The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-05
NEW DEPART MENIl
OF GOVERNMENT
Designed to Protect Com
merCial Interests.
PRESIDENT FAV0Rs IT
Travellers Protective Association
Working for Its Creation. !
BUSINESS MEN JOIN HANDS.
Col. John S.. Hardwood, Chairman of
National Legislative COMMITTEES. T..
PA, Feel Confident That the
Department. viii be E,stab
iis.cd-Senator AcComas
is Patron OF the Bill.
2
MEN JOIN HANDS.

Colonel John S. Harwood. national
chairman of the Legislation COMMITTEES
of the Travellers Protective Assocta-
rion of America, said last night that
he had good reasons TO believe that the
movement started by his committees
looking toward the creation OF an addi-
tfoual member of the Cabinet to be known
as the Secretary of Commerce, Would
result in definite action on the part OF
Congress at an early date
There is just as much reason why
the commercial interests of the country
should be looked after by the govern
rnent as should the farming interests.
said Colonel Harwood.
.The committee OF which I have the
honor of being chairman. has sor seVerat
years been working on this matter. we
have secured the cooperation OIL mum
Der OF Congressman in both branches
and we have been assured Of the SYM
pathy of President Mckinley in the move
aIent.
SOUND BUSINESS NAN.
.'The commercial Industries OF the coun-
try should have recognition. We do
not care to make of this new branch OF
the government a political one. but poll
ties must IN the nature of things, figure
in It TO SOME extent. The man at the
head Of it must be sound business
man, conyerssint with the needs OF the
business people.
There are many interests now under
the direction of other departments thas
should be concentrated into one depart
rnent, with a practical business man at
the head of 1T.
For instance, there is the Bureau OF
Navigation In the Treasury Department..
the Fish Commission, the Bureau or
American Republics of the Department
of State, the Improvement of river and
T1ny, rt nen
Interstate Commerce Commission, the
photographic division of the Navy De-
pa rtrnent and other interests that might
come under the direction of the Depart
ment of Cormerce.
"The appointment OF consuls snoutd
also come under such department Iha
position of consHi Is mainly commercial.
and business men, not politicians, should
hold them.
..The new department, which | am
quits confident will be established. will
do much for the good of American busi-
ness interests.
Senator Mcconas, of Maryland,
leading Republican,. whose influence IS
considerable. has charge of a measure
looking to the creation of the Office OF
Secretary of Commerce, which he will
introduce in the Senate at an early day.
The bill will in all probability become
law.
Senator's Daniel and Martin favor the
BILL and will voteSfor It's passage.
The T. E. AS are working hard for
the measure They number In the or
sanization many thousands, and their
influence is for reaching.
The members of this organization are
not the only ones favorable to the ss-
tablshment of q Department of Com
merce. All the busisass men IL the
Dructic1IIy fay,.L.
Colonel Harwood has recently returned
from Washington. and he is quite jubi-
liant over the progress made in the
matter.