Evening star., 1915-02-07
Trade Commission Committee
of National Commerce Cham
ber Calls Big Men.
OFFICIALS ARE GRATIFIED
WITH CONVENTION HELD
Particularly Appreciate President
Wilson's Address and Request
for Assistance.

Considerable interest was aroused in
the men who are to be named on the
committee which is to be appointed ny
the Chamber Of Commerce of the
United States to cooperate with the
new federal trade commission. when
the latter Is named, may in some
cases be the identical men connected
with big business in the United States
who have found themselves unable to
accept positions on tho federal trade
commission.
1T is known that President Wilson
considered 800 men for appointment on
the commission. some Of them leaders
In large corporate endeavor In this
country. 1t is said that, while some
of them felt highly honored by the con-
ndence the President wished to show
their relations with their respectiye
interests obliged some of them to fore
go the opportunity to serve the coun-
try under governmental appointment.
directors of the Chamber of Com
,o msrce OF the United States. which
convention held here all last week,
said before leaving Washington that
they would not be surprised il some
OF the men the President wished to
nave on the commission would serve
the country on behalf of the cham
Der Service on the committee of the
chamber, to cooperate with the fed
eral trade commission, 1t was pointed
out, would not involve giving up other
business interests.
Officials Are Pleased.
Ofcials Of the Chamber last night ex-
pressed themselves as highly gratified
with the results of the great conven-
ton held last week at the New Willard
Hotel. which brought the most promi-
nent business men in all lines Of endeavor
to the National Capital.
Elliot H. Goodwin, general secretary
of the national chamber, in discussing
the convention last night with a re-
porter of The Star. made a special note
of President Wilson's frank admission
as Mr.. Goodwin called it, that the CHIEF
Executive is in doubt as to the rela-
tion the antitrust laws should bear
toward combinations to obtain foreign
trade.
The Presidents request" Mr.. Good
win said, that the business men who
compose the chamber shall give him
their best advice on this subject was
received with splendid spirit, and we
are planning to be of service in this
connection.
To Aid Trade Commission.
Then. too. we are very glad that the
convention voted to have a committee
from the chamber to consult with the
federal trade commission and try to be
Of service to that body when 1t is ap-
pointed and organized. Men sof broad
vision. thorough business experience
and economic study will be called into
this committee.
1T was a strong meeting, indicative
of what the national chamber can ac-
complish for the welfare OF the coun-
try. With President Wilson and other
members of the administration giving
cordial recognition to the purpose for
which the Chamber of Commerce of the
sions marked another decided step for
ward in the naturalization of business.
Foreign Situation Discussed.
Many important phases of the for
eign situation were gone into. Tre-
mendous interest centered in the mer-
chant marine discussion. and a more
notable list of advocates could hardly
have been desired than Secretary
Bryan. the first to get into action for
the administration bill, and Secretary
McAdoo following. Senator Burton of
Ohio, against it, completed a memoir
able debate. The interest shown was
tremendous. The speeches made a di-
rect appeal to business men. Very
tense. especially SO following such an
unusual session. was the discussion of
the majority report Of the national
chambers special committee on mer-
chant marine. 1t put forward a sys-
tenn whereby buyers and builders of
steamers should have assistance in the
form of secured loans from a marine
development company, financed by the
government, and a readjustment of ex-
listing mail subventions.
"A number of resolutions were re-
ferred to the board of directors of the
chamber. This is significant in that
many of the resolutions so referred have
to do with important national ques-
tions requiring careful study and in
vestigation in order that any action
taken by the chamber may be based
upon more lengthy deliberations than
could be had in the short session of the
convention.
I'm fact, cooperation was the key
note of the entire meeting, and it was
that, more than anything else, which
brought the splendid results"