Evening star., 1922-05-07


gates last met here. in 1917.
Since the national chamber has an
underlying membership of approx
mately 100000 of the country's lead
ing business men. the conclusions
reached by the convention are certain
to have an important bearing upon
the future European policy of the fed
eral government
Effort to Keep Up With
Changing Conditions.
European Conditions and Their Eff
feet Upon American Business" and "A
Merchant Marine" have been selected
as the chief topics to be discussed at
this great gathering Of the business
leaders. The situation abroad has
been constantly changing and the
time now seems ripe for a new in
quiry into the facts which are of such
vital concern to American business.
The best known and best informed
men in the country. specialists on
their respective subjects, are to be
speakers. including Secretary of State
Hughes, Secretary Of Commerce
Hoover, Albert .. Lasker, chairman
of the Shipping Board. and many
others who can speak with authority
The convention opens Monday morn
ing. May Is, and ends Thursday even
ing, May IS. The general sessions are
to be held In Convention Hall. and
the gyoup sessions are to be held in
the Willard, Washington and Raleigh
hotels and the Ebbitt House.
To Lay the Corner Stone
OF Chambers New Home.
Tho laying of the corner stone for
new national home for American
business on the famous Daniel Web
ster site. facing the White House,
across Lafayette Square, which is to
cost upward of $1.5o0.ooo, will be a
feature Of the convention. The plans
call for a five-story Greek temple,
with .colonnade Of pillars-an in
spring edifice in keeping with WASH
ington's architectural beauty,
AS In previous years, the work of
the convention will be done largely
in group sessions. Groups represent
ing the major divisions of business
will take up the questions at these
sessions in their relation to the prin-
cipal interest or industries within the
group.
One of the general meetings of the
convention will be given, over en-
tirely to discussion of a merchant
marine. This subject will be dis
cussed from the viewpoint of the
farmer by Harvey J. Sconce, Sidell,
Ill; from the viewpoint of the ship
builder by Homer l. Ferguson. presi-
dent Of the Newport News Shipbuild-
ing and Dry Dock Company, and from
the viewpoint of the ship operator
by Frank c. Munson, president Of the
Munson Steamship Lines, while the
presidents Program" will be dealt
with by Albert D. Lasker, chairman
of the United States Shipping Board.
Merchant Marine Problems
To BE Discussed.
The question Of how to dispose of
the government-ownedv vessels, of how
an American merchant marine may be
established and maintained in COM
petition with foreigners who enjoy
lower construction and operating
costs. and particularly the bills now
pending in Congress, which contem-
plate financial aid from the govern
ment for private shipowners, will be
discussed at this meeting.
In addition to this general meeting
, there will be a special group session
held to discuss uniform bills Of lad
ing and The Hague rules.
The increasing interest Of the busi-
ness public in coal supplies. particu-
larly at this time, when a general
strike is on in the industry, has led
the chamber to turn over one Of the
group meetings of the convention to
a thorough consideration of the coal
situation.
Senator Howard Sutherland of
West Virginia will speak on 'The
Coal Industry and Government Regu-
lation." Coming, as he does. from one
of the greatest coal-producing states
in the Union and having an intimate
knowledge of the coal mans prob
lens, and being close observer of
the tendency toward governmental
activity in business, Senator Suther-
lands address promises to be of wide
interest. "The Strike and How to
Prevent a Recurrence" will be dis
cussed by Eugene McAuliffe. president
of the Union Colliery Company Of st.
Louis. If there is any one factor
considered more vital than another
in the stabilization Of the con busi-
ness. 1t is the labor question. Oper-
ating one Of the largest and most
modernly equipped coiliers in Illinois,
Mr.. McAuliffe will propose method
of handling the strike problem which
should prove of intense interest to
every man attending the conference.
Cutting Down Shortage
OF Dwelling Houses.
For the first time since 1916 enough
new dwelling will be built In this
country during the current year to
more than care for the. increase In
demand, according to reports received
from all over the country by the
civic development department Of the
national chamber, In other words,