The Washington herald., 1912-11-17
AlbertuS H. Baldwin Tells About Modern
Way in Which Nations War-Foreign
Specialists Overun United States.


I Gas Company Of New York. and SO was
Frank A. Vanderlip, president of the
greatest bank in the country. Mr.. Bald
win. leaving Yale University, was glad
TO take a place in the Bureau OF Fish
cries and q salary of so a month. That
was his cheap and humble beginning in
Washington.
Since then he has served in a number
of departments. always going upward,
having a talent for executive business. In
4 the meanwhile, he studied art in Paris
and became widely-known as an illustra-
tor OF books on botony, geology, and ich-
THEOLOGY. His Illustrations have won him
medals at Paris. Copenhagen and St
Louis. He has blond hair and gray eyes
and is forty-six years old. I asked him
first about the work he hopes to accom-
pIish among chambers of commerce and
boards of trade.
Important Nationwide Work.
I'VE mean to tone them up to q prac-
tical realization Of their powers and op-
portunities," he answered. Many of
them are very much alive and will CO.
operate with the government, we are sure.
In. giving new life to the several hundred
which are dead or in a state of suspended
animation The members Of the average
commercial organization are, in the first
place, successful men-they lead in busi-
ness and the various professions and Of
ten include rational municipal reformers
and leaders Of labor. The prosperity Of
their city can be largely attributed, TO
them. As they have succeeded in their
own affairs, they are competent to coun-
sci and direct their city. They are busy
men, but they should understand that
they owe some OF their time and alents
to the public.
Theoretically, the welfare of the COM
munity in which they and their families
live and in which they own property and
are making their money is a serious mat
ter to them. But II Is so in reality? Do
they help elect mayors? Do they suggest
or pass upon the financial policy of their
town? Do they meet and discuss subjects
that are OF vital Importance to them, as
well as to the poor man who is paying
for a home? Do they attempt to make
the public schools efficient in the training
OF boys and girls? We know that in many
cities government has been turned over to
the politicians. some of whom are honest
and competent and others of whom are
not. Would a manufacturer let the coun-
Gilman from his ward run his mill or
factory?
In Boston. where the potentialities OF
its commercial, professional, and indus
trial classes have been organized and
put On a watchful and workable basis.
solicitors for churches, charities and edu-
catiOnal institutions must, If they hope
to collect any funds, be indorsed by the
Chamber of Commerce. Such work, I
think, is one of the reasonable functions
Of the business men in a city.
Five Thousand Energy Centers.
There are about 5000 commercial or
ganizations in the country. By whatever
names they may be known. they are COM
posed Of sensible, enterprising, and achiev-
ing men. They can become 5000 centers Of
energy, wisdom, and sound government.
We aim to help in making them so by get.
ting information and then giving it to
the public
What method does your bureau follow
in promoting trade with foreign coun-
tries?" I asked.
Publicity is our method in short We
obtain a knowledge of the facts and then
impart the knowledge to those who can
use 1t in their business. What is learned
about shoes, for instance, is not sent TO
the manufacturers of pig-iron. Reports
from our consular officers come to the
bureau, are picked TO pieces and distrib-
uted among our business classes Then
we send commercial agents of our own
to foreign lands to make special investi-