Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-18
ALL AMERICAN BUSINESS
LOYAL IN WAR CRISIS

cial National Bank of Chicago, sis the most
titanic business in the world.
our role" he said, "is merely that of
private business assisting the public busl-
ness OF war All banking asks Federal co.
operation allowing the degree of war latl-
tude TO avoid crippllng industry Only thus
can the roll of killed and wounded be mini
mized. Business is hesitatng because ~
does not know the definite Government war
policies"
He pleaded with tho people to abandon
their prejudice against big business and
asserted that no nation could withstand the
shocks of threats ''of all manner Of regua-
tiqns, and of conscription of property and
income He urged that partisan politics
bo stopped.
SEES END OF CONFLICT
IF II were not for the big business or
ganizations of transportation mining steel
and lumber we would be at the mercy of
the enemy" he asserted. The rise in prices
and wages he said. was automatic, char
acterstic of every war.
with Government financing concentrat-
ing money in the East" he said. "the Gov.
ernment should equalze conditions by dis
trlbutlng war orders to the West"
Reynolds said he believed Prussiansm
was making its last fight and that the war
would be finished In much less time than
has been consumed thus far.
RHET-T STATES PURPOSE OF MEETING
The opening address OF President Rhett
follows in part:
This convention has been called by the
National Chamber of Commerce primarily
in order that American business may
have an opportunity of expressing its
sentiments with respect to the war In
which we are now engaged. and of de.
claring In plain and unmstakable Lam
do In aiding to bring that war to sue
cesssful conclusion.
In order that these expressions may be
thoroughly representative of American
business OF every kind, and from every
part OF the country, the Chamber has not
only called together the delegates from
its own $50 commercial organizations.
members representing more than 100000
individuals, firms. and corporations. and
Its own individual and associate MEM
bers numbering more than 5000, but II
has extended invitations to other CONNER
cial organizations OF the country not
members of the chamber TO be represent
ed here, and TO unite with It in sending
out message from the business men of
America, when will let the world clearly
understand that whatever the cost, what
ever the sacrifice. they propose to place
every resource at their command behind
| the Government and Its Allies in their
determination TO see that liberty, de-
mocracy, civilization and humanity shall
| not perish.
WAR CHANGES METHODS
Taking up the wartime situation Mr..
| Rhett said:
Business has been cropping IN the dark
| because 1t finds the very foundations OF
commerce have been upturned. Demand
| and supply can no longer be permitted to
| control prices, because the extraordinary
demands of the Government have COM
| pletely unbalanced the scales. Something
else must be found to take its place for
| the time being. The Government is now
searching for that something, and in the
| process confusion has naturally arisen. In
| this confusion there have undoubtedly been
cases where selfshness and greed have
| outweighed patriotism, but these cases have
been exceptional, and the great body OF
business men have invariably stood
squarely behind the Government In its
plans and proposals.
| But, gentlemen. VIC are gathered to-
| gether not only for the purpose of givins
| expression TO cur sentiments and our pur
poses in connection with this war. but alsc
of inqiiring into the means whereby W.
may most effectually aid the Government
and its Allies to win ii. We can perform
no more patriotic or profitable service thar
by contributing the discretions and concu
sions of this splendid gathering toward ;
solution of these problems In the best inter
est of the nation.
"The President has we'll said that thi
| war is not battle OF armies, but confiic
| of nations in which every national resource
must be called into play. | doubt not tina
this convention composed of men of wid'
| experience and high attainments shall b
| able TO contribute much thought and IN
| formation that will materially help the Gov
ernment In determining how business met
can aid 1t best
| But gentlemen, while the problems o
| how we can best aid the Government to vii
| the war. and how we can best aid ourselves
and the country to prosperity after the war
are TO engage our attention. let me empha
size in conclusion, the primary and para
mount purpose Of this convention,
our countrrmen want to know Just how
the business men feel about this war. GU
| allies, likewise. want to know what Thoughts
are filling our minds, and what sentiments
| are filling our hearts in this Worldwide