The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-04
Is Made Up of Business
Men of the Nation.
Object Is to Promote the Wei
fare of the Country.
Men, -Partizan and Non-Political.
Branches at Large Centers.

The plan OF the organization contem-
plates, in it's scope. vast league. whose
influence would be powerful. II success
attends the movement. 1t is intended TO
organize branches in all the larger COM
rlercial and Industrial centres. to CO.
operate with the main body OF the
league, whose headquarters at present
are in Chicago. Circulars. TO effect the
formation of these coordinate bodies,
already have been issued. The object
of the league is to learn what federal
legislation will best aid the business in
terests OF the country at large. and to
use the influence of the league 10 bring
to the attention of congress measures In
line with business prosperity and urge
their passage. In the interest OF COM
merce and industry. The league is TO be
thoroughly non-partisan and non-poli-
tical. The officers, citizens Of Chicago,
are as follows:
President, Ferd w. Peck; vice presi-
dent. Erskine NJ. Phelps: treasurer. FL
bridge G.. Keith; secretary. Clifford A.
Gilbert: attorney, John w. Ella.
Ferdinand w. Peck. the president,
and John w. Ella, She general attorney,
Of the National Business league are
here 10 start the work of the league at
Washington. The subject of the tariff
bill, now being prepared by the house
ways and means committee. was first
taken up. Messrs Peck and Ella had
extended interviews with several men,
bers of the committee, including Chair
man Dingley, A. j. Hopkins and Gener-
al Grosvenor. with reference 10 the work
now being done by the committee. In
this manner they informed themselves
Of the stage the schedules are now in.
Chairman Dingley as well as other MEM
bers OF the committee received them
most cordially. and expressed them
selves as much pleased with the organi-
zation and as expecting great deal or
good TO come. from this work. and gave
assurance of this disposition to welcome
the leagues cooperation. AN arrange
ment was made with the committee by
which the league will furnish them
statements OF facts and statistics from
time 10 time. and with its views as 10
| questions arising in the making up OF
| the schedules.
| Several points upon which considera-
| bic work is being done. and problems TO
| be solved in the making of the tariff
| schedules, were suggested to these rep
resentatives OF the league by the MEM
| bers OF the coTmittee, upon which II
would be well for the league to prepare
| and furnish statements. Mr.. Peck and
| Mr. Ella also had an interview with As
| sistant Secretary OF the Treasury Ham
| lin. and arranged with him to obtain
statistics and statements from the
bureau OF statistics bearing upon SUCH
| points as they should desire at any, time.
They were assured at the treasury de-
| partment of their willingness to further
| the work.
They also discussed with those with
whom they conferred the advisability of
having a bill for the appointment of n
tariff commission passed, providing that
export commissioners be appointed. TO
whom all bills contemplating changes
In tariff schedules hereafter should be
referred for investigation, and to con-
gress, before action was taken by the
latter body. The object of this is stated
to be to prevent, after the passage of the
tariff bill now in preparation, the damage
to business which always follows from
general revision Of the tariff. 1T is un-
l
recommend TO the league that its in
fuence be brought to bear In this con-
nection. They also discussed with Sen
ators Frye. Cullom and other members
of congress and officials of the treasury
department the bill to establish new
department of the government. TO be
called the department If commerce and
industry" and the appointment OF q
- t-4< a
partment. This measure will be rec
commended TO the executive committee
of the league for favorable action. 1t is
believed that this department would be
I'm the line of forwarding general busi-
ress prosperity, and II is contemplated
that a bureau OF statistics would form
part of this departments work. cover
ing commerce. foreign and domestic
and the general industries and labor in
terests of the country. from which they
hope very much better statements OF
~esults can be obtained than from any
OF the present departments. These
gentlemen will recommend to the leagu,
action in favor OF passing the bills Great
ing this department and the tariff com
riission at the special session 10 be
called, so that the new cabinet officer
may be appointed within the next few
months. They were assured by severa
members of congress shat neither Of the
above measures would delay the pass
age of the tariff bill at that session
Members. generally, expressed them
selves In favor of the bills.
Cnnnot Throw over Bible story.
| StroudsbuTg, Pa. Feb. 4-Dr. Lymar
Abbott's. position in regard TO the
| Eihle story OF Jonah and the whale was