New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-13

special committees. who became expert.
took charge of them, 10 study the SUD
iects and report back. so that when
the refererda went out they went out
as nearly the last word on a given sub
iect in the way of compiled informa'
ton. SO that now. by means Of these
referenda the country IS really being
educated on the great questions of the
day By the Chamber Of Commerce OF
the United States.
Then, too. on the other hand, by
means Of these referenda, those who
are making our laws here in Washing
ton and administering them are receiv-
ing the real thought OF the country,
and from all parts Of IT, ! believe, too,
that they welcome It. and ! think this
fact shows that this organization is TO
constitute a tremendous factor in the
welfare Of the nation.
we have never felt we were organ
lied for the purpose Of considering
matters of business in the narrow
sense. An instance Of how things arc
done occurred in the present conyen-
ton. Rival manufacturing organiza-
tons brought fight into the resolu-
tons committee. one side trying to
have the chamber go on record in a
.
the other trying TO prevent the cham
Der from 30 recording itself. The result
was that they were told that their fight
was a trade fight. in which IL IS not
the province OF the Chamber OF Com
merce of the United States to engage"
suggested 70 Mr. Rhctt at this point
n phrase had coined 70 express view
Of what the national chamber has come
TO be, remarking that the organization
might now be suitably characterized
az The Supreme Court Of Business Of
tho United States" lie seized upon it
and repeated e.:
THE Supreme Court OF Business Of
the United States" he exclaimed.
That's exactly what it IL. The cham
Der must necessarily concern itself
with the pressing big questions Of
business Of the day. The biggest things
lie within its province and disputes
between rival organizations IN the
same or rival fields cannot be brought
before It's bar"
Activities for the Coming Year.
Asked 10 forecast some or the &C
tlyltles Of tho chamber for the coming
year, Mr.. Rhett said:
The newly-clccted board OF direct
ora viii sift out Of tho numerous
, questions affecting business those
which arc Of the greatest importance
and which require prompt attention. We
must always do the pressing thing. So
n IS hardly possible 10 predict what
tho activities Of the organization will
be. Wherever business needs our help
there will We be. The question OF
adequate national defence has been
ordered 10 a referendum. We will helm
to decide that.
Then there is the question Of the
maintenance Of resale prices to be set
tied. and the possibility Of an amend
ment to the Constitution Of the United
states giving the President the mower
to veto paragraphs i'm appropriation
bills which he might deem unwiso LEG
islation without requiring him 10 veto
the whole bill. The referendum on
whether or not the la Toilette sea
mems act, so called. should be repealed
or modified ia also out for vote among
the business men Of the country. and
the question Of what should he done
about the newly introduced ship pur-
chase bill IN Congress has been re-
ferred 10 the board Of directors with
the request that its provisions be de-
scrloed and a referendum on that sent
out II the board deems 10 advisable.
he convention Of the chamber. too.
has referred TO the new board of direct
ors the dispute which has arisen
between the railroads and their on-
ployes, which threatens 70 tie -, oil
the railroads in the country in a s.rito
with Instructions TO appoin, a CON.
mittee to make investigation of the
facts and endeavor TO find a solution
and gain settlement of the FIGHT nv
arbitration. All of these matters viii
have to have the immediate attention
OF the board. To mention them gives
bird's-eye view of the subjects that
VIII be OF concern to the business world
for the coming year"