Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-19

18.-Amcricsn business mas no inten-
ton OF profiting OF the expense Of the
government in tho sale OF war sup
plies, II. q. Rhett. OF Charleston, s. c.,
president OF the Chamber OF Commerce
Of the United States. declared here to-
day in opening the war convention Of
American business and Industrial
leaders.
There undoubtedly have been cases
where selhshness and greed have out
weighed patriotism, but the cases have
been EXCEPTIONAL no said. And the
great body OF business men have in
varlably stood squarely behind the
government in It's plans and it's pro-
posals.
Tho business men OF America will
let the world know that whatever tho
cost, whatever the sacrifice. they nro-
pose to place every resource at their
command behind the government, ana
us allies In their determination to see
that liberty. democracy. civilization
and humanity prevail"
The war convention, called bv the
Chamber Of Commerce to plan closer
cooperation between tho government
ana Industry. heard speakers to-day
discuss the problem Of obtaining SUI
hcient war supplies at fair prices
Among those on the program for nd
dresses were Secretary of War Baker.
Secretary Of the Interior Lane. Frank
n Scott, chairman of the war industries
board; George NJ. Reynolds, OF Chi
caEo. and Boris Bakhmetcff. the rms.
sian ambassador.
FOUNDATIONS OF COMMERCE.
HAVE BEEN UPTUpNED
President Rhett. in his address, said: :
Business has been groping in the
dark. because 1t finds the very founda-
tons OF commerce have been upturned.
Demand and supply can no longer be
permitted to control prices. because the
extraordinary demands of tho govern
ment have completely unbalanced the
scales. Something else must be found
TO take Its place for tho time being.
The government Is now searching for
that something.
The President has we'll said that
this war is not a battle of armies, but
conflict Of nations in which every
national resources must be cdle1 into
play.
Let me emphasize the primary and
paramount purpose OF this convention
Our countrymcn want to know Just
how the business men feel about this
war. Our allies. likewise. want to
know.
WANT CONCLUSION
THAT MEANS REAL PEACE
Can we permit German autocracy
and militarism to remain as a constant
menace 10 that liberty. constant dan
ger TO the peace and tranquility of
the world? Can there be any COM
promise with this question. now that
millions OF men have died to make 1t
impossible? Men may cry Peace!
peace" but there can be no peace SO
long as 'kultur' under autocratic in
depreciation and direction remains a
vital force in the world-so long as
any great and aggressive nation Of
men are made to believe they possess
4 superiority which entities them to
subject others to their will. and their
sclf-constituted rulers arc permitted
perpetually to plot and plan to that
purpose. There may be some who
care not what may happen TO future
generations or that this generation
may be permitted to live in peace, nor
how humiliatlng the peace under which
they live. but thank God In this splen-
did democracy of ours they can con-
stitute very small minority, and in
inc ranks OF business their number Is
negligible. Let US mako this number
iniinitesimal BY such united action
that every impulse to selfish or sordid
action may be suppressed. and q great
wave OK enthusiasm may move US on
10 such achievement In service and In
sacrifice as shall constitute a compei-
ling influence for g.. speedy conclusion
OF this war--a conclusion that will
bring US n real peace"
WOULD CHANGE WORD FROM
DUTY TO OPPORTUNITY
Business men asking their duty to
tie nation in war were told by Secre-
tary Lane. addressing the war conven-
ton here to-day. to change the word
fr-m duty" TO opportunity" and seek
the answer from the khaki-clad Ameri-
can boys who arc crossing the ocean.
we have come upon new day and
new philosophy" he said. 1--WE are
to-judge men henceforth, not by what
they have. but by what they give"
The secretary declared that the
United States, having determined to
fight Germany's effort to master the
world with high explosives and low
intrigue" was making full steam
ahead.
III any one doubts that" he added,
let him look at the record oc Con-
gross. which has come in for SO much
OF derision and reproach. presume
to say that no other parliamentary
body in so short time ever passed
so great a volume Of well-considered
and prophetic legislation as has our
present Congress in the past five
months,
1--WE have supplied money for our
friends. raised an army of l,25O.0OO,