The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-05-19
WORLD BUSINESS
CONDITIONS TOPIC
CHAMBER COMMERCE MEN
IN SESSION TO-DAY
LEARN FACTS ABROAD
Representative Business 0rgani-
cations Are Gathered In
Washington.
ASSOCIATED Press plse.teh.l


European conditions and their ef
the main topic OF discussion at the
Der Of Commerce OF the United
States which will be held in Wash
ington beginning today and con.
Guiding on Thursday. Because OF
the interest of business men
throughout the country in the gen
eral subject, 1t was explained by
officials Of the chamber, more than
400 business organizations had al
ranged to thave delegates presen,
at the convention,
In selecting this subject for the
convention. officials said, there was
desire TO obtain a thorough dis
cussion Of world business condi
lions for use as basis OF Judge
, ment in. planning measures TO In,
suIe continuing future prosperity
, a. road. II is declared, was con.
stantly hanging and the time had
come for new inquiry into the
facts. The biggest question before
American business men today, the
chamber said, was the problem of
formulating intelligent plans that
: might be of assistance in restoring
normal economic conditions. But no
plans could be made, it was assert ,
j ed, that did not take into account
the European situation, including
such problems as the allied debts,
separations settlements, paper cur
rency issues, exchange fluctuations,
ocean shipping, etc,
Convention In Group Sections
AS in previous years the work of
ha
group sections. Among the sub
! iects TO be discussed and acted up
on, it was announced, in addition
TO the effect of the European situa
| ton on American business, IN
cluGe: American business in rela
! ticn to financial rehabilitation OF
Europe; merchant marine; housing
and distribution problems; produc
tcin in industry; finance; foreign
commerce.; Insurance; = natural re
sources; railroads; highway trans
| port; labor and immigration; trans
portation and communication abroad.
Merchandising problems will have
prominent place on the program.
Domestic distribution will be con
sidered at two group sections TO be
held in connection with the con
vention. The domestic distri; ution
department OF the chamber, which
arranged the program for these
! two group meetings, has selected
three topics for discussion al the
| first group meeting tomorrow
These topics. according to the de-
partment, affect intimagely every
merchant and most manufacturers
II. the United States.
! Charles E. Mountaine. of st.
raul, former president Of the Ma.
tional Association of Railroad aud
Utilities Commissioners and now
advisory counsel Of several large
shipping interests. will discuss
Dir. Paul N. Nystrom, director of the
Retail Research Association will
tell the results of recent study
of chain stores.
The subject OF a permanent i'm :
migration policy for the United
States will be discussed by w. w.
Husband, Commissioner General Of
| immigration, who will describe the
working of the percentage law, and
by Fred H. Rindge. Jr. OF the In
ternational Y. M. c. A, who is in
this country for a short visit, after
thorough study of living condi-
tons in Europe.
Insurance Prominent Topic Z
"simplifed variety and standard
ization" will be discussed by W. A:
simplifed practice, of the. departs
ment OF Commerce.. while THE
Practical Study of Business Cycles
to Increase Continuity Of Employ
ment" VIII be explained by Wesley
Claire Mitchell, an economist. In
surance also has a prominent place
on the program and il will be dealt
with in one Of nine groups. Two
sessions Of the insurance group
will be held. one dealing solely
with domestic questions and the
other taking subjects international
in scope.
That government owned vessels
engaged In commercial trade should
| ity as private vessels. is the subject
Of a resolution ordered by the
board of directors of the chamber
10 be placed before the convention.
The resolution declared that "the
government. owned vessels in reg
ular COMMERCIAL trade, has intro
duced a new and dangerous ele.
ment into the general problem of
ocean transportation" ~.
Questions relating to highway
| TRANSPORT also Will come befofe the
meetings and, at the request of the
National Automobile Chamber of
Commerce a resolution recon-
mending the repeal of all excise
taxes during the war. will be taken
up. The question of disseminating
passport visa requirements viii
come before the meeting In the
form of resolution adopted by the
| Foreign Commerce Department
COMMITTEES OF the chamh her, which
recommends the reduction of pass
port and visa fees and the discon-
tinuance OF passport visa require
ments.
The Hague rules, providing for a
uniform ocean bill of lading was
recommended for the consideration
OF the meeting by the chambers
board Of directors, and II will be
/ submitted TO the convention. The
Merchant Marine Committee Of the
Chamber was asked to examine the
Hague rules and presented report
in which it stated that the Hague
rules represented an important step
toward the defniteness and uni
formity which are important both
| for shippers and ocean carriers and
should be supported.
Baseball At Madison Lake.