The record-union., 1899-01-25

of every class is well employed. and in
many instances reductions in wages
during recent years have been revoked
and former rates restored.
Taking broad view of the country,
there are evidences of activity and
signs of prosperity on every hand, and
the conditions which now present
themselves form a contrast as pleasing
as it is striking in comparison with the
state of affairs two or three years ago.
Interest in the construction of
Canal has been stimulated
by the incidents of the late
war with Spain, and by the commercial
expansion of the United States which
has resulted from the brief conflict.
Arguments heretofore advanced in be-
half Of the various interoceanic canal
projects have been more essentially of
a commercial character, but while the
importance of a canal from a purely
commercial standpoint has in no way
diminished, the political and strategic
value of a waterway across the Cen
trail American isthmus has been in
creased enormously during the past
few months.
I'VE are not called upon to deter
mine the rights of the parties in the
controversy. nor are we asked to pass
upon the technicalities of route, cost
and engineering. It seems highly
proper, however, for us as business
men to give clear expression for our:
belief in the commercial necessity for
a canal across Nicaragua. and to our
conviction that, whether constructed
by private corporation or upon funds
supplied by our Government, the canal
should be first, last and always an
American enterprise and under the
control of the United States With our.
new possessions in the Far East, we
need now as never before a way of
quick communication by water between
our Atlantic and Pacific coasts. In the
Orient are the largest undeveloped
markets for our products, and our
growing trade there demands better
and cheaper means of transportation
than our transcontinenta1 railway lines
afford. The millions which a Nicara-
guam Canal would cost would be well
spent if devoted to such an end by our
Federal Government
Conditions have not been favorable
during the past year to the awakening
of any high degree of enthusiasm about
the Paris Exposition of 1900. Many of
our manufacturers have been disposed
to give small consideration to it, and
some of them have even expressed their
determination to dismiss tn matter en-
tirely, on account of the sentiments
which were attributed to France dur
ing the war with Spain. 1t is greatly
RI ha cd hot Of
ufacturers should have permitted them
selves to be so moved by prejudice for
which there was really no foundation.
and it is to be much hoped that the
return of peace and settled conditions
will revive interest in this Exposition
and lead our manufacturers to an APP
probation of it's true Importance.
Our present parcels post system is
of comparatively small value, and the
limited extent to which it is used af-
fords no basis upon which to judge of
the volume of foreign trade which
could be developed with proper facili-
ties of this character Concerted ac-
ton by the members of this associa-
ton, in conjunction with the efforts of
other organizations, would doubtless
prove very influential in securing the
development of this exceedingly useful
instrument of international commune
cation"
At the afternoon session Treasurer
Charles A. Schieren of New York re-
ported the gross receipts for the year
to be sol, 692. After all disbursements
there is now a balance on hand of
$2,63S.
The Committee on international
Freight and Transportation made an
elaborate report on notifications in Ger
tain bills of lading and rates.
An elaborate paper on the extension
of American trade, by Milton Jackson
of Philadelphia. was read by Secretary
F. P. Wilson. and referred to the COM
m;ttees.
The Committee on Commerce and
Industry made an elaborate report in
favor of an additional Cabinet officer
and a Department for Home Industries
and Foreign Trade, outlining a plan
of organization to secure the same
The Committee on Transportation re-
ported its Investigations for better IA
cilities and rates.
The association adjourned until
Wednesday.