^"'^TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ^ ;i;l/-\MBlr'R.S OF COMMERCE AND C;OMMEl2IAL AND INDUS- 'mi/iL ■ aIsoc eahc-ns nOSTON, US. A., 1912 GIFT OF JiosIOX CHAMUKH OF ( OMM lilU'E FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. 1912 PUBLISHED BY BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOSTON. U.S.A. ^^ THE r.SIVEIiSITT PHESS BOSTON (CAMDniDOE), T. 8. A. ^Preface The growth and increase of international organizations is one of the most important developments of recent years. Among these evidences of an in- creasing internationalism, no association is entitled to a place of higher stand- ing or gives promise of greater constructive results than the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce. The official sessions of the Congress, held every two years, bring together business men from practically every commercial nation on the globe, and ac- complish very definite results for the unification of international commercial practices. The personal acquaintanceships made at the meetings among prom- inent men of different nations also furnish the occasion for the beginnings of many transactions in international commerce, resulting to the mutual advan- tage of l)oth parties. And finally, beyond these practical results, the friendship and good will which follow acquaintanceship and a better understanding of each other's point of view, make of the Congresses a living force for the promotion of international peace. - For these reasons the Boston Chamber of Commerce took pleasure in un- dertaking the organization of the Fifth Congress which met in Boston in Sep- tember, 1912, the first time that this great international organization ever held its sessions in the Western hemisphere. It takes this occasion to express grati- tude for the co-operation of the Government of the United States, the commercial organizations in all parts of the country, and the citizens of Boston generally. It is naturally a source of great pleasure that the Boston Congress should have been the first at which there were in attendance a considerable number of dis- tinguished business men not only from North America, in which the Congress was held, but also from South America and the Far East. The usual official report of the Fifth Congress, principally in the French language, will be issued by the Permanent Committee from Brussels. In the Appendix to this book will be found the stenographic report of the official ses- sions, and the text, of the addresses at the final banquet — principally in the English language, although in cases where the speaker used another language, the original language as well as the English translation is given. As it is generally agreed that the larger benefits of these Congresses are brought about outside the official sessions, we have endeavored to make avail- 291953 iv INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS able in this report material not readily accessible, which, it is hoped, will in- terest and help beyond the reading of the printed speeches. To this end, the first part of this book is devoted to telling briefly the his- torj^ of the previous Congresses, the story of the Boston Congress, and con- cluding with material which will be valuable to the foreign delegates in helping them to refresh their recollections of some of the things which they saw on their trip to America. And this part of the book has been interspersed with illustrations in the hope of making it still more interesting. Of course, the narrow limits of this volume make impossible the inclusion of the photographs of all who had a prom- inent place in the promotion of this international movement, or even of the Boston Congress. The Boston Chamber of Commerce has included photographs of those Government Delegates and members of the Permanent Committee and American Committees of the Boston Congress which were readily available. It extends apologies to the many who lent their co-operation whose photographs were not in its possession at the time of printing. And just as each of the Congresses already held has been more successful than the preceding, the Boston Chamber of Commerce hopes that this publi- cation may to some extent help to increase interest in and attendance at the Sixth Congress, which is to meet in Paris in June, 1914. Boston, U.S.A., 1913. Contents PAGE Preface iii Contents v List of Illustrations vii Greeting Facing 1 Purpose and Scope of the International Congress 1 Officers of Fifth International Congress 3 International Congresses of Chambers of Commerce 5 Brief Histor>' 5 Membership 8 Permanent Committee 9 Programs of the Congresses 10 Acts and Resolutions of the Boston Congress 13 Official Sessions at Boston 17 The Events at Boston 25 Tour of the United States 31 Boston 41 Facts about the Cities Visited on the American Tour 51 Sippcnbix Delegates to the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce . . 63 Permanent Committee 91 Officers and American Committees 99 List of Commercial Organizations Affiliated with Permanent Committee . . 117 Stenographic Report of Official Sessions 131 Addresses at Official Opening of the Congress 131 The Establishment of a Fixed Date for Easter, and the Reform of the Calendar . . 144 The Regulation of International Expositions 152 Establishment of an International Court of Arbitral Justice for Suits between In- dividuals and Foreign States 153 The Unification of Legislation Relating to Checks 190 Commercial Statistics, and the Immediate Institution of an International Office . 231 Validation of Through-order-notify Bills of Lading 239 International Pastal Reforms in \''iew of the Next Conference of the Universal Postal Union in 1913 244 VI INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS The Desirability of International Uniformity of Action in the Matter of Consular Invoices 260 The Desirability of an International Conference on Prices and the Cost of Living . 274 International Arbitration 281 The Banquet: Stenogbaphic Report of the Addresses Riles 291 303 TLi&t of SUugtrations; Boston Chamber of Commerce Fronlispiect OPPOSITE PAGE Hon. William H. Taft, President of the United States of America; President of Amer- ican Honorary- Committee 6 Hon. Philander C. Knox, Seeretar>- of State for the United States of America ... 7 Hon. Charles Xagel, Secretarj- of Commerce and Labor for the United States of America 7 Louis Canon-Legr.\nd, President of the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce 8 £mile Jottrand, General Secretary of the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce 8 Hon. Eugene X. Foss, Governor of Massachusetts 9 Hon. John F. Fitzgerald, Mayor of Boston 9 Joseph B. Russell, President Boston Chamber of Commerce 10 J.\MES A. McKiBBEN, Secretary Boston Chamber of Commerce 10 George S. Smith, Chairman Boston E.xecutive Committee ]() Robert J. Bottomly, Secretary Boston Executive Committee 10 Willi.aai H. Bain, Director of the Boston Chamber of Commerce; Member of Boston Executive Committee 11 Elmer J. Bli.ss, Chairman General Organizing Committee 11 John H. Fahey, Chairman Committee on Tour 11 Bernard J. Rothwell, Chainnan Committee on Entertainment 11 J.vMEs J. Storrow, Chairman Boston Honorary Committee 12 Prof. F. W. Taussig, Chainnan Committee on Program IJ J.oiEs T. Wetherald, Chairman Committee on Publicity 12 Robert Winsor, Chairman Committee on Finance 12 F. Faithfull Begg, Chairman of Council of London Chamber of Commerce .... 13 W. J. Thompson, London Chamber of Commerce 113 M. E. YoNKER, Chamber of Commerce and Industn,' of Amsterdam 1.3 T. Edward Wilder, Chicago .\ssociation of Commerce 13 Prof. Dr. Max .Vpt, Syndic of "Die .\ltesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin". ... 11 Dr. Alf. Georg, Vice-President of Chamber of Commerce of Geneva, Switzerland . . 14 EucfeNE .Allard, President Belgian Chamber of Commerce of Paris 14 Charles S. Haight, New York, X. Y 14 Wilbur J. Carr, Director American Consular Service l.j Prof. Irving Fisher, Yale University 15 Dr. Soetbeer, General Secretarj' of "Der Deut.scher Handelstag," Berhn 15 Dr. Max von Tayenthal, First Secretarj' Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vienna 15 Hon. John Barrett, Director-General of the Pan-American Union 18 H. E. F. A. Pezet, Minister of Peru, Washington, D. C; Delegate of Commercial .\.s- sociations of Lima and Callao 18 vii viii INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF OPPOSITE PAGE H. E. Dr. Carlos Maria de Pena, Minister of Uruguay, Washington, D. C; Delegate of Uruguay 18 H. E. Antonio Martin Rivero, Minister of Cuba, Washington, D. C. ; Delegate of Cuba 18 Manuel Jacintiio Ferreira da Cunha, Consul General of Brazil, New York, N. Y. . 19 Count Candido de Mendes de Almeida, Director Commercial Museum of Rio de Janeiro 19 Pedro Rafael Rincones, Consul General of Venezuela, New York, N. Y 19 Adolfo Ballivian, Consul General of Bolivia, New York, N. Y 19 Dr. Leonard Uochdorf, Secretarj' to the Austrian Mini.stry of Commerce 22 Dr. Edmund Kunosi, Assistant Secretary Hungarian Ministry of Commerce .... 22 Vicen'te Gonzales, Ecuador 22 Ramon Arias-Feraud, Panama 22 Dr. Abel Pardo, Consul General of Argentina, New York, N. Y 23 Ricardo S.4.NCHEZ Crcz, Consul General of Chile, New York, N. Y 23 Horace N. Fisher, Consul of Chile, Boston, Mass 23 Dr. Jorge Vargas, Consul of Columbia, Boston, Mass 23 Delegates at one of the Official Sessions 26 Special Editions op the "Boston Chamber of Commerce News" 26 Group of Delegates from British Empire Sailing from Boston 27 Group op Delegates from Japan 27 Group of Delegates in Front of the Copley Plaza Hotel 28 Group of Delegates at the Thomas G. Plant Shoe Factory, September 27, 1912 29 Group of Delegates at Home of Ex-Mayor James Logan, Worcester, Mass., September 30, 1912 34 DiNN-EB OP Members of Cosmopolitan Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1912 34 Delegates at Factory of Packard Motor Company, Detroit, Michigan ... 35 Luigi Solari, President Italian Chamber of Commerce of New York 38 Charles C. Hoyt, President New England Shoe and Leather Association 38 Dr. W. p. Wilson, Director Philadelphia Commercial Museum 38 John H. Patterson, President National Cash Register Company 38 Dinner by Foreign Delegates in Honor of Boston Chamber of Commerce, New York City, October 19, 1912 39 Bird's-Eye View of Boston 40 Copley Plaza Hotel, Copley Square, Boston, Headquarters of Fifth International Congress 41 Boston Public Library, Copley Square 41 Steamship Docks at East Boston 42 Head House, Commonwealth Pier, South Boston 42 Fishing Fleet at T Wharf, Boston 43 State Bathhouse at Revere in Metropolitan Boston 43 Plant of the Waltham Watch Company in Metropolitan Boston 44 Plant of the Thomas G. Plant Shoe Company, Boston 44 Plant op the United Shoe Machinery Company 45 Wood Worsted Mills at Lawrence 45 Hall op the Boston Symphony Orchestra 46 Boston Opera House 46 Harvard Medical School, Boston 47 Boston Museum of Fine Arts 47 West Boston Bridge to Cambridge 48 Street Railway Terminal at Forest Hills, Boston 48 Public G.utDENs in the Center of Boston 49 COMMON^-EALTH A\'ENUE, BoSTON 49 CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ix OPPOSITE PAGE Massachusetts State House, Boston 50 State Street, Boston, Showing Old State House 50 South Terminal Railroad Station, Boston 51 Union Station, Worcester 51 McKinley Monument, Buffalo 52 Niagara Falls 52 View of the Lake Front, Chicago 53 Portion of the Chicago Stock-yards 53 View of the River Front, Detroit 56 View from the Ohio Rn'ER, Cincinnati 56 The Capitol, Washington, D. C 57 White House, Washington, D. C 57 The Sky Line of Pittsburgh 58 Independence H.all, Philadelphia 58 The Skyscrapers of Lower New York 59 Three of the Bridges to Brooklyn, New York 59 Official Photograph of Delegates to Fifth International Congress of Cham- bers OF Commerce in Front of Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, September 25, 1912 306 VcoiiSct^l uf Utc Pcrmonct-jt (^cmmitfcc X>flrciati' <^o <^hc iffhWetmationalMonarejSisJ V of€bmtnertt ^^^^te ttnifeb jStafejf of JImfrura,€he CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 7 delegates. The Executive Committee having charge of the arrangements of this Congress was appointed from the London Chamber of Commerce and had as its Chairman, Charles Charleton, Esq., Vice-President of the London Chamber of Commerce. The Fifth Congress was held in Boston September 24, 25 and 26, 1912. The invitation to hold the Fifth Congress in Boston was extended to the Lon- don Congress by the Boston Chamber of Conunerce and ninety-eight other commercial organizations representing all parts of New England. During the smnnier of 1911 the Boston Chamber of Commerce arranged for a party of one hundred American business men to tour some of the principal countries of Europe for the purpose of extending a formal invitation to the governments and commercial organizations of the countries visited to send representatives to the Boston Congress. From the outset the project of holchng the Fifth Congress at Boston received the hearty support of the Government of the United States, as well as of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston. On January 29, 1912, resolutions extending the goverimiental recognition to the Congress and providing that official invitations be extended by the Government of the United States were introduced into the Senate of the United States by Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, and into the House of Representatives by Congressman Peters of Boston. These resolutions were passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President of the United States in the following form: JOINT RESOLUTION. 