Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-04
President Tells Session Tax
Burdens Hinder RecUpera-
ton From Depression.
LIBERAL TARIFF POLICY
FAVORED BY THEUNIS
Retiring President Of Information
al Body Hits Business Dis III
couragement.

Declaring that large responsibility
for the world depression lies In causes
bred by the war. President Hoover today
called upon gathering here of business
leaders from many countries to insist
upon reduction of land armamentS-one
OF the 'malign inheritances Of the war
as prelude of tranScendent impor-
lance to economic recuperation.
Addressing the opening session Of
the sixth general congress Of the In
ternational Chamber OF Commerce, at
Constitution Hall, which brought to-
gether 1000 delegates from some two
score countries, Mr.. Hoover directed at
tention to the forthcoming meeting Of
the principal nations 10 take I'D the
question Of land armament reduction
and asserted 1T is within the power of
business men Of the world to insist that
this problem shall be met with sim
certify courage and constructive action"
The fact that the conference has been
called, he said, is proof of It's need.
Despite the Kellogg BRAND pact for
remuneration OF war as an instrument
VA AobASAAoA POAAIyS lAlC OEllcL Executive
pointed out that the world expenditure
for all arms is now nearly flve billions
yearly, or 10 per cent more than before
the war. There are, he said. nearly
$500, 900 men actively under arms and
100000 900 in reserves.
Burden on RecuperAtion.
This vast armament" he warned
continues not only burden upon the
economic recuperation Of the world, but.
OF even more consequence the Constant
threats and fears which arise from IL
are serious contribution to all forms of
instability, whether social, political or
economic"
President Hoover pointed out that
considerable progress has been made in
the limitation and reduction of naval
arms and that further progress" is in
sight.
These agreements" he added. have
contributed greatly to reduce the burden
OF taxes and to establish confidence
among the nations signatory 10 them
Mr.. Hoover said that this country
has less direct interest than any other
great power in land armament cuts be-
cause "our forces have been ALREADY
oemoDllized and reduced more than All
Others"
I'VE have. however" he emphasized.
a vast indirect interest in greater as
Surance OF peace, order and the in
creased economic prosperity of other
nations"
Aware Of Difficulties,
President Hoover said he was not
unaware Of the difficulties inyoIyed in
disarmament, nor does he look for ac-
complishment over night"
However, he insisted, "endeayor an
we must In support of every proposal
OF international economic co-operation
that is just to our respective peonles
yet we must recognize that reduction
OF This gigantic waste of competition in
military establishments is, in the ulti-
mate, OF an Importance tranScendent
over all other forms of economic effort"
Inc large audience arose and an
piauded as President Hoover entered
and was introduced by Silas H. Strawn
OF chicago, chairman of the American
committee OF the International Cham
Der His speech. brief and concise, also
was greeted with applause at its conf
cluSion.
The President remained at the con-
greSS only long enough to deliver his
address. Mrs. Hoover, however, who,
with Mrs. Herbert Hoover, jr., had pre-
coded the President to the gathering,
remained an interested spectator in n
box at the side of the auditorium, which
she occupied with friends.
Attorney General Mitchell and Sec
rotary of Interior Wilbur also were
present
Sharing the opening session with Mr..
Hoover was Georges Theunis, retiring
president of the chamber, who formerly
was premier Of Belgium.
Reviewing world business conditions.
M. TheuniS hit high world tariff as ono
OF the contributing causes of depres-
sion, called for more liberal policy.
and added that the feeling of business
disbursement must be thrown OF to
bring ABOUT bettered conditions.
For Liberal Customs Policy.
M. Theunis told the delegates that
a liberal customs policy might be ex-
pected to lead TO better business condi-
tons"
But" he added. 1.-The present depres-
sion itself has the effect of increasing
the protectionists' temper of the vari-
GUS states.
I'm company with many other bust
ness men, I am convinced that govern
ment interference is most often useless
and harmful, since it interfereS with
the free play of economic laws These,
in the long run. always assert them
selves. and the success which has at
tended certain instances of government
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