Evening Star Newspaper, May 21, 1925, Page 5

TAFT'S ADDRESS ~ FIRSTIN 4 YEARS Chief Justice Urges Informed | Public Opinion at C. of C. Dedication. Chief | formation of | of the public at the new Chief Justice Taft ecutive. suggested » Chamber of Commerce Tnited States, made his first Iress in four years last night ation of the organization’s headquarters building Urging an informed and intelligent | public opinion. he called upon the busi- | ness men to take part in its develop-| ment | 2 eater the opportunity there | to inform the public of the requiring settlement, and which those questions | the wiser its ex-| “One of the diffi-| 1seful aid in| Government is the | rgy of the ordinary citizen and ndisposition to develop an inter-| 1 the Important general questions ented, and to use the information | ilable to him and exert the need-| nental effort make decisions | ! formulate views It isn't enough to have intelligent 1 in our citizenship. It isn't enough sprefd education as far as we can must also arouse the active in est of those who must be the indi Bits of the many whose united | re public opinion. This is the! of the functions of your who. ons e fact s upon he decided he, 1 n secur ection e its his Bright for husiness Future Seen to the organization's work | reform and improvement of conduct, the Chief Justice I am confident that with your zrowth, the sound princi- es upon which you have established v association, and the great op portunities that present themselve: Tor usefulness. the future of this or ganization will show it to be one of the real non-official in the progress of country. You have united together. in a mmon and _effective purpose, the body of intelligent and active isiness men of the United States, and ave furnished for the people of country an instrument for the effective organization of public opinion that is and will continue to be of the highest benefit Dedication acribed s business,” formed standing events on the convention Other Speakers Heard. it factors the me one the building of de. American the out program of the The invocation was said by Thomas C lor of Tennessee, presi dent of the National Council of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the speakers, in addition to Chief Justice Uaft, included Richard F. Grant president of the national chamber. Harry A. Wheeler of Chicago, chair man of the building committee, who was its first president, and Charles Nagel of St. Louis, Secretary of Com- merce and Labor during the Taft ad- ministration. Any law that requires enforcement and has of the people will faii, Mr. Nagel a: serted. * Holding that conduct mus provide the remedy for unwise laws | rather than speech, he declared the chamber had power to regulate the conduet of its membership by regi tering complaints with the proper nuthority. The organization, he added, should be more interested in molding (‘unnlu\'l than in writing its views upon the statute books. Bishop continuous not the backing .GREATEST U. S. ERA, NOW AT HAND, HELD GRAVELY MENACED (Continued from Firsi be dismayed when we analyze the in. formation put before us by our news papers and magazines. It is so super- ficial ‘and inuccurate that it is Im- possible to obtain sound conclusions from it. Tivery member body of this organization ‘should select small Eroups of prominent men to make special studies our international | nolicies with the view to basing thelr conclusion on facts."” The loopholes in A com mercial treaty policy were her ex. plained by John Willys, president of the Willy-Overland ¢ Toledo. Calls for New Markets. The world must be combed for new markets, Mr. Willys said “World trade is constantly becom-! ing a matter of greater importance to the domestic prosperity of the United States. The mass production methods, which we have evolved in this coun try during the past quarter of a cen- tury, have geared our manufacturing plants to a new productive capacity If we are to employ these facilities 1o their fullest extent, we cannot rest ocntent with domesiic markets. The four corners of the globe must be combed for new and growing marlkets | for the myriad products of American genius and productive energy. “We have the dvantage of hh.'h!\" specialized engineering ability which | has resulted in mass production meth- | ods, which permit the manufacture of finished commodities at tremendous decreases in cost without sacrifice in Guality. The automobile industry, for example, has brought down the costs in the face of increases of about 100 ver cent to workers and 50 per cent or more in the cost of raw materials. ‘“The unique position of the United States in the financial world is another asset of undisputed value. Holds Tariff Is Inadequate. “It seems to be that there must be a considerable number of speclalized American industries for which foreign markets are extremely important whose needs are not sufficiently met Ly the present policy of obtaining nierely most-favored nation treatles, Our export trade IS going to tend more and more toward manufactured speclalties. Cases of so-called indirect | discrimination are likely to become more and more frequent, and conse- quently the inadequacy of our pres. ent tariff policy will become more and miore