Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-31
BUSINESS TEMPLE
URGED FOR CAPITAL
United States Commerce
Chamber Directors Advocate
Project in Report.
.FAVORS WORLD PEACE IDEA

Union or the SOL allied Red cross
building was given impetus today, at
the opening of the fifth annual conven-
ton of the national chamber, held at
the New Willard Hotel.
The board of directors of the chamber.
in its annual report, recommended that
action be taken to build suitable struc-
ture here, as a national home for busi-
ness of the United States. in which shall
be housed the headquarters of the or
ganiZation.
The recommendations of the board
will come up for action later in the
convention. The boards suggestion
read:
THE proposition of an endowment
fund for the purpose of building In
Washington for the headquarters of
the chamber is put forward with en-
dowment membership, providing for
the recognition of those who have gen.
erously subscribed to the support of
the chamber during its period of Or
ganiza tion."
Idea Is Approved.
This feature of the opening of the
convention, which will continue for
three days, caused considerable favorable
comment under the surface of the big
meeting, and many informal expressions
were heard in support of the idea.
Another feature of the opening of
Filene of Boston, a director. addressed
the gathering on referendum of the
chamber sent out last year, concern
ing a plan for preventing future wars
and the league of nations" idea, which,
Mr.. Filene said, is a subject of especial
Importance since President Wilson's re-
cent address to the Senate-''a speech,
he said. which is the storm center of
what promises to be the greatest battle
of opinion in the history of the nation
Mr.. Fflene reread the referendum and
the result Of the different votes upon it.
He pointed out that business men in
chambers Of commerce throughout the ma
ton approved every feature of the pro-
posal by large majorities, the use of mill
tary pressure being the only feature that
did not receive more than the required
two-thirds vote, and that that lacked but
sixteen votes Of two-thirds majority"
Members Urged to Support Plan.
Mr. Filene declared:
2 sslt ~ clear. fAsrefore, thar this refer
endrIm, which appears to deal with a
problem of poliffcaf science, IL in reality
a constructive approach to the most i'm
portant national business problem be-
fore US.
''Your committee urges that business
men everywhere give serious attention
to the discussion that iB centering
about the league Of nations idea that
underlies this referendum, and that
they do everything in their power to
give effect to their referendum by Civ
ing their support to the principal Of a
cooperative attempt on the part Of
all nations after the war to maintain
S,,c@
which permanently prosperous business
is impossible"
New Spirit Born.
When the convention was called to
order in the big assembly room of the
New Willard Hotel by President Rhett
more than 500 national and interna-
tional and local commercial and bust
ness organizations were represented.
After announcement of convention
committees and a report from the ma
tional council, the report OF. the board
of directors of the National Chamber
was presented. as well as the report
of John Joy Edison of Washington,
treasurer, which showed the organiza- :
tion to be in a f1ourishing financial
condition. President Rhett then de-
livered his annual address, pointing out
that "a new spirit has been born to
the business man of America spirit
which has touched his better. nobler
bigger self, and which has broadened
his vision.
This spirit, Mr.. Rhett said, has
brouht to the business man of America
a happiness he has not known before
through service for q common welfare
and in sacrifice where personal interest
conflicts with that welfare. 1t is a
spirit which makes men leave theiI
homes and their business six or eight
times a year and travel hundreds OF
miles to attend the meetings of your
board and contribute their thought and
counsel for this work"
Many New Members,
During the year. Mr.. Rhett said, more
than 200 new organization ,nembers anr
,,or. tbon roo ind,,,id,.l ,-s
.'i''e heiaoers
nave oeeh aaueu 10 'he roiis.
ch,mhar nc connective ~, Az pho.+
SAID. Is 10 give TO the BUSINESS men
of America a clear presentation of
,ssnes which are vita, TO their welfare
a ~. .,f.r. ~ tho ,,.,.
and to the ~ei1are OF the country.
:. ...trst c,,ss lee;.,,tion .noo;.,
-,,,,,s ,a oil ..her r,.,a,,.., r.,,;,,,
a. - +oL. into cors;derotio,, +ho ,a,
,ha ,.on,a - ~. oo,,,t- .
IT.. Nat;o,.1 ch.n,ha .,as,s.
he said. that it will not urge any course
which is not concurred in by a two
thirds vote Of its organization MEM
bers, and as the National Chamber has
associated itself with many great ma
tional and International organizations,
this course, OF & necessity. n.y. me means that
ehy NHS wa