The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-03-20
LEGAL BATTLE
NEARS CL0GE
Commercial Organizations
Recognize Value of Gen.
trail Association.

Recognize value OF Gen.
trail Association.
Washington. D. c.. March ia
number of the leading business organ
izations OF the United States have adj
dressed to President Taft a commune
cation stating that they have receive
ed with much satisfaction your sug-
gestions that representatives of the
business organizations of the country
should meet in Washington for the
purpose of forming a national asso-
cation. representative of the CONNER
cial and industrial organizations Of
every part of u country.
Most progressive organizations Of
this character have long recognized
the need of an efficient association
which would enable them to do their
part in promoting the general pros
perity of the country and to contribute
IN a constructive way to the discussion
n solution of u many industrial
problems"
Some Of the signers are: National
Association Of Manufacturers, Ameri-
can Association Of Commercial Elk
ecutives, Boston Chamber of Com
merce. New York Produce Exchange,
Chicago Board Of Trade. Southern
Commercial Congress. National Paint,
Oil and Vanish Association. Iowa
State Manufacturers Association. In
dianapolis Commercial clubs, Pitts
burgh Chamber Of Commerce. New
Board Of Commerce. Milwaukee
Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia
Chamber of Commerce, Springfield,
Mass. Beard of Trade. Cleveland
Chamber of Commerce. Worcester.
Mass. Board of Trade. Chicago Asso-
citation of Commerce. and New Or
leans Chamber Of Commerce.
h communication states further:
1T is significant that in each Euro
pean country. which has made notable
advances in commerce and industry,
tho business organic ,ions Of every
section work together through a
strong central organization, and that
there is also. in turn. effective Coop
Grafton between this central body and
the branches of government establish
ed to protect and promote their COM
mon interests.
The development of the business Of
the United States has unquestionably
been seriously impeded by a lack of
such concentration of effort.
The approaching completion Of the
Panama canal, with its resulting al
terations of the trade routes Of the
world. and the enormous increase in
our capacity to manufacture goods
(5,260.O 900 or V e IS per cent in
fve years). with no corresponding in
crease in consumption. has directed
business thought to new problems
which must be met in the near fu-
ture.
The conditions make more urgent
than ever the necessity for uniting the
business men and Industrial leaders of
America. through their representative
organizations, in a great central asso-
citation. national in scope and demo-
cratic in character. The solution Of
such problems, and the development
of u Industrial interests at home
n abroad. are not sectional or par
tisan. This work can only be done
wisely from the broad plane and
standpoint of nationality.
THE useful functions which may be
performed by a great national asso-
citation Of this kind are many. Among
the most important are the following:
1T should provide a national clear
ing house for the development and
ex preston of business opinion and to
insure united action upon questions Of
common interest to every part of the
country.
ut should maintain n central bu-
reau representing the organization to
be established in Washington and to
cooperate with the government de-
partments in promoting the commerce
of the country. both foreign and do
nestle.
ut should bring to the attention Of
the business organizations in all por-
tons of the country the large amount
of work affecting commerce and in
dustry now being done by the federal
government, which, under present
conditions, is little understood or util-
lied.
at should consider how the facili-
ties of the government, established to
foster. promote and develop our for
eign n domestic commerce, can best
be extended and strengthened. The
department Of agriculture, by efficient
constructive work, has enormously in
creased the value Of u natural pro-
ducts to the great advantage Of the
entire country. This has been accom-
pltshed largely through the co-opera-
ton OF that department and the farm
or. If the department Of the govern
dustry had in like manner the Coop
Grafton and support Of the manufac-
turing and business interests Of the
country. equally important and far.
reaching results would follow.
ut should furnish to the depart
ments OF the government dealing with
commerce and industry and in like
manner h cooperation and support
OF the manufacturing and business
interests of he country. equally i'm
portant and ~far-reaching results
would follow.
1T should furnish to the depart
ments and to congress information as
to the needs and conditions of indus
try and commerce throughout the
country.
ut should aid in developing tho
efficient distribution and intelligent
consideration Of information and sug-
lgestions from the department Of the
government.
at should bring about friendly and
permanent cooperation between
chambers Of commerce, boards Of
trade. and commercial and Industrial
organizations generally. and lead to
the profitable exchange Of ideas as to
the best methods Of work.
1T would render an important SER
vice in bringing about unity and har.
mony OF action with reference to busi-
ness usages and laws.
1T should consider how we can
best amplify and improve our repre-
%sentation in foreign countries, and
how the results of this service ear hest