apparent. “Suppose that Rumania should ar- range its automobile tariff schedule in such & way that cars possessing cer- tain features peculiar to French or Ttalian cars would be subject to a lower rate of duty than those posses. sing the characteristies of American cars. No direct discrimination would be involved, since the distinction would be based on differences of construction and mot or origin. Such practices, al- though many would regard them as indirect discrimination, have not been regarded as discriminatory practices subject to retaliatory measures under our present tariff act. “When we come fo consider foreign trade policies from a government standpoint we find that in many cases our advantages are offset to a con- siderable degree by the tariff policies of the countries where we expect to | find u market.” Allays Fear of Competition. American manufacturers reed have no fear of the Germans and British, their nearest competitors, in the Far Jast, Geerge E. Anderson, former 4American consul general in China, told |&reat power now enjo | chants have been Highlights of Speeches “One of the difficulties in se- curing public aid in the direction of government is the lethargy of the ordinary citizen."—Chief Justice William Howard Taft at the dedication exercises. “Any law that requires con- tinuous enforcement and has not the backing of the people will fail.” — Former Secretary _of Commerce Nagel at the dedica- tion exercises. “The muca higher level of American wages is fuily bal- anced by the specialization, su- periority of tool equipment and management.”"—Francois de St. Phalle before the foreign com- merce group luncheon. “American life values are in- sured to an amount equivalent to one year's income for our nation.”—H. A. Smith, president of the National Fire Insurance Co., before the insurance group. “Whenever the farmers re- ceive a dollar or two over the average business failures de- cline; when they receive below the average business failures mount.”—Former Secretary of Agriculture Meredith, before the domestic distribution’ group. “Too many bargain sales de- alize trade and the business of the merchant.”"— R. Ellis of Memphis, at Commercial Secretaries n ntegrity Robert at the meeting. “The total trade of the world, in_quantity and not in money value, still is 16 per cent below that of 1913."—Julius Klein, director of the Bureau of For- eign and Domestic Commerce, before the American Trade Asso- ciation Executives. the foreign commerce group at their luncheon meeting. The Far is awakening,” he d. “There has been much talk in the past ten vears of Asia for the Asi atics politicaily. There has been much more quiet but effective work during that period for Asia for the Asiatics commercially. Every year they are gathering and holding more of their own. Nevertheless, American exports to these countries, with due allowance for the present check, have continued “Our real competition comes from lurope and relates to the more highly nanufactured products which the East is unable to supply for itself Germany presents the greatest prob. lem. Germany has again secured some of its pre-war trade in the Orient. Most German industries have secured splendid new equipment as the result of building done during the decline and fall of the mark. On the other hand. wages in Germany are far higher than before the war and are likely to go higher. Much of the ad vantage in raw materials once pos. sessed by Germany-now belongs to somebody else. Overshadowling all is the matter of taxes Question Hinges on Taxes. 0 me the danger of German com petition abroad when these tax pa ments start to be exacted is not much from a flood of German good sent abdroad as it is a question of whether Germany can successfully compete in foreign markets while bur- dened with such taxes. “The British are more worried than we are. Wages are high and unem ployment is rife. Taxation is crushing. We have gained steadily in competi tion with Britain for actual trade since the war in spite of the fact that she never needed foreign trade as much as she does now." Feat of European competition in manufactured goods in the Near East | was | classed as groundless by Fran cois de St. Phalle, vice president of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, “The outstanding fact is,” he said, “that the United States is-the only ng a forei trade substantially higher man“fl 1913, not only in money, but in value of goods. The exports of the United States to Europe are increasing. This indicates that the much higher level of wages prevailing here is fully bal- anced by the specialization resulting from the large home market, super; ority of tool equipment and manage. ment.” Handicap in South America. American merchants are under severe handicaps in respect to South merican trade, William E. Peck of New York told this group. “Lower freight rates, cheaper marine fnsur- ance and more frequent steamship service,” he said, “all handicap the sale of American-made goods and fayor those produced in Europe, “Another cause for preference to- ward European goods lies in the fact that there is a large English, Ger- man and French population fn both Argentina and Brazil, which formg « nucleus for trade in the goods of their respective countries. “Granting of longer credits also is a serious factor and I know of se |eral large orders which have been lost to this country because Ges man producers have allowed pay- ments to be made over five year while the American limit was neare two years. r In some cases the mer- willing to pay a higher price to Europe because of the more favorable credit terms. A Hotel Inn Phone Main 8108-8100. 