62d Congress, 2d Session. "Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized and requested to extend to Governments of the coimnercial nations of the world an invitation to be represented officially at the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce and Commercial and Industrial Associations, to be held in Boston, Massachusetts, September twenty-fourth to twenty-eight, nineteen hundred and twelve. That the Secretary of State is hereby requested to ask the Govern- ments of the commercial nations of the world to notify the leading business organizations of their respective countries of this action by the Congress of the United States of America and suggest their co-opexation." Official invitations were also passed by the Legislature of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts and by the City Government of Boston. Honorable Williimi H. Taft, President of the United States, headed the American Hon- orary Connnittee, under whose auspices the Congress was held, and was the principal speaker at the official dinner to all the delegates. The Vice-Presidents of the American Honorary Committee included the Secretary of State, the 8 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Secretary of Commerce and Labor, as well as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the Chairman of the House Co mm ittee on Foreign Affairs. The American Honorary Committee included in its mem- bership the diplomatic representatives in the United States of the principal commercial nations, the governors of forty-seven of the states of the Union, the presidents of the principal commercial organizations of the entire country, and about fifty of the business and industrial leaders of the nation. The Boston Honorary Committee comprised a notable list of the leaders in com- merce and industry of Metropolitan Boston. The official sessions of the Con- gress were opened by Honorable Charles Nagel, Secretary of Commerce and Labor for the United States of America. Thirty-three governments officially appointed delegates to the Boston Congress. Three hundred and twenty com- mercial organizations in 48 countries were represented. There were altogether in attendance 780 delegates from 55 countries. MEMBERSHIP The delegates to these Congresses are of two classes: first, the official dele- gates designated to attend the Congresses by the governments of the leading commercial nations; second, the delegates appointed by the business organiza- tions of the world which are affiliated with the Congress. In the case of the five Congresses already held the govenmient of the coun- try in which the Congress is to meet has extended official invitations to the other governments of the world to appoint delegates to the Congress and thus extend their official recognition. Government delegates take precedence at the official sessions. Commercial and industrial organizations in any nation in the world are welcome to membership in the Congress. In order to help defray the expenses of the Permanent Committee and the Permanent Headquarters at Brussels each affiliated organization pays a yearly subscription of fifty francs. This annual fee entitles the affiliated organization to name three delegates to each Congress. For each additional delegate which an organization may desire to send to a Congress, an additional fee of twenty francs is payable. Individual members of an affiliated business organization may be admitted to the Con- gress as particii^ants upon a pa>Tnent of a fee of twenty francs. Only delegates, however, arc entitled to vote in the deliberations of a Congress. There are at present 480 commercial organizations in fifty coimtries affiliated with the Permanent Committee at Brussels and thus entitled to participate in the International Congresses of Chambers of Commerce.' 1 For list of affiliated organizations, sec Appendix, jiagc 117. r- - a* r t e - = a CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE PERMANENT COMMITTEE In order to give continuity to the work it was determined at the Li^ge Congress to organize a Permanent Committee. This Committee is composed of not more than three regular members and three alternates from each coun- try. The mcml)ers of the Permanent Connnittee are chosen by a vote of the delegates to a Congress from each of the different comitries represented and hold office for two years or until the time of the meeting of the succeeding Congress. In countries where there is a national federation of chambers of commerce or commercial and industrial associations the delegates to a Congress may yield to such a national organization the right to choose the members of the Permanent Committee from that country. The Permanent Committee decides upon the place at which the next Con- gress is to be held in the event of the previous Congress not having done so. The duties of the Permanent Conmiittee also include the making of arrange- ments for the meetings and the carrying out of the decisions of the Congress. An official program of topics to be discussed at the official sessions of each Congress is determined by the Permanent Conmiittee. Each affiliated organiza- tion is requested to forward to the Permanent Committee any questions which it may desire to have included in the official program, together with a report giving the essential facts with regard to each question. The Permanent Com- mittee gives careful consideration and makes an investigation of all topics sug- gested and places upon the official program all those which are decided to be of sufficient international importance. For each topic placed upon the order of the day the Permanent Committee designates a reporter. Each reporter prepares a report upon his topic, and this report is printed in various languages and mailed to all affiliated commercial organizations and nominated delegates in advance of the Congress. At the sessions of the Congress the reporter opens the discussion by briefly summarizing the report which has been previously printed and distributed. The discussion is then thrown open to any delegate or participant. After the discussion of the topics upon the order of the day a vote of the Congress is generally taken. If the vote taken by the Congress calls for defi- nite action it then becomes the duty of the Permanent Committee to take steps to make the decision effective. This is taken either by interesting some government to call a diplomatic conference of nations to consider the matter in question or by entering into negotiations directly with the different govern- ments in regard to it. The Permanent Committee has obtained its most notable successes by interesting governments to call diplomatic conferences for the purpose of securing international co-operative action among the nations in har- mony with the opinion expressed by the Congress. The Permanent Committee has succeeded in this way in enlisting the support of five govenmients in ar- ranging for diplomatic conferences of nations. The governments which have called such conferences and the topics considered at them are as follows: Hoi- 10 IXTERXATIONAL CONGRESS OF land, on Uniformity of Legislation on Bills of Exchange; Belgium, on Uni- formity in Customs Statistics; Switzerland, on a Fixed International Calendar antl a Permanent Day for Easter; Italy, on the Organization and Institution of a Program for an International ^laritime Union; and Germany, on the Regulation of International Expositions. Pending any further decision of the matter by the Congress, the head- quarters of the Permanent Committee are located at Brussels, where the present office is at 10 rue de la Tribune. CONCLUSION In all countries the relations bet^A'een commercial organizations which are affiliated with the International Congress and the governments have always been of an extremely cordial nature. The interest taken in the work of the Con- gress bj' business men of the highest standing of various nationalities together with the official recognition vouchsafed b}' the governments of the leading commercial nations have made possible the bringing about of many very benefi- cial results affecting international commerce. The decisions of the Congress in the matter of the topics discussed at its official sessions receive everj-where the most serious consideration. Beyond this, however, the bringing together of so many business leaders from practicallj" every nation of the globe and the intimate and cgrdial per- sonal relationships which are thus engendered constitute a powerful agency in the promotion of international understanding. And it is mutual understand- ing that forms the firmest basis for international friendship and good will. These great international commercial gatherings form one of the most potent forces at work in the world to-day in the promotion of the cause of international peace. They exemplifj' and promote in a practical way the motto expressed at the opening of the Liege Congress, "Conmaerce is Peace." programs of tfje CongrcSfiesi The importance and wide variety of the subjects discussed by these great international commercial gatherings can be judged from the programs of the five Congresses already held. FIRST CONGRESS The First Congress considered the following questions: International Arbitration (extension of the powers of The Hague Arbi- tration Court with the object of preventing war and the incalculable loss caused thereby, not only to the belligerents, but to all commercial nations). Chambers of Commerce (advisability of Chambers of Commerce being organized in every country). I'ltolo hy .\fiirciitu, lioslun CJEORGE S. SMITH C'hairiiiaii Hoston Executive ( 'niiiniittee \ •ilmnn, lioslon JOSEPH U. KLSSELL President IJostici Cliainher of ( ■oiiiiiieree ROHEKI' .1. HOTTOMI.V .lAMES A. M.KIHHE.N' •retary Hi)>ti.M i;\.ruti\r ( '< itimiit tc c Si.ritar.\- H.i~tipii ( ■liaiiil)er of C'oiniiiorce MEMBERS OF BOSTON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ' KLMEIt J. ULIS.S Chairman General Organizing Committee BERNAK1> J. HOTHW 1:1,1. Chairman Committee on Entertainment /■hijlii, l.ni, hy 1:. cnUkirlng ,I»)11X H. FAHEY WILLIAM II. HAIN Chairman Committee on Tour Director of the Hoston Chamber of Commerce MEMBERS OF BOSTON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAiMBERS OF COMMERCE 11 Chambers of Commerce (establishment in all Chambers of Commerce of Committees on Imports, Exports, Transports, Industrial Legislation and Com- mercial Education). Commercial Federations (establishment of such in all countries of the world, and the publication, by each, of a periodical to contain minutes and general information). Chambers of Commerce (advisability of records of the deliberations of Chambers of Commerce being interchanged). Chambers of Commerce (desirability of issuing a complete exposition of Chamber of Commerce organization and of the federations formed by them). SECOND CONGRESS The Second Congress considered the following questions: Postal Reform (reduction of ordinary letter postage and that for printed matter, samples, etc., uniformity in conditions and rules, suppression of the surtax in cases of insufficient postage on letters). Telephonic Service (institution of a Universal Telephone Union on the lines adopted by the Universal Postal and Telegraph Unions). International Law relating to Bills of Exchange (the adoption of a univer- sal law). International Arbitration (recognition of arbitration awards by foreign Governments). Maritime Routes (constitution of an International Maritime Union, with a permanent executive). Regulations for Exhibitions (creation of permanent committees in each comitry to be federated as an international organization). Customs Statistics (uniform classification for all countries). Co-operation iDetween Consulates and Chambers of Commerce. THIRD CONGRESS The Third Congress considered the following questions: International Law of Bills of Exchange (proposal of the Dutch Govern- ment to convene an International Conference for the purpose of preparing a scheme of uniform international legislation). Customs Formalities (reduction to what is strictly necessary and interna- tional uniformity therein). Customs Statistics (proposal of the Belgian Government to invite the chiefs of the customs departments of the various nations to a conference, in order to secure international uniformity). Varial)ility of the Date of Easter. Harmonization of Commercial Customs. Regulations governing Exhibitions (reiteration of previous resolution). 12 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS International Maritime Union (proposal of the Italian Government to found such an organization, draft program of the matters which might be considered by such an organization). Political Economy (institution of chairs of International Commercial Poli- tics at the universities, technical schools, etc., where not already in existence). FOURTH CONGRESS The Fourth Congress considered the following questions: Establishment of a Fixed Date for Easter. Unification and simplification of the Gregorian Calendar. Direct Representation of Commerce and Industry at ofl&cial conferences and international economic congresses. Development of Postal Unions and of the European Postal Union. Unification of the Law regarding Checks. Enforcement of Judgments (and Arbitration Awards) pronounced in for- eign countries. Advisability of all countries adhering to the Convention of Madrid, which deals with the suppression of false marks of origin on goods. Methods of Valuation for the compilation of Customs Statistics. FIFTH CONGRESS The Fifth Congress considered the following questions : The Establishment of a Fixed Date for Easter, and the reform of the Calen- dar. Ptcgulation of International Expositions. The Establishment of an International Court of Arbitral Justice for suits between individuals and foreign States. The Unification of Legislation relating to Checks. International Postal Reforms in view of the next conference of the Univer- sal Postal Union in 1913. Commercial Statistics and the immediate institution of an International Office. The desirability of an international conference upon the validation of Through-order-notify Bills of Lading, and of legislation and other means for making the system more effective. The desirability of international uniformity of action in the matter of Consular Invoices. The desirability of an international conference on Prices and the Cost of Living. Arbitral Jurisdiction over all matters. JAME8 J. STUKHoW Chairman Boston Honorary Conunittee UDHKRT WINSOK Chairman Committee on Finance t'h'titj hy .\iii'rifl7l rin'i. 1. w. TALssic; Chairman Committee on ProRram jAMKs T. \vi:thi:kald Chairman Committee on Pul)licity MEMBERS OF BOSTON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE J-. lAiTiii TLL i5i:(;(; Chairman of Couiii-il of London Chamber of ( "ominorce W. J. TIIOMl'SU.X London Chanjbcr of Commerce M. K. V().