Evening star., 1922-05-15

Some five thousand of the foremost
business men of the country will at
tend the ceremonies tomorrow after
noon incident to the laying of the
corner stone for the new home of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States. These business leaders now
are in the National Capital as dele
gates to the tenth annual meeting of
the chamber, which convened today
and will continue during four DAYS.
The magnificent structure which Is
10 house the chambers headquarters
- to go up on the site of the old
Corcoran home (Which has just been
torn down). at the intersection of
connecticut avenue with H street on
Lafayette Square. The old house held
much Of historic interest and perhaps
was best known as the one time home
of Daniel Webster.
The corner stone will be laid at Sis
O'Clock. Among the speakers will
be Charles Nagel of st. Louis, who, as
Secretary of Commerce and Labor,
with President Taft. called the organ
ization meeting which led to the for
nation of the National Chamber in
April, 1912. and Harry A. Wheeler,
Chicago banker, the first president
of the chamber and chairman of its
committee on financing the building.
Mr.. Wheeler more than any other
man has put forward the purpose and
usefulness of the building. Other
speakers will participate.
Business Men Interested.
Progressive business men throughout
the country" said Elliot H. Goodwin,
resident vice president Of the cham
ber. today, have a profound interest
in the fact that at last business Is to
have a permanent home at the ma
merce of the United States, founded
ten years ago under the handicap
of discouraging past attempts to or
ganize business men nationally, has
been unusually successful.
The leading business men of the
country interested in the chamber
have realized that not until they have
a Washington home of their own, a
general headquarters for American
busines, to give the aspect of material
solidity to their organization. will
they be able to exercise proper con-
structive influence in national af-
fairs"
1t was with this purpose in view
as presented by Mr.. Goodwin that the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States began plans in 1914 for the
erection of building in Washing
ton. but the war caused postpone
ment.
THE idea back of the new build
Ing" as explained by Mr.. H. A.
Wheeler. "is to create a nerve center
for all business. big or little, that is
affected by national affairs. 1t is
something that has been desperately
needed In the past, when business men
had merely a sporadic representation
at Washington. 1t was the need of
this national representation of our
business interests which gave birth to
and has given strength to the Cham
ber ct Commerce of the United States
which. too, is making that body a
powerful, steadylng influence.
Opportunities Offered.
This home for business means as
much to the small business man as il
does to the large concern. 1t will pro-
vide for him the opportunity to dis
cuss his problems with men who are
familiar with all the requirements OF
industrial production, domestic dis
tribution, foreign trade, transporta.
tion, finance, insurance and the other
fundamental activities of business. II
will be in part a research agency, and
will show the effect that action by
one department of the chamber may
have on the welfare of another. and
by conference and compromise it will
be possible to find q common ground
of agreement, even on matters that
r-e controversial. because they affec,
differently the different sections OF
american business.
The last few years have fairly
shown that our problems are eco.