Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-02
WORLD DEPRESSION
LAID TO POLITICS
Barnes Voices Opinion of
Business Men Before
C. of C. Convention.

BY the Associated Press.
ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., May 2.-Out
of three days of discussion by the lead
ers of American business, attending the
convention Of the United States Cham
Der of Commerce, has come one definite
thought-that, in the opinion of bust
ness men, the depression will be over
come and stability permanently achieved
only when Government removes the re-
strictions that business men believe now
prevent legitimate cooperation.
Julius H. Barnes, reelected chairman
of the board of directors of the cham
Der, last night advocated reduction OF
rates of duty in the Hawley-Smoof
tariff law, and said this move would
calm foreign countries which, he said
we're retaliating against exports from
this country, and aid business recovery.
A change in the tariff, he believed,
would lead to resumption of trade and
could be accomplished without affecting
American standards, of living. He also
said reduction of the 1912 per cent rate
of tax on capital gains and loss would
have a tendency to stem speculation
in times Of prosperity.
BIames Political Interference.
Barnes placed most of the onus of
the depression directly on worldwide
political interference with business. He
vigorously denied business culpability,
holding that it has been prevented from
accomplishing its wishes by ANTITRUST
laws that no longer are valid; by bur-
densome taxation and excessive govern
mental expenditures and by Government
competition in the field of private bust
ness.
He pointed to the flood of silver that
India released as a commodity; to the
entrance of Government in America into
the cotton and wheat markets; OF the
virtual defalcation of debts by an Aus
tralian state, and to legal restrictions
that have prevented business from join
ing it's forces even within industries to
keep level the business curve.
"Just as soon as the Government
makes possible the joining of various
units of business to keep down waste,
regulate production, capacity and out
put, Just then will business find its own
way out" he said But legislative
panaceas have no place in the American
business mans mind. He does not be-
lieve there is any one single solution of
the problem. If the antitrust laws are
altered so that the individual need not
fear criminal prosecution for what he
regards as legitimate endeaVor, then
planning on an important scale will be-
come possible"
Officers Elected.
The board of directors yesterday
elected the following officers for the en-
suing year:
President-Silas H. Strawn of Chicago.
Chairman Of the board-Julius H.
Barnes of Duluth and New York.
Vice presidents
Northeastern divisional. j. Bros
seau New York.
Southeastern Division-W. M. Wiley,
SharpleS, w. Va.
Southwestern division-John G. Ions
dale, st. Louis.
North central division-W. Rufus Alb
bolt, Chicago.
Northwestern division-Karl De Lait-
tire, Minneapolis
Western division-Paul Shoup, San
Francisco.
Treasurer-Oscar Wells, Birmingham,
Ala
Honorary vice presidents-John Joy
Edison, Washington, and Seymour Park
er Gilbert, jr, New York.
Director for district 6-J. Walter
Drake of Detroit.
Mr.. Edison, who retires as treasurer
after 10 years service, was made an
honorary vice president for life.
1t was decided to hold the next con-
vention in San Francisco.