Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-24
BUSINESS AND WAR

A s the work of the war conven
n ton of the Chamber of Com
merce of the United States o
Atlantic City is analyzed the import
ance of the great gathering of bust
nessmen is appreciated. From al
parts of the country came the indus
trial and commercial leaders to con
slider ways and means of backing tn
government to the limit in the prose
cution of the war. There were nj
sentimental paciflsts there and tn,
La Follettes in public life were han.
died without gloves.
While criticism of those in charg
of affairs at Washington were care
fully avoided, there was an under
current which indicated more clear
ly than words the opinion of thes
practical, hard-headed men regard
ing the inefficiency which has char
acterized much that has been don
in the preparation for the nationa
defense. Boiled down, the recon
mendations of the convention wer
as follows:
War meetings of all organiza-
tions affiliated with the Chamber
of Commerce of the United States
before November l.. This assures
concerted action by American
business from coast to coast upon
all communications of the con-
Vention and upon all suggestions
made by Herbert Hoover and the
other executives of wartime ef-
ficiencies.
Demand that all war purchases
for the United States be concen-
trated in one purchasing board.
That payment of war taxes
amount amount be divided into % quarterly iy
installments.
That a foreign trade commits
sion be appointed to study and re-
port upon trade conditions and
problems now present and likely
to arise after the war.
That the Government take i'm
mediate action to keep at parity
the American dollar in every
country of the world.
That an International Congress
of Chambers of Commerce, con-
sisting of representatives of our
allies and neutral nations. be call
ed at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
That the movement to extend
the closed shop in industry be
checked and that there should
not be an attempt to change stan
dards of labor or employment
were unable to change under
normal conditions.
That loans and other support
be given the new Russian Gov
ernment.
That an arbitration board be
created, consisting of representa-
tives of employers, labor and the
Government, for the adjustment of
all labor disputes during the war.
Endorsement of the plan to save
daylight by putting the clock one
hour ahead in spring and sum-
mer.
That all prohteering by busi-
nessmen be condemned.
That all industries not now or.
ganized be Immediately organ
ICED for war work.
That the principle of universal
military training be unreservedly
Promotion of export trade by
passage of the Webb-Pomerene
Bill.
A campaign for education and
naturalization of all alien resi-
dents.
Also, there was adopted, with
solid vote, resolution favoring tn
prompt improvement of our publ
highways. the preamble setting fort
that it rs essential that all the trans
portation facilities of the natio
should be brought to the highes
state of efficiency in order that food
stuffs may be moved most economi
cally from the farm to the marke
and that manufactured products b
moved at the lowest cost from tn
factory to the consumer"
Congressman Kreider's speech de
nouncing as reasonable the activi
ties of the I. w. w. and other agita
tors and declaring that the pussy
footing which has characterized tn
attitude of many toward this elias
of persons should cease, was ono o
the most striking utteFances of tn
convention. A storm of applaus
emphasized the approval of the dele
gates and there was general agree
ment with his proposition that It wa
not reasonable to send our men {
the trenches and then permit a dis
loyal element at home to depriv
them of the necessary supplies /
conduct successful war.
The Atlantic City conference ha
electrified the business atnIospher
and the Potsdam gang has bee
given fair warning that the business
men and manufacturers of this coun
Arrr nra In this MAR IN tha aniah