New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-13
American Business PLEDGES
Its All to End Pruss;;anism
cnan1Der OF Commerce in Final Session. Urges Support
o. Loan Suppression of German Agents and Favors
concrete Ships-Elects H A. Wheeler President

business of every business man. taking
precedence over all activities of every
nature" and Endorsed the third Lib
erty bond issue, stating that the Wig
orous and successful prosecution of the
war requires, and will continue to re-
quire, large sums OF money, making
necessary, IN addition to sums raised
by taxation, the selling of government
bonds"
Business men of the nation were
urged to continue their untirinr work
of the past in the selling of the third
issue OF the Liberty bonds, so that
substantial oversubscription may be
realized "as demonstration to the
whole world Of the fact that our people
are back of the governments war pro-
gramme to the limit of their financial
resources The war saving stamps
and thrift stamps also were indorsed.
The convention recognized the pres
ent critical aspect of the struggle by
urglng the utmost contribution Of men
and supplies from the United States
toward the common cause and added
that the extent of this contribution
depends first Of all upon the ship ton
mage and that it is the first duty OF
the business men and business organi-
cations to do all in their power to
speed up shipbuilding. 1t was recon-
mended mat all local business organi-
cations AXE steps to see that the ship
yards ave first call upon the best
labo1 and executive ability available
IN their respective communities
On the subject Of concrete ships
the convention supported the recon-
msndation just made to Congress by
the Emergency Fleet Corporation that
fifty million dollars be appropriated
for the immediate construction of this
class of ship.
The maintenance of public utilities
in the highest possible state OF eff
cheney was urged as essential, not only
to the war programme of the United
States, but also to the nations bust
ness, industrial and public interests.
The regulation of exports through
licenses and permits was dealt with by
approving resolutions of the War In
dustries Board The War Industries
Bo;.rd was requested by the convention
TO declare what industries are essen
tal for the conduct of the war. The
convention recommended and urged the
passage by Congress of q law providing
for the payment of income, excess
profits, and other special war taxes, in
instruments.
Want Tax Laws Amended
Government control of prices was
dealt with in a resolution that declared
that the present tax laws should be
amended if they prove inadequate to
prevent abnormal and unreasonable
profits as the result of the war.
One resolution urged upon the Di-
rector General of Railways that the
operation and use of railroad terminal
facilities in each large city be placed
under the supervision and control of
single competent individual. 1t was
pointed out that railroad equipment
is inadequate. This resolution also
pointed out that the Standardization
of railroad equipment is secondary in
Importance to securing as quickly as
possible locomotives and cars.
The convention urged that the gov
eminent be petitioned to organize and
operate existing equipment and CON
struct new equipment for use upon the
inland and coastwise waterways, to
complete highways for heavy traffic
where they can be useful IN relieving
railroad congestion, and to adopt a
permanent policy assuring coordination
of the railroads, waterways and high
ways for traffic service.