Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-28
GERMAN EXHIBIT
NOW ASSURED At
SAN FRANCISCO
Managing Director of Hamburg
American Line 0vercomes OBJ
jections of Politicians.
BY BoERsIANER.

Germany will be strongly represent
ed at the Panama Pacific Exposition.
Herr Albert Balm gives the assur-
rector of the Hamburg American
Line assures may be accepted with
out reservation.
"Official' Germany-the Govern
ment proper-will not participate.
Neither will the weak nor the envious
and the unsuccessful competing Ia
dustries take part. These are numer-
Gus and quite powerful politically; In
fuential enough to have dissuaded
Wilhelm Strasse from recognizing the
San Francisco fair officially. But
what the Kaiser could not do openly
he has done privately through BALM
pursuant to Ballin's persuasiveness.
The head OF the Hamburg Ameri-
can Steamship Company has q hard
task in bringing Germany to the Pa
cifc Coast. At the outset he encoun-
tered the assumed indifference Of
German manufacturers who dislike
their American competitors just a
little less than their British rivals
These gentlemen protested that the
world is weary of expositions; that
exhibitions no longer promote trade
at large nor stimulate individual
business.
Use Political Pull.
AS this mendacious generality
proved insufficiently effective, the
political pull-with its outside appeal
to the cheap patriotic-was resortsd
to. 1t awaited only with the Govern
ment
With Herr BALM II was ineffective,
though he is a director in a number
of companies that have excellent
commercial reasons for hating every
thing commercially American. When
BALM was charged with favoring the
San Francisco exhibition because ne
headed the Hamburg American ar
ganization, he pointed TO the many
Notwithstanding a steel company
for which he is chiefly responsible.
To have compelled Herr Helneken,
Of the North German Loyld, to fol-
low him was not difficult. The diff
Guilty was to induce some OF the big
Observation-Disclosures who do not fear
competition-to exhibit at San Fran
cisco after the Government had de-
cided to withhold its cachet. Ballin
not only accomplished this, but he
won over the Emperor.
influences the Kaiser.
It is not the first time that the little
Hamburger has enlisted the good will
of the Kaiser, with whom he is a
prime favorite. He secures favors
from william by reciprocating indl-
rectly and directly; indirectly, by
making his steamship concern one OF
the prides of Germany; directly, by
telling Jewish jokes-of which the
Emperor is very fond.
william Is not known ever to have
refused BALM anything, but Balm
had to refuse William something
some years ago. 1t was when many
German Jews became apostates. The
Emperor was mighty pleased over
the massive conversions. Failing %
find Ballin's name among the con-
verts, he sent for him and suggeste ]
that the managing director follow the
example of his ex-coreligionists.
Outargues Emperor.
Would / be more useful to your
majesty and the Fatherland ?" Balm
asked.
NO but you would have fewer en-
emies"
"The friendship OF your majesty is
all that l require" was the tactfuI
and subtle complimentary reply.
In addition to a fund of fine tact.
BALM has dynamic Initiative, limit
less energy, enormous managerial
ability and a genius for organization.
These attributes are supplemented by
a gift Of a lesser quality-the gift Of
publicity. Herr Balm can be spec
| tacular when an important purpose is
| to be served He will, therefore, bear
watching at the Panama Pacific Elk
pOsitiOn.