\Ki:i{ ("liainlicr of ( 'oninicrcc and Industry of Anisterfltmi T. i:i)\\ \in) \\ii.I)i:h ChictiHo Association of ("oinnicrce MEMBERS OF PERMANENT COMMITTEE aictfi; anb lACSioliitionsi of tije JJogton Consrc£;s September 24, 25 and 2G, 1912. I. The Establishment of a Fixed Date for Easter and a Uniform Calendar Resolution: The Congress renews the resolution which it passed at the preceding session in London in 1910 in favor of the establishment of a fixed date for Easter and of a uniform calendar. II. An International Court of Arbitral Justice for Suits between Individuals and Foreign States Resolution : The Congress desires to record its opinion in favor of the creation of an international court of arbitral justice for suits between individuals and foreign States. It would be grateful to the Government of the United States if the latter would take the ini- tiative in calling a conference for this purpose. ni. The Unification of Legislation relating to Checks Resolution: The Congress is of the opinion that the unification of the laws relating to checks is desirable. The Congress recom- mends to its members to organize a committee composed of one delegate from each country, which shall meet at London and prepare a report upon this question for consideration at the next Congress. rV. International Postal Reforms Resolution: The Congress requests the Permanent Committee to call to the attention of the L'niversal Postal Union the postal re- forms formulated in the following propositions: 1. The rate fixed by the Universal Postal Union for the car- riage of letters shall be reduced from 25 centimes to 10 centimes, that is, to the tariff rate for domestic postage. This tariff rate shall be collected by the weight or fraction of the weight of 20 grams throughout the extent of the Postal Union, the weight being cal- culated by the metric system. 13 14 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF 2. The States subscribing to the Universal Postal Convention of 190G, which, by virtue of item III of the final protocol of this agreement, have retained the limits of weight and the rates of the preceding postal agreement, shall renounce this exceptional prac- tice. 3. In international postage the additional charge collected by the postal service for the absence or insufficiency of postage on ar- ticles of letter mail shall be fixed uniformly at 5 centimes. 4. The postal administrations of the States belonging to the Universal Union shall deliver to the addressees all sealed letters which come to them from abroad, even when the exterior of the letter does not conform to the postal regulations of the country of destination. 5. The provision of Article 55 of the Universal Postal Convention I, reading that samples of merchandise must have no merchantable value, shall be repealed. The limit of weight for samples shall be raised to 500 grams. G. For postal parcels the limit of weight shall be raised from 5 to 10 kilograms. By way of exception, the States of the Postal Union whose domestic regulations forbid the sending of postal par- cels of more than 5 kilograms may maintain this limit of weight. 7. The Universal Postal Convention shall establish a special category for postal parcels of a maximum weight of 1 kilogram, which, in consideration of a special rate, shall be shipped by a more rapid route. 8. The Universal Postal Convention shall impose upon the States of the Union a reasonable period for the delivery of postal parcels varying according to the country of destination, beyond which the postal achninistrations shall be responsible. 9. The administrations signing the agreement concerning postal parcels shall be bound to accept the parcels at the value declared. 10. The rate for business papers shall be fixed as for printed matter at 5 centimes for each 50 grams or fraction thereof (with- out minimum rate). 11. The acceptance of packages for collection on delivery shall be obligatory for all the countries of the Postal Union. 12. The postal service is responsible for packages sent subject to collection on delivery which it has delivered without having col- lected the amount of the charge. I I'Kor. DK. MAX APT DR. ALF. cnOORC Syndic of " Die Altestcn dcr Kaufniaiiiiscluift \'i(e-Presidont of Chanilxr of foiniiKrcc of von licrlin" (Ij'iicva, Switzerland i;r(;i;M: allaud I'njiidfnt IJi-lgian Chanilwr <<( ' '■>miii<' of Paria OFFICIAL REPORTERS ( HAULKS S. HAIGHT Xfw York, X. V. WILBUR J. CARIl PKOF. IHVIXC FISHER Director American Consular Service Yale University OFFICIAL REPORTERS DR. SOETBEER General Secretary of " Deutsdier Ilamlels- taK," Berlin DR. .NU\X VOX TAVI.XTHAL First Secri-tary f "lianit)er of Conimeree and In- iliistrv, X'ienna MEMBERS OF PERMANENT COMMITTEE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 15 V. Commercial Statistics and the Immediate Institution of an International Offiice The Congress: Recognizing the initiative taken by the Belgian Government in bringing together at Brussels on September 19, 1910, delegates of twenty-two States to seek for the means of introducing more harmony and unity in the tables of exchanges of the commerce of the whole world ; Approving the decision taken at that conference to have estab- lished for each one of these States in addition to its own commercial statistics a common nomenclature under which may be grouped all merchandise imported or exported under the heading of both weight and value; Expresses the wish that this common nomenclature may appear with the briefest possible delay in the statistical tables of the govern- ments represented at the conference, and hopes that the Belgian Govermnent may be willing to continue its co-operation for the realization of this program; Approves the proposition made at the Brussels Conference for the creation of an international bureau of commercial statistics for the purpose of centralizing information under all useful headings to give to the commerce of the whole world an annual summary, and as soon as possible, a semi-annual sununary and eventually, a monthly summary of the commercial movements of the different countries of the globe, arranged in conformit}- with the grouping of merchandise adopted by the aforesaid conference; Adopts the resolution that the Belgian Government invite without delay all the States to conclude a convention assuring the execution of the projected works. VT. Through-order-notify Bills of Lading The Congress approves the resolution now pending in the Con- gress of the United States for establishing the liability of carriers on bills of lading issued by their agents in international shipments. The Congress views with satisfaction the system of a Central Bureau for the validation of bills of lading in international trans- actions. The Congress refers to the Permanent Committee the consid- eration of an international conference for the purpose of promoting uniformity in the laws governing the liability of international carriers. 16 IXTERXATIOXAL CONGRESS Vn. Consular Invoices The Congress approves in principle the proposal for the unifor- mity of consular invoices, and recommends to the interested States for their consideration the form of consular invoice prepared bj' the Fourth Conference of the Pan-American Union. The Congress approves the recommendation for moderate con- sular fees and their strict limitation to amounts necessary to cover the cost of the consular service. VIII. The High Cost of Living The Congress approves the proposition of convoking an interna- tional congress on the question of the high cost of living, its increase, its causes, its results and the measures and remedies possible to improve the situation. The Congress transmits the project and report of the Hunga- rian National Commercial Association for the miiform compila- tion of statistics of prices to the Permanent Connnitte with the view of its taking it under consideration and referring it eventually to an international conference. IX. Arbitral Jurisdiction over all Matters The Congress affirms its desire to see convene, as soon as pos- sible, official international conferences which will assure between nations the existence of arbitral jurisdiction conceived in the widest sense of the term, and of a nature to assure an equitable solution of all international disputes either between individuals of different States or between the States themselves. The Congress declares its adherence to the principle of a combi- nation of nations, when and where possible, to endeavor to prevent the atrocities of war. (Official ^egsiionsi at JSofiton September, 24, 25 and 26, 1912 FIRST SESSION Tuesday INIorning The first official session of the Congress was opened by George S. Smith,* Chairman of the Boston Executive Committee, President of the Boston Chamber of Commerce in 1911, who extended a hearty welcome to the delegates. He introduced Hon. Charles Nagel,- Secretary of Commerce and Labor for the United States, who extended to the delegates a welcome on behalf of the Gov- ernment of the United States of America. Other welcomes followed. His Excellency Governor Eugene N. Foss^ spoke for the Commonwealth of ]\Iassa- ehusetts; Hon. John F. Fitzgerald •* for the City of Boston; President Harry A. Wheeler,^ of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, for the com- mercial organizations of the United States. Edward A. Filene,® Vice-President of the International Congress, and a former director of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, extended his welcome and introduced Louis Canon-Legraxd," President of the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, who responded for the delegates. Then began the first official session of the Congress. President Louis Canon-Legrand presented the opening report upon the first topic: "The establishment of a fixed date for Easter and the reform of the calendar."* He called attention to the fact that at the instance of the Per- manent Committee the Government of Switzerland had taken the initiative in bringing about an official international conference upon this subject. He further called attention to the fact that in June, 1912, the Congress of Cham- bers of Connnerce of the British Empire had unanimously passed a resolution upon this subject. The question of calendar reform was discussed by F. Faith- ' For text of address of Chairman Smith, see Appendix, page 131. ' For text of addre.is of Secretan* Xagel, see Appendix, page 132. ' For text of address of Governor Foss, see Appendix, page 134. * For text of a* For text of address of Mr. Fraser, see Appendix, page 161. " For text and translation of address of Dr. Varjassy, see Appendix, page 162. " For text and translation of address uf Mr. AUard, see Appendix, page 165. " For text of address of Mr. Pozzi, see Appendix, page 168. HON". .lolIX HAHRETT 1 >ircctur-( iciifial of tlir I':iii-Ainorif;in I'liicin II. i;. r Pliiilu l>v Harris A- h'li iii<; \. i>i:zi:t Miiiistrr of I'lTii, \\ :i>liiimtoii, 1). ('.; 1 );:itc of conimcii-ial associiitioiis of Liiii:i ami Callao ■ ' 'fV H'trri.1 A- Eirintj H. K. 1)I{. CARLOS MARIA DK PKN.V Minister of rniKiiay, \\ 'a.-^liiriKtoii, D.C; Government Delegate of Uruguay fhnin by Harris ■<• hUrlng II. v.. ANTONIO MARTIN" RIVKRO Minister of C'ulia, WasliiuKton. U. C; (Jovern- nicnt Delegate of C'ul)a MANUEL JACIXTHO FERREIRA DA CUXHA Consul (Jciieral of Briizil, New York, N. Y. COUNT CAXDII)(^ DE MENDES DE ALMEIDA Director Coniiiicnial Museum of Rio de Janeiro J'holu hu Campbell siudlu, X. Y, I'l.DRO RAFAEL RINCONES ADOLFO ]}ALLIVL\N Consul General of Venezuela, New York, X. Y. Consul General of liolivia, Xew York, N. Y. GOVERNMENT DELEGATES i#' CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 19 Lawrence V. Benet^^ of the American Chamber of Commerce of Paris urged the adoption of a resolution to include the arbitration of suits between individuals of different countries. Edwin D. Mead^^ of Boston urged the consideration of the question of arbitration between the goverimients of different nations and submitted the follo\ving resolution: "The Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, representing the great interests of industry and commerce which are increasing so rapidly the interdependence of nations and demand so imperatively for their advance- ment and prosperit}^ the peace and order of the world, urges the commercial organizations of all countries to earnest efforts for the widest extension of ar- bitration to the settlement of international disputes and for the earliest pos- sible establishment of the Court of Arbitral Justice provided for by the last Hague Conference." This resolution was supported by Edwin Ginn'^" and Samuel B. Capen^^ of Boston and Frank D. La Lanne- of Philadelphia, and was discussed at length. The Congress went on record in favor of the resolution proposed by Dr. Apt. The President of the Congress ruled that the other two resolutions were not admissible for action by the Congress as amendments to the second question on the order of the day, but were really new questions not on the order of the day, and therefore would have to be referred to the Permanent Committee to be considered for the program of the next Congress. The exact meaning of this ruling was discussed with the President by Bernard J. Shoninger and William J. Thomas of the American Chamber of Commerce of Paris.^ THIRD SESSION Wednesday Morning The third session was opened by a statement in English of Vice-President FiLENE^* explaning the ruling of the President at the conclusion of the second session. This was discussed by Bernard J. Shoninger^^ and explained in German by Dr. Soetbeer,-^ General Secretary of "Der Deutscher Handelstag" of Berlin. The President then called attention to the fact that members of the Permanent Committee were elected by the delegates of the various countries " For text of address of Mr. Benet, sec Appendix, page 170. " For text of address of Mr. Mead, see Appendix, page 171. " For text of address of Mr. Ginn, see Appendix, page 172. ^' For text of address of Mr. Capen, see Api)cndix, page 175. ** For text of address of Mr. La Lanne, see Appendix, page 17G. " For text of discussion between the President and Messrs. Shoninger and Thomas, see Appendix, pages 177-183. ■* For statement of Vice-President Filene, see Appendix, page 185. " For statement of Mr. Shoninger, see .Vppcndix, page 186. ^ For text and translation of statement of Dr. Soetbeer, see Appendix, page 187. 20 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF represented at the Congress, with the exception of those countries where there exists a national federation of chambers of commerce, to which this right can be granted. Prof. Dr. Max Apt of Berhn presented his report upon the third subject in the order of the day: "The unification of legislation relating to checks."-^ The principal speakers upon this question besides Dr. Apt were Dr. Candido DE Mendes de Almeida 2^ of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; EugJine Allard-'-' of Paris; Charles Christophe'" of Ghent; F. Faithfull Begg'^ of London; and Max Richter^- of Berlin, General discussion followed which was par- ticipated in by delegates from many countries.