The Washington herald., 1913-01-19

An effort to bring together the mani
fold economic and commercial interests
of the nation will be made for the first
time in the history of the nation when
| the United States Chamber of Commerce
convenes in this city tomorrow.
Chambers of Commerce, manufac-
turer's associations, business mems
leagues, commercial clubs and other or
ganizations of men actively engaged in
the nations commerce, have taken an
active interest in the movement and
have contributed their quota to the
thousand-odd delegates now pouring into
Washington.
The coordination OF these manifold in
terests has as its purpose the forma-
ton of a body which will act as an
advisory adjunct to Congress itself This
purpose. while new to our day, was
first put forth by Pelatiah Webster, a
signer of the Declaration of Independ-
ence, in his dissertation on Tho
Thirteen States" Webster, speaking 80
years ago, said:
There is another body of men among
us whose business of life, and whose
full and extensive intelligence, foreign
and domestic, naturally make them more
perfectly acquainted with the sources
of our wealth, and whose particular in
terests are more intimately and neces-
perity of the country than any other
order of men in the States. I mean the
merchants, and 1 would wish that Con-
gress might have the benefit of that eX-
tensive and important information which
this body of men are capable OF laying
before them.
Would Have Merchants Advice.
Il therefore, humbly propose, if the
merchants in the several States are dis
posed to send delegates from their body
to meet and attend the sitting OF Con-
gress, that they shall be permitted to
form a chamber of commerce, and their
advice to Congress be demanded and ad-
mitted concerning all bills before Con-
gress as far as the same may AFFECT the
trade Of the States
This creed has been adopted by the
members of the National Chamber of
Commerce Therefore the business IN
hand is the Strengthening OF the ma
tlOnal organization and the devising of
ways and means whereby such informa-
ton may be furnished Congress in order
that that body may be better equipped
TO legislate reasonably and equitably,
and to the best effect.
\ meeting OF the National Council of
tine chamber will be held Monday night
at the New Willard TO pass upon the pro-
Gramme. Immediately upon adjourn
ment of this meeting the councillors will
meet by States and select members to
serve on the nominating committee. The
representatives of national trade organi-
cations will meet separately and name
their members of the committee. Ad-
journment will be then taken till Tues
day.
Secretary NageI to Speak.
Charles Nagel, Secretary OF Commerce
end Labor, who was a prime factor in
bringing the chamber into being. will de-
liver the address OF welcome on Tuesday
Secretary Nagel is intensely interested
in the work Of the chamber and is ex-
pected to sound some keynotes in his
address.
Senator James A O'Gorman Of New
York will follow Mr.. Nagel and will de-
liver an address on the present CONNER
ciaI state of the nation and the relation
between commerce and legislation He
will be followed by Representative Henry
ID. Clayton of Alabama.
The response to the address of well
come will then be delivered by one OF the
visiting delegates. The appointment Of
committees on credentials and resoI6-
tions will be the next business in hand.
Recess will then be taken until 2:3o
o'clock.
The committee on credentials will re-
port Immediately upon the re-assembling
Of the convention and the remainder of
Tuesday afternoon will be consumed in
the reading of the reports of the board
Of directors of the chamber; of the
treasurer and of the committee on by
laws. r-
These reports are considered very i'm
portant by the members of the chamber.