604-610 9th St. N.W, $7 rooms. $6 weekly: $10.50 : 13" with toilet, shower. and vacem® 13 0% more. Booms Like Mother' More Imp ortant than Diplomas! In business or in society a girl’s success depends on an accurate Watch. wlailiing = S Here's a2 beautiful = . timekeeper, accuracy guaranteed, for only— .50c A WEEK 15-jewel adjusted YRectangular Wrist Watch, green or white gold filled guaranteed THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, great deal of trade has been lost also since the close of the war, due to the development of local industries in Argentina and Brazil.” Hits Insurance Legislation. l Insurance companies have become targets of ill-considered legislatien, H. A. Smith, president of the Natlon- al Fire Insurance Co. of Hartford, said at_the insurance group luncheon at the New Willard. “There have been 42 state legisla- tures in session this year,” he said. “Estimates have been made that 3,500 insurance bills were intioduced in these legislatures. Many of the bills enacted will affect the service or cost to custome: Insurance protects the economic processes which make for our commercial and industrial welfare. Today we find more than one-third of our industrial wealth protected against loss by fire and our life values insured to an amount equivalent to one year's income for our Nation. This is not a chance event. It is the reaction of the American public to the untiring efforts of private initia- tive to distribute losses in an equitable way. Since policy holders are affected by adverse legislation, it is perfectly proper that they take an active in- terest in it.” Through the efforts of the insurance section of the national chamber the automobile thief faces hard times, Mr. Smith said. Twenty-two sta.es now have adopted the recommendation to require certification of auto titles. The insurance business also was dis cussed by James A. Beha, New York State superintendent of insurance; George W. Wells, insurance commis sioner for Minnesota, and Stacey W. Wade, insurance commissioner for North Carolin Agriculture as Barometer. Former Secretary of Agriculture E. . Meredith told the domestic distribu tiom group at its luncheon confer ence that the condition of agriculture hes a4 good barometer of busi ness conditions. “Our farms,” he said, “have pro- duced since 1886 an average of $14 per acre per vear. Whenever the farm- ers have received a dollar or two above the average business failures in the ensuing 12 or 18 months have ‘been greatly reduced, while whenever the farmer has received an amount be- low the average business failures have mounted. “Many business concerns do mnot take into consideration the fact that 0 per cent of the people of the United States live in the country, 10 per cent in towns of 2,500 and the other 60 per cent in towns of 2,500 and over. In towns from 10,000 to .000, 50 per cent of the retail business is done with farmers. In towns of 5,000 to 10,000, 56 per cent of the total volume farm sales. Manufacturers of food products metimes take it for granted that a farmer grows practically all his food. Replies 10 a questionnaire sent to 55,000 farmers scattered through the North Central States show 93 per cent buy oranges, 50 per cent anned corn, 45 per cent canned peas 35 per cent canned pineapple o doubt other articles share in this | distribution.” Questions of distribution sed also by former Sidney Anderson, president of the Millers’ National Foundation: Theo. dore F. Whitmarsh of New York and | Harry Dwight Smith of Cleveland. | The average man believes in an American merchant marine, A. J | Brosseau of New York, president of Mack Trucks, Inc., told the transpor tation section, but “the fact remains that the business is mnot attractive enough to induce capital or labor to engage in it."” The recommending of “a sound and practical permanent policy” is the objective .of four com mittees of the Chamber of Commerce it were dis. Renresentative that | Mr. Brosseau sald, and their reports will be completed by early Fall for submission to a general conference of those interested. ' A regional and city planning scheme | providing for complete industrial, con mercial and social organization of it entire area was advocated as an ap- proach to the traffic problem by Har- land Bartholemew, engineer of St. Louls’ City Plan Commission, before the transportation group. He .de- scribed higher bufldings and greater concentration of business in American cities as ‘“symptoms of economic ste.” Design of an adequate street ystem und traffic regulation based on its natural flow, Mr. Bartholemew said, were further alds to solving the problem. Regulation of motor common car- riers was described at this luncheon by W. D. B. Ainey, chairman of the Public Service Commission of Penn- sylvania The National Association of Com- mercial Organization