^^ The Congress went unani- mously on record in favor of the desirability of unification of the laws relating to checks. The second part of the resolution offered by Dr. Apt was as follows: "A necessary complement to the creation of a universal law on bills of exchange and checks is the creation of a high court at The Hague which will de- cide as a court of last appeal controversies regarding questions involving the universal law of bills of exchange and checks." This second proposition was not adopted as a resolution by the Congress. This session ended by a vote of the Congress requesting that all motions should be repeated in three languages, — French, EngUsh and German.'^ FOURTH SESSION Wednesday Afternoon At the opening of the fourth session on Wednesday afternoon it was agreed that the fourth topic on the order of the day with reference to Postal Reforms should go over until Thursday morning. Eugene Allard then presented his official report upon the fifth topic: "Commercial statistics and the immediate institution of an international office." ^^ This topic was discussed by W. M. Hays,^^ Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for the United States, R. S. Fraser^' 2' For text and translation of the report of Dr. Apt ujjon the unification of legislation relating to checks, see Appendix, page 190. 2* For text and translation of Dr. Almeida, see Appendix, page 204. " For text and translation of address of Mr. Allard, see Appendix, page 210. " For text and translation of address of Mr. Christophe, see Appendix, page 212. " J^or text of address of Mr. Bcgg, see Appendix, page 214. " For text and translation of address of Mr. Ilichter, see Appendix, page 216. ^ For general discussion of the unification of legislation relating to checks, see Appen- dix, pages 217-221. " For discussion of the need of the statement of the votes in the difTercnt languages, see Appendix, pages 222-230. " For text and translation of the report of Mr. Allard on commercial statistics, see Ap- pendix, page 231. " For text of address of Assistant Secretary Hays, see Appendix, page 233. " For text of address of Mr. Fraser, see Appendix, page 235. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 21 of London, Dr. Soetbeer'^ of Berlin and B. J. Shoninger'' of Paris. The Congress unanimously went on record in approval of the initiative taken by the Belgian Government in bringing together an international conference upon this subject at Brussels in 1910, and expressed the wish that the Belgian Gov- ernment should invite without delay all States to conclude a convention assuring uniform international commercial statistics and the immediate insti- tution of an international office. Charles S. Haight of New York then presented his official report upon the sixth topic of the order of the day: "The desirability of an international con- ference upon the validation of through-order-notify bills of lading, and of legislation and other means for making the system more effective."^" This sub- ject was discussed by Samuel E. Piza"*^ of Costa Rica. The Congress went on recortl in approval of the legislation on this matter now pending in the Congress of the United States and referred to the Permanent Committee the consideration of the question of an international conference to promote uniformity in the laws governing the liability of international carriers. FIFTH SESSION Thursday Morning The fifth session opened with the presentation by Alfred Georg of Geneva, Switzerland, of his report upon the fourth topic on the order of the day: "In- ternational postal reforms in view of the next conference of the Universal Postal Union in 1913." ■'^ This topic was discussed by Hugo Manes" of the Association of Export Houses, Frankfort-on-the-Main; Bernard J. Shon- INGER^' of Paris; A. Barton Kent^^ of London; Eduardo Agusti^^ of Bar- celona; and Dr. C.\ndido de Mendes de Almeida*^ of Rio de Janeiro. The Congress adopted twelve specific propositions for postal reforms, and requested the Permanent Committee to call them to the attention of the Universal Postal Union. Thomas Sammons, American Consul General at Yokohama, Japan, pre- sented the official report prepared by Wilbur J. Carr, Director of the Ameri- can Consular Service, on "The desirability of international uniformitj' of action '* For text and tran-^lation of address of Dr. Soetbeer, see .\ppendi.\, page 236. " For text of address of Mr. Shoningcr, see Appendix, page 236. " For text of the report of Mr. Haight on through-order-notify bills of lading, see Appen- dix, page 239. " For text of address of Mr. Piza, see Appendix, page 241. " For text of report of Dr. Georg on postal rcform.s, see Appendix, page 245. ** For text and translation of address of Mr. Manes, see Appendix, page 253. ** For text of address of Mr. Shoninger, see Appendix, page 256. ** For text of aildrcss of Mr. Kent, see Appendix, page 256. *• For text of remarks of Mr. Agusti, see Appendix, page 257. " For text of remarks of Dr. Almeida, see Appendix, page 258. 22 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF in the matter of consular invoices."'*^ William C. Do\n'xs/^ an American exporter, presented a specially prepared supplementary report upon this topic. The question was further discussed by Dr. Edmund Kunosi,^" Assistant Secre- tary in the Royal Hungarian ISIinistrj^ of Commerce; Lawrence V. Benet^^ of the American Chamber of Commerce of Paris; Honorable John Barrett, ^- Director-General of the Pan-American Union; C. H. Catelli" of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce; C. D. Morton^* of the London Chamber of Com- merce; Dr. Soetbeer" of Berlin; Dr. A. Kiesselbach ^® of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce; Hugo Manes ^^ of Frankfort-on-the-Main; Paul Meyer^* of Nottingham; Joseph A. Leckie^^ of Walsall; His Excellency F. A. Pezet/° Minister of Peru at Washington; and Eugene Allard" of Paris. The Congress adopted resolutions in favor of uniform consular invoices and recommended for consideration the form of consular invoice prepared by the Fourth Conference of the Pan-American Union. It approved the recommen- dation for moderate consular fees and their limitation to amounts necessary to cover the cost of the consular service. On behalf of the Cuban delegation His Excellency Antonio Martin Riverg/^ Minister of Cuba at Washington, stood sponsor for these resolutions. Prof. Irving Fisher of Yale University presented the report upon the eighth topic of the order of the day: "The desirability of an international conference on prices and the cost of living." ^^ This question was discussed by Dr. Edmund Kunosi" of Budapest; C. H. Canby^^ of Chicago; Prof. F. W. Taussig®^ of Harvard University; F. W. Cook^^ of Dudley, England; and J. Pierson"^ of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce of Paris. The Con- gress approved the proposition of convoking an international conference on *8 For text of address of Mr. Sammons on consular invoices, see Appendix, page 260. *' For text of report of Mr. Downs on consular invoices, see Appendix, page 262. *" For text of address of Dr. Kunosi, see Appendix, page 261. '' For text of address of Mr. Benet, see Appendix, page 262. " For text of address of Director-General Barrett, see Appendix, page 267. " For text and translation of address of Mr. Catelli, see Appendix, page 268. " For text of address of Mr. Morton, see Appendix, page 269. ** For text and translation of address of Dr. Soetbeer, see Appendix, page 269. '• For text and translation of address of Dr. Kiesselbach, see Appendix, i>age 271. " For text and translation of address of Mr. Manes, see Appendix, page 271. '* For text of address of Mr. Mej'er, see Appendix, page 272. '' For tex-t of address of Mr. Leckie, see Appendix, page 272. •" For text of address of His Excellency F. A. Pezet, see Appendix, page 273. «* For text and translation of statement of Mr. AUard, see Appendix, page 273. " For statement of His Excellency A. M. Ilivero, see Appendix, page 274. ^ For text of report of Professor Fisher upon an international conference on the cost of living, see Appendix, page 274. ** For text of address of Dr. Kunosi, see Appendix, page 277. " For text of address of Mr. Canby, see Appendix, page 277. ** For text of address of Professor Taussig, see Appendix, page 278. " For text of address of Mr. Cook, see Appendix, page 278. " For text of address of Mr. Pierson, see Appendix, page 280. / ^^K -^ 1 ^J _ '1 ■ill i . 1 DH. LKoXHAHI) HOCHDORF Secretary to the Austrian Ministry of Commerce DR. KDMIXI) KIXOSI Assistant Secretary Hungarian Ministry of ("oinnierce VICKNTK (loNZALKS KAM<).\ ARIAS 1 KKAID Ecuador Panama GOVERNMENT DELEGATES I)H. AHKL PARDO Consul Goncial of Ar>;cntiiia, New York, X. Y. KK'AUDO SANCHEZ CRUZ Consul Cionoral of Chile, Now York, X. "i' lioRACK N. ri.xilKR UK. JORGE VARGAS ( nii.-ul of Cliili', Rostoii. Ma-s. Consul of Colombia, Hoston, Mass. GOVERNMENT DELEGATES J CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 23 the high cost of Uving, and transmitted the report of the Hungarian National Commercial Association for the harmonious compilation of statistics of prices to the Permanent Committee with a view of its taking it under consideration and referring it eventually to the proposed international conference. At the conclusion of this discussion Louis Canox-Legrand,*^ President of the Congress, presented a further resolution upon the topic of international arbitration which was as follows: "The Congress affirms its desire to see convened as soon as possible official international conferences, assuring between nations the existence of arliitral jurisdiction in the widest sense of the term and of a nature to assure an equi- table solution of all international controversies, either between individuals of dilTerent States, or between the States themselves. The Congress declares its adherence to the principle of a combination of nations when and where possible to endeavor to prevent the atrocities of war." This resolution was discussed by R. S. Fraser^" of London; Sir John E. Bingh.\m" of London; Frank D. La Laksb'- of Philadelphia; and Bernard J. Shoninger"' of Paris. It was unanimously adopted by the Congress. The question of the choice of the next place of meeting for the Congress was referred to the Permanent Committee for decision. Invitations were pre- sented from Barcelona, Spain; Geneva, Switzerland; Monaco; Amsterdam, Holland; Leipzig, Germany; and Lisbon, Portugal. In appreciation of the hospitality extended to the delegates, Louis Lazard '^ of Brussels proposed a contribution for the poor of Boston. The official sessions of the Congress concluded with expressions of appreciation for the welcome extended at Boston. On motion of Sir Joseph Lawrence of London, seconded by B. J. Shoninger of Paris, a cordial vote of thanks was extended to the Presi- dent of the Congress, Louis Canon-Legrand. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings Special Fifth International Congress editions of the "Boston Chamber of Commerce News" were published and delivered to the delegates before the start of the day's activities. In addi- tion to the running account of the different events, these issues contained a com- plete stenographic report of the official proceedings of the preceding day, and on Friday morning contained the stenographic report of the addresses delivered at the concluding banquet. •• For text of address of President Canon-Legrand on international arl>it ration, see Appendix, page 281. '" For text of address of Mr. Eraser, see Appendix, page 283. '' For text of address of Sir John E. Binghanf, see Appendix, page 2S J. " For text of addre.ss of Mr. La Lannc, see .ippendix, page 285. " For text of address of Mr. Shoninger, see .Vppcndix, page 285. ** For statement of Mr. Lazard, see .\ppcndix, page 287. Z\)t €bents; at ?Bos;ton The official sessions of the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce were held in the hall of the Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, September twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth and twenty- sixth. The greater part of the delegates arrived in Boston on Sunday and Monday, September twenty-second and twenty-third. The special trains, which took a goodly share of the delegates from abroad on a tour of some of the principal conmiercial and industrial centers of the United States departed from Boston on Monday morning, September thirtieth. Thus slightly more than one week was devoted to the official sessions and entertainment in Boston. The official headquarters and bureau of information were opened in the Copley Plaza Hotel on Sunday, September twenty-second. At the official headquarters there were constantly in attendance during the entire stay in Boston representatives of the various Boston committees, and a corps of secre- taries and interpreters entirely at the disposal of the delegates. During the days upon which the delegates were arriving, all the trains entering the city were boarded by representatives of the Boston committees at about the distance of one hour's journey from Boston. The representatives of the Boston commit- tees gave directions to the delegates on each train as to how to reach the offi- cial headquarters, and advised them specifically of the hotel reservations which had been secured for them by the Boston conmiittees. Delegates who were not informed of their hotel reservations in this manner were taken promptly to their hotels upon application at the bureau of information. In accordance with previous advices, all delegates were directed to proceed at once to official headquarters and register. During the first few days of the Congress 780 officially appointed delegates from 55 countries made their regis- tration at headquarters. This number included delegates officially accredited from the governments of 33 countries. Immediately upon registration each delegate was presented with a large folder. In this folder was a complete set in French, English and German of the reports prepared by the official reporters upon each subject upon the order of the day of the Congress, as well as the order of the day itself in the sixteen languages which the cosmopolitan character of the Congress made necessarj*. There were besides included a guide-book of Boston; a handsomely leather- bound book descriptive of the city, with the individual name of the delegate in- scribed upon the cover; a booklet of taxicab coupons for the use of the delegates 25 26 IXTERXATIOXAL CONGRESS OF in journeys about the city; cards admitting each delegate to at least three clubs; a small leather booklet containing armouncements and tickets to the offi- cial sessions