The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-05-22


Strawn national Chamber of
Commerce. Silas II. Strawn Of Chi
cago, newly elected president Of the
Chamber Of Commerce Of the United
States, formally opened the meeting
and then Georges Theunis, former
Belgian premier and retiring presi-
dent Of the international body, took
the chair.
The first address was the speech
of President Hoover welcoming the
delegates, and the Chief Executive
seized the occasion to take another
hard wallop at war and ornaments.
He said he believed the certain way
to restore prosperity was to tighten
the burden of national defense which
is now costing the nations more than
$5,00O,0O0,000 year and keeping near
ly 100000 men actively under arms.
He urged the business men of the
five continents to mobilize their In
fluence upon their respective govern
ments to join in the reduction of
armament at the international con-
ference to be held next year under
the auspices Of the League of Nations.
.'Of all proposals for the economic
rehabilitation of the world" said Mr..
Hoover, II know Of none which COM
pares in necessity or importance with
the successful result of that confer
ence.'
M. Theunis submitted long and
exhaustive report on world conditions.
in the course of which he said: II
am personally convinced that the COM
mercial policy and the customs tariff
in force in most of the countries of
the world constitute one of the funda-
mental causes of our actual economic
troubles. A liberal customs policy
might be expected to lead to better
business conditions" aN
He thus showed he was in accord
with certain prominent members Of
the United States Chamber of Com
merce who at their meeting in At
lantic City called for tariff revision
downward.
Melvin A. Traylor, prominent Chi
cago banker, electrified his hearers by
a scorching attack on commercial
leaders and government. executives of
America. Ambition, cupidity and
greed have dictated policies. and trou-
BILE has been the result" he declared
1T is tragedy when in a world Of
plenty there should be so much pow
erty and when,, in /; nation that boasts
Of its riches, 100000 or more per-
sons willing to work should be un-
able to find employment. 1t is chal-
lenge to the world and especially to
American business and political lead
ership."
Mr.. Traylor's attack began with
criticism Of manufacturers who took
advantage Of chronological and man
agament improvements to swell their
output to point far in excess Of the
possibilities of consumption. And he
was equally severe in his character
ization Of the methods of bankers and
of traders on the floors of the stock
and grain exchanges. He urged that
floor trading and small margin ac-
counts be forbidden.
MR.. STRAWN when he addressed
4vA the delegates to the international
meeting invited them all to Chicago
for the Jubilee" celebration of May
10 to 20, and he received assurance
that many Of them would attend. The
midwest metropolis had made most
elaborate preparations for this affair,
the program including festivals in the
brightly decorated "loop" district, big
parades. dedication Of the replica of
Fort Dearborn, frs Of the Century of
Progress exposition buildings. and, to
wind up with, the elaborate war game
Of the air force of the army.