Secretaries at their annual meeting at the Willard last night were addressed by Robert R. Ellis of Memphis, Tenn., on prob- lems of distribution. “If a merchant goes so far in the sale of his merchandise that he verges upon misrepresentation,” Mr. Ellis sald, “he is an enemy not only of soclety at large, but of every mer- chant who does not misrepresent. Sees Too Many Sales. “There are too many sales. F quent sales demoralize trade and un. dermine the business integrity of the individual merchant. There are, of | course, legitimate sales, at which gen- ulne bargains are offered. Probably it would be difficult to make the pub- lice believe it, though. There are sales named after the four seasons, les named after articles—and when a merchant has exhausted every pos- sible name he merely calls it a igantic sale’ The advertisements for these sales embrace every superl tive in the English language, and make more promises than a June bride. The pitiful thing about these sales is that they defeat their own purposes. They only delay business. “Glgantic sale. The pitiful thing about these sales is that they defeat their own purposes. They only delay busi nes: More serious is the fact that the public has to a large extent lost con- fidence in retail merchandising. Only well-disciplined advertising copy and a united effort by merchants to set nd maintain a fair price will remedy this situation.” War Still Felt. World trade is still feeling the reac tions of the World War, Julius Klein, | director of the Bureau of Foreign and | Domestic Commerce, told the Amer ican Trade Assoclation Executives at their annual meeting at the Willard last night. “It was perhaps Inevitable that the bitterness which followed in the wake of the great conflict,” said Mr. Klein, ‘*‘should revive long dormant suspicions and engender animosties, even in matters of every- day commerce. On every hand we have been confronted with arguments that the war itself was caused largely by trade jealousies. The terminology of battle seems to have been trans- | ferred to trade, and we hear of tariff | wars, commercial clashes and numer ous other displays of force and com- | pulsion in the struggle for commer cial superiority. But out of all this welter of conflict there gradually is dawning a new concept of the real basis of permanent trade advantage— an understanding that commercial success is not to be achieved by the brutal tactics of war. “Even at this late date the total trade of the world is 15 per cent below that of 1913, as measured in terms of quantity and not value. In| Europe the lag is greater—not less | than 25 per cent for the continent as a whole and from 35 to 50 per cent Keep the Cool Breezes Blowing With a Polag. C. A. MUDDIMAN CO. 709 13th Street ISt S IS ST TSI S S SIS, No Charge for Alterations A reduction—from our regular stock 217 Grosner and Kuppenheimer 60, ‘55, *50 & *45 SUITS Gresner ELECTRIC FAN Main 140 D. C. THURSDAY. for some of the ex-belligerents. The United States is the only one of the sreat commercial powers whose trade has recovered from the struggle, but en our advance in traffic is only 19 per cent. Need Better Relations. “The first essential of more effec- tive commercial relations is more con- stant and intimate contact between Broups of people. It is no mere ac- cident that those South American countries which have the highest per capita record of revolutions have the lowest per capita mileage of rallroads and highways. The first assurance of domestic order and national unity is the establishment of effective means of communication. And the surest way to stimulate a comparative growth internationally is to stimulate the ebb and flow of international trade by improving the channels of communication through which it flows.” At the group sessions yesterday afternoon two resolutions were adopted and sent to the resolutions committee for final action. The nat- ural resources production group asked' that the chamber go on rec- ord in opposition to legislation such as the Oddie bill, which proposes establishment of a department of mines with a bureau of coal econ omics, which would have the power to order periodic reports from all branches of the coal industry on costs, sales and margins of profit. Agalnst this law it was urged that it would be expensive, would put the coal industry under bureaucratic control, would pick out a single in- dustry for unjust discrimination and would end eventually in publicity for the private affairs of the coal mer- chants, despite any Government prom ises of secrecy. The finance group offered a resolu- tion affirming confidence in the ied- eral reserve system and urging care- ful study of any legislation affecting it. The chamber will hold another general session in the Auditorium to- night at which the speakers will be Secretary of Commerce Hoover and Samuel 'E. Winslow, former chair- man of the interstate commerce com- mittee of the House. MODERATOR SOUGHT. Few Applicants for Cumberland Presbyterian Body Head. NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 21 (#).