Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-03-25


country. Moreover. business was not
representatively organized to Coop
crate with the Department of Com
merce in making available to the in
dustrial and commercial interests of
the country in the most efficient way
the large volume of useful work
which the government is doing.
Remarkable Progress.
Meanwhile, for generations, our
competitors across the Atlantic, in
maintaining the stability of their
business at home, In developing their
opportunities abroad. have had the
benefit of constructive cooperation
by the business men of those coun-
tries and the governments. The re-
markable industrial progress of Ger
many during the last thirty five
years, has startled the world. The
union of German states into a great
empire has been a great factor in
this upbuilding. But If you will in
vestigate the matter carefully think
you will find that the great advance
in efficiency methods made by the
German organizations of business
men during this period and the sys-
tenn under which they have worked
with the imperial government for the
prosperity of the country has been of
no less importance In the results Sc
cured.
"A realization of these facts on the
part of officials of the United States
government and our business men
brought about q general conference
in Washington a year ago last April
to consider the situation. 1t was
called by William Howard Taft, for
mer President of the United States
who again and again had pointed OUT
the need of some organization of this
type, as had other Presidents and
cabinet members on many occasions.
"Seven hundred and fifty business
men, representing organizations in
every State I'm the Union, assembled
at this meeting. As a result of three
days session and discussion of the
matter there was a general agree
ment that the time had come for a
national federation of all these local
organizations of business men and
the national trade bodies.
Under the plans adopted every
public question dealt with by the ma
every organization in the member
ship for action. Every member, large
and small, has q vote. Any member
can raise question for consideration,
and If it is OF national Importance,
it must be considered. Already six
great national questions have been
dealt with by the chamber. The Ma
tional Budget, the National Tariff
Commission, the Sundry Civil Bill IGX-
emption of Labor Unions from prose-
cution under the Sherman Act. the
reorganization of the Department of
Commerce, the proposed establish
ment of n Congressional Legislative
Reference Bureau and the Owen
Glass Currency Bill The currency
law was an excellent illustration of
the usefulness of a body like the ma
tional chamber. The helpful and
constructive cooperation that the
business men were able to give to the
administration and Congressional
leaders in the making of this measure,
their National Chamber of
Commerce, is we'll known.
The experience of the chamber
thus far has demonstrated that our
are ready to listen and
consider, when we present facts and
sound arguments. What all of us
need most is knowledge, fair minded
of facts, and q construc-
tive cooperative point of view.
THE time has come when the wide
awake business men of this country
must give thought and attention to
the great economic questions our
country is attempting to solve.
Every month and year bring changes.
The individual business man can ac-
complish little toward their solution,
but when he combines with his fell
lows in sound organization and pub
c-spirited, broad-minded effort his
influence is sure TO be felt for the
benefit of all.
There is no more patriotic group
Of men in the world than the Amer
lean business men. They have al
ways done their share and more than
their share in the service of our coun
try. United now in this broad feder-
alton, they can render greater service
than ever before. The Chamber of
Commerce of the United States has
much to do Its work cannot be ac-
by officers and directors
alone. It must have the interest and
help of every really worthwhile bust
ness man across the country. New
Jersey can do its share, and | am sure
that 1t will do It's share.
MIR. Maxim said In part: THE New
Jersey State Chamber of Commerce
Is a public welfare organization in
the truest sense of the word. 1t Is
partisan. Although it takes a
hand in politics. still 1t is not the
hand of the politician. Its purposes
are high. 1t has acted upon the
dictum of the poet Emerson and
'hitched its wagon to a star.
lone of the main purposes OF this
is to preach the saliva
ton of the soul of business It's hope
is intelligently to answer that vital
What shall business men
do to be saved?
1.-THE business men of this country
have been following a little too closely
the eleventh Commandment, and
their own business a little
too restrlctively. They have hitherto
paid only sort of perfunctory atten-
ton to politics and governmental
politics.
Politics Invade Business.
THE Discrimination of business men
to invade politics has resulted in the
invasion of business by the politi-
clans.
"There is no surer lesson taught
by human history than this-that he
who does not take n hand in his own
and in politics, which are
the makings of government, cannot
expect either to be wisely or justly
"There are two ways of getting a
living. One way is TO earn it and
the other way is to make it. The
business man and the laboring man,
whether in the harvest field or in a
earn what they get They
do not make 1t. They render value
received.
THE politician who is a statesman
and a true public servant Is also to
be classed among the earners; but the
reformer, the political
agitator and demagogue. and all pro-
fessional trouble make their
living off the body polite in the same
way that a mosquito makes its living
off the human body-by bleeding it.
"There has In recent wears been