New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-15
Business Men
Will Hold Great
War Convention
Chamber of Commerce
Calls Gathering to Help
Solve Nations Problems

WASHINGTON, Aug. IA great
war convention of business men
throughout the country has been called
by the Chamber of Commerce Of the
United States. 1t will be held at At
lantic City September II to 81, and prob
ably will be the largest gathering OF
its kind in history. The objects are
stated to be "to encourage our allies
and strike fear into the heart of the
enemy"
"War Is the nations chief business"
said R. Goodwin Rhett, president CT
the national chamber "and every
business man, firm and corporation
must now subordinate individual inter-
este to the common cause. This they
are ready to do; all that is needed is
direction as to what to do. The results
Of this meeting, which has been called
by our executive committee, which has
been in session almost continuously
for the last three months, will show
business the way and inform the pub
lie as we'll.
Expects Greater Efficiency
"Victory in the great struggle in
which we are engaged depends largely
on the power intelligence and speed Of
tho industry of the United States:
upon our ability to produce faster and
better thar ever before the things
necessary to efficient warfare. This
convention of American business men
should show, not to our people alone,
but to the whole world, in what spirit
and with what determination business
faces the task ahead of us. Out of
common counsel we hope TO see what
we may do to develop still greater
efficiency and render greater service
in carrying the war to quick and sue
cessful conclusion"
Business has shown itself essential
ly patriotic and willing to make big
sacrifices, but it is said to be suffering
in the public eye for two reasons
first, lack of knowledge how to adjust
itself; second, the narrow and selfish
attitude of an almost negligible but
somewhat prominent minority.
"The chamber has gone fatty on
record against a profit out Of war"
Elliot H. Goodwin, the secretary, said.
at must not be overlooked, however,
that business in peace time is con-
Quoted for profit. That is the rule of
the game. without profit it cannot
live. Success of business is measured
by profit.
VIII Seek Guidance
patriotic business men are perfectly
ready to work on another basis so long as
they can live, but they must have clearly
indicated what the new basis will be,
along what line they shall proceed and
what is expected Of them. Without
criticism Of them, it may we'll be said
that government officials have been too
busy in the immediate crisis creating
armies. sending them to the front and
providing them with immense supplies
to do more than go after the supplies
from the business men and not to out
line a policy along which business can
proceed"
A principal topic of discussion will
be the duty that business owes the gov
emphasis will be laid upon this. There
will come the question Of how business
of the country may render even greater
service in winning the war. This will
include what may be done to control
prices, how priority may be most quick
~ and effectively established, how
greater efficiency in land and water
transportation shall be developed. how
we may best provide for and protect
our forces on land and sea and those
dependent upon them at home, and
what steps may be taken for better ed
ucation of the nation on the issues at
stake in the war.
Ways and means by which business
must readily adjust itself to the con-
ditions produced by the war will be
considered. Also there will come the
questions of how we shall provide for
business enterprises not essential to
the nation in wartime, food conserva-
ton. its special Importance to business
men, industrial relations ard employ !
ment problems and foreign trade, bank
ing and credit In wartime.
After-War Preparations
The readjustment after the war for
which business must prepare, includ- !
ing the question as to what will be the
course OF prices on raw materials and /
finished products, how we shall plan
for replacing our men in industry after !
they return from the war and what new |
In international rela-
tions may be expected, will also be
discussed.