— The general assembly of.the Cumber land Presbyterian Church convened here today with scarcely an applicant for the moderatorship, something al- most unheard of in the annals of the church. D, M. McAnulty, layman moderator of Boli Tenn.. was the presiding officer. His annual address was the opening feature of the ninety- fifth convention. The program called for the election of the moderator at the afternoon session. The questions of missions, college athletics and other subjects will come before the assembly. The church has already taken a stand on the teachings of the Bible as a “fundamentalist” de nominatiol 9 MAY 21 BORAH WOULD END TRADE GOMMISSION Humphrey’s - Charge That Body Is Used for Propa- ganda Arouses Senatpr. William E. Humphrey, newest mem- ber of the Federal Trade Commission, in questioning the right of the Senate to direct it to gather information for the Senate, has drawn from Senator Borah the statement that the com- mission should be abolished. Indica- tions are that efforts to that end will be made at the pext Congress. The Senator, commenting on an ad- dress by Mr. Humphrey before the convention of the United States Cham ber of Commerce yesterday, declared “it is perfectly apparent that the com- mission is nof going to be of any serv- ice to the country.” Made Publicity Bureau. Mr. Humphrey had declared the commission had received from the Senate several resolutions requesting investigations not directly relating to | alleged anti-trust law violations, with which he sald the commission is pri marily concerned. Mentioning res tions by Senators Shipstead, La lette and Norris, he said: “It is clearly apparent that the primal motive in all of them is poltical—to advance the personal fortunes of some person, party or class.” If the commission must respond to every resolution of either house of Congress, he declared, “then it would be entirely within the power of either house to use the commission abso lytely as a publicity bureau to spread such propaganda as the whim of the hour might dictate “In the interest peace in the business world,” Senator Borah said, “it would be better to abolish” the commission. “After a com. mission of this kind comes under the influence of politics and political pres sure from the outside, it can be of no possible service to the people.” Useless, Borah Holds. He declared the commission is no longer a protection to the small busi ness interests, and ‘‘the purpose of its creation cannot under existing condi ditions be realized.” The appointment Humphrey was one of several drew opposition toward the close of the Senate session, although he was confirmed by a vote of 45 to 10. Sena- tors Borah, Norris and Shipstead were among the 10 voting against confirma- tion, on the grounds that Mr. Hum phrey was “reactionary” in his politi cal affiliations. Senator Borah also opposed creation of the commission of economy and is of Commissioner ef lead producing States are Idaho, Utah and Oklahoma Superior Style and Quality in Men’s Shoes An Oxford we have had made to our spec Sk black or tan calfskin into which has been crowded the very best materials, workmanship and style that can be put into a man’s shoe at $8.00. If “Eight” is your limit you should see this shoe. Other Good Shoes, $8 to $10 Vettleton” Famous Shoes, $12 to $14 Sold by us exclusively , ICHS Proper Footwear F Street at Tenth Separate Men's Store—Reached by Stairway or Elevator To Encourage Thrift Week-End Reductions FRIDAY—a sale of sought-for suits, ensembles and dresses. Opportunity offers occasion to choose at a thrifty saving that “one more costume” you want to fill in commencement or holi- day apparel requisites. Choose Friday. 24 Tweed Suits, tan and gray, $45; Friday Special & Navy Suits, $45; Friday Special 1 Blue Kasha 3-piece Suit, $150; Friday Special .... 3350 3350 $75% 1 Tan Ensemble Suit, Charmeen Co Flowered Silk Dress, same as lining, $69.50. Friday Special . $49:50 1 Navy Ensemble Suit, Charmeen Coat, Flowered Silk Dress, $69.50. Friday Special .... 1 Hemna Imported Repp Ensemble Suit; Coat and Dress same, $110. Friday Special.. nsemble Suit; Red Kasha Coat, Tan trimmed, with Tan Silk Dress, trimmed Red, $105. Friday Special. .., 10 Kasha Dresses, high colors, $35; Friday Special .......... 24 Flannel Dresses, $29.75; 14 Flannel Ensembles, $49.50; I Red and Tan Friday Special . STREET House of Kuppenheimer Good Clothes Your Depoesit Holds Any Suit same as Ui 4950 750 $75% . 32975 51975 $3250 Women's Dept—T.. 1 Floor Raleigh Haberdasher Thirteen Ten F Street which | { | | | I _Money-Saving Food Bargains 29c 37c 27c Broilers Lb. About 2 lbs. Average Frying Chickens About 2V, lbs. Average Fowl Stewing ‘ About 3 lbs. Average LONG ISLAND Ducklings Lb. Fancy Little 5-1b. Spring Ducklings Turkeys Lb. Lb. 32c 45¢ Lb. Little 7 to 8 lb. Turkeys Chuck Roast Veal Shoulder Breast Lamb Pork Loins Half or*Whole Smoked Picnics Green Peas (7eicphone) Pineapples Tomatoes Lemons Texas Onions Iceberg Lettuce Celery Spinach Kale Radishes Spring Onions New Potatoes | 23c (Cfiarleslon 5) 5 Lbs. Cabbage 6c Old Dutch Cleanser, 4 r- 25¢ 22¢ 17¢ 17¢ 16¢ Bunch Lb. 5(_' 3 Lbs. Bunch 3c 3c Bunch Home Grown, Lb. Pink Salmon, 2 ror 25¢ Old Dutch Coffee, 3 15 $1.00 Honey Drop Maine Corn, Can [ /c Heinz Ketchup sman 19c Gulden’s Mustard 1o 12%5¢ Early June Peas, 2 cus 25¢ Raisins Pre. 10c P&G Soap 10 cokes 39¢ Tuna Fish 1516 D5¢ | " Sunmaid White Star Bread 5c¢