Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-10
Speaker Clark Says
Freedom of Seas Is
| Most Important Issue

BALIlhOhEB DeC. S'--xAAAIA AOe
future prosperity rests in large
measure on the increase Of it's for
eign trade. Speaker Champ Clark, Of
the house Of representatives., said in
an address today at the opening of
the annual convention Of the South
ern Commercial congress.
1.-THE one problem resulting from
the war with which the Southern
Commercial congress is most con-
cerned is what arrangement will be
made touching the freedom Of the
seas" said Speaker Clark. when
but a handful, for the freedom Of
the seas, we fought the most power
full nation on earth. Last year and
this, we fought the central powers
for the freedom Of the seas, for after
all is said and done, that is the chief
reason why we participated in the
war.
1--WE can depend on President VIII
son to secure freedom OF the seas at
the congress at Versailles. In that
connection the principal question
WITH WHICH ILLS SOAA44AC4SAe@A ~OAS1N1S
should wrestle is how to increase
our foreign trade, for upon that rests
in large measure the future pros
perity OF this republic"
The immense merchant marine
built up during the war should be
maintained forever, Mr.. Clark declar-
ed, and added that the only way to
do It sis to modernize our navigation
laws, make our seamen the most ef-
flcient and above all things. increase
our foreign trade"
1--WE have no time to lose In the
preparation for the trade war which
comes simultaneously with peace"
warned Speaker Clark in concluding.
Great lain and France have been
busily and scientifically preparing for
it even within the sound of the roar
of the great guns"
War trade after the world war"
is the general theme of the tenth
annual convention OF the congress.
Cardinal Gibbons delivered the IN
vocation. Addresses OF welcome on
the part OF the city and state were
made by Mayor James H. Preston
and Governor L. c. Harrington, re-
spectively, and Judge Robert Worth
Bingham, president OF the CONNER
cial congress, sesponded, delivering
his annual address.
It is estimated with both off,
cial delegates and visitors, there are
fully 800 0guests In the city to at
tend the congress.
An interesting feature this morn
ing was the arrival from the south
OF an automobile train which toured
under the auspices Of the Bankhead
National Highway association. from
Montgomery. Ala, via Atlanta, Char
lotte, Raleigh, Richmond and WASH
ington. In the national capital the
tourists were Joined by the senate
and house committees on postoffices
and post roads and after a reception
rendered by the Southern Society Of
Washington. made the drive to Bal
timore. The delegates will attend
the highways session OF the con-
vention this afternoon at the South
ern hotel. The principal address of
this gathering will be delivered by
General r. Coleman Dupont, Of Dol
aware.
The outstanding features OF the
meeting at 8 o'clock at the Southern
hotel of the league to enforce peace;
to be addressed by former President
William Howard Taft and other ma
tional officers of the league, and the
opening at p. m. at the Fifth Reg
iment armory of the United States
and allied governments war exposi-
ton. Former President Taft's sub
ject az this gathering will be 'The
Moral Value OF a League of Ma
tions." The other speakers and their
subjects are:
winning the War for a Recon
structed World" Oscar StrauS, chair
man national cooperating committee
Of the Southern Commercial Con-
gress.
1.-THE Things for Which We Fight"
DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler, pres
ident OF Columbia university, and
1.-The Menace Of q False Optimism"
Edward A. Filene, Boston.
Banking and finance in relation to
world trade is the theme Of the con-
vention session to open at 10 o'clock
tomorrow.
Addresses will be made by w. P.
G. Harding, governor of the federal
reservs board; Arthur KaYanagh,
vice president, National City Bank,
New York; Robert L. Owen, chair
man United States committee on cur
rency; Frank A. Vanderlip, presi-
dent National City Bank, New York,
and +. L. Simmons, chairman Unit
ed States senate committee on fl
nanca