New-York tribune., 1922-12-04
Pact for u. S.
AndCOlOmbia
Trade Bodies
Commerce Chamber Signs
Arbitration Agreement;
3 Latin Countries Now
So Linked With America
Governs Controversies
Salient Feature l. Plan
Rests Entirely ON NOlun-
iary Assent of Principals
rro,a IA T-.bnrt's Woshlng.on Brsoa

Frofa The TribaTt's Wosh'Hg;0n BursoH
WASHINGTON, Dee S.-A CONNER
eial arbitration agreement with the
Chamber of Commerce Of Bogots. Co
iombia, has been signed by the Cham
bcr Of Commerce OF the United States,
the latter announced to-day This
makes eirh, Latin-Amcrican countries
with which the United States Chamber
has agreements. The other countries
ere Argentina, Brazil. Ecuador, Pan
ana. Paraguay. Uruguay and Nener-
ucla.
The agreement was signed by Carlos
Fchcverri. vice-president Of the Bo-
gotta body, and Julius II. Barnes. presi-
dent Of the American Chamber.
The agreement provides this cham
her and the commercial organizations
with which IL has agreements will
urge business men in trade transac-
lions between the United States and
these countries use q standard clause
20 the effect that in the event OF con-
troversy concerning Interpretation, full
fiiment or performance Of the contract
the dispute shall be submitted 20 arbi-
tration.
The salient feature Of the agreement
Is that the plan rests entirely upon the
voluntary assent Of the persons en-
gaeed in the trade and upon the infu-
encc Of the commercial organizations
% enforce the awards that are made
The parties agreeing 20 arbitrate are
free to choose their own arbitrators,
and the official arbitrators on the lists
maintained by the organizations are
called upon only in the event the par
ties TO a controversy fail TO name arbi-
trator&
The plan makes a striking advance
over vertually all earlier forms OF
arbitration. Il is devised to assure
arbitration being supervised by rep
resentatives Of both countries. The
fact an arbitration takes place IN this
country does not mean IL Is conducted
entirely under the auspices OF the
American Chamber Of Commerce or OF
q committee designated by a. On the
contrary, the arbitration proceeds un-
DER the supervision Of committee
representing foreign commerce cham
bers quite as wei as the American
bodv. This principle Of joint repre-
sentation is carried through all parts
~ the plan. Thus tho circumstance
that a seller is in BOgOta and a buyer
IN the United States does not prevent
each from having assurance his point
If view and conditions will have at
fention
In formulating the agreements IL
vas necessary to draw up detailed
fulcs to cover every contingency that
night arise. but arbitration procedure
Under the plan is ordinarily quite
.implc. Il provides the parties shall
az in the contract the place where
,rbitration Is to occur. but should they
rot DO so arbitration shall take place
n the country where the consignee
resides.
insertion Of the standard clause in
contract binds the parties 70 desiR-
nate reprceentativcs TO act Tor them
In arbitration proceedings, these per
IONS either being named ~ the con
tract or designated al later dale'
With an agreement 20 arbitrate ae.
cspted. the place or arbitration hAeu
nd represcntatives named for the
principals, the way is open lot the
r,rties 10 select their own arbitrators
ma snee,iilv adjust their differences.
r, the event they do notfagree upon
.,Lifrators within thirty days after
either has given notice Of his desire TO
ir the country in which arbitration Ia
"a occur is authorized to select three
impartial persons, who may proceed to
adjust the dispute as If they had been
agreed upon by the parties. Thus re
course is had 20 machinery provided by
fhc agreement only when the parties
,greeing 10 arbitrste fan themselves 20
eject an adjustment
The real worth Of the plan lies in its
Inducing merchants 70 adjust their diff
ferenees through arbitrators OF their
own selection.
Many benefits are derived from the
plan In cases which do not reach the
stage Of formal arbitration. The exist
enee Of the plan has called attention Of
merchants In the several countries 70
the rssdinsss Of the commercial organi-
cations 20 use their good Offices in re-
moving Misunderstanding upon which
most controversies, In the hnal snaly'
sis, are based.