and all entertainment events; booklets announcing the plans for Boston and for the tour; a booklet containing a list of the delegates, numbered in the order of the receipt of the announcement of their appointment; and a badge identifying the delegate by country' and number. Monday, September 23 At six o'clock on Monday evening all members of the Permanent Conunittee met at diimer with members of the Boston Executive Conmiittee, made and re- newed manj' personal acquaintanceships, and talked over the general outline of the plans for the official sessions. On Monday evening the Boston Chamber of Commerce tendered a formal reception to all the delegates and their ladies who accompanied them. This re- ception was held in the ball-room of the Copley Plaza Hotel from eight until ten o'clock. It was a social occasion such as has seldom taken place. There were in attendance over one thousand men and women representing practically everj- country on the globe. The guests were received in the foyer of the ball-room by President and Mrs. Joseph B. Russell of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, Chairman and ISIrs. George S. Smith of the Boston Executive Committee. Chairman and IMrs. James J. Storrow of the Boston Honorary Committer, Mayor and Mrs. John F. Fitzgerald of Boston, President and Mme. Louis Canox-Legrand of the International Congress, Vice-President EdwARD A. Filene of the International Congress, and Secretary and Mme. £mile Jott- RAND of the International Congress. For two hours the delegates mingled and became acquainted with each other as a preliminary to the week of business sessions and entertainment. In the great ball-room a buffet luncheon was ser\'ed. Tuesday, September 24 The official opening of the Congress took place at 10.30 a.m. Tuesday morn- ing in the ball-room of the Copley Plaza Hotel, which had been rearranged and fitted out for this purpose. The first official session lasted until half past twelve o'clock. Between the morning and afternoon sessions of the Congress the delegates were taken in special cars as the guests of the Boston Elevated Railway to Cambridge by way of the subway and viaduct. The delegates were served a buffet luncheon in the shops of the Company at Cambridge, and returned to Boston by way of the new Cambridge tmmel. During the morning session the visiting women were entertained by a com- mittee of women of Boston. They were taken on an automobile trip in DELEGAIKS AT O.NK OF Till': < )I1I( I \I. SKSSK iX.- SPECIAL i;niTIO\8 OF THE "BOSTON f'HAMHEK OF roMMERCE NEWS' GROUP OF DELEGATES FROM BRITISH EMPIRE SAILIXti FROM BOSTON GROIP OF DELEGATES FROM JAPAN ♦-• CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 27 motor cars through the Boston Fens, through Cambridge and by the Paul Revere route to Lexington and Concord. After the trip tlip whole party were the guests of Mrs. Joseph B. Russell, wife of tlie President of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, in her Cambridge home. The members of the Congress reassembled for the second official session at half past two in the afternoon and adjourned at five o'clock. In the evening the delegates and their wives and daughters assembled in Symphony Hall and listened to a concert by members of the Boston S}^nphony Orchestra led by Gustav Strube. The delegates enjoyed a most interesting program made up of selections from the composers of many countries. The delegates were seated at round tables on the floor of the hall and were served with light refreshments during the evening. In the galleries were members of the Boston Chamber of Commerce and their families. Wednesday, September 25 On Wednesday the third official session lasted from ten until one o'clock. Between the morning and afternoon sessions an official photograph of the delegates to the Congress was taken in front of the Copley Plaza Hotel. A temporary stand had been erected and on it were seated the something over seven hundred delegates who were present at the time the official photograph was taken. A copy of this photograph was presented to each delegate. From three until half past four o'clock was devoted to the fourth official session of the Congress. During Wednesday afternoon the ladies went by automobile for a visit to Wellesley College, where the party was received by Aliss Ellen F. Pendleton, its president. The visit to the college was followed by a reception in the Italian garden of the Walter Hunnewell estate. Earlier in the day many of the ladies went shopping and took luncheon at the Assembly Club. Another group went for an automobile ride through the Middlesex County towns, stopping on the return trip at the residence of Mr. James J. Storrow in Lincoln. In the evening there was no official function, the time being set apart for the opportunity of home, club and other intimate gatherings. At eight o'clock in the evening. Honorable John Barrett, the Director- General of the Pan-American Union, gave a dimicr at the Copley Plaza in honor of the delegates attending the Congress from the Latin-American countries, and Count Candido Mendes de Almeida, Editor of the "Jornal do Bra.sil" of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. About seventy guests sat down at round tables in the small ball-room. Mr. Barrett stated that he entertained these delegates in his capacity as the executive officer of the Pan-American Union, an inter- national organization maintained at Washington l)y all the American Repub- lics for the purpose of developing conmierce, friendship and peace among them. At the American House there was held an informal reunion and dinner by 28 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF many of those who made the European tour arranged by the Boston Chamber of Commerce in 1911, together with those delegates whom they met on their journey. Thursday, September 26 The fifth and concluding official session opened on Thursday morning at about ten o'clock and adjourned at twenty minutes past one. In the evening the Congress concluded its official sessions at a great dinner to the President of the United States and all delegates to the Congress in the banquet hall of the Copley Plaza Hotel. Over one thousand men from all parts of the world were seated at the tables for the dinner. The reception started at 6.30 P.M. and each delegate was given an opportunity to meet Honorable William H. Taft, President of the United States. The dinner began promptly at 7.30 P.M. President Joseph B. Russell^ of the Chamber of Commerce pre- sided. The speakers were: On behalf of the United States, Hon. William H. Taft,- President of the United States; on behalf of the Commonwealth of ]\Ias- sachusetts, Hon. Eugene N. Foss,^ Governor of Massachusetts; and on behalf of the City of Boston, Hon. John F. Fitzgerald,^ IMa^'or of Boston. On behalf of our distinguished guests, M. Louis Canon-Legrand,^ President of the Per- manent Committee and President of the Fifth International Congress of Cham- bers of Commerce; Grand Uff. Angelo Salmoiraghi,^ President of the Milan Chamber of Commerce, representing the hosts of the Milan Congress; and Mr. F. Faithfull Begg,' Chairman of the Council of the London Chamber of Com- merce, representing the hosts of the London Congress. This great dinner in honor of the President of the United States and the delegates, while closing their routine work, was the opening event of the festivities on the eve of the tour of some of the great industrial centers of this country. It brought to a magni- ficent close the business of the International Congress when the President of the United States congratulated the members upon their work in the sessions, and extended to the visitors a welcome to the country at large on behalf of the people, the government and the Congress of the United States. Friday, September 27 Before nine o'clock on Friday morning two hundred automobiles belonging to members of the Boston Chamber of Commerce were lined up in Copley Square. Filled with delegates and members of the Boston Chamber of Com- 1 For full text of address of President Russell of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, see Appendix, page 291. 2 For full text of address of President Taft, see Appendix, page 291. ' For full text of address of Governor Foss, see Appendix, page 293. * For full text of address of Mayor Fitzgerald, see Appendix, page 295. ' For full text and translation of address of President Canon-Legrand of the Inter- national Congress, see Apjiendix, page 298. ' For full text of address of Grand UfT. Salmoiraghi, see Appendix, page 300. ' For full text of address of Mr. Begg, see Appendix, page 301. ^ CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 29 merce they left a few at a time from half past nine until half past ten o'clock. A majority of the delegates were taken down the "North Shore," the seashore to the north of Boston famous as a sunnner resort, where the President of the United States and the diplomatic representatives of many countries have their summer houses. Over five hundred went on this trip. About half of them stopped at Lynn and inspected the plant of the General Electric Company. The rest of the delegates continued on to Beverly to the plant of the United Shoe Machinery Company, where they were met by officials of this organiza- tion. The plant was thrown open to the visitors, who traveled through the long, finely lighted buildings gazing with keen interest at the operations of manufacturing shoe machinery. By the time the plant had been looked over thoroughly, the delegates who had stopped at Lynn began to arrive. The whole party was then taken to the countrj' club, which has been presented by the United Shoe Machinerj' Com- pany to its employees. On the athletic field a large rectangular tent had been erected where luncheon was served to the delegates. In the early afternoon delegates were taken on an automobile tour along the picturesque "North Shore." On Friday the delegates who did not make the North Shore trip divided into three groups and went on the following special excursions; One party, arranged under the auspices of the Waltham Board of Trade, went to Waltham to in- spect the plant of the Waltham Watch Company. Another group, under the auspices of the New England Shoe and Leather Association, went on a long automobile tour about the city, concluding with an inspection of the Thomas G. Plant Shoe Factory, at Roxbury. Another group, under the auspices of the Lowell Board of Trade, made the journey to inspect the Lowell Textile School and a visit to some of the important textile mills at Lowell. A special trip was arranged for the ladies. They went in automobiles through the North Shore country to Cape Ann, where they were entertained in Gloucester at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Hays Hammond. In the evening various theater parties and special entertainments were ar- ranged. Delegates who remained at the Copley Plaza Hotel were given the most spectacular entertainment of their visit, and in this the general public shared. At 8.30 P..M., with a wild clatter of hoofs, a clanging of bells and shrieks of siren whistles, apparatus of the Boston Fire Department was rushed into Copley Square. Engines were coupled to hydrants and began to pump, hose was run through the streets, ladders were thrown against the Copley Plaza Hotel and buildings opposite on the Square. The water-tower was run up near the Public Library. The delegates were given a concrete illustration of how a fire is handled in Boston, but there was no fire. 30 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS Saturday, September 28 At ten o'clock on Saturday morning the delegates boarded the steamer "Rose Standish" for an inspection of Boston harbor. The trip was first made aromid the inner harbor, and the first landing was made at the terminals and docks of the Boston & Albany Railroad. Then the trip was continued to the outer harbor and the delegates were taken to the yards of the Fore River Ship Building Company at Quincy, where they were entertained at luncheon. The return was made through the outer harbor and then by the main ship channel to Rowe's Wharf. Delegates were taken in electric cars from the wharf to the Mechanics' Building for a private view of the Boston 1912 Electric Show at four o'clock. This was a really notable electric exposition, and the private opening afforded an exceptional opportunity to inspect the various exhibits. On Saturday afternoon a group of delegates were the guests of the Harvard Athletic Association at the football game in the Harvard Stadium between Harvard University and the University of Maine. Sunday, September 29 On Sunday morning a private opening of the Boston Art Museum at eleven o'clock was attended by large groups of the delegates. In the afternoon at half past two the delegates left the Copley Plaza Hotel in automobiles for a trip through the Boston and Metropolitan Park systems. The evening was given over to farewells. At about half past nine o'clock on jMondaj' morning about four hundred of the delegates left Boston in three special trains for a tour of some of the principal commercial and industrial centers of the United States. €o\\v of tije Vinitth States; The American tour of the foreign delegates at the conclusion of the official sessions in Boston was one of the most notable as well as one of the most i)leas- ant features of the Congress. The delegates taking this tour represented practically every nation on the globe and formed by far the largest and most cosmopolitan gathering of business men of the world ever taking a long railroad journey together. The Committee on Tour, representing the Boston Chaml:)er of Commerce, arranged an itinerary which afforded a remarkable opportunity for inspecting some of the most important commercial and industrial enter- prises of the United States and for impressing upon the distinguished guests the efficiency and stabilitj* of the enterprises, as well as affording a concrete impression of the wonderful resources of this country. Altogether about four hundred persons left Boston on the special trains, and over three hundred of this number completed the journej'. In this number were forty-three women, wives and daughters of some of the delegates. The delegates visited ten of the principal cities of the United States and traveled some 2250 miles in a period of three weeks. Special trains left Boston on Monday morning, September 30, and arrived in New York on Thursday morning, October 17. The entertainment in New York occupied two days, and the party finally broke up on Saturday, October 