The Washington herald., 1912-04-23
TRADE DELEGATES
CONSIDER PLANS
Take Initial Steps in Form
ing National Commercial
Association.
TAFT ASKS ASSISTANCE
Permanent Organization Expected
to Be Completed at ses-
sions To-day.
TAFT ASKS ASSISTANCE

More than seven hundred delegates
representing Boards OF Trade. Chambers
Of Commerce, municipalities. and bust.
ness organizations from all parts OF The
United States, and the island posses
sions, gathered in the large ballroom
OF the New Willard Hotel yesterday and
laid the preliminary plans for the or
ganization OF a national commercial as
sociation TO cooperate with the Federal
government in promoting the nations
business.
The convention was opened by an ad-
dress OF welcome by President Taft, al
whose instIgation the can for the gather
ing was issued. President Taft. who
spoke briefly, and Secretary Nagel, Of
the Department Of Commerce and Labor.
urged the delegates to perfect a per
manent organization before attempting
/ to discuss any concrete problems re-
| garding business or economic conditions.
I'VE want your assistance in carry
ing on the government in reference to
those matters that affect the business
/ and the business welfare Of the coun-
try. and we do not wish to limit your
discretion in that matter" said Presi-
dent Taft IN the course OF his brief
speech. I'VE wish that your advice
should be as free and unrestrained as
possible, but we need your assistance.
and we ask for II"
President Taft said he was gratifed
at the response 10 the call for the con-
ference issued by Secretary Nagel, and,
continuing. said:
Cooperation Is Needed.
'I have been 50 much impressed with
the need for constant and intelligent CO.
operation with the great Industrial
forces OF our country that I concluded
to put the question 10 an immediate test.
Even regulating measures which have
been adopted In the past may have suf-
fered for lack Of advice from those who
should be best qualified by experience
and training to give II. Now that we
enter upon the broad field OF constructive
legislation the need for that counsel Is
absolutely apparent TO all OF US. Spe-
cialized investigation and learning may
evolve theories These theories no doubt
provide proper foundation for new meas
ures. But in the last analysis every
theory must stand the test OF actual
use. With respect to that test, the dis
interested advica Of hose who are pro-
possd fo i've BY the proposed measure
q y Erst Importance
Tf- Presttent said the oreanization|
siicaid be broadly named prop4dinE for
distinct representation q air business,
in conclusion, he said that this propo-
sition came as Il ought TO come. pri-
marily from my friend and Cabinet ON
Ger, the Secretary Of Commerce and La
bor"
Secretary NageI. in the course Of his
address, said the relations between gov
ernment and business had undergone q
tremendous change. and an orgaization
such as the one contemplated seemed
necessary. He urged the establishment
of q permanent trade body. national in
scope, for the purpose OF assisting the
Federal government in solving the eco
nomic problems pressing for decision.
Unless the government met these ques-
tons along lines OF progress and develop
ment. Secretary Nagel believes there will
be a conflict with business.
Foresees Serious Conflict.
The conflict is irrepressible." he add
ed. IF the government does not find
an established rule by which the de-
velopment may be intelhgently and nor
maIly had, then ultimately the expansion
and the progress will be had In defiance
Of rules that do not At. That has been
the story and that viii be the story of
development everywhere.
In my judgment, much Of the confu-
sion which now exists TO discourage and |
TO embarrass Is TO be attributed to the
circumstances that impartial. compre-
hensive, thoughtful advice has not been
afforded by those who are primarily In
terested, and whose experience Is most |
essential to a correct understanding.
Instead Of depending on the advice or |
the demand of specialized interests we |
must have a common Judgment of COM
merce and industry, and TO get that COM
mon Judgment we must have a common |
representation This is the meaning 20 /
the organization which Is here proposed. |
In other countries the relation be-
tween the government and the industries /
and commerce Is so close that the Board /
of Trade forms an immediate part Of the
government itself"
Secretary Nagel said he hoped to see
the proposed organization ultimately
clothed with a national charter, $50 as /
to give the right and the means to have
the government and representative CON-
meree and industry touch elbows"
Wheeler Named Chairman.
At the conclusion of his address Sec
retary Nagel called for nominations for
temporary chairman and Harry A.
formerly President Of the Chi
cago Association Of Commerce, was
promptly named and elected. At the be-
ginning Of the afternoon session Mr.. /
wheeler was unanimously elected per-