Evening star., 1915-02-03
Resolution Before Chamber of
Commerce of U. S. Provides
for Economic Pressure.
BRYAN CITES FACTORS
IN TRADE DEVELOPMENT 7
General Proceedings of Annual
Convention Begin-Delegates
Divided on Ship Purchase.

ing business men in all lines of en-
deavor throughout the country occupy
ing seats on the floor and with many
members of Congress, officers of the ex-
ecutive departments of the government
and interested members of the public
present to watch the interesting spec
tacle.
John II. Fahey of Boston. president
of the organization. presided and de-
livered an annual address; William J.
BRYAN, Secretary. Of state. spoke on
was replied to by Samuel McRoberts,
vice president of the National City
Bank of New York, and others, Mr..
McRoberts' address being entitled. Our
National Policy AS to Investments
Abroad" Friendly criticism Of gov
ernment policies. past and present,
were offered. and constructive sugges-
tions for the betterment of American
activities were made.
Striking Resolution.
One Of the striking resolutions pre-
sented today. which was referred to the
committee under the rules and will
come up later. provided that the econ
omic pressure of American business
men shall be exerted against foreign
countries which in future engage In
war. The resolution would have the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States. through it's members, refuse to
do business with any country engaged
in war.
Better trade relations between the
United States and methods of promo
ton were discussed by Secretary
Bryan in his address, which opened the
program of the afternoon session. He
said. in part:
In speaking of the extension OF
American trade with foreign nations
there are several factors to be con-
sidered.
First, economic questions In order
to be successful rivals of other ma
tions. we must furnish goods equal in
quality and at as low price. If We
cannot do this we cannot hope to meet
the competition which we shall find In
foreign fields. but 1 am confident we
can meet competition: We are, In fact,
doing SO. In addition to quality and
price, we must consider also the meth
DDS of packing. of shipping without
breakage and the various systems of
credit. Complaint has been made that
some Of our exporters do not sufficient
ly consider the wishes of customers in
the matter of packing.
Step Toward Greater Trade.
Second Banking facilities encourage,
foreign trade. We are fortunate in the
fact that the new currency law con-
templates the establishment of branch
banks in foreign lands. This is probably
the greatest single step that has been
taken toward the enlarging of our for
eign trade.
Advantage is already being taken of
this new law, and it is probable that
before many years we shall have
branch banks in all of the Latin
American countries and in China.
These branch banks will be of i'm
mense advantage to our exporters;
they will bring the American business
man into financial relationship with
the foreign purchaser and make their
dealings more direct
Transportation Essential.
Third Transportation between our
own and other foreign countries is an
essential factor in the development of
trade. The present war has shown us
the disadvantages to which we are sub
jected when we rely upon foreign ships
to carry our merchandise. The inter
ruption of trade incident to any great
war throws heavy burden upon the
neutral nations. Steps have already
been taken to largely increase our mer-
chant marine and the shipping bill is
still more important step toward indie
pendence upon the seas.
Ships under government control will
serve a double purpose, one permanent
in it's nature and the other important
in an emergency such as now exists
The permanent advantage of govern
ment ships is to be found in the fact
that they can establish new trade
routes, acting as pioneers and going
where private ships would be afraid to
venture. 1t takes time to establish
new routes, and those who lay out such
routes are liable to incur temporary
financial loss.
Advantage of Ships.
LAS soon as there is sufficient trade to
make the routes profitable for private
ships it will be easy to find ships, but
in the open competition of the seas the
pioneer ship has no assurance that it
can reimburse itself for the money
spent in the development Of new
trade.
a government ship can do in this re-
spect what u private ship would not
do In addition to our permanent leeds
we have urgent temporary demands to
consider. There are numerous reasons
why the government should be pre-
pared to meet such an emergency as
that which now confronts us. Our
traffic is interrupted and availab BILE
ships are so scarce Indt 1TelSnL rates
haCe risen enormously. Government
would tend to prevent the
Injustice from which our commerce is
now suffering.
Purpose of Government.
"Fourth-The government. acting for
all the people, has already responded
to recognized needs in establishing the
branch banks and in the provision
made for merchant marine. 1t is
now attempting to render further serv-
ice through government-owned ships.
hut there Is another avenue for gov
ernmental activity. The consular serv-
ice works in the interest of trade,
Gathering statistics. furnishing infor.
nation and lending helping hand to
those who buy and sell abroad.
Through our diplomatic relations.
also. the government is in Il position
to assist those of its citizens who
embark in foreign enterprises. While
friendship cannot make up for eco
nomic disadvantages or for lack of
banking or transportation facilities.
still friendship is a factor that cannot
be overlooked.
Colombian Treaty.
"'rhe yarious deDartments conran<.d