The New York herald., 1921-05-19
HOOVER URGES OPEN
DOOR IN COMMERCE
Declares 1t Is Basis of Eco
nomic and Social Systems
of This Hemisphere.
WARNING on CONCESSIONS
Danger of Friction Seen in
Various Parts of World
Talks to Manufacturers.

Herbert Hoover, Secretary Of Com
merce. speaking last night az the twenty
sixth annual dinner OF the National As
sociation of Manufacturers in the wal
dorf. said that the United States must
keep her traditional pledge for the open
door in the worlds trade because y II
the basis OF the economic and social
systems to which the Western Hemls-
phere has been dedicated"
He criticised the tendencies toward
exploitations, and warned against the
danger of friction growing out Of trade
concessions In various parts or tne
world. He said he would discuss the
"open door rather than the tariff, add
ing that what we do with regard 70 the
tariff is not so material IN the history
of the world as long as we do II win
equality 70 every one"
lit would be a fatcful day IN me
history OF the world ne declared with
emphasis, IF the basic policies Of the
open door and equal opportunity We're
abandoned. 1t would mean the irresisti-
BILE pressure to exert intolerant national
strength it would mean the enforce
ment OF this strength by the weight or
Government, which means armies ana
navies it would mean a long sequence
of reprisals, or favored nation clauses,
of reciprocity arrangements OF dis
ordinations through which the weak
always go TO the wall and the strong
always win
This is indeed not a threat il Is not
an announcement OF a national policy.
II is a plea that the world should stop,
look and listen for IL the day comes
when the United States, with her Sigan-
tic resources and the intelligence OF her
people. shall be forced 10 enter upon
those courses in her own protection it
will be a day of infinite losses 70 real
progress and real liberalism"
Secretary Hoover pointed out that
many nations are restricting develop
ment of natural resources within their
boundaries to their own citizens, while
the United States has preserved an
equal opportunity for all nationalities
to enter and engage in development.
The only restriction with which this
country has sympathized, he said. has
been with regard to labor immigration.
1--WE find to-day" he said. that vari-
GUS governments are directly or in
directly lending influence and support
to secure for their nationals in coun-
tries foreign TO them. exclusive conces-
sions over raw material and the imple-
ments of commerce. This will shut the
door and close equality of opportunity"
At the beginning of his speech Sec
retary Hoover expressed the opinion
that the return to normal in this coun-
try probably win come sooner than many
expect There is little cause. lie added
for depression over the local conditions
Admiral William S. Benson. chairman
pf grI
appealed to the manufacturers to sup
port the efforts for the maintenance Of
an American merchant marine.
"'rhe adverse attitude of the leaders
Of the unions, uncompromising even in a
| moderate wage reduction" he said, "is
a matter of record. My appeal directly
| TO the personnel of the merchant marine
has met with very gratifying response.
Many offers of assistance have come to
us. | have stated publicly and ! again
affirm the intention OF the Shipping
Board to give its fullest protection. both
now and after the settlement Of the
controversy, to all who come 70 its aid"