The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-11-28
Interest Is Being Revived in
The Board Which Was Gre
ated During the Administra-
ton of Roosevelt.
LIKES THE INTEREST
TAKEN IN PROJECT
One of the First Matters to At
tract Attention of the C0un-
Gil Is Securing Large Men,
bership.
NV Jonathan Winfield.)

washington, NOV. li.-lnteTesL 10
being revived in the National council
of commerce, and from recent state
ments of President Taft and members
of his cabinet interested in its oper-
alton, it is evident that the admins
tration is in sympathy with the pur-
poses of the council, which was Orga-
nized under the Roosevelt administra-
ton.
Recently the executive committee of
the council was in Washington and
called on President Taft, Secretary
Knox, Secretary MacVeagh and Secre-
tary Nagel. The council is attached
to the department of commerce and
labor, of which Secretary Nagel is the
head.
President Taft said. concerning the
work, that he felt genuinely interest
ed in the formation of body of bust
ness men who would be able to repre-
sent the needs Of the country, and
whose headquarters here could act as
u clearing house between the great
business interests of the country and
the government. This was the atti-
tude of the members of the cabinet
toward the cabinet. The council is
going ahead with it's plans of organic
alton and correspondence.
One of the first subjects to demand
the attention of the council is the &C
emulation of large membership.
fc iroh m ho
the expense of conducting the work Of
the organization, but to make the
council representative of the whole
business life of the country.
From the work already accomplish
ed and the ready responses made by
chambers of commerce, boards Of
trade, and other commercial organ
izations, who have joined the move
ment, 1t is indicated that business
men throughout the country are in
terested in having direct representa-
ton in Washington.
Suggestion by Straus.
The council is the growth of sug-
gestion made by Oscar S. Straus. Sec
rotary Of Commerce and Labor during
the Roosevelt administration. Mr..
Straus saw the need of some semi
agent of business interests in dealing
with the government. and thus assist
in large way, the extension of Amer.
lean commerce, both foreign and do.
nestle, especially the latter.
Following the suggestion of Mr.
Straus the council of commerce was
organized at conference held in
Washington December S. 1907. al
which were present delegates appoint
ed by chambers of commerce, boards
of trade and commercial organizations
of various kinds throughout the Unit
ed States. The first annual meeting
was held in Washington. December 10
1908. 1t was decided that the Nationa
council should consist of one represen
tative from each of the industrial an(
commercial organizations throughout
the country. which held a membership
in the council. Gustave H. Schwab o.
New York, was chosen chairman, anC
presided at the first meeting, which
was addressed by Mr.. Straus. An ex
ecutive committee was elected, B. A
Eckhart OF Chicago, was chosen vice
chairman and Frank B. b. Wiborg, o
Cincinnati. treasurer.
Purposes Of Council.
1t was decided that the purpose:
of the council should be-and th>
plan has remained interchangeable re
commercial bodies as to their needs
in the promotion of foreign and do
nestle commerce: to- act on informa
ton and suggestions from the gov
eminent concerning matters of inter
est to the business world; furnish thu
government with information as to the
needs and conditions Of different in
dustries: to suggest special industrial
and business investigations abroad b,
agents Of the department of commerc,
and labor: arranges for the exhibit o
American products at foreign exposi
tons: promote legislation favorable t,
commerce and promote friendly COOP
Grafton between commercial organiza
tons throughout the United States.
All regularly organized commercial
and industrial associations in tn
United States and foreign possession
and business associations in foreigl
countries. composed of citiz ms of tn
United States residing or deiU,c bus
ness in such countries, are eligible t
membership. There are fifty-one sue
memberships at present. The due
are 500 per year. The revenue thu
derived is spent in furthering the pu.
poses of the organization. An offic
is maintained in Washington, whic
is in close touch at all times with tn
departments Of the government, espet
tally the department Of commerce an
labor.
To Promote Commerce.
Aside from the work mapped on
foe 1t BY the executive committee an
Its fo,-.der, the council is vitality il
terested in everything which will prt
mote the domestic and foreign csu
merce OF the country. President Tan,