The Washington times., 1916-02-11
R. G. Rhett Rewarded for Serv-
ices as Chairman Of Execu-
! tive Committee.
JOHN 10Y EDISON TREASURER
President In Address on Pre-
paredhess Says "TroubIe
Merely at Arms Length

IN recognition OF his valuable serv-
ices as chairman of the executive COM
mittee of the Chamber OF Commerce OF
tho United States, X. q. RheSt. OF
Charleston. s. C., today was chosen
unanimously president OF the organi-
zation by the board OF directors at Q
meeting held in the Riggs Building.
John II, Fahey, who served with DIS
tinction as president OF the Chamber
for two years. was named honorary
vice president.
The active vice presidents selected by
the board OF directors are II. l.. Cor
bctt, of Portland. Ore; II. +. Maddox,
Atlanta, Ca: Samuel McRoberts, New
York city; and Joseph Defrees, Chi
cago.
John Joy Edison. OF Washington. was
unanimously reelected treasurer OF the
organization. His report on the finances
os the organization elected hearty APP
plause at the drst session of the fourth
annual meeting held Tuesday. the
report showed a surplus OF $4,000 for
1915, as against a deficit Of $1,000 for
1919.
The chairman of the executive COM
mittee for 1916 will be named at later
date.
Trouble At Arms Length.
I'VE are merely holding trouble at
arms length" said President Wilson in
referring to the fact that the United
States had not become involved IN the
European war, in his address at the
banquet given by the Chamber at the
Willard last night.
'fTha Nuh0la Nu0rId In n0uy h0f and fhR
flames may extend to this country at
any time" he said.
The President spoke on preparedness
and emphasized the necessity tor the
economic resources of the country TO
be mobilized. He defended the neutral
the war began and said that despile
the determination OF the United States
TO keep out of the war 1t might no,
succeed In this desire.
Wins Hearty Applause.
President Wilson's references to the
pressing necessity for scientific tariti
commission and a real merchant marine
provoked tumultuous applause on the
part of the 300 big business men. lie
said both should be provided at the
earliest possible moment, and Indicated
his intention to work earnestly Tor
them.
He commented on the hardness oil
American business men in the past to
broaden their commercial vision re-
yond tho boundaries OF their own coun-
try" The President said the war had
thrust America into economic leader
ship OF the world. notwithstanding the
seeming nonchalance cf the business
men.
Because world aairs had been WHO'LL
altered by the war. the President sau
ne had changed his mind about the
reed for a scientific t0ri commission
Securing nonpartisan and capable men
for the commission would he the most
difficult task. he said. Tho President
kaid he was not interested in any doc
trine of free trade or protection, for.
being n college professor he knew there
was nothing in either OF them.
Favors Federal Construction.
The President expressed his approval
OF Government construction Of shirs
saying TINT notwithsta nding the fact
that this had been declared rev olution-
ary. I'VE cannot hold our whole eco-
romic life s.agnant because We are
afraid to try an experiment"
The banquet was featured by q trans
continental telephone conversation, Gov
ernor Hiram Johnson, OF California
and Governor Morehead. OF Nabraska
huth conveying greetings 10 the PRESS
dent and the business men by wire.