.
Other points in the program
called for:
Keeping members fully in
formed of Government plans and
directives concerning manpower,
ALLEGATIONS, controls
and similar matters. Cooperating
closely with appropriate authori-
ties in civilian defense activities.
!, Helping new members of Con-
gress find living quarters. Striv-
ing for "a more cordial relation
ship" between Washington citi-
zenS and members of Congress.
Holding the annual welcome to-
washington" dinner for new Con-
gressmen next January.
Decentralization Studied.
Increased study of population
toward the suburbs and
means of minimizing any decen-
tralization trend that would in
jure Washingtons downtown
business area. Study of the feas-
ibility of Metropolitan Area air.
port authority. Review downtown
zoning regulations.
Drafting of a bill to amend the
District unemployment compensa-
ton law. Determine the possibil-
ity Of divorcing the Districts
workmen's compensation act from
the Longshoremen's and Harbor
Workers Act. Possible publica-
ton OF a Buyers Guide" Ex-
pansion of the Boards municipal
research and tax department. Ne
gotiating with George WASHINGTON
University to have graduate stu
dents prepare basic marketing
data analyses and other material
desired by Washington business
men.
Establishing closer relations be-
tween employers and employees
and encouraging a better under
standing of the Nations economic
system.
Service Expansion.
Expansion of the Boards serv-
ice to domestic and foreign busi-
nessmen through dissemination
OF information and closer liaison
with bushes outlets and represen-
tatives for foreign powers"
Moves to increase the number
OF domestic and foreign shippers
using this area as a terminal or
stop-off point in air transporta-
ton. and at the same time to re-
lieve the National Airports over
taxed traffic pattern.
The program contemplates merit
awards for outstanding new and
remodeled structures here. It an
nounced also that the annual
Cherry Blossom festival will be
"heralded throughout the Nation"
and new promotions undertaken
to attract visitors and conven-
tions.