Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-05
u. 5. CHAMBER
KEEPS. BUSINESS
INFORMEDON War
tBy Latest NAIL

WASHING Through close co.
operation with departments : of the
federal government here. the Cham
Der of Commerce. of the United States
Is keeping virtually the entire bust
ness community Of the country fully
informed Of all developments of the
European war that reflect directly
upon the commerce of the United
States. domestic or foreign.
The national alliance CT more than
600 commercial organizations was
created early in 1872 The member
ship Of the chamber stretches into
every nook and corner Of the coun-
try. Included in its 600 allied organ
izations are great and small cham
beers of commerce In every state and
every commercially important city OF
the Union. Their total individual
membership passes the quarter milli-
on mark and every line Of industry
in the country is represented.
With the outbreak of the European
war the need OF specific information
as to its probable and actual infiu-
ence on business conditions was very
urgent. Under the direction Of ELI
cit H. Goodwin. general secretary OF
the National chamber. the clericai
force already organized here to form
clearing house o national and in
ternational Information on business
conditions. was augmented and its
energies directed to meeting the en-
ereency The sbi-weekly bulletins
sent out to members we're increased
IN scope. They took up subject by
subject problems Of neutrality regu-
Istions, contraband proclamations by
warning powers, congressional enact
ments to meet war emergencies as
they developed, the banking situation.
the cotton crisis and every new fac
tor affecting business, brought up by
the war. Twice a week members were
advised specifically of developments
in each case. The chamber has a
force Of trained men at work among
the departments following up every
clue TO information and they are
meeting with ready assistance from
department officials. Some of the in
formation sent out is of very con.
5 fidential character and to protect it
publication OF the bulletins Is forbid.
den.
Now systematic study of the for.
eign commerce Of the belligerent pow.
ers to determine Just where openings
lit for increasing American foreign
trade has been begun. Additional
bulletins are being prepared, country
by country. showing. for instance,
just what articles comprised Ger
many's trade with her present enc
mics or with neutral countries now
cut on from her markets. Exhaustive
investigation of American, British.
/ German and other statistics for pre-
ceding years Is being made and
lengthy comparative tables have been
issued. The work is still going on
and as II progresses manufacturers OF
any article viii be able to see at a
glance just what opportunities await
them in any country
Parallelled almost day to day with
presentations OF the financial situa-
ton in foreign countries. showing
where moratoria exist and their Kdu-
ration, what eInharoges on exporta-
ton have been declared and to what
extent war operations have inter-
fefed with commerce in any direction.
the charts are said to have proved of
. most Illuminating character to the
American business world. They bring
down to specific details the broad In
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