19, 1912. The Passenger Department of the Boston & Albany Railroad arranged the details relating to the transi)ortation of the whole journey. Six diftVrent traffic lines were used, — the Boston & Albany Railroad; the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad; Michigan Central Railroad; Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway; the Pennsylvania Company and the Pennsyl- vania Railroad. The first four of these roads were parts of the New York Cen- tral Lines, while the latter two were parts of the Pemisylvania system. Every delegate was supplied with an itinerary book, prepared and published by the Boston & Albany Railroad, containing the time-table of the tour, the names of every person in the party of delegates and the names of the Committee on Tour. This booklet also contained a map of the United States showing the route of the tour of the party. The special trains were placed at the disposal of foreign delegates by the Boston Chamljer of Commerce. Each city which was visited, however, bore a share of the expense. The party left Boston at about half past nine on Monday morning, Sep- 31 32 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF tember 30. Three special trains were used at the commencement of the jour- ney. The first section had nine stateroom cars and a buffet hbrary car. The second section had ten stateroom cars and a buffet Hbrary car. The third sec- tion had eight stateroom cars and a buffet hbrary car. Altogether there were thirty-two cars for the coimnencement of the journey. Inasmuch as the trip from Worcester to Buffalo was to be made during the following night, the trains in which the part}'' left Boston were composed entirely of stateroom and drawing-room cars. These cars constituted the most luxurious form of car for night travel now in operation in the United States. The trip from Boston to Worcester was forty-five miles in length and occupied aliout one hour's time. WORCESTER In Worcester the delegates were the guests of the Worcester Board of Trade. The four hundred delegates entertained there were divided into five groups and taken about the principal industries and points of interest in the city in one hundred and fifty automobiles contributed by citizens. The ladies were entertained by the members of the Worcester Woman's Club. Delegates in each group were luncheon guests at one o'clock of the following: Hon. James Logan, General Manager of the United States Envelope Company; Mr. Matthew J. Whittall; The Norton Company; and the Royal Worcester Corset Company. At the conclusion of the afternoon tours the delegates were guests at a complimentary banquet in the State Armory, under the patronage of the Commonwealth attended by Lieutenant-Governor Robert Luce, members of the Governor's Staff and Council and other state and city officials, concluding at nine o'clock in the evening, when the delegates resumed their western journey. The delegates arrived in Buffalo at twenty minutes past ten the following morning. The distance covered during the night was 453 miles. In the morning two dining cars were attached to each of the three sections, and the delegates took breakfast on the trains before their arrival in Buffalo. BUFFALO In Buffalo the delegates were the guests of the Buffalo Chamber of Com- merce. The delegates were met by a special committee from this organization and were immediately taken in taxical)s to their hotels, where rooms had been previously assigned to them. In tlie aftcrnot)n a large num])cr of the delegates visited some of the great manufacturing plants for which Buffalo is noted. Others made a tour of the parkways and principal streets of Buffalo ending at the Country Club, where a polo game was ])laycd, the competing teams representing the Country Clubs of Buffalo and Toronto. In the evening a dimier was given at the Lafayette Hotel CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 33 by over one hundred of Buffalo's most distinguished business men and Chamber of Commerce members. At the same time the women of the party were entertained at dinner at the Twentieth Century Club for Women, followed by a theater party at the Tcck Theatre. At 9.20 o'clock Wednesday morning, October 2, the guests left for Niagara Falls, where most of the day was spent in inspecting the hydro-electric plants, the great cataracts and the factories. This short trip ijetween liufTalo and Ni- agara Falls was made in New York Central day coaches for the purpose of showing the delegates this form of travel in the United States. The delegates arrived at Niagara Falls at ten minutes past ten and went immediately to inspect the plant of the Niagara Power Company. The entire party then took the trip of something over twenty miles on the Niagara Corge Railroad. This railroad affords the best opportunity of seeing the wonderful Niagara Gorge just below the great cataract. The cars on the Niagara Gorge Railroad were placed at the disposal of the delegates through the courtesy of the Boston and Buffalo Chambers of Commerce. Luncheon was taken at the International Hotel, and the afternoon was devoted to further inspection of the industrial plants. At five o'clock the delegates left Niagara Falls for Detroit. The distance is 229 miles, and the trains reached Detroit shortly after ten o'clock in the evening. This part of the journey was made in chair cars of the Pullman Company. DETROIT In Detroit the delegates were the guests of the Detroit Board of Commerce. A committee of the Board met the party at Niagara Falls, and en route to De- troit the delegates were presented with souvenir booklets of Detroit. Arriving in Detroit the visitors were met by members of the Entertaimnent Conunittee antl were taken in special street-cars to their respective hotels. The following morning at ten o'clock the entire party was taken in automo- biles to Grosse Pointe and Belle Isle. One hundred and thirty-eight automobiles were required to convey the foreign delegates and the one hundred members of the Board of Commerce Entertainment Committtee. From Belle Isle the automobile cavalcade moved along East Grand Boulevard to the Packard Motor Company's plant, where a group photograph of the delegates was made. The Packard Motor Company entertained the party at a very delightful lun- cheon and concert by the Packard band. During the luncheon the delegates were i)resenteil with morocco-bound booklets by the Packard Company. After luncheon the delegates were taken on a trip of inspection through the Packard factories. At half past three the delegates entered their automobiles again and were driven to the Burroughs Adding Machine Company's plant, where they made a trip of inspection and received handsome souvenir ash trays and leather portfolios. In the evening a banquet in honor of the delegates was held at Hotel Pontchartrain. 34 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF On the following morning, Friday, October 4, the delegates visited which- ever of the manufacturing plants they had elected to visit on their way from Buffalo. At noon the entire party gathered and boarded the Steamer "Bri- tannia," which made a trip up into Lake Saint Clair, and then back and downi the Detroit River, returning and landing near the railroad station at half past three o'clock. Luncheon was served on board. After luncheon the two orchestras supplied music for those who wished to dance. A splendid exhibition by the fire boat "James Battle" was given for the entertainment of the guests. A special Woman's Committee arranged special entertainment for the ladies accompanying the delegates. On October 3 a reception was given at the Hotel Pontchartrain at eleven in the morning, and following this an automobile ride, stopping at the Detroit Club for luncheon. At four o'clock there was a recep- tion at the Twentieth Century Club. There was a special dinner at the Hotel Pontchartrain followed by a theater party at the Detroit Opera House. On Friday the ladies joined the boat trip on the "Britannia." On disembarking the entire party at once boarded the special chair-car trains of the Pullman Company and left Detroit for Chicago at four o'clock on Friday afternoon, October 4. The distance from Detroit to Chicago is 285 miles, and the special trains reached Chicago at about half past ten on the evening of Friday, October 4. CHICAGO The delegates were met at the trains by the Chicago committee and es- corted to their hotels. In Chicago the delegates were the guests of the Chicago Association of Commerce and the Chicago Board of Trade, in co-operation with other business associations and business men of the City of Chicago. The schedule of the entertainment in Chicago was as follows : Saturday: Visit to Board of Trade. Luncheon at Hotel La Salle. Football game. Banquet at Congress Hotel. Sunday: Church services. Automobile tour of parks and boulevards. Dinner, informal, at South Shore Country Club. Monday: Excursions to: Union Stock- Yards. Steel Works at Gary. Western Electric Company works. Art Institute, Public Library and Department Stores. Hull House. Sears, Roebuck & Company plant. CiROUP OF DELEGATES AT HOME OF EXMAYOR JAMES LOGAN Worcester, Mass., Scptcmhcr .SO, 1!)1J DINNEK OK MEMBERS OF COSMOPuLn AN ( LL B Pittsbiirieh. Pennsylvania, Oetobor 11. 1012 CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 35 Luncheon to women of delegation by Chicago Woman's Club. Afternoon tea to tiie women at store of Marshall Field & Companj'. Luncheon by the packing interests to 250 delegates, Florentine Room, Congress Hotel, before departure for stock-yards. Farewell tliuuer at Hotel Blackstone. The first day of the stay in Chicago began with a visit to the Board of Trade, the world's largest grain and provision exchange, where opportunity was given the visitors to view the famous wheat pit in operation. Following the inspec- tion of the Board of Trade the delegation was entertained at luncheon at the Hotel La Salle, being welcomed by the Hon. Carter H. Harrison, Mayor of Chicago, and President Eugene U. Klmbark of the Chicago Asso- ciation of Commerce. President C.\non-Legrand of the International Congress replied for the delegation. After luncheon the party was taken by automobiles to witness a football game between the Universities of Chicago and Indiana at the Chicago University football grounds. In the evening the delegates attended a formal banquet given in their honor by the combined Chicago organizations in the Gold Room, Congress Hotel, and were addressed by the Honorable Charles S. Deneen, Governor of Illinois, and others. M. Canon-Legrand, President of the International Congress, replied for the delegation. Sunday morning the visitors were at liberty to attend such religious ser- vices as they preferred and after luncheon were taken on an automobile tour of Chicago's boulevards and parks, a ride of some thirty-five miles, ending at the South Shore Country Club, where an informal dinner was served. On Monday the delegation divided itself into various parties, selecting such industrial trips, previously planned, as appealed to them, visits being made by special trains to the Union Stock- Yards, the great steel works at Gary, and by automobile to the large plant of the Western Electric Company at Haw- thorne. Other parties visited the Art Institute, the Chicago Public Library and the leading department stores. Those interested in settlement work were given an opportunity to explore Hull House and were informally entertained by Miss Jane Addams at afternoon tea. The offices and establishment of Sears, Roebuck & Company, said to be almost the la.st word in organization and effi- ciency, were visited by another party. On Monday the women of the delegation were given a luncheon by the women of Chicago at the Woman's Clul), and were later entertained by Marshall Field & Company at their retail establish- ment. Preceding the trip to the Stock-Yards, which was taken by some 250 of the delegates, the packing interests entertained the party at luncheon in the Florentine Room, Congress Hotel. On Monday evening the three days' visit ended with an informal dinner at the Blackstone Hotel, which formally concluded Chicago's duty as host, but the personal and informal hospitality did not finish until the la.st of the delegates' -pecial trains left Park Row Station for Cincinnati a little before midnight. On leaving Chicago, Monday evening, the delegates took the second and 36 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF last night-journey of the entire tour. This night-journey was made in the same compartment cars previously used between Worcester and Buffalo. The dis- tance to Cincinnati is 304 miles, and the delegates arrived at half past seven on the morning of Tuesday, October 8. CINCINNATI In Cincinnati the delegates were the guests of the Joint Committee of the Cincinnati Business Men's Club, the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and the Cincinnati Commercial Association. The Reception Committee met the party at the station and escorted them to their hotels in automobiles. At ten o'clock in the morning the delegates were met at the Hotel Sinton and taken on an automobile ride about the city, visiting Eaton Park, Walnut Hills, Avondale and Clifton. At one o'clock luncheon was served at the Coun- try Club. In the afternoon automobiles were placed at the disposal of the visitors, and special trips were taken to the Art IMuseum, the Zoo and to the Rookwood Pottery and various other factories and business houses. At half past six in the evening a banquet was tendered all the delegates at the Business Men's Club. At half past eight on Wednesday morning, October 9, the delegates were escorted to the trains in automobiles. At nine o'clock the special trains, made up of chair cars of the Pullman Company, left Cincinnati for Dayton. The distance is 56 miles, and the delegates arrrived in Dayton at quarter of eleven. DAYTON In Dayton the delegates were the guests of the Dayton Chamber of Com- merce and the National Cash Register Company. A reception committee from the Dayton Chamber of Commerce went to Cincinnati to meet the delegates. At the Union Station flags of all nations were flying. Thousands of Dayton- ians greeted the distinguished visitors. Automobiles were waiting to carry the foreign friends over the principal doA\Ti-town streets, out to the National Cash Register Company's plant. Across the streets, at intervals of thirty feet or thereabouts, streamers reminded the visitors of their native lands. The flags of the nations of the world bespoke Daj'ton's welcome. In honor of the occasion the schools