Evening star., 1915-02-07
MEN OF BUSINESS
LAUDED IN ADDRESS
Secretary of National Clothing
Manufacturers Association
DepIores Criticism. A
SPEAKS WITH OTHERS
AT UNIVERSITY CLUB
John Joy Edison Describes Work Of
Commerce Chamber of the
United States.

Arrangement of big business by the
government in past days was dcplored
by William r. Corwinne, secretary OF
the National Association of Clothing
manufacturers. in an address at tho
University Club last evening. He de-
clared that the government had in n
number of instances, thrown aside in
formation given by business men who
were experts in their particular line
and went ahead on academic theories.
1t Is not fair to class all business
men as dishonest" he declared "I
have Travelled in all parts Of tho world
except Africa and I haven't met any
men more honest a class or more
conscientious in the performance OF
their duty than the average American
business man. He is clean cut. Where
you find ten dishonest business men
you may find a thousand honest ones"
MI Corwinne admitted that in many
cases it was necessary for the govern
ment to take action. but the mistakes
made by big business had been largely
made unwittingly. He spoke of the
case of the railroads when the proper-
ties under their control kept becoming.
greater and the number of men hsy-
ing mat control continued to grow
sinailer He said that they intended TO
serve the public as well as possible so
long as the service did not affect the
stockholders This led to an awaken
ing OF public conscience. he said.
Both Have Made Mistakes.
But we have all made mistakes n.
declared. Those of us who represent
business in any way have made mis-
takes On the other hand. the govern
hos
Gus mistakes"
declared that the manufacturers OF
clothing would be glad to have their
goods standardized. We would be
willing to cooperate with the bureau
OF stanaards-if the government will
let us-but sometimes when we have
come here We have felt as il we had
been kicked downstairs"
John Joy Edson, newly elected treas
urer of the Chamber of Commerce OF
the United States, declared that the
United States must be up and doing"
when this country was a new coun-
try, he said, I'VE paid little attention
to the movements of other nations
We we're floating along on a stream,
as II were. Now we must measure
arms with other nations. We reaIiz.
at this time that Germany, France
and England had wonderful organizs-
tions."
He outlined the growth of the Cham
Der of Commerce of the United States
and predicted that in the future its
power would grow even greater.
Tells of Referendum Plan.
This national chamber of commerce
does not propose to dictate to Con
gress." he explained. ut is not q
political body, but will go to Congress
in a suggestive mood, to give the best
counsel 1t can" He told of the refer
endum plan by which the chamber
operated. and through which a con-
sensus of opinion is obtained on each
question from all parts of the country
He said the chamber would not serve
any particular combination, but would
serve the entire country. He related
instances in which men had left the
organization because they could not
take up certain matters
People in the southwest have a more
hopeful outlook at present than they
did. in November, according to II. &
Shelor, president of the Commercial
Club of Muskogee. Okla "In that sec
tion of the country do not mean
only my state-we are about S120,ooo.-
900 ahead of what We were in No
vember," he said.
Mr.. Shelor was introduced by DR..
Clarence J. Owens of the Southern
Commercial Congress. Upon motion of
Col. Myron Parker the speakers were
rendered d rising vote of thanks.
Claude y. Bennett. chairman of the
entertainment committee. who presid-
ed. called attention to the date of the
banquet of the University Club, Febru-
ary IS, at the Willard Hotel