The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-22
CONGRESS- DISCUSSES lRAll,
IMPORTANT FEATURE OF WORK
CLAIMS ATTENTION OF COM
ID MERCIAL ORGANIZA-
II - TTON.
commrcsai Pathanders Indorse Po-
sitioh OF State Commissioners for
federal Action TO Meet Nccd-In-
sist ON Development Of Merchant
Marine.

Tor a moment the problem OF national
defense WHICH is uppermost in the
minds of Americans, the Southern
COMMERCIAL congress today turned its
Efforts towards a solution of the for
eign trade problem of the United
states. Among the more important
questions to come up for discussion
were an Improvement in the postal
service to aid in the bringing about
OF a better understanding with the
Latin-American republic, the building
up OF the merchant marine. national
legislation to aid the American farm
ell in marketing his products and the
strengthening of labor laws in the
South.
One of the most important actions
OF the day was the passage of reso-
luton by the congress favoring the
creation by congress Of national
chamber Of agriculture as proposed
by the Southern Association of Com
hhSStohtfs OI ABrlculture.
The commissioners of agriculture
were rendered the floor for an hour
this morning when the terms OF the
proposed agricultural chamber were
explained by Commissioner E. j. Wat
son.
Practically all OF the speakers in
sisted upon the development of the
American merchant marine, to meet
the demands. OF commerce sure to fol-
low at the conclusion of the European
war.
The fact that the department Of
commerce is taking In the develop
ment OF foreign trade was described
by Edwin f. Sweet. assistant commits
sioner. He made 1t clear that the de-
partment Is making an effort to care
for the expansion of American trade
He was Of the opinion that a merchant
marine. owned by the government, Is
necessary. IL the hopes Of the future
are to be realized by the country.
Before the adoption of this reso-
luton. which the commissioners con-
slider to be very important. Commis-
sioner Watson explained the terms Of
the proposed Legislation.
David Lubin, international expert on
rural credits. vas present and dis
cussed the purposes of the national
chamber OF agriculture.
Clarence J. owens. manas.ns di-
rector OF the congress. announced to-
day that three cities OF the South
Baltimore. Chattanooga and Norfolk
were making fight for the next
annual convention Of the Southern
COMMERCIAL congress.
William jennings Bryan. who ar
rived In Charleston late last night
from his winter home in Florida, oc-
cupied a place on the speakers stand
at the morning session of the con-
sress. He was cheered as he en-
tered the hall. many of the delegates
standing up.
Fifteen representatives of the de-
partment Of labor today began a Sc
ries Of conferences when .he labor
problems OF the South were given
consideration, Secretary Of Labor
William B. Wilson will arrive In
Charleston tomorrow to join with his
representatives In the discussions.
Daniel c. Roper, first assistant
postmaster general. and native South
carolinian. was among the speakers
at the morning session. declaring first
OK oil that be was glad to get back
home.
1T Is impossible to develop the
great South without developing the
whole country" declared Mr.. Roper.
in lauding the purposes and aims
OF the commercial congress,
A merchant marine and foreign
relationships are necessary, he said.
are necessary to the fullest develop
ment OF the foreign trade Of the
United States.
The speaker said that the de-
velopment OF foreign trade relations.
especially with the Latin-American n
republics, must necessarily depend to
large degree upon the postal SER
vice. There must be cooperation
with the service IL desired results are
securyd. he continued. He told of
the Tremendous increase in the postal
service. with its consonant growth In
values to n people every day learning
how TO use its advantages more. He
cited instances wherein the foreign
trade OF the United States suffered
by contrast with that of Europe,
notably In relations with South Amer
lea. Here the United States had
no