The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-15
BUILDING UP TRADE
| NOT AN EASY TASK
w. A. Hartman Tells Export
ers Of Obstacles to Be
Overcome.
PRAISE FOR JONES BILL
Otto H. Kahn Suggests Nam,
ing Commissions to Study
Subjects.


In an address delivered yesterday be-
fore the American Manufacturers Ex-
port Association, in convention at the
Waldorf. w. A. Hartman. president of
the American Ship and Commerce Cor
poration, declared that difficulties far
greater than is generally realized con-
front this country in It's efforts to re-
establish the American merchant ma
rine and at the same time to build up
American foreign trade. "Only the
most energetic efforts will enable us
to obtain our share Of world trade
he said.
The efficient machine built up by our
competitors over a period of years;
our shortage Of competent shipping
personnel; ownership of most OF our tom
mage by the Shipping Board. and the
excessive cost of operation under the
American flag, are the obstacles which
must be overcome. Mr. Hartman
pointed out
World business and Americas part
In It occupied the attention of most
of the speakers. In the afternoon there
were addresses by w. L. Saunders, re-
firing president or the association:
James S. Alexander. president OF the
National Bank of Commerce; DR.. r. S.
MacElwee, director OF the Bureau Of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce; B.
C.. Forbes, editor of Forbes Mdgusjne,
Julius Barnes, former United States
Wheat Director: Otto II. Kahn and Mr..
Hartman.
Mr.. Alexander spoke on the coopera-
ton of the banks with business He said
the banks had been unjustly accused OF
withdrawing their support in hard times.
"In the past" he explained. before
the Federal Reserve system was insti-
tuted, there was some basis for such an
accusation. There Is not now, for the
banks are no longer dependent upon their
own gold reserves, but have the pooled
gold reserves of the nation to fall back
upon. During the period through which
we have jusr passed. despite the I'M
precedented problems and conditions to
be contended with, the banks cooperated
with general business and maintained
the soundness of the business structure
in a way never before witnessed In this
country
Egyptian Cotton Hard to Get.
Mr.. HaVimap. to illustrate his point in
describing the difficulty of taking trade
away from foreign competitors, told the
convention that his corporation had been
trying for eighteen months to obtain
some Egyptian cotton from Alexandra
for It's bottoms. but that the entire crop
one-third OF which is consumed In Amer
lea. Is controlled by British conference
in which n number of British ship own
ers participate, and that he had not yet
been able to break down the barrier.
This year, Mr.. Hartman said, the
British monopoly contracts with the
Alexandria cotton merchants were
signed five months earlier because OF
the imminence of competition from this
country. I'VE would have been willing
and glad" he continued, Ito carry this
cotton at below the conference rate,
but to-day our hands are tied and the
American consumer Is paying the toll
to the British ship owner" M
In defending his contract with the
Hamburg American line Mr.. Hartman
said: I'm the conduct Of Germany IN
the war. I, of course, feel as all other
Americans feel. 1t is true. however.
that the leading opinion in every coun-
try Is that Germany should regain
position of economic soundness and thus
become a help to the economic strength
of the world instead of burden.
American shipping" he concluded,
needs and must have immediate sup
port by legislation. The Jones bill was
a splendid step in the right direction
Otto H. Kahn brought before the con-
vention the suggestion that this country
adopt n method of treatment of its eco
nomic commercial and fiscal problems
similar to that which proved so sue
cessful in Germany. That Is the APP
pointment by Congress OF commissions
whose duty 1t would be to consider and
report upon these matters. Mr.. kahn
said 1t would be desirable to have the
commissions appointed by Congress,
through the President of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House, rather than
by the Chief Executive. for the reason
that a commission so appointed prob
ably would cooperate better with the
legislative branch of the Government.
Opportunities Neglected.
William c. Redheld. who addressed the
convention at its dinner last night. de-
plored the fact that,there Is in New
York no business house especially
equipped and prepared to meet represen-
tatives of foreign concerns who approach
this country with business investment
I'm fact" he said. II know OF no such
house in the United States. Within the
last six months two splendid business
opportunities have reached my office
single American Arm ready to take adj
vantage of them. We are prepared to
extend loans and to buy bonds, but not
to enter actively into European bust
ness"
Alba p. Johnson. president Of the Rail-
way Business Association and the Phil
adelphia Chamber of Commerce, en-
phasized the need for stabilizing the
railroad situation. "In the first place."
he said "the American manufacturer
must compete with the short hauls Of
the European countries, where produce
ton Is concentrated. Further than that.
II the railroads are not stabilized under
private control. the Government will take
them again. And that would be the
forerunner of Federal control Of funda-
mental sources of production such as
Steel coal and copper and the death of
individual opportunity"