Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-05
HE THINKS BUSINESS
SHOULD BE REPRESENTED
President OF Chamber OF Comm~rce OF
the United states Speaks ON
Peace Conference.
ny Aasociatcd i'rnNN. ]


ATLANTIC CITY. y J.. December T.
in his opening address to the Pc
sconstructioE Congress of business
dustrcs OF tho country here to-day.
Harry y. Wheeler. Chicago. president
OF the Chamber of Commerce of the
business. In common with like inter
csts Of other nations. should he con-
suited in framing the peace conditions.
with this In mind" said Mr.. Wheel
or. Il addressed letter to the Presi-
dent on November %, containing the
following inquiry:
would ii he helpful IL American
Industry should name thoroughly
representative committees. particularly
ot the countries. to be present in
Franco during the course Of the peace
conference and available for counsel
tons AS may bear directly upon com
mcrcc and industry: IL such \ grour
would I've useful great care would be
ltaken to select men having the largest
vision and the most generous impulses
in connection with the resumption OF
world.
no this inquiry the following reply
WAS received:
"'Iou may be sure that would
send message to the meeting at At
lantic City il knew what message To
send. but frankly do not. 1t is u time
counsel and apply the wisest action TO
circumstanccs as they arise.
am OF course. engroSSed with
preparations for leaving for the other
side. | hope that you will extend my
warmeSt greetings TO those who Will
assemble at Atlantic city
1t may be that the President has
in mind. or has already selected an ad-
visory industrial commission with
ference may tax" counsel az occasion
arises. but upon this poin. his letter
Is silent eNcap, in the broad statement
that we must NJ! thoughtfu!ly take
counsel and apply the wisest action 10
circumstances as they arise.
Since in questions of economic re-
doubted!y he adequately represented
with the most expert support that can
be marshaled. 1t is for. you to determine
whether you regard the matter of sur
ficient Importance 10 advocate the APP
potntment OF a commission whose CON
| tinuous presence in Paris will provide
like representation on behalf of Amer
| lean industry"
Mr.. Wheeler spoke on two phases OF
dealing with international relations
| and the other with internal affairs. On
| the former phases he said that failure
TO deal generously in the distribution
of the raw materials will seriously i'm
pedc the industrial restoration OF ma
lions not for,unte enough to possess
| not the United States lead. the speaker
asked. In proposing an international
Such n plan OF rationlng. he said, is
not a function Of the government OK
elusive of the aid and counsel OF those
| expert In handlin those commodities.
Making the plan and carrying it into
effect should he left TO those who best
know tho processes Of production and
distribution with such government
participation AS may give official sane
ton TO the plan.
The principle OF economic boycott.
cir. Wheeler said. lis neither politi-
caiiy nor economically sound, nor is
the principle of favored nation In
commercial treaties"
OF the problems OF internal adjust
mcnt. Mr.. Wheeler said:
Tearing asundcr the normal rela-
tionships of business and compelling
/ suspension Of activity in some in
stances TO meet the emergency OF =
war program. is properly function OF
the. government with such acuu iescencs
aud mid as business may provide, blu,
the task of making Establishments OF
rebuilding those same industries into
their old uses and efficiency. Is the
function of business with such &c
| duiescence and aid as the government
may provide"
The trust forged shackles Of capital
ism must he tossed aside and labo,
must be given a fair share of the pros
pcrity OF the country, for the get and
grab" policy of so-cnlled big businesses,
wide uphcaNal of nutocracy. was tho
warning that Charles NJ. Schwab de-
lircred here tonight TO the business
men of America.
We cannot change the American
Eagle. that ties high, to the American
The f?G ~ high in commerce as it
iioated over our. enemies" said Secre-
tary OF Commerce Redneid. who fol-
lowed Mr.. Schwab on the speakers
stand. and enunciated n warning along
nearly tho same lines rs the master