Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-16
|SEEsN00PTlM|SN
IN WORLD DDUS|NESS
European Stability Needed, De-
frees Tells v. 8. Chamber
Of Commerce
sALFouR URGES HARMONY
BY the Associated Press

Washington, May .18. - Although
business conditions are on the mend in
this country, the improvement through
out the world, and particularly in
Europe, since the war has mot been
sufficient to Justify optimism as to the
future" Joseph II. Defrees, president
Of the Chamber Of Commerce Of the
United States. declared here today in
opening the tenth annual meeting Of
vention, attended by some 5000 dele
gates from every section of the country,
the keynote problem to be considered,
European Conditions in Their Effect
on American Business" Mr.. Defrecs
said:
when we look eastward to the CEN
ter OF modern civilization in Europe, to
the markets of half our export trade, 1t
Is only the hopelessly ignorant or the
incurable optimist who can work out
any immediate assurance Of comfort or
stability. rE.
Hunger and its kinsman. bolshe-
vism. still stalk menacingly across the
stage, wars and rumors Of wars are yet
in progress, boundaries are not fixed,
governments are not secure, finances are
IN turmoil. Those things that we fought
for. the defeat Of militarism and the
safety of our own and other free gov
ernments, have not vet been attained.
How and when we shall aid, we who
are most powerful to aid, in restoring
stability in Europe in our own interest
as well as in theirs, are. I assert. the
greatest and most immediate problems
before American business today"
Balfour Urges Harmony
The convention alto, was addressed
Mt the opening session bS Arthur Bal
four. vice president Of the Association
OF British Chambers of Commerce, who
spoke on the economic and industrial
situation Of Europe.
!'In England Mr.. Balfour said,
'and in some other countries we have
seen the worst. We are reaching en-
couraging conditions where trade on q
proper basis will again be possible. and
avn very hopeful that before the end
OF the year trade will begin to flow in
its normal channels. w
1T is imperative that you and we.
the great Anglo Saxon people Of. the
world, should stand together, work to-
gether,, with the greatest possible har-
mony for the reconstruction of Europe.
Europe which, whether we like it or
not, has been placed upon Anglo Saxon
shoulders, but the peace of the whole
world depends on us, and is our natural
heritage and We must assume the burden
and face our responsibilities together"
The program for today also called
for q number Of group meetings, includ-
ing the domestic distribution, fabri.
Gated production and insurance gfoups,
which heard addresses on subjects OF
special interest to those fields. r,f,
The afternoon session was devoted to
n ceremonial program In connection with
the laying Of the cornerstone of the new
home Of the national chamber here for
which ground already has been broken
on q site overlooking Lafayette Square
on the north. The program called for
addresses BY Charles Nagel, who. as
Secretary Of Commerce and Labor under
President Taft called the Organization
meeting which led to. the formation, Of
the chamber, and by Harry A. Wheeler,
Of Chicago. the first president of the
chamber.