in the down-tovMi district were dis- missed, and the school children lined the streets. In every right hand was a kerchief or an American flag. The National Cash Register Company's buildings were bedecked with large and handsome flags. Every one of the sixty-three hundred employees stood with flag in hand, and a mighty shout of greeting went up when the cars passed. A luncheon was served at twelve o'clock in the Officers' Club of the National Cash Register Company on the ninth floor of the Office Building, where six hundred CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 37 and more dined together, and was followed by an inspiring meeting in the Hall of Industrial Education. There was told the story of Dayton, the story of the Wright Brothers who conquered the air and the story of the National Cash Register Company. These stories were painted by word and picture. The stay in Dayton lasted six hours. At half past three the autos returned to the station, and the Citizens' Committee of One Hundred, the Bicycle Club, the members of the Welfare Department of the National Cash Register Com- pany and the Conmiittce from the Dayton Chamber of Commerce were present to say farewell. At four o'clock the trains pulled out of Dayton for Pittsburgh. The distance is 261 miles, and the delegates reached Pittsburgh shortly after ten o'clock in the evening. PITTSBURGH Several members of the Pittsburgh Committee met the trains on route and other members of the Committee were at the Union Station and escorted the delegates to their hotels in special street-cars. The delegates were the guests of the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pittsburgh. On Thursday, October 10, the delegates boarded the Steamer "Sunshine" at ten o'clock in the morning and were taken on a daylight trip on the rivers past "miles of mills," landmg at Munhall. The delegates were taken in a special train on a tour of inspection of the great steel mills at Homestead. The dele- gates boarded the boat again in front of the works, and hmcheon was served on the river. The delegates landed at Monongahela Wharf at four o'clock in the afternoon. In the evening a banquet was tendered the delegates at the Fort Pitt Hotel, after which special street-cars took the delegates to the Pitts- burgh Exposition and concert by the Thomas Orchestra. The next day the delegates were taken for an inspection of the Carnegie Institute Museum, Art Galleries, Sculpture and Music Halls, and the Carnegie Institute of Technology. This was followed by an inspection of the Heinz Pickling and Preserving plant, where luncheon was served. An automobile tour was taken through the residential section of the city. One hmidred and IBfty automobiles were employed, escorted by special police on motor cycles. In the evening there was a reception and dance at the Hotel Schenley. On Saturday morning, October 12, the delegates were escorted to the special chair-car trains which left Pittsburgh at nine o'clock for Washington. The distance is 369 miles, and the trains reached Washington at about half past six in the evening. This all day trip on the chair ears was a very interesting feature of the tour and was the only considerable dayligiit journey. The trains passed through very diversified country. The splendid views in the mountainous country, the trip around the Horse-Shoe Curve and the brief stops at Altoona, Harrisburg antl Baltimore constituted altogether a most interesting day. 38 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF WASHINGTON In Washington the delegates were the guests of the Washington Chamber of Commerce. They were met at the Union Station at Washington and escorted to their hotels. On Sunday morning, October 13, the delegates were taken in sight-seeing automobiles on a tour of the city. In the afternoon the United States Capitol, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the National Museum and the Library of Congress were specially opened. On Monday morning the White House was opened for the delegates for two hours. In the afternoon the delegates were taken on a steamboat ride do\\'n the Potomac to Mount Vernon, the home and tomb of George Washington. In the evening there was a reception in the Hall of the Americas in the splendid building of the Pan-American Union. On Tuesday morning the delegates were taken to the station in auto cars. The trains left Washington for Philadelphia at half past nine. The distance to Philadelphia is 136 miles, and the delegates arrived there about quarter of one. PHILADELPHIA In Philadelphia the delegates were the guests of the commercial organiza- tions of the city. The following named commercial bodies participated : Board of Trade, Bourse, Builders' Exchange, Chamber of Commerce, Commercial Exchange, Commercial IMuseum, Drug Exchange, Grocers & Importers' Ex- change, Hardware Merchants and Manufacturers' Association, Lumbermen's Exchange, Manufacturers' Club, Maritime Exchange and the Merchants and Manufacturers' Association. The delegates walked from the Broad Street Station to Wanamaker's, where the whole party was the guest of Mr. John Wanamaker at luncheon. In the afternoon the party was taken to the Commercial Museum. In the evening the delegates were guests at various theater parties and a large number of them inspected some of the newspaper printing machinery of the city. On Wednesday, October 16, there was a visit to Independence Hall after which the delegates boarded a river steamer and visited the Navy Yard and the yards of the New York Shipbuilding Company and Cramp & Sons. From Cramps' the party went through Stetson's and the Baldwin Locomotive W^orks, and thence to the Philadelphia Country Club where they were guests at dinner of Mr. Frank D. La Lanne. On Thursday morning, October 17, the special Pullman chair-car trains left the Broad Street Station at nine o'clock for New York City. The distance is 92 miles, and the delegates reached New York City at about eleven o'clock in the morning. I i.ri<;i soi.AKi ("HAHLKS C. IU}\1' 'ic^idiit Italian ChaiiiluT of (■ommiTre of I'ns (Ifiit Xcw Kimland Shoe and Lcatlur As Xi'W Vi)rk stjciation int. W. V. UlLsnN .JOHN H. PATTKKSON Director Philadelphia Commercial Museum President National fash Regi«tfr Company CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 39 NEW YORK CITY The delegates were met at the Pennsylvania terminal by the New York committees and escorted to their hotels. In New York City the delegates were the guests of the commercial organizations of that city, namely: The Chamber of Conmierce of the State of New York The Merchants' Association of New York The New York Produce Exchange The New York Stock Exchange The New York Cotton Exchange The Consolidated Stock Exchange of New York The Coffee Exchange of the City of New York The Italian Chamber of Commerce of New York The Swedish Chamber of Commerce of New York The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce of America The City Club of New York American Manufacturers' Export Association Silk Association of America The Pan-American Society At half past two in the afternoon the foreign guests accompanied by the Reception Committee were taken on an automobile tour of the principal points of interest in New York City as far north as 156th Street and Riverside Drive and as far south as Washington Square, including a ride through the historic Central Park, on Riverside Drive, Fifth Avenue and Broadway. In the even- ing the spectacle " Under Many Flags " at the Hippodrome was witnessed. That performance was chosen for the foreign visitors because its action covers many countries. Automobile transportation between the hotels and the theater was provided. On Friday morning, October 18, at half past nine, the foreign delegates accompanied by a part of the Reception Committee were escorted to the City Recreation Pier, East River and 24th Street, on a short but interesting ride through the shopping section to the East Side of the city. At that point the Hudson River Day Line Steamer "Hendrick Hud.son" was boarded. On the steamer, which is the largest river craft in the world, accommodating as it does over .5,oOO passengers, opportunity was afforded the members of the different organizations to meet the delegates. The trip on the water covered a sail under the East River bridges, past the Battery, Governor's Island and the Bush Terminal, across New York Bay, in view of the Staten Island shore, through the Upper Bay, in sight of Bedloe's and Ellis Islands and the Statue of Liberty, thence up the Hudson (North) River to Spu>'ten Duyvil, returning, with a view of both sides of the river, to the pier at the foot of Cedar Street. Escorted by the entire Reception Committee, all the delegates walked the short distance to the building of the Chamber of Commerce at 65 Liberty Street, 40 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS where, after an address of welcome by Mr. John Claflix, President, an elab- orate luncheon was served. The ladies accompanying the foreign delegates were taken in taxicabs from the pier to the Chamber of Commerce Building, where luncheon was served to them in the committee rooms. After luncheon an automobile ride through the crowded down-to\Mi district was taken to the United Engineering Societies' Building at 29 West 39th Street, in the auditorium of which exercises were held to express New York's appreciation of the honor the delegates conferred upon the city by visiting it, and to convey appropriate messages of international good will on the conclusion of the American tour of the foreign delegates. CONCLUSION In the evening the foreign delegates tendered a dinner at Sherrj^'s to the Boston Committee on Tour. Practically the entire party was in attendance. The delegates from all lands vied with each other in the tributes to the Boston Chamber of Commerce for the splendid way in which the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce had been conducted. This dinner marked the close of the tour, although the foreign delegates were entertained informally, and many of them before leaving the country made special trips to the southern and western parts of the United States, which, on account of the distance, it had been impossible to include in the itinerary of the official tour. On Saturday evening, October 19, 1912, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in New York celebrated its Twenty-Fifth Anniversary by tendering a dinner at the Waldorf Astoria to all the Italian delegates in attendance at the Fifth In- ternational Congress of Chambers of Commerce. One of the ver^^ interesting phases of this tour was the organization of a Cosmopolitan Club composed of members from practically every nation repre- sented at the Congress. The purpose of this club is to encourage the largest possible attendance at the biennial sessions of the International Congresses of Chambers of Commerce, and to promote and encourage international good fellowship and co-operation among its members. 4 ^.^ n ^ A ■^ X 5t- « ^ i ^-^ "im^' roPLKY PLAZA HOTEL, COPLEY .SQUARE, BOSTON Hp:iflqti:irtors of Fifth Iiitoniatioiial Consross JiOSToX I'lHLIC LIHHAKV, COPLEY S(HARE Boston, where the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce held its sessions, is one of the oldest and most important cities and has always been one of the chief commercial, industrial and financial centers in the United States of America. Metropolitan Boston, the great urban community at the head of Massa- chusetts Bay, has over 1,500,000 inhabitants, and in population ranks as the fourth city of the United States and the tenth city of the world. Boston is the capital city of the State of Massachusetts, one of the thirteen colonies which originally formed the Republic. It is the principal seaport and metropolis of the section known as "New England," which consists of a compact group of six states forming the northeastern part of the country. Boston is situated on that portion of the Atlantic Ocean known as Massa- chusetts Bay. The inner city — the municipality officially named "Boston" — occupies the peninsula which was first settled, and a portion of the land ad- joining, which has been united with the older city at different periods by the annexation of other communities. Municipal Boston has a population of about 700,000 people. Metropolitan Boston, the real city, with its population in 1909 of 1,520,470, comprises forty municipalities, which are included in a circle ex- tending back from the shore line within a radius of about twelve miles. The relations of this metropolis to the city itself are, except in political re- spects, like those of the British metropolis to the old city of London. Socially, commercially and industrially, the interests of the forty communities are closely interwoven. Almost the entire district is thickly populated, and the lines of division between the communities are merely arbitrary. There are metropolitan park, water and sewerage systems under unified control, serving most of these cities and to\vns. They all are included in one postal district, and most of them are served by one system of electric street railway transpor- tation. The essential unity of the entire district is well recognized. COMMERCE AND HARBOR Boston is a world port ranking in the United States second only to New York in its imports. With the diminishing export of foodstuffs from the United States the exports of Boston have decreased, with the result that in the total volume of all foreign trade Boston is the fourth port of the country. 41 42 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Boston is one hundred ninety-four miles nearer Europe than any other large American port, and it is nearer to all the east coast of South America south of the Amazon, including such ports as Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and Buenos Aires, than is New York, Philadelphia, Galveston or any other North American port. Boston has one of the finest natural harbors in the world, with broad road- steads sheltered from rough water by numerous islands. It has wide, safe ap- proaches from the ocean, and Boston Light, the outer edge of the harbor, is less than an hour's run from the steamship piers. The chaimels from the open sea to the piers are dredged to a depth of thirty-five feet at low water, and in the near future will be dredged to a depth of forty feet. The three outer chan- nels converge into a main ship channel which communicates with all parts of the inner harbor. Two years ago the legislature created a board of five Port Directors ap- pointed by the State and city and having jurisdiction over Boston harbor. In the initial law creating the Board it was given an appropriation of S9,000,000 to be expended in building docks and other water-front improvements. This Board is now actively engaged in constructing improvements at various parts of the harbor and in making plans for future improvements. Commonwealth Pier, 1,200 feet long and 400 feet wide, with a depth alongside of 40 feet at mean low water, has already been equipped and opened at an expense of S2,500,000. This pier is one of the most up-to-date and best equipped piers in America, with accommodations for the largest liners now afloat. The Port Directors have completed plans for a huge dry-dock, to be constructed at an expense of $3,000,000 and capable of accommodating any steamship afloat or yet projected. For the accommodation of the great fishing fleet a new pier 1,200 feet long and 300 feet wide has been recently completed. Previous to the creation of the Board of Port Directors, Boston had very excellent docks and harbor accommodations privateh' owned. The present terminal of the Boston & Albany Railroad Company at East Boston includes several of the finest piers on the Atlantic coast, a grain elevator with a capacity of one million bushels, direct track connections and modern devices for loading and unloading vessels and cars. The Boston & Maine Railroad ovntis the Hoosac and Mystic docks at Charlestown with some twelve piers capable of accommo- dating ocean liners. The grain elevator at Hoosac docks has a capacity of one million bushels, while that at the Mystic docks has a capacity of half a million bushels. The New Haven Railroad ownis three piers at South Boston. At present in Boston there is a lineal frontage of over forty miles of berth space, of which over six miles front on a depth of at lea.'^t thirty feet at low water. Many transatlantic and coastwise steamship lines have terminals at Boston. In addition to the numerous steamship lines which give frequent regular direct connection \Nnth all the important coast cities of the Atlantic, both in the United States and Canada, there are some twenty-four foreign lines which have regular sailings to or from the port of Boston. These steamship lines main- i «i STKAMSFIII' DOCKS AT EAST BOSTON -^i'*)H I .I.AJi.r'lii-!: HKAi) imrsi;. commonw i.m.ih iMi.ir soirii Hosr«»\ JISHIX(; FLKKT AT T \\HAI{r, ]i08T()X STATI-: HATHHOUSE AT UKVKRE 111 Mi'tropolitan Boston ^ # CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 43 tain regular sailings to and from English, North European, Mediterranean, West Indian, South American and Far Eastern ports. In the past year or two the facilities for transatlantic passenger travel between Boston and Europe have been greatly improved, and the number of transatlantic passengers sail- ing from and to Boston has increased at a very rapid rate. The imports of Boston are principally raw materials for the industries of the New England states. The principal commodities imported are wool, cotton, hides and skins, burlaps, fibers and vegetable grasses, sugar and machinery. The chief articles of export from Boston are meat, breadstuffs and grain, cot- ton, machinery, steel, boots and shoes and leather, and miscellaneous manu- factured products. For the year ending June 30, 1912, the value of the foreign trade of Boston was S234,918,975, of which $153,671,165 were imports and $81,247,810 were exports. TRANSPORTATION Boston is the terminal of three great railroad systems. All parts of New- England are closely connected with Boston by highly developed transportation facilities. A complex network of steam railroads, electric railways, steamboat lines and excellent highways center about Boston as a metropolis. As in almost all parts of the country, the transportation faciUties by rail and water are pri- vately owned. The important highways are controlled by the state and local roads by the communities through which they run. The local transportation system communicating with the different parts of Metropolitan Boston is the finest in America, with inter-connecting subway, surface and elevated lines. Three subways and one tuimel under the harbor are now in operation and three new subways are under construction. INDUSTRIES Boston is the great center of the textile industry in the United States. It is the greatest wool market in the Western Hemisphere. It is the unquestioned leader in the production of boots, shoes and leather. It is the leading center for shoe and textile machinery. It is most important in the production of elec- trical machinery and foundry and machine-shop products. It has large plants for the production of watches, confectionery, cocoa, chocolates, rubber and elastic goods. It has important printing, publishing, electrical, gas, clothing and packing establishments. It has large establishments for the refining of sugar and molasses and for slaughtering and meat packing. It is the greatest fresh-fish market in the Western Hemisphere and with one exception in the world. It has great ship-building works where modern battleships and other vessels are constantly under construction. In 1911 the value of manufactured products of Metropolitan Boston reached the total of $.302,527,771. And this is only a small part of the story. For a correct understanding of 44 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Boston as an industrial center it must also be remembered that it is the me- tropolis and chief port of New England. Many of the great industrial plants of New England have their headquarters and transact their principal business in Boston, even though the manufacturing plants themselves are located in other parts of New England. New England is more intensely developed as an indus- trial region than any other part of America. With one-eleventh of the popula- tion of the country, it turns out one-seventh of the manufactured products. Most of its manufactures are high-grade staple articles which are needed in increasing quantities in South American countries and in the Far East. These industries also use large quantities of raw materials which can be ad- vantageously purchased from those countries. The textile industries are the most important of the industries of New Eng- land. The leadership of the section in these industries is unquestioned. More than $650,000,000 is invested in textile mills which make a variety of cotton, woolen, worsted, felt, linen, silk, knit goods, cordage and twine and many other woven products. Many of the greatest mills are within a few hours' travel of Boston and have their oflBces in the city. The value of the textile products of the mills of New England annually exceeds 8000,000,000. The making of boots and shoes by machinery and the manufacture of the machines to make the shoes originated in New England. In 1909, 136,962,674 pairs of boots and shoes, with a value of $300,000,000 were made in this sec- tion. There are 1,000 factories engaged in various branches of this industry, located in more than one hundred different cities and towns. The great bulk of the product, in fact practically all, comes from factories located within fifty miles of Boston. Through the United Shoe Alachincry Company, with a great factory at Beverly, this section leads the world in the manufacture of the machines used in making shoes. New England has long been famous for its machinery. There is hardl}' an industry dependent upon machinery in which will not be found some machines invented in New England. This section leads the United States in the making of foundry and machine-shop products. The total value of its foundry and machine-shop products is about 8200,000,000 annually. The supremacy of New England in the production of fine writing paper made chiefly from rags is well known. Holyoke, Massachusetts, alone makes over one-half the nation's supply of good writing paper. The value of the paper made in New England is about 8100,000,000 annually. Jewelry is made extensively in a small area at the border between Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island. The value of the jewelry produced in this district reaches 835,000,000 a year. Besides the industries noted above. New England leads in the production of wire goods, cutlery, firearms, ammunition, brass and bronze products, rub- ber goods, marble, clocks, watches, ])lated ware, rolled copper, silverware and silk goods. It has an important place in many other indu-stries and leads in the production of many other commodities, almost all of high grade. I'l.AXl i»l Tin: WALTIIAM WATCH COMPANY III Mi'trnpolitail l{n>toli PLANT or THE THOMAS (.. PLANT SHOE COMPANV. BOSTON' "■• ^ ' t mfSJ^it^rt- . ■ "•-"».- i;i!Hiiiii i'i,.\.\T OF iiii; r\rn:i) shoe maciiixkkv co.mi'a.w nniiiiiiimitiiiiiitBBIIli mVi iiiiSSisiiSS ' ,t d I I 'iisini]| Jl I ?1[ lllllll" .-xi* <'i'lil/riiil:l hj .1 . H. Smith \\()oi) \\<)i{sri:i) Mii.i.sAT i.A\\in:.\ci-; CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 45 There are 25,351 industrial establishments in New England, giving employ- ment to 1,212,158 wage earners. The capital invested in these industries is $2,503,854,000. There are paid to the employees each year §669,915,000 in salaries and wages. The value of the goods manufactured in New England reaches the enormous annual total of $2,670,065,000. FINANCIAL CENTER Boston is an important financial center. Its per capita wealth is greater than any other city of the United States. It is said to be, next to New York, the richest trade center of the country. One-twentieth of the savings of the American people is in the savings banks of Boston. It has a stock exchange which is the center for trade in the shares of copper mines, and on which large transactions of all kinds are affected. In 1911 there was on deposit in its banks and trust companies about $500,000,000. Its clearing-house exchanges in 1911 reached the enormous total of $8,339,718,582. Boston capital has built many of the railroads of the western United States, and to-day is heavily invested in mining and other developments. The total valuation of the metropolitan city, including forty communities, is $2,279,606,065. EDUCATION Boston is now, as it always has been, recognized as the leading center of education in America. Harvard University is one of the oldest American uni- versities and is recognized as the leading educational institution of the United States. It is principally located in Cambridge, just across the Charles River from Municipal Boston. Its grounds are extensive and its buildings numerous and interesting. They include several museums which contain notable collec- tions, and the Stadium, an enormous concrete structure built on the plan of the Colosseum at Rome, where intercollegiate contests are held. The univer- sity has 6,000 students, including those in summer-school and extension courses, and in Radcliffe, which is the women's college allied with Harvard. In addi- tion to the college and Radcliffe, the university has medical and law schools, each widely kno^^'n; graduate schools of applied science, arts and sciences and business administration; divinity and dental schools, an arboretum, botanic garden and observatory. The magnificent new buildings of the medical school are near the Fenway, within Mmiicipal Boston. Another educational institution known throughout the world is the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology, the leading American school of applied sci- ences, founded in 1861. Its buildings are at present in the center of the city, but it has recently received donations of several millions of dollars with which to build on a new site on the bank of the Charles River Basin. The Institute receives an annual grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The total number of students is 1,500, representing 30 nations. 46 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF The best known Boston college for women is Wellesley College, in the sub- urb of that name, where it occupies 300 acres. This institution, the teaching and administrative staff of which consists almost entirely of women, has 1,500 students. Simmons College, in Boston proper, and Jackson College — until recently a part of Tufts College for men — in Medford, another suburb, are the other best kno'WTi women's institutions. Tufts College, in addition to its academic department in Medford, has well- known medical and dental schools located in Boston proper. Boston University has an excellent academic department as well as schools of law, medicine and divinity, all located in various parts of Municipal Boston. Boston College, a Roman Catholic institution, is located at Newton, another suburb. Education preparatory for college is carried on chiefly in public schools supported by taxation, although there are in Boston a considerable number of privately owned academies. In Massachusetts attendance at school is com- pulsory for all children between the ages of seven and fourteen years. The public school system of Boston is a model for other American cities. The schools are administered by an unpaid, elected committee of five citizens. The system includes — in addition to the usual day classes for both sexes — in- dustrial, commercial, art, normal, salesmanship and other vocational courses, many of them given in the evening in order that persons who have a regular daily occupation may attend. Trade or technical schools, endowed by private philanthropy, are abundant. The Wentworth Institute, Franklin Union, Women's Educational and Indus- trial Union, the North End Union, Wells Memorial Institute and Massachu- setts Charitable Mechanics Association are a few of these. The Young Men's Christian Association has over 1,900 students. In some manufacturing estab- lishments, notably the General Electric Company at Lynn, educational courses are maintained for the employees. ARTS, LETTERS AND MUSIC Boston was the birthplace of American letters, and is to-day a notable center of literature, art and music. Boston was the home of the well-kno^^^l group of nineteenth-century authors, poets and thinkers which included Emer- son, Longfellow, Lowell, Holmes, Hawthorne, Whitticr, Thoreau and others. Several national publications of importance are issued in the city, and among its residents are several of the best known American writers of to-daJ^ The first public library in America was started in Boston. Its collection now contains over one million volumes, and circulates annually 1,650,000 volumes to the homes of citizens. The main public library building on Copley Square is famous throughout the United States. On its walls are several nota- ble series of mