New Britain herald., 1915-06-01
HOLDS CONFERENCE
 ON FOREIGN TRADE
Federal Trade Commission Opens yt7S, ak #'a.
 Series of Talks at Boston

Boston, June 1.-The Federal
 Trade commission began here today
 series of informal conferences with
 business men on foreign trade, par ticularly export business. More than
 eighty leaders of commerce and f.
 nance in Boston and nearby cities,
 were invited to appear before the commission during it's two-day stay.
 The hearing here is the first ex- tended one given by the commission since it's organization and is in the nature of preliminary survey of for eign trade matters. Information gathered here and at New York later in the week is expected to give the commission basis for more detailed inquiries into foreign trade to be car- ried on in other cities at dates to be announced later
 There was no limitation upon the nature of the statements by those ap- bearing before the commission, ex-' cept that these pertain to practical matters connected with the export or import trade. It was found that there should be no rigid cross-exami- nation because the commission had come, it was said, to secure informa- tion and not prosecute.
 Common Selling Agencies Abroad. Because of widespread discussion of the advisability of American ex- porters combining in common selling agencies abroad, the commission pre- pared to inquire extensively on that point. 1t was decided not to limit the hearing to that problem. how ever. Chairman Davies hes already called attention to the need of con- sidering the question of pt rmitting such combinations to facilitate the better pnarketing of American goo IS iii foreign countries, and while tho witnesses were selected with a view of obtaining enlightenment on that subject, the commission was ready to discuss other questions also.
 Bankers invited to- appear before the commission were Daniel J. Wing, Francis A. Goodhue, James M. Prem dergast, Col. William A. Gaston, Ben jamin Joy, Robert Winsor, Henry l.. Higginson, James J. Storrow and I. Tucker Burr. The economists in- cluded Professor c. M. W. Sprasue, Dean E. F. Gay and Professor Sam uel Williston of Harvard. Those representing trade organizations were Elmer J. Bliss, James A. McKibben. John F. Fitzgerald and E. A. Filene.
 Persons Invited to Conference.
 Merchants and others invited were, F. w Fabyan, Charles w. Leonard, John s. Lawrence, Elwyn G. Preston, w H. Wellington, Henry c. Castle, Ernest C. Howes H. H. Stinson. B. Preston Clark, Charles w. Robie, J. Rothwell, Andrew J. Pret- Son Roger Rahso,1 and R Cross awyers asked to testify were Rich ard Olney, Henry Wheeler and Fred erick P. Fish. l
 The largest class of witnesses was 1 of manufacturers. Among those | were A. F. Bemis, Robert S. Bradley, Henry Howard, Arthur Fl. Weed, Wal CT M. Lowney, Stephen l.. Bartlett. Edwin F. Fobes, Walter c. Fish, E.. 2. Turner, +. Fl. Butts, D. F. Barber, !. B. Hunter, W. c. English, H. M. Sanders, Howard Coonley H. A. Holder, Frank l.. Howes, A. F. Wal Ter, c. A. Sagendorph, Everett Morse, S. B. Carter Charles F. Hall, Cecil e Adams, c. H. Jones, L.. H. Downs, !. J. Bradley, P. J. Harney, Robert ?. Hazard, George Hutchinson, 4eorge E. Keith, H. F. Lesh. J. F. dcElwain, J. F. P. McGarry, Thomas '. Anderson, John s. Kent, Elmer T. Brown, w l.. Radcliffe, Elmer J. Hiss, Edward E. Taylor, W. c. Gar it, A. w. Donovan, Charles E. Hill reth, Charles c. Ely, Louis A. Coo dge, Robert A. Lesson, A. G. Barber, frederick c. Hood J. o. A. White lore, Frederick c. Dumainc. Henry
 Dennison, Edwin Farnham Greene nd GAor2e F. Willett