New-York tribune., 1916-07-22
Firms Affected Work to
Form Nationwide
Organization.
SEE BRITISH PLAN
TO GET u. S. TRADE
Americans Urged to Enter Busi.
nesses Backed by Eng.
Iish Capital.

Preliminary plans for the formation
of a nationwide organization to fight
the action of Great Britain in placing
several hundred American firms on the
British trade blacklist were formulated
yesterday afternoon at meeting of
nifty representatives of firms affected,
held in the Offices of the Chamber Of
German Commerce, Inc. at
IL Broadway.
The meeting was also attended by
representative of the Chamber of Com
merce of the United States, which
maintains New York Offices in the
Woolworth Building This organiza-
tion is expected to take the matter up
with the government at Washington.
Developments at the meeting indicate
that the blacklist is another step in
Grea. Britain's plan to destroy German
trade throughout the world Several
men who addressed yesterdays meeting
declared that another purpose is to en-
able the English to gain control of
American commerce.
American Trade Menaced.
In many quarters yesterday it was
said that the blacklist will greatly
hamper Americans. particularly those
who have been blacklisted, from ship
ping goods to neutral countries, even
in American bottoms, inasmuch as such
cargocs are liable to seizure, followed
by a long and costly prize court pro-
ceeding, if not actual confiscation.
Orders amounting TO many thousands
Of dollars, in some quarters estimated
as high as 81 100000, and in many in
stances for goods consigned to South
and Central American ports, have been
held up by the British trade order and
the consequent refusal of British ships
20 handle the goods.
at is very significant" said one man
yesterday, who is on the blacklist, that
the publication OF the list followed on
the heels Of the organization OF great
many English forwarding and export
ing companies in this country. These
are all apparently American concerns,
but they are backed by British capital
In the majority of cases these firms are
composed Of an Englishman and an
American who has been a member OF
firm that has been blacklisted, but who
has been quietly told that II he would
20 into business with the Englishman
he himself would be removed from the
blacklist and could do all the business
he desired"
How English Are Working.
The scheme, il is said, is TO put on
the blacklist every American firm IN
which there is a suggestion OF German
influence or capital, and then make
amends to the American by inviting
him to bring his business to house
controlled by an Englishman and Eng
lish capital.
At yesterdays meeting OF those
affected bv the blacklist nothing was
done save the adoption OF resolutions
70 keep secret the names of those VINO
attended and resolutions providing for
the appointment of committee OF
five. ito be designated within the next
few days." 70 formulate a plan for
fighting the blacklist
This committee will work out the
details Of the permanent organization,
it was said. and will endeavor to ex-
tend the work 10 Seattle. San Francisco
and other cities in which are located
blacklsted firms.
Another Meeting Soon.
At the close of the meeting Heinrich
Charles, secretary of the Chamber OF
German-American Commerce, gave out
the following statement:
"A meeting Of the firms and indi-
viduals blacklsted by the British gov
ernment was held Friday afternoon at
3 o'clock at II Broadway. More than
fifty persons attended. II was unani-
mously resolved that committee OF
five be designated within the next few
DAYS to formulate plan OF action re-
garding the matter. Another meeting
of the body will be held early next
week"
Although the notification of he meet
ing was signed by Charles and sent out
on the stationery Of the German
American chamber, Charles said his or
panization has nothing to do with the
movement Ol PloNSSr ""N
loaned its meeting rooms.
Several members OF blacklisted con-
Germs are members of the chamber.
among them Edward Stegemann, Jr., OF
Brasch e. Rothenstein, Inc, OF 81
Broadway. who was one OF the early
arrivals, together with representatives
of Marx Maier. 200 Fifth Avenue
Hasenclever e. Co., "a State Street
Schultz, Buneman e. Co. 10 william
Street. and Schenker & Co, II Battery
Place. At the Offices Of several hrmS
il was said they had not been notihed
of the meeting and had sent no repre-
sentative.
Will Go to Washington.
Maurice B. Blumenthal, former
Deputy Attorney General, who was ap--
pointed counsel for the organization OF
nrotest. addressed the meeting. Blu
menthal and the committee of five
which is 10 be named will 90 to Wash
ington and consult with Secretary
Lansing of the State Department.
Consultations also will be held with
various civic and commercial organlza-
tions. with a view to enlisting them IN
the fight. Among these IS the Moi-
chants Association OF New 1orh'
which. although invited, sent no repre-
sentative TO the meeting.
At the Offices of the association IN
the Wooworth Building 1t was sald
Yesterday that that organization nad
as vet taken no official cognlZance oil
the blacklist, although W. II. Mahoney'
manager of the foreign trade depart
ment. said several complaints had peeh