Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-03
BY FRANCIS p. DOUGLAS

industrialists urged last night
that the Government make long
term plans and programs in
charting its foreign policy.
Philip D. Reed, General Elec-
trio Co. board chairman. cited
two examples of where this could
be done. And in doing so he
gave support to President Eisen-
hower's program for long term
foreign aid and to his proposal
that the United States become
a member of the Organization
for Trade Cooperation.
Both projects are pending in
Congress.
Mr.. Reed addressed the annual
dinner at the Sheraton Park
Hotel which closed the United
States Chamber of Commerce
44th annual meeting.
His championing Of the OTC
came a few hours after dele
gates to the convention refused
to approve a policy statement
favoring that body. This was
done IN the face Of a White
House appeal for the declaration
and despite arguments that to
reject it would be a slap in the
face" for President Eisenhower.
Referendum Voted
Instead of approving it the
delegates voted that it be sub
mitted to a referendum of the
chambers 3,100 organizations.
The OTC is an administrative
body to administer the reciprocal
trade program under the inter-
national General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade.
Mr.. Reed said the OTC has no
power of decision and cannot
commit our Government. But,
he said, sit can be invaluable as
a continuing administrative
body" gathering world trade
statistics and data on the status
of trade agreements between all
countries.
Stressing the value Of long
term planning by business and
industry. Mr.. Reed said the
same should be done in foreign
aid.
Nothing could be more limit
ing or frustrating" he said,
than to carry on the aid pro-
gram on a year to year basis. -"
Here, if anywhere" he added,
planning over a period of years
is absolutely essential, and the
inability to commit our Govern
ment to program of assistance
extending beyond q year or two
Is in many instances fatal"
1000 at Dinner
About 1000 attended the an
nual dinner. Chamber officials
and directors, cabinet members
and others from the executive
departments and members of
Congress were seated at three
head tables in a rising tier.
There were lis in all at the
three tables and they were
introduced individually. Vice
President Nixon was among the
guests and he received a rising
ovation. Wives of those at the
head tables were seated at a sep
arate table without men.
John S. Coleman. president
Of the Burroughs Corp. of De-
troit. recently elected chamber
president, was introduced. He
succeeds Boyd Campbell of Jack
son, Miss. who presided.
The delegates vote on the
OTC statement-it did not men,
ton the organization by name
came at the one business ses-
sion Of the convention. The de-
cision to submit it to a referen-
dunn was on 227-to-163 vote.
1t had been announced earlier
that 1886 accredited delegates
had registered for the conven-
ton. But only representatives
Of State and local chambers vote
on policy matters.
william Blackie, executive vice
president of the Caterpillar
Tractor Co. Of Peoria. ILL.,, read
the White House message 1t
was a letter from Gabriel Hauge,
presidential assistant for eco
nomic affairs.
Hoped for Endorsement
The letter said the President
reaffirmed his belief that the
OTC is vitality necessary to his
trade program and is in the ma
tional interest. He said the
President hoped the champer
would indorse the principles Of
the OTC recommendation.
Leigh Doxsee Of the st. Louis
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