The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-05
Promote Mississippi Valley
 Industry and Wide Commerce

Plans to provide the Mississippi valley
 with a big bank for the sole purpose Of handling export business were formed at the meeting of the Mississippi Valley association here this week. according to
 the Manufacturers Record
 As near ss plans have been matured so far. the proposed institution wil be
 for the purpose of handling discounts and foreign exchange and also far the de-
 velopment of trade with other countries.
 Checking deposits are not to be accepted and there will be no interference with
 the business of existing banks. The
 bank is to finance trade operations with
 other countries and probably will loan
 large amounts ultimately. As proposed
 the bank will be amply capitalized, so
 that a large part of the export business
 of the valley may be handled.
 A committee report was received on
 the recent trade mission to Mexico, em-
 phasizing the point that the present time
 is opportune for increasing business with
 that country, that Mexican finances are
 in sound condition and the merchants of
 the United States should study carefully
 the commercial requirements of their southern neghbor.
 Two other trade missions for next fall
 were announced, one of these to include
 Cuba. Haiti, Mexican ports, Panama. Central America and lasting about 90 days. The other in addition to a part of the above itenerary would indicate the west coast of South America. thence across the Andes to Buenos Aires, Uru- quay and Brazil, consuming about 50 days before the return to New Orleans or New York.
 One of the activities of the assoeia- ton is represented by its committee on economic policy for the Mississippi val ley. Its report covered the subjects of agricultural development, manufacturers, foreign trade, transportation, finance, in- surance, shipping and reclamation and drainage The fact that foreign commerce had 8 large place in the thoughts of those present was again brought out by the spontaneously hearty reception given to Hon. John Barrett, director general of the Pan-American Union, who was the speaker at the dinner given by the as- sociation.
 MT. Barrett discussed the growth of the Central and South American states in the past 15 years, the changed con ditions and new trade opportunities there as result of the war, the extent ! of this trade the commanding position which the United States holds relative | to it, and the proper method of deves- opng this commerce which is right at | the door of the Mississippi valley and worth billion and q quarter dollars. i Among Mir. Barrett's constructive rec concentrations and regarded as essential
 to the proper development of this inn
 mense field of commerce were ample l freight and passenger carrying vessels between ports like New Orleans and 1 the Gulf and Caribbean, full develop ment of the Mississippi river by con gressional action, the establishment oi l branch banks or direct connections ir | the leading Latin-American centers, the better arrangement of credits, combna. ftion by importers and exporters for trade l in foreign countries and the sending ol l representative commissions of manufac 1 turers.