The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-26
MEETING OF MANUFACTURERS.
THEIR ASSOCIATION HOLDING ITS
THIRD CONVENTION.

President XRrch Reports Long Con-
tinued Dizziness ana Stngnation I'm
the Industries Superseded During
the Past Year by Pronounced Ac-
HVity-IiberRI Policy to Encour-
age American ship building Urged.
Committee Recommends Adoption
of Metric system of weights ana
Measures.
New York. Jan. 2j-The third annual
convention Of the National Association Of
Manufacturers began in the Masonic
Temple in this city to-day.
About 80 prominent merchants from all
parts of the country were present at the
morning session, at which Theodore
Zarch Of Philadelphia presided.
The convention will close with a banquet
on Thursday at which President NIcIIin-
ley win speak
In his annual report President Zarch de-
clared that during the past twelve
months the industries of the United
States had progressed from long contin-
ued dizziness ana stagnauon into pro-
nounced activity. He claimed the Ma
tiOnal Association Of Manufacturers had
large share in the credit for this ex-
pansion of trade. He declared one of the
greatest problems stin to be settled was
the shipping question, aud advocated a
liberal policy on the part Of the govern
ment to encourage American shlpbulldlng.
| Mr.. Zarch referred to the benefits which
] I,yf h.
| completion of the Nicaragua canal.
! He advocated the creation of a federal
| department of commerce and industry and
the enactment of reciprocal trade trea-
! ties.
He highly commended the system OF es-
tablshing sample warehouses in foreign
countries.
The proposed national bankruptcy law
now before Congress had, Mr. Zarch said
the strong support of his association.
| He deprecated the increasing tendency
on the part of state legislatures TO i'm
! pose special taxes on foreign corporations
The report of T. II. Martin of Atlanta
| Ga, commissioner OF the association to
Mexico was then read Mr. Martin said
| he was glad TO be courtoousy received by
| President Daz
| Mr. Martin stated that IL the United
| states could continue the present ratio of
| gain in trade with Mexico for the next
| three years it could easily control the trade
of that countrys traffic, but that the
| present was a crucial period in which Eu-
| ropean competition was doing its utmost to
win. He recommended that the association
request the State Department to under
take negotiations for a reciprocity treaty
! with Mexico.
The report of the committee on weights
and measures recommended the adoption
| of the metric system of weights and meas
| ures as the legal system of the United
| States to go in force In January, 1901.
| The report of the committee on commerce
and industry dealt almost exclusively with
the work done towards promoting the Gre
| alton of a national department of COM
| merce and industry. and the necessity for
the existence of such an institution.
The committee on transportation recon-
mended that the interstate commerce law
be amended to include a uniform national
classification; to invest them with such
| power as will prevent unjust discrimina-
| ton and eXtortion In transportation, and
| to substitute an amendment that will pro-
| vide that rate agreements, whether they
| provide for division of earnings or not.
shall be enforceable through the commits
sioners or the courts and the adoption of
| the anti-scalpers bill.
| Secretary y. +. Wilson of Cincinnati
then submitted his annual report. This
showed a gain Of 64i members during the
| past year
The report of Treasurer Robert Laid
law of Cincinnati showed total receipts
Of $50, 767 and disbursements $S7191 leav-
ing a balance for the year Of S2,575.
The report of the committee on weights
and measures created considerable discus
sion and was referred to the committee on
| resolutions
An adjournment was then taken until
| tomorrow.
Between 800 and 800 delegates were en-
tertained tonight by the members of the
local branch Of the association at Bo-
hemian smoker at the Waldorf Astoria
hotel. which is estimated to have cost
10000 The affair was enlivened by the
appearance of half a hundred theatrical
| performers before the guests