Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-11
Speaking to Chamber of Com
merCe of United States,
Chief Executive Makes Plea
for Ship Purchase Bill
PREPAREDNESS ALSO
FEATURE OF ADDRESS
Business Men Cheer Wilson as
Policies Of Government Are
Outlined at Closing Session
Of Meeting.

lay HoRHlHo JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED WisHl
Washington, Feb. i0.--President
Wilson told the Chamber of Commerce
of the United states tonight that
America needed a real scientific tar
iif board and he thought 1t was going
to get it, that II needed real mcr-
chant marine and that it was absO-
lutely necessary some beginning
schould be made at once TO get that.
too, and that had il not been for the
effectiveness of the federal reserve
law, as business preparedness meas
urc, there was no telling what com
mcrcial disaster would have over
whelmed the United states with the
present war. OF the prospect for
keeping the country at peace he said
that while no immediate international
crisis faced the nation. we are merely
holding trouble at arms length The
presidents reference to the tariff
board and the merchant marine were
greeted with tumultuous applause by
members Of the chamber ana their
friends at II dinner closing the organi-
zation's annual convention. His ref
ercnce to his western tour also evoked
a demonstration.
Not Afraid of IiistorN's Verdict.
- am not afraid" he said. "of the
slow verdict Of history with regard TO
tho neutrality Of the United states,
and | believe We are justified in eXer-
cising every degree of patience in
making clear what our position is and
show how sincerely we are determined
not to allow this quarrel to become
ours in any part. But we are merely
holding this trouble AT arms lench
ana tryinG To keep our Judgment cool
An the rest Of the world is hot and it
may be that the flames will extend to
us
The president assailcd the tardincss
of American business men IN the past
10 broaden the commercial vision be-
yond the boundaries Of this country
md the war, he said had thrust
America into the economic leadership
IF the world" despite this. There
we're many instrumentalitios, however,
which America needed sorely, he said.
one Of them related to the tariff.
Scientific Tariff Board.
I'VE ought to have real scientific
ariff board, and i think we are gO-
ng to have 1t. he said. He reiter-
tied his declaration that he had
hanged his mind about the need of
his because world affairs had wholly
Uttered during the past fifteen months.
lis greatest difficulty he thought,
you'd be obtaining men for the board
Who were both capable and non-par
isan. He knew Of only one eligible
Il am not Interested in any doctrine
# protection ho said. land ! am not
Interested in any doctrine Of free
rade. ] have been "a college profess
or and ! know Why---beeausc there is
Iothng in either doctrine. The only
hing interesting Is the facts.
Wants Merchant Marine.
Another instrumentality which |
ope we shall make ready to get as.
oon as possible is a merchant ma
inc. We have hopefully expected
ltely that ships would be built by
,mericans, but there have been no
iolent symptoms Of that hope being
caized. 1t is absolutely necessary
hat we should make beginning in
ONE way"
Government construction or opera
ion of ships had been assailed as rev
lutionaIy, the president said II am
OF afraid of any kind of revolution
hat is useful" he added: ~ don't ,
are by what honest process the goods |
re delivered but they have got to be /
We cannot hold our whole |
life stagnant because we are /
frald to try an experiment. | am not !
fraid Of trying an experiment If we
lace our affairs in the hands Of com /
etent men"
blow
Speaks to G.. \. Il. Men i
Later in the evening the president I
ldressed members Of the department |
the Potomac at banquet in honor !
Gen E. II. Monfort, Of Cincinnati, /
chief Of the Grand Ar
" Of the Republic.
As the president concluded Com
lander Monfort arose and solemnly /
ledged the support of our organiza-
on to any measure You deem proper
} maintain the peace and prosperity
the country these comrades fought
preserve The president shook the
,terau by the hand heartily and the
Idience checred
In his address the president touched
pom national preparedness and de-
ared no one could predict the out
ome Of the European war He spoke
how the nations Of Europe have
pooled their blood" for a cause aus
le Of the patriotic aspects of the
ruggle
NIfhfTnInA EfnIflHIA