The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-06
CONVENTION OF
U.S.CHANBER
OPENS
Problems of American Bust
ness Discussed at Meeting
in Cleveland
BY w. s. COUSINS.

b(Copyright, 1924. by Cosmopolitan
News Sefvice.)
CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 6.-The
outstanding problems of American
business will be treated vigorously
and fearlessly in the annual conven-
ton of the Chamber of Commerce #
the United States, Julius H. Barnes,
president of that body, said today
Just prior to the calling of the first
session to order.
1.-THE country Is now. in a critical
position" MIR. Barnes declared, land
future prosperity of business and
industry depends in large measure
on the disposition OF many vexing
questions that are now pressing for
solution before its business and legis.
lativte leaders. Encouraged by wise
and prudent legislation, and by re-
movaI of many of the letters that
are retarding its development, Amer.
lean industry might well launch
forth into another era of real pros
perity, not only for the American
people, but for those with whom
they come in close commercial con.
tact.
Dawes Report.
Undoubtedly the most important
matter to come before the annual
gathering of the commerce cham.
Der this year." President Barnes con.
tinued, ''is consideration of the
Dawes report and the proposed In
ternational loan, to be presented by
Colonel Ayres, of Cleveland, who. as
you know, was a technical adviser
of the committee of experts to the
reparation commission. On the
speedy solution of the European
reparations tangle depends revival
of business relations with Europe.
"At a preliminary meeting of the
members it. was voted oveEwhellIi.
ingly TO ask President Coolidge to
veto the bonus bill. My personal
opposition is based on moral and
not on financial grounds. for this
nation Is well able to bear, whatever
additional burdens Congress- sees fit
to impose. = #
.'sOf far greater Importance IL tho
urgent necessity of lifting the stag
gering load OF taxation which is
driving capital to seek employment
in tax-exempt securities, and to
dodge its responsibility for develop.
ing business and industry Of the ma.
ton. The mandate of the people
has been expressed in language that
anyone can understand, yet Con.
gress has already frtttered away five
precious months and produced moth
ing Of real value.
Oppose Farm Bill.
There il no warrant for the Gov.
eminent entering into buying and
selling Of agricultural products as
proposed in the McNary -Haugen bill
now under consideration in Con.
gress, and l know voice the al
most unanimous opinion of Ameri-
can business in expressing vigorous
opposition to this measure. The
answer of business and finance to
expressed needs of the farmer il the
recent formation of a $4,000 900 cor
poration to grant necessary tenn
porary relief, and this with other
agencies actively at work, together
with the general revival of business
that will follow adoption of other
measures. will have beneficient cf-
feet on that portion of the agricul-
tural section which is facing pc.
culiar problems"
Mr.. Barnes declared that Ameri.
can business was cheerfully opti-
mistic and is determined to make
full use of every facility afforded
in propagating constructive idesls.
It's strongest ally, he declared, is
the press.