Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-05
EXTENSION OF TRADE
Representatives of CONNER
ciaI Bodies Confer.
THE PURPOSE EXPLAINED
Secretary Root Tells of the Work
Done in Europe.
MIR. SCHWAB IS CHAIRMAN
Delegates Received by President
Roosevelt, Who Commends the
Aims Of the Delegates.
MIR. SCHwAB Is CHAIRMAN

interested in the subject of international
commercial relations. and Secretary
Strauss who initiated the movement for
the conference, there were present dele
gates from chambers of commerce. boards
of trade and other organizations from
New York Buffalo, San Francisco, At
lanta, Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore.
Boston. Minneapolis. st. Paul. Cincinnati.
Cleveland. Portland. Ore; Philadelphia.
P1ttsburg, Charleston. s. c.; Galveston,
Richmond. Va; Seattle, Milwaukee, Den
yer, ST Louis and this city. A relation
ship similar to that sought in the calling
of the conference exists in several Euro
pean countries including Germany, Eng
land and France.
A Preliminary Conference.
Today's meeting was of preliminary
nature and its purpose is regarded by its
promoters as administrative as distin-
guished from legislative. Tariff. reciproc-
ity and matters of finance were debarred
I as not within the scope of the depart
ment
The formation of a permanent advisory
council representing the commercial bodies
of the country is regarded as a probable
result of the conference, and it is sug
gested that the cooperation of the council
might extend to other departments of the
government that come in close touch with
the commercial interests of the country.
| such as the Departments of State, Agri-
culture, Treasury and Interior. Today's
program included opening statements by
Secretaries Root and Straus. a reception
by the President at noon and reception
tonight by Secretary and Mrs. Straus a!
their residence, at which Secretary Of the
Treasury and Mrs. Cortelyou. Senator and
Mrs. Depew and Representative and Mrs.
Parsons will assist.
Object of the Conference.
Secretary straus in opening the meeting
described the object of the conference as
being "the adoption of some system some
what similar to those which prevail in the
principal European countries for an ade
quate governmental service of information
on foreign tariffs and foreign commerce"
1T requires no argument" he said, Ito
prove that the establishment of medium
Of cooperation between this department
and the commercial bodies will be of TIL
greatest practical advantage to the de-
partment in directing its efforts into the
channels OF investigation that are most
desired by the commercial interests. 1t
will at the same time enable the depart
ment to communicate promptly informa-
ton regarding trade conditions in foreign
countries that will prove Of increasing
value to American manufacturers, ex-
porters and importers"
He said that the bureau of manufac-
lures, bureau of statistics, the bureau of
the census. the coast and geodetic survey,
the bureau of navigation, the bureau OF
standards and the bureau of corporations
intimately touch commercial interests.
1T is of the highest Importance to the
exporting interests" he declared, ito
learn at the earliest moment not only
tariff changes in foreign countries. but
also the proposed changes affecting the
exports from this country, SO that such
steps may be taken, either by our govern
ment or by the interests affected, as the
or,f 4 ~ II,
admit. 1t is important that the connect
Ing link between the department and the
commercial organizations should be a
comparatively small committee. and the
plan submitted therefore. proposes an
advisory board, which would be practical
ly an executive committee. meeting as
frequently as necessary. and thoroughly
| representative of larger body. consist
ing of representatives from commercial
and industrial organizations throughout
the country"
What the Country Needs.
Secretary Root said the country had
reached the point where there can apply
to the work of different branches of gov
ernmentaI service and commercial organi-
cations those business principles which are
Transforming the world today. He COM
mended the objects of todays conference.
He said that where there are great mar
kets awaiting for American enterprise
America was much handicapped because
Americans are children as compared with
some of the methods of trained foreign
experts. Our people," he said. very
much need business education and tha,
means organization. We need an exten
sion and revival of our merchant ma
rine. This education we ought to have
through training young men to push trade
abroad; training them in the proper
methods. customs. usages and prejudices
of the countries they go to and knowledge
of the markets for our products.
He urged commercial organizations to
stand by government officers along these
lines He referred to former consular ap-
pointment systems as providing, In many
cases, for respectable INDECENT gentle
had to be shelved for political purposes.
He said these gentlemen were inbued
with the idea they had nothing to do. and
they performed that duty with fidelity"
He said all this was different now, and
he described the consular system as re-
formed
Secretary Root said there would be
pressure to go back to the old rules, and
he urged all to aid the government in re-
sisting any such pressure. He hoped the
conference would result in bringing tn
government departments that have to do
with these subjects and the commercial
organizations into intimate association and
make them zone good team
Mr.. Schwab Chosen Chairman.
Secretary Straus then announced that.
he would turn the meeting over to the
| delegates for such action as they deemed
proper Gustav H Schwab of New York
was elected chairman of the conference
and Frank B. Wyborg of Cincinnati was
made temporary secretary. The chair
man was authorized to appoint a commit
tee on organizations consisting of ten
| members and committee on rules of five
members.
The delegates at noon adjourned to
visit the White House. President Roose-
Welt received them in his office
and spoke very encouragingly to them.
emphasizing the benefit and importance
of having the commercial bodies of the
country connected in some manner OFF,
cially with the government
Secretary Straus introduced the dele
. gates to the President in the following
. speech:
M President: take great pleasur
In presenting to you the delegates from
, the thirty-four leading commercial bod.e
from the thirty-four leading cities of tn
United States. who have come here fol
the purpose of studying how to make
closer relationship between the manu-
featuring and commercial interests of tn
country and the Department of Comme-c.
and Labor and through your kindness
theS have now come here to pay their
respects to you, Mr.. President"