The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-25
Sixty Chambers of Commerce
and Boards of Trade
Represented by Delegates in
10th Annual Meeting.
NEEDS OF THE NATION
From a Business Standpoint
Will Be Discussed.
Apparent Unanimity ON Postal
Savings Banks.

washington Jan. 25.-SlXty cham-
bers of commerce and boards of trade,
voicing the business needs of the ma
tions from as many cities, are repre-
sented in the fortieth annual meeting
of the national board of trade which
began it's sessions here today
Concerted action on the live issues of
the day will be taken and expressions
of the national body indicative of the
sentiment of business interests will be
given in the form of resolutions pro-
posing some explanation favoring some
now proposed and asking for the repeal
of some now in force.
Twelve of the largest bodies come
with strong resolutions calling UNI
equivocally fo a ship subsidy to pro-
mote an American merchant marine.
Twelve others call for a forward march
on river and harbor improvements.
Others stand for conservation of the
natural resources of forests water
power and minerals. Postal reform Is
strongly urged some opposing a par
GELS post. others in favor of one with
limited extent. some organizations call
for readjustment of the rates of post
age and postal savings banks are en-
dorsed with some conditions. Resolu-
tons favoring the creation of a central
bank will be offered and currency re-
form will be urged.
There promises to be fight on what
shall be the endorsement of the ma
tional body regarding currency legisla-
a central bank with power to issue cur
rency on the grounds that such a plan
would be too experimental and tend TO
destroy confidence. Another element IS
in favor Of the creation of a central
bank system to conform with the con-
ditions of the present financial system
and urges that the system should be
gradually made to conform to the CEN
trail Idea. The supporters of this plan
cite that the financial system of Europe
ct fra fod ia w ~ q
central bank system in providing a
stable currency, always responsive to
the requirements of legitimate business
interests.
RaiIraOd Legislation.
The question of permitting railroads
to make agreements among themselves
for interstate traffic under the superVis-
Ion and approval Of the interstate COM
1nerce commission will be discussed.
There IS sentiment to have the ma
tional body favor such a plan as well
IS to favor amendments to the law
giving 20 the shipper the right to route
] is freight. An attempt will be made
tC get the national body to favor leg
lslation to compel the railroads to set
tie damage claims at actual value in
stead of invoice value and the move
ment for a uniform classification will
be taken PIP.
There is a considerable division of
opinion on the question of parcels post.
It on the basis that it would be a loss to
the government and operated to the
advantage of a few against the many.
Others favor it for the rural free de-
livery system and would conflne it's use
70 that branch of the postal service.
There apepars to be no opposition to
POSTAL savings banks.
The Postal Deficit.
TIE deficit III the postoffice however,
reveals some difference of opinion for
a remedy. Several organizations de-
nand one cent letter postage to be ap-
piled to letters FOR delivery in the same
towns and cities as they. originate; 9TH
ers modify it to one cent per ounce
and declare the postoffice can make a
profit of $50 per cent at such a rate.
That plan entails revision of the en-
tire scale of postal charges, suggesting
that newspapers be placed in one class
and magazines and miscellaneous peri
odicals in another on which the postal
rate would be increased. The sentiment
Is to force every class of postage to
a'ay its own transportation.
Repeal of The federal cooperation tax
passed at the last session of congress
viii be urged; amendments to the
Sherman antitrust law which will
preserve its intent and define its limi-
tations and the creation of a perma-
nent nonpartisan tariff commission
will be suggested.
A great many other national uues-
lions will be brought before the body
for action, among them the encourage
ment of desirable immigration, recon-
mendatfons for uniformity of business
laws in the state where a contrariety
exists, the federal inspection of grain
commercial education and preservation
of the public health.
Resolutions urging the government
to initiate steps to bring about the or
ganization of the proposed interna-
tional court of arbitral justice will also
be proposed. The sessions will con-
tinue until Friday. On Wednesday
evening President Taft will speak al
a dinner.
Cooperative Meat Market.
Des Moines, Ia. Jan. 25.-Nine bust