Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-04-24
CRITICISMS or
WILSON HEARD
AT CONVENTION
Merrick Says President Left
At Critical Time.
ALSO ATTACKED
ADMINISTRATION
"s2 Per Cent OF All Votes In Mississ-
ippi Valley And COngr' IS
viii Hear From U.s.

Chicago, April 23.-Speaking at
the first annual convention of the
Mississippi Valley association today,
attended by 500 bankers and business
men representing % states, H. H.
Merrick, Chicago banker and presi-
dent of the organization, criticised
President Wilson for going to Europe
and leaving the United States with
out governmental leadership during
the most critical period of RECONSTRUCT
ton days. He also attacked the ma
tional administration for it's alleged
failure to formulate definite policy
toward business. Mr.. Merrick APP
pealed to business interests to take
a more active part in political and
government affairs.
Fifty two percent of the entire
vote of the country is in the Missis-
sippi valley" said Mr. Merrick. "Con-
gress will do what we want or hear
from us.
"Some one has said that we do not
need a policy in the United States.
say that we do and we need it mighty
bad right now.
"What do you think of men called
to Washington to direct the establish
ing of the prices Of steel, iron and
coal and other primary products and
then have some bureau-crat say: 4
won't agree for the country The
secretary of war and the director of
railroads wont agree. Why in pri-
vate business, if an employee made
such an answer we would examine
him for sanity. say it is all wrong.
There are too many men in France
waiting to see how various of the al
lies will take their medicine. We
cannot settle the troubles of the
world until we clean house at home.
Settle Home Problems.
LET us settle these great big prob
lens at home. If this country was
not so virile and strong we would
have the worst panic that this world
ever saw, right now. because we
haven't any head. The Victory loan
is moving magnificently. This coun-
try of ours is so great that despite
all retarding influences, the old mach
inc is moving uphill. The bonds are
being sold because labor is employed,
business men are making money, and
the banks are happy and feel that
prosperity is with us despite the fact
that officially all the United States
is in France.
1--WE are doing our job here at
nome 100 percent. Are they doing it
well abroad? l don't thing So"
Mr. Merrick criticised the United
states shipping board for selling YES
SEES bullt by money obtained by the
sale OF Liberty loan bonds. He said
the ships might be sold to foreign
countries, whereas they should be
Kept in this country.
+. j. Arnold, Transportation en-
glneer, told the convention a survey
VI the transportion facilities of the
valley should be made. He urged an
extension of electric lines and motor
;ck routes and the development of
inland water routes. He also made a
plea Tor a REIMBURSEMENT of freight
lates based upon scientific principles.
a. ~ present, he said. ? large part of
me export freight which should be
shipped from Gulf of Mexico ports
cities. '''~
W. Meet Inland Waterway.
NJ walter Parker, manager of the
view Orleans chamber of commerce,
sac sa1d the business men of Mississippi
valey We're at last aroused to the
leed OF utilizing inland waterways
tor the development of domestic and
lorelgn trade.
no1 Inc association decided to hold its
. nea annual convention in St. Louis
an" q eietced the following officers:
lor honorary president, John M. Par
II ~ view Orleans; president, Harry
t -, Me III Chicago; general secre.
t tsay, Walter Parker, New Orleans;
iseasurer, Albert Mackie, New Or.
and twenty one directors were chosen
a aaa district vice presidents at large
e 0r1a to include: W. P. Ross( New
Joh eahs; Hugh Humphrey, Memphis
+ " = Fennelly, Kansas City: ane
ernest Cramer, St. Louis.