Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-11-22
Home Builders Act
To Abandon Show
ST Parking Fee
Protested, Return
OF 81, 900 Asked

Inc Home Builders ASSocia-
ton of Metropolitan Washing
ton has decided to abandon it's
10th annual Home Show at the
District Armory because of the
81 Armory parking fee.
James w. Pearson, executive
vice president of the builders,
said the Association has also
asked the Armory Board to re-
turn a $1,000 advance fee for
use of the building on grounds
the parking fee is tantamount
to a breach of contract.
The issue was still up in the
air today as Corporation Coun-
sci Chester H. Gray studied the
contract to see whether the
Association could drop out at
this point. His decision is ex-
pected late today or tomorrow.
Mr.. Pearson said the asso-
citation decided the home
builders might lose as much as
$4,000 on the show, scheduled
for February, with the parking
cost.
Fee Attacked by Groups
The association was among
the groups sponsoring special
events at the Armory who last
month attacked the 81 parking
fee as unfair, exorbitant and
ridiculous"
Representatives of the home,
auto and florist show urged the
board to lower the fee but were
turned down. The Armory
Board instead said it would
continue the charge until April
l, 1862, then reconsider the
fee and decide whether it's
hurting any business"
Maurice j. Mike Murphy,
chairman of the annual Auto
Show, said today, after learn
ing of the home builders de-
ciSion, that he has reversed his
opinion that the parking fee
would hurt his show, to be held
January 1914.
But two other officials of
principal Armory events - the
Flower and Boat Shows-said
that while they planned to go
ahead with their shows, they
were afraid the parking fee
would hurt business.
Contracts Too Far Along
I'VE are too far along with
contract commitments to can
eel this year." Adolph GUIDE,
jr., chairman of the Flower
Show, said.
But smaller shows in the
Armory should not be called
upon to help pay the bill for
the District Stadium through
the parking fee," he said.
A Boat Show spokesman said
the "Armory would be much
better off if it had 10 cars
parked in its lot for so cents
than one at ST."
The Home Builders Associa-
ton executive said, meanwhile,
that several important exhibit
tors who, in the past, have
taken up large spaces in the
Home Show at premium rates
refused to sign contracts with
the show this year.
Mr.. Pearson said the exhibit
tors told him they do not be-
heve a show will draw when
the public has to pay ST adj
mission and another 81 to park
their cars.
Loss Not Expected
Arthur J. Dutch Bergman,
chairman of the Armory Board.
said that board regrets" the
decision of the home builders,
but does not expect to lose any
money.
Mr.. Bergman said that Feb
ruary is one of "our best
months of shows" and that
we're always filled during
these months"
Wen just schedule another
activity" he said.
The Armory manager pointed
out the board had to sell $19,-
100000 in bonds for the new
District Stadium, including
some $2.660,O00 for the new
parking lot.
This is a business in which
we have to show income toward
our investment" Mr.. Bergman
said. Congress and the people
expect us to run like a business