Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-07-20
STATE CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE, IN
LIVELY REPORT
Facts and Figures Show Inn
portant Role Being Played
in State and Nation

IN State and Nation
That the Pennsylvania State Cham
ber of Commerce is a live organlza-
| tion and has an important part to
play in the welfare of the state, Is
evidenced by its report covering the
one and one-half-year period from
the date of it's organization in De-
cember. 1916. until June 1, 1918.
The report is quite comprehensive in
its treatment of the varied scope of
the Chambers activities.
1t contains a foreword by Presi-
I dent Alba B. Johnson, a report of
| the General Secretary, Paul Little
field a report of the Director of the
| Agricultural Bureau, F. r. Stevens
field, a report of the Director of the
nan. Director of the Legislative and
Research Bureau.
The report shows that during the
year 1917, $19.375 was received in
dues from memberships and during
the first five months of this year, $37,-
S75 has been received in dues from
new memberships. The membership
| to-day exceeds $500.
President Johnson in his foreword
says in part:
Opportunities for further useful
ness are constantly developing.
The Pennsylvania State Chamber
of Commerce has nothing to do with
partisan politics. 1t keeps itself as
far as possible apart from any par
ticipation in political questions. It's
purpose is to perform for the state,
functions which have not been per-
formed hitherto and which 1t hopes
to perform with such effectiveness as
to give it a recognized position of
usefulness in the commercial and so
cial economy of Pennsylvania. That
the need of such an organization has
been widely felt, is shown by the fact
similar organizations have been
formed in a number of other states.
Among these the Pennsylvania
State Chamber of Commerce hopes
to hold an honorable position"
The report of Paul Littlefeld. gem
eral secretary, shows that 40 bulle-
tins regarding legislative matters
were issued during the last session
of the General Assembly.
The report continues:
",The session of 1917 of the General
Assembly enacted 426 laws; 4S con-
current resolutions were passed
which were signed by the Governor
and three resolutions were adopted
which did not require the signature
of the chief executive. The Governor
vetoed 12O bills. which were passed
by the Senate and House.
1.-THE Senate and House. also passed
Joint resolutions submitting two
amendments to the state constitution
to a vote of the electors and proposed
four amendments for the further
consideration of the next Legisla-
ture.
THE House of Representatives had
introduced by it's members or sent
to it by the Senate, 2,116 bills and
81 resolutions and in the Senate
there was introduced by Senator'S or
sent to the Senate by the House 1,771
bills.
"The Legislature enacted legisla-
ton creating commissions to investi-
gate the subjects of old age pen
sions, health insurance, the revision
of the Insurance laws and the codi-
| fcation and revision of the Bank
ing laws"
The State chamber has appointed
! committees of it's membership on these
three subjects which will make re-
ports to the State chamber upOn
the conclusion of the research work
of the Legislative and Research Bu-
reau of the State chamber of these
! topics.
The question of the rapid loading
/ and unloading of inbound and out
bound freight cars was considered by
the State chamber and record blanks
for railroad shippers were distributed
| in considerable quantities.
With regard to war excess profits
! tax payments. Support was given to
bill introduced into Congress by
Louis T. McFadden. member
of Congress from Pennsylvania,
and a director in the State chamber,
providing for partially deferred pay
ments of war excess profits taxes.
! The Legislative and Research Bu-
reau published under date of May
| 18th, a report of a special inquiry
relative to the Federal Prohibition
| Amendment This report which con-
| tains 90 pages, has received favorable
comment and there is such demand
! for copies of the report. Dr.. Cren-
nan, the director, is at present max
! ing a careful study of old age PEN
sions and health insurance.
f. r. Stevens, director of the Agri-
cultural Bureau, reports that the
| 219. 600 farms in Pennsylvania, ac-
| cording to the census OF 1910, are In
! a prosperous condition, yet, there Is
much to be desired in greater finan-
cial returns from these farms.
Under the management of our
! State College of Agriculture, con-
tinues the report. direct and through
the county agents, agricultural edu-
| cation from a technical standpoint
is proceeding in a very satisfactory
manner, in fact. as rapidly as can
be desired. The principal obstacle
| to increase profits is lack of organ
, ization among the Farmers them
selves and laws which prevent or
ganizations being made effective.
| REGISTERED MEN DRILL
| nECEnU G