Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-06

Washington. Dec. ITO effect
closer tie between the Department OF
Commerce ana Labor and the CONNER
cial bodies Of the country. Z nota bic
conference was held today in The office
of Secretary Of Commerce and Labor
Straus Besides Secretary ot state
Root who was invited To attend because
the state department is deeply inter
eSted in the subject Of international
commercial relations. and Secretary
Straus. who initiated tho movement for
the conference, there We're present dele
gates from chambers Of commerce,
'boards of trade and other organizations
from New York, Buffalo. San Francisco.
Atlanta. Chicago. New Orleans. Balyi-
more. Boston. Minneapolis. st. Paul.
Cincinnati, Cleveland, Portland. Ore.
Philadelphia. Pittsburg, Charlr stOn. 5.
G.. Galveston. Richmond. Va. Seattle,
Milwaukee. Denver. St. Louis and this
city. a similar relationships exists i'll
several European countries.
Today's meeting was of a preliminary
nauurc and its purpose is regarded by
its promoters as ADMINISTERS tive as dis
tinCtShed from Legislative. Tariff. re-
ciprocity and matters Of finance We're
de barred as net within the scope Of the
department.
The tormati ton OF 4 permanent adj
vIs0ry council representing the COM
m6rcial bodies Of the country is regard
cd as a prOba Bile result Of the confer
ence and it is suggested the cO-Opera-
ton Of the council might extend to
other departments Of the government
that come in close touch with lie COM
mcrcial interests of the country, such
as the Department of State. AgriCi;!-
tire. Treas ury and Interior.
TodaY's program included opening
statements by Secretaries Root and
Straus. a reception by the President
at aeon anG u reception tonight bv
Secretary and Mrs. S:raHs 1T their
residence.
Secretary StrauS in opening the meet
ing described the object of the confer
ence as being 'the adoption of systems
somewhat similar to those that prevail
i'll several Of the European countries for
an adequate governmental service of in
formation on foreign tariffs and foreign
commerce.
Secretary Root said the country had
reached the point where it can apply to
{
crnmental service and commercial organ
izations those business principles which
are Transforming the world today. He
said that where there are great markets
waiting for American enterprise, America
was much handicapped because Aracri-
cars are children as compared to some
Of the methods of trained foreign experts.
Secretary Root referred to the reforms
wrought in The matter Of consular ap-
pointmcnts and said there would be a
pressure to 80 back to the old rules and
he urged all to aid the government i'll re-
sisting any such pressure.
Gustav II. Schwab of Now York was
elected chairman of the conference and
Frank 3. WyberS Of Cincinnati was made
temporary secretary. The chairman was
authorized to appoint a committee on Or
ganization consisting of 10 members and
committee on rules of five members.
The delegates at noon adjourned to visit
the White House.
President Roosevelt received the dele
gates in his office and spoke very en-
couragingly to them, emphasizing the i'm
portance OF having the commercial bodies
of the country connected in some manner
officially with the government