The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-06
GET READY FOR
 TRADE AFTER WAR
Ry HOLLAND

New York, July .-(SpeciaL)-Louisi- ana, Alabama, Missouri and Ohio are now taking steps for the perfecting of state and national agitation whereby the country may be prepared to meet the conditions which will arise after the war in Europe is ended. Minnesota is also doing this, although agitation in that state will be largely confined to securing increase in agricultural production. Mas sachusetts and Connecticut are now so busily occupied in the manufacture of the munitions of war that their leaders in industries seem not yet to find the time to give serious consideration to conditions which will arise after the war. These business men of New England, however, are sure to unite hereafter cor dially with citizens in other parts of the country who are now undertaking to pre- pare the country for the opportunities and responsibilities which will be upon us after the war is ended
 Possibly the leader in agitation of this kind or in an attempt wisely to direct the agitation is Louisiana That state has by concurrent resolutions adopted ~" NehS ooO 6ANSh O1iiSAoA s"AA0eAoAa to this agitation and undertakings The Louisiana legislature in effect says that after the war is ended there will come a period of great trade expansion and intense competition in trade and for this reason excellent knowledge of overseas conditions, high training for overseas service and intensive cooperation be- tween competent government agencies and business men will be not only nec- essary, but of inestimable benefit.
 To this opinion the Louisiana legisla- ture commits itself by formal resolution. But the legislature goes further. Per haps inspired by the very efficient New Orleans Association of Commerce the legislators of Louisiana assert that our foreign competitors have in the past pos sessed such knowledge, training and CO., operation as have enabled them to gain great advantage over American business men who have been seeking world trade. Furthermore, Louisiana recognizes that even in these war days France and Eng land, especially England, are preparing to meet the conditions which will arise after the war, and do it in such manner as will give them superiority so far as
 
 WHAT WE SHOULD DO
 By unanimous vote, according to infor- ation which came from New York to- day, the legislature of Louisiana sug- gests, first of all that there should be at this time the greatest possible meas ure of efficiency in federal trade ex- pansion work. In order to secure this efficiency Louisiana asks Congress to promote in a most liberal manner the development and expansion of the de- partment of commerce and to make ade- quate appropriations for the use of this department in maintaining and increas- ing the foreign trade of the United States.
 Every legislative body in the United States will, when it has been assembled, be requested by Louisiana to adopt sim liar resolutions. The New Orleans As sociation of Commerce will, in an urgent but dignified way, ask the governor of each state in the union to recommend to his legislative body that it take ac- tion similar to that which has been taken by the Louisiana legislature. Should this be done. as it undoubtedly will then a most influential expression of public opinion, formally and officially set forth, will be placed before Congress and this should serve to influence Con- gress in adopting legislation whereby the department of commerce can, as Secretary Redfield earnestly desires, do everything possible not only to maintain American overseas trade, but greatly to increase it.
 The United States, it is now acknowl- edged, will be for sometime after the war in Europe is ended the world power so far as nterna tional financing is con- cerned. Our allies will be our debtors by many billions of dollars. Part of this zlz zt.4. ,I-4 IL purchase of raw material and other com modities produced in foreign lands, but there is no doubt that a great deal of it must be liquidated by actual money. This, if our manufacturers are prepared for the opportunities which will open, should greatly serve the United States in securing and maintaining a fair pro- portion, perhaps a great share, of the worlds commerce which will be de-