Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-10-06

Il
The League of Nations Assembly
representing more than so nations
with wide differences in world com.
merce, will hold a diplomatic confer
ence at Geneva October II upon the
subject of trade barriers, including
tariffs and prohibitions on imports and
exports now hampering the ideal de-
VelOpment of world commerce. The
confrerees will not be limited to bust
ness men, but will consist largely of
diplomats.
The standards Of business ethics
differ and the methods of trade are not
alike the world over. Nations are as
self-centered as are most individuals.
Therefore, the success of such con-
ference depends as much upon diplo-
macy as upon the methods advanced by
men of world outlook on the conduct
of business representing the greatest
commercial interests of the world.
Fortunately, the world of commerce
is no longer unorganiZed and impo-
tent. 1t can speak the composite
judgment of experience in the light of
organized knowledge of conditions
through what is called the Interna-
tional Chamber of Commerce, made up
Gus national chambers of commerce
Of the several leading nations of Flu.
rope and America. These national
chambers of commerce, particularly
the National Chamber Of Commerce
of the United States, are organized
from the hundreds of local chambers
Of commerce, which in turn are made
UP of the many business firms, com
Danies and individual manufacturers
and distributors of each local com
munity.
The national chamber gives no deci-
sion on any business problem without
first submitting the problem to all of
it's component local chambers in
referendum. The reference is accom-
panied with careful analyses for and
against its proposed solution. The
research bureau at national headquar-
ters delves into history. precedent and
logic. just as an attorney for defense
would study the case of his client
and, expertly Analysing the question,
present the arguments. but without
power to decide the problem. Each
local member unit then submits the
problem, with accompanying argl.
mentS pro and con, to its membership
and takes vote upon it, either at a
meeting or by mail. There are 1.500
such local Organization members" of
the National Chamber of Commerce
of the United States, with a total
membership of 100000 corporations
firms and individual business men. all
permitted to vote through the deci
sion Of the majority in each of the
unit organizations.
" Il 4 X
There is no political pull in such a
referendum; there are no diplomats"
with their nationalistic prejudices af.
fecting the ultimate decision of the
National Chamber of Commerce, which
decision controls the vote of our ma
tional chamber in the final decision of
the international chamber. Thus the
business of the civilized world has
been highly, efficiently and benefi.
Gently organized, representing A ma
tions-the leading nations of the world
of commerce. This advance of or.
ganiZed business has come about all
within the last seven years. 1t was
begun in Paris in 1920 as direct out
growth Of the International Trade
Conference, held under auspices OF
the Chamber Of Commerce of the
United States, in Atlantic City in DC
tOber, 1919. The trade conference was
Epasmodic; the International Chamber
of Commerce is permanent, with head
quarters in Paris and with units in all
A nations.
A board of directors, composed of rep
| resentatives of each member country
governs the activities at international
headquarters through a secretary ir
direct charge Of details. international
public opinion is sounded by means OF
referenda to all the nations and re
corded at the biennial general meet
| ings Of the chamber. The president
is elected for two years. He is chair
man Of the board of directors and pre-
sides at all meetings. The first presi
dent was NJ. Etienne Clementel. for