The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-12-11
COMMERCIAL AND TRADE At TACHES
IN MANY WORLD CENTERS NEEDED

NASHINGTON. Dec. lH.-E;Nrans'"n
commerce to enable II 10 civ" effective
aid to Americas manufacturers and mer-
chants in taking full advantage Of after
,he-war world trade opportunities is the
chief rccoraynr ndation Of Secretary Ecd-
field in his annual report made pubic
today.
The secretary also rciter.ltcs his ap-
nrnval Of tho proposed development OF
a government owned intracoastal water
way to link up the great cities or the
east from the lakes 70 the coast ana
down the Atlantic $eaeoard.
Dealing with postwar trade and the
mart the bureau uf foreign and domestic
commerce can play. the report cmpaa-
sizes especially the need for additional
commercial attaches and trade commits
sfoners. The balance Of trade in favor
Of rho United states for the nScal year
1915 was sc.eS2. c26.c3S: the total Of the
merchandise export trade was s9.s"s.-
.S5.s4l, and of the import trade. S2,Ste.-
p52.4o3
Measured by the economic needs OF
the country and by the grave RESPONSE
bilit;cs OF postwar competition" the re-
rort says. the bureau should De eS-
pandcd substantially in every branch OF
service.
New attaches should be assigned to
q number of important capitals. espe-
cia1ly Athens, Rome. Madrid. Ottawa
Mexico City and Santiago. Chile we
should also establish at the earliest pos
sisle moment resident trade COMMISSION
crs In Sweden. Norway, Great Britain
France, Greece, Switzerland. Russia
Mexico, Bolivia. Uruguay. Brazil. Co
lonohta and Venezuela. Dutch East IN
dte- CHINA. Philippine Islands, British
India, japan. Malay Peninsula, Egypt
South Africa. Australia, and New Zea-
land. The value Of resident representa-
ttves IS too obvious 10 require any arsu-
noert for the extension OF this feature
Of our service
Tho field for European Investigations
BY social agents Immediately upon the
conclusion Of the war will be 90 extern
sive that the bureau will require greatly
increased funds. American concerns
have a tremendous field FOR service 20
our allies in helping them 1eoaifo snu
for future business
TOO much emphasis can not be placed
on the deArability OF employing trained
economists .tatisticians and experts on
BARKING shipping. etc, In excess OF the
bureaus present force. These types OF
economic authority are constantly neeo-
cd to conduct work equal in importance
TO that performed by the great tederal
commissions in Washington
Our country is looking to the bureau
Of foreign and domestic commerce 10 40
it's share in preparing the country lof
economic security and prosperity after
III, war, when the chief industrial ana
commercial forces in both hemisphere
Will be ready TO launch great orEanlza-
lions on the commercial seas IN quest OF
trade Tho instinct of commercial self
preservation demands organized action
This is NOT the time for Short-Slguteo
thrift Other countries are looking
ahead ard spending money 10 organize
for their commercial security.
~ wisely liberal preparation now Will
mean millions OF income some day &c
mis- country; will nsean industrial pros
urrltv for our labor. and Will mean
strength for our economic structure
against adverse conditions or sharper
cn,upctition from any quarter. NC
rountr- has cXcelled us in the type OF
commercial service which we have tor
-slx years past rendered 10 the euSfnes
community. and this position should De
maintained by US regardless OF our tom
porary absorption In military defense.
or the inland waterways secretary
I:ed:icld says:
An important step forward which
mcrcc was taken when the director gen.
er;,l of railroads assumed on behalf OF
th, government for the period or the
war the operation OF the Cape Cod and
the. Delaware and Earitan canals. the
latter being operated in connection Win
the New York state barge canals. Every
economic. military and naval argument
points 70 the Importance OF the earliest
possible development of government
owned waterway. corresponding WIN
VIVA, is commonly known as the Atlantic
intracoastal waterway. connecting al
thr great cities OF our Atlantic seaooarc
with ono another, with the New torR
state waterways. reaching 10 the Urea
Lakes and Lake Cnamplain, and Wit
all the railroad terminals along oUi
eastern soast. 49,
"Such A waterway. safe alike from the
effects Of storms and from the acts o.
enemies. would be a great asset 10 ln'
nation il it were available today. The
development Of the use Of our interna
waterways having been taken over oy
the railroad administration. this depart
ment retains an interest in them only
because Of their effect in promoting oul
commerce"
The heat conductivity Of the sol
dier's blanket has been studied: Sottot
blankets may equal wool blankets IN Inls
respect. The bureau has inYestlsateC
shelter tents the soldiers canteen. and
other kit equipment, washing ana snaV'
ing soaps, combs, inks. and other sup
plies for the soldiers use.
The bureau also determined by care,
full tests the most suitable trench OIL
stove, taking account not only OF ~
heating etfic1sDcy. but the danger OF %
servation from the light radtated on tht
ground 1t has standardized the gauges
for making the service rifle. has stuolee
the problem OF gun erosion. and the 1ali
urc Of sun parts and material IN service
In short. there is scarcely a phase or th'
soldiers needs and activities in whicf
the bureau has not co-operatco Win lnt
military departments to secure the mos'
effective provision for his comfort con
yenience and fighting power
In addition to aiding the navy IN coaS
Datrol work, working with the food al
n1inistration to bring about greater
consumption OF fish in the United state:
and developing aquatic sources o!
leather, the bureau Of fisheries, estao
lished a new high record in a phase o.
IT'S own vork-rescuing stranded fooe
fsh 1eft in shallow pools by high waters
along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers
During the year 46.61S,S1o OF varlou:
snecies were restored to the rivers Of
msed 70 stock suitable ponds.
The bureau Of lighthouses ana nv
coast and Scodetic survey also are men,
I;oned as having rendered valuable aic
N other branches Of the government IT
work necessary to the prosecution or th'
Urgent needs OF the department foI
.he future enumerated by Secretary heo
held are: 100 5,-
,,,,nchex for the coast and Eeodctlc sur
very and officers and crews for them.
larger clerical force in the field ser
vice. Of the steamboat inspection scrElc'