The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-17
FOREIGN TRADE
CONFERENCE
IN BOSTON
Merchant Marine and Other
important Matters to Be
Discussed June a.

NEW YORK, March 17.-An ex-
hibit of ideas, involving things
valued at forty billion dollars-such
is the brief outline, as announced
yesterday, of the eleventh National
Foreign Trade Convention to be
held at Boston June A, S and next.
World problems affecting the
vitality and prosperity Of the in
ternal and external commerce of
the United States are crowding for
solution, it is stated by the National
Foreign Trade Council, the organ
izer Of the convention. and several
thousand of the keenest business
minds in America will be present
at this convention to discuss these
problems. Speakers of national
Importance have been invited. to
strike the keynotes of these solu-
tons, their speeches to be followed
by intensive and informal discus
sion in a broad way Of trends of
trade.
Need Wider Markets.
Our Need for Wider Markets."
in view of the European situation,
will be the general theme Of the
convention. A corollary to this is
S0IIlnB America AUCOdu.
For the first time in the history
of these conventions the important
question of the growing importa-
ton by the United States of raw
materials will be considered in the
light of it's effect on national pros
perity. 1t is pointed out that the
American surplus of raw exports is
shrinking rapidly-that, for in
stance, instead of a whole pig, food
production. in the United States has
dropped to half a pig.
1t is not generally known that
the United States is today the first
industrial nation of the world.
Forty billion dollars worth of
American manufactured goods draw
on all parts of the world for crude
or semi-prepared materials.
In view of this situation Ameri-
can manufacturers, 1t is stated, can
no longer find markets at home
and must find them abroad, or
limit manufacturing.
In this connection, James A. Far
rel. president of the United States
Steel Corporation and chairman of
the national foreign trade council,
makes the following statement: "Our
participation in foreign trade is not
now, and never has been, merely a
matter Of preference on our part
or even a matter Of convenience.
On the contrary, it has been and is
matter of economic necessity. We
must go on in the development of
our foreign trade. The need Of our
first settlers that had to be supplied
by the importation Of various ar
NJ 10 de-,
urgent and compelling than the
need of our manufacturers TODAY of
foreign markets that will absorb
part Of their production and permit
them to keep their plants busy and
furnish employment to our people. 4"
First Convention.
This Is the first time a national
foreign trade convention has been
held in New England, the birth
place OF American industry. With
the United States today regarded as
greater industrial New England.
this convention is considered in the
light Of a historic event by Amer
lean business men.
A countrywide invitation has been
extended to representatives of banks,
boards of trade, national and State
e@ocOSAdL1OIlSS CIldHlDSES Oh commerce
and other organizations interested
In agriculture, education, industry
and transportation.
The convention program will in
clude three general sessions and
seven group sessions. The problems
Of the American Merchant Marine
will be considered In connection
with the general sessions as will be
special report from the national
foreign trade council on market
trends and wider fields for sales ex.
pansion with recommendations Of a
national scope.
The group sessions will include
short talks on particular trade prob
lens with an opportunity for In
dividuals to exchange information in
their own particular lines. In these
group sessions will be discussed the
best methods Of training Americans
for foreign trade, the problems of
direct selling abroad, finance and
advertising.