The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-18
BUSINESS TO DECLARE
ON FOREIGN TRADE

Convention Called For Next Month to
Work Out Basis For Immediate
Future.
An index OF the importance which
the business interests of the country
attach to recent developments in in
rternational affairs is disclosed in the
call which has been sent out for
convention of business men from
every section of the United States to
be held In New York next month,
While the foreign trade of the
United States reached the unprece-
denied total of over seven billion doll
lars for the year ending June 80. the
figures for July show falling OF or
nearly s350,000, 900. and this fact
coupled with the uncertainty OF social
and political conditions in Europe
and the serious and continuing de-
probation of foreign exchange, has
increased the demand of manufac-
turers and exporters. for information
as to the best means of meeting the
unusual situation in which business
now finds itself.
At this convention, which Will be
held on October 6 and l. under the
auspices OF the American Manufac-
turers' Export association, business
men of the country will he asked to
determine and unite upon a definite
plan of action with regard to trade
with other countries.
Particular attention viii be given to
the question of trade with the new
nations set up in the peace treaty
and with Russia and the Central
powers. To this end special commit
tees have already been appointed and
win report their findings to the con-
vention which will also hear from
official and commercial representa-
tives. who have been asked to give
their views.
II has been ascertained that many
manufacturers have already found the
rate of European exchange, operating
in the manner OF an embargo against
their products. The fact that Euro
pean buyers must pay from 10 per
cent to 500 per cent more for Ameri-
can dollars than they did before the
waf, prohibits every purchase thai
is not essential a joint committee
Of bankers and manufacturers has
this matter under Amusement at the
present moment, and at the conven
tion an effort will be made to formu-
late some general plan 'of financing
European sales which will be helpful
to the foreign buyer who needs the
things which America can supply and
satisfactory TO the American manu-
factursr who must have European
markets to keep his factory running
To full production.
The Edge bill which recently passed
tlfe senate offers the machinery for
some such plan. and this convention
will tend to show how far Our manu-
facturers are prepared TO go In utiliz-
ing and supporting the machinery
thus provided
The widespread interest which is
being taken in this effort TO crystalline
the views of business on foreign trade
problems. Ia regarded as sign that
American manufacturers and ship
pefs. who have only recently entered
the export field, are determined TO
make this International trade a per
ranent part OF their business Fac
tories which increased production
during the war to meet abnormal de-
! mands. are continuing to maintain
their enlarged output. because OF or
ders from overseas, Not a few of the
ma nufacturers who are operating on
this basis. declare that any great de-
cline in the volume OF the nations
foreign business ia certain to bring
depression and unemployment in its
wake.
In order To make the convention as
! representative as possible Invitations
| have been sent TO practically every
recognized exporter in the United
States, and in addition every chamber
| NJ commerce. trade association and
I fprhiEa banking institution has been.
requested TO appoint delegates
The board OF directors nf the
A'nericap Manufacturers Expert a.
ISOLATION. who have issued the call for
mex" Ffnorrtii's convention have not
| announced the names OF the speakers
! or the precise subjects assigned 70
| them. The names Of those Interested
IN calling the meeting, however, is
an assurance that the leaders IN every
| line Of business activity wills partici-
Pate in the discussions They in
olude James A. Farrell. Of the United
States Steel corporation. A. c. Bed
ford, of the Standard Oil company.
| r. M. Herr Of the Westinghouse Elec-
trtc and Manufacturing company W.
c. Durant, of the General Motors
company w l. Saunders, of the
lngersoll Rand company r. A.
Soldering, of the Goodyear Tire and
Rubber company. William Fl, rnger-
soil, of Robert II. Ingersoil and Bro.
George Ed. Smith, of the Royal Type
writer Co. Inc. Julius Goslin. of Jou-
bert & Gos'in Machine and Foundry
company J. S. Lawrence. OF Law
renee & Co, n l.. Wilson. Of Column
kia Grapohone Co. G. X Anderson.
of American Wire Fabrics company,
IL 5. Demarest. of Greene, Tweed &
Co. W. w. Nichols of Allis- Chal-
r,ers Mfg Co, Inc. Charles A.
Schieren. OF Charles A. Schieren COM
pany. Robert A. Shaw. Of the Ma
a tiona.l Aniline and Chemical Co, Inc.
F. Fl. Taylor. of the S, s. White Dental
T; Mfg company