The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-29
BUSINESS MEN TO
HEAR PRESIDENT
CHAMBER OF COM-
MERGE WILL MEET IN CAPITAL
NEXT WEEK.

Washington, Jan. 2s.--A special
business session has been set aside
by the Chamber OF Commerce OF the
United States for the address OF Pres
ident Wilson. He will speak on the
evening of February 8. It is assumed
the President is taking this oppor-
tunity to 20 to the business men Of
the country because he has a mes
sage for them.
The program OF the meeting OF
the National Chamber as announced
4 Is OF character which should prove
u vital interest to every business
man in America. The time are ex-
cepttonal and without precedent.
The first OF the three members of
the Cabinet who are to address the
meeting will be the Secretary of State.
The attitude of the administration
towards American investors in foreign
countries and the extent and kind
Of support which II will render them.
lis OF the highest Importance and a,
matter which should be presented
clearly TO business men. The Sec
retary of State will discuss American
investments abroad and lay before
the delegates the problem as he sees
1t from the point Of view of that de-
partment of the government, which
directs the foreisn policies of the ma
ton.
The administration has declared
itself in support Of the pending Mer-
chant shipping bill, and the Secretary
of the Treasury will give official ut
terance to the views OF the adminis-
tration. So that the delegates may
h-1v- t..,sh a IxHa
sented to them. Senator Burton, of
Ohio, will present the views of those
who are opposed to the legislation
now urged by the administration.
The continued close association of
the chamber with the Department OF
Commerce will be evident in the part
which Secretary Redfeld will take In
the proceedings. He VIII speak at the
banquet, on the development of for
elgn commerce.
Evolution of Reserve System.
The Federal Reserve Ranks have
now become part of our national
business. Its problems and It's future
are inseparably bound up with the
commercial development OF the coun-
try and the address by the Governor
Of the Federal Reserve Board, Hon.
Charles Sumner Hamlin. will make
clear the evolution Of the Federal Re-
serve system and its bearing on com
mercial relations
The preliminary program reflects
the national character which the
Chamber OF Commerce of the United
states has defini ely esta blished rot
only by It's actual, accomplished ser
vice to American business but also
through It's membership. The nation
al chamber todaY IL federation OF
more than 500 chambers OF COM
merce. boards OF trade commercial
clubs and associations and trade or
ganizauons-wh IN turn represent
appr Ultimately 275. 600 corporations,
arm or Enthusiastically an inditid-
ual membership numbering $500,
while II Is working on a budget az
slightly over $500 zoe II represents
business organizations in every state
in the Union, except New Mexico.
as well as Hawaii. Porto Rico and the
Philippines. and Americas chambers
Of commerce In Paris, Berlin and Con-
stantinople.
There Is every Indication that tho
attendance viii be representative and
in proportion Of the importance ~
the meeting. The convenience OF MEM I!
bers and the consequent success az tho /
arrangements may perhaps be facil- /
Hated by advance notice that they
should come early register early and
make their arrangefn ents to attend
every session one ~ the important
phases OF the development Of foreign
commerce Will not he taken up until /
the last day. The annual banquet will
he on the evening Of the second day
OF The meeting.
The meetings are 10 last through
February 3, !, &, ard will all be held
Ar the New Willard Hotel