The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-23
CIVIC CONGRESS
 OPENS TOMORROW Forty Foreign Countries to Be Represented in Boston WILL GO ON TOUR
Delegates Will Discuss Subjects of Far Reaching Interest-PrOgrammes Prepared in 16 Languages-Will
 Take Up Cost of Living

Boston. September 22--Commercial. in- dustrlai. judicial and civic subjects of far-reaching interest will be discussed by delegates from all parts of the world who will assemble in Boston this week for the sessions of the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce Forty foreign countries, including Russia and several Central and South American republics never before represented, will have part In the congress. Seven hum dred delegates of national and interna- tional prominence, and nearly all leaders in the commercial life of their home cities will attend. Programmes for their use have been prepared in Is languages and notes taken on all discussions will be transcribed in many tongues.
 The first three days of the congress, which will open Tuesday, and continue through Saturday, will be devoted to bus mess; the latter part of the week to local sightseeing. after which a tour to nearly n score of cities will be begun. Nagel Represents United States
 Charles Nagel Secretary of the Depart ment of Commerce and Labor, will repre- sent the United States on the opening day and will deliver an address of wei come and on Thursday evening President Taft will be the speaker at the con- gross banquet.
 The establishment of fixed day for Easter previously discussed by the con gress, will be among the matters con- sidered The congress at Milan, in 1906, disclosed wide range of opinion on the subject. The commercial bearings of the mobility of certain holidays will be recurred to and more definite views on long agiteted calendar reforms will be heard. Especial interest Is indicated In the proposition for a calendar year of precisely equal divisions and sub-divi- sions. with each day of the month always the same day of the week. made possible by establishing New Years as a day out side the regular cycle of dates. and the following day as January i.
 These subjects will be presented in a communication from Louis Can0n-Le- grande of Mons, president of the con- gress. The cost of living and the desir- ability of an International conference on the subject will be advanced in report by Prof Irving Fisher of Yale univer- sity.
 Subjects for Consideration
 Other subjects for consideration in clude:
 The establishment of an international court of arbital justice for suits between individuals and foreign states; the uni- f1cation of legislation relating to checks, international postal reforms in view of the next conference of the Universal Post al union in 1913; commercial statistics and the immediate institution of an interna- tional office; the deslrabllty of an in- ternational conference upon the valida- ton of through order notify bills of lad ing, and of Legislation and other means for making the system more effective; the desira bilty of international uniformity of action in the matter of consular invoices.
 Official recognition was extended to the Boston congress hy a resolution of Congress. Under this resolution the Uni ted States sent invitations to the govern ments os the world in addition to the business organizations. Appropriations totaling s1b0,0OO have been made by the state of Massachusetts, the city of Bos- ton and individuals for the entertain ment of the visitors.
 To Visit Big Cities
 Starting on September 30, the foreign delegates will visit Buffalo, Detroit, Chi cago. Cincinnati, Pittsburg. Philadelphia, Washington and New York. On October 20 the party will sail for home from New York. The first session of the congress was held at Liege, Belgium. in 1905. In 1906 the meeting at Milan, Italy: in 1908 at Prague, Austria, and in 1910 at London
 The membership includes commercial and industrial organization of all na- tions Delegates to the biennial conven- tions are of two classes, the official dele gates designated by the respective na- tions, and those appointed by business appropriations affiliated with the congress.
 The Boston Chamber of Commerce, un- der whose auspices the present inter- national congress is held. is said to be the largest commercial organization in America. IL has nearly 5000 members.
 Foreign Representation
 The foreign representation by countries is as follows: Argentine Republic, 2; Aus tria-Hungary, Austria A. Hungary p; Belgium. 12; Brazil I; British empire. England 61, Alden, Arabia. 1. Australia ?. Bahamas 4, Canada 12, India 5, Ireland ?, New Zealand 10, Scotland 8, South Africa 8. Tasmania 2; France. 19; French colo nies (Algiers), ?; Germany, ss; Greece, 2; Guatemala. 2; Holland, 6; Honduras, 2; Italy. 5s Japan, s; Mexico, 3; Norway. r: Panama, g. Peru, s; Portugal, 5; Rou- mania i. Russia x. Sweden &. Switzer-