Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-05-03
AMERICAN COMMERCE.
Former Secretary Shaw Tells Some
Interesting Things About 1t.

Worcester, Mass. May 2-Worcester
Board Of Trade gave its 32d annual
banquet tonight in Mechanics hall.
The speakers We're Hon. Leslie NJ.
Shaw, eX-secretary of the treasury;
Hon. John b. Barrett. director of the
International Bureau of American Re
publics: Congressman Charles G.
Washburn of the third Massachusetts
district; Mayor John T. Duggan of
Worcester and Rev. DR.. Willard Scott.
Mr.. Shaw was listened to with keen
interest and his address was sincere
appeal to the business men to take a
business interest in governmental mat
ters Mr.. Shaw said in part:
"Whilc our exports are enormous,
larger by one hundred millions those
of any other country and amounting
practically to one-seventh of the aggre-
gate exports of the world, they consist
largely of food products, cotton ana
other raw materials of which we have
a surplus, and which the world must
have and can obtain nowhere else. Or
our seventeen hundred millions III eX-
norris. twelve hundred millions can he
pileG on the wharves and the world
will come after them unlimited, for
there is no other source of supply
"Our increasing population IS con-
Stunning in ever increasing proportion
our raw materials and the time is not
far distant when we will have but lit
tie of either to spare. Meantime, our
factories are multiplying more rapidly
than cur FERNS. and our surplus of
manufactured products will increase
nff c d..
ard raw materials will decrease.
"Of our seventeen hundred millions of
exports, 6S per cent. go to single cor
tinent and A per cent. enter ports pro-
tected by single flag. Our three great
commercial rivals. England. Germany
and France, including their colonial
possessions. consume more than 81 100,-
600, 900 Of our ST. 700, DOC, 900 in exports
The countries of Central America pur-
chase of US less than so rer cent. Of
their imports. We supply only 10 per
cent. Of Brazil's imports, While we
consume al per cent. of her exports. In
other words. we have cultivated sue
ceSsfully our commerce with the food
consuming countries of Europe to tho
absolute neglect of Central and South
American markets for manufactured
merchandise Our European compcti
tors supply these.
"The reason is plain. European ships
como after our surplus foods and raw
materials and take from Europe to
Central and South American ports the
things those markets require. Being
dependent upon foreign ships. we nat
rrally and inevitably have little or no
trade with those countries possessing
no merchant marines. If we ever de-
Vclop new markets it will be i'll Amer
lean bottoms, constructed Of American
material by American labor, and flying
the American flag"
Gov. Curtis Guild. .Jr.. came to WOr-
cestcr at 5.02 this afternoon to attend
the reception given by the Beard Of
Trade to the speakers and guests. He
returned to Boston by special train
over the Boston & Albany division at {
O'Clock. On the train with him came
Lieutenant Governor Draper, who re-
manned as guest Of the committee of
the banquet Gov. Guild III q short adj
dress preceding the reception. well
coined the speakers to Massachusetts.
There were speeches by Mayor John
T. Duggan and Congressman Charles
G.. Washburn of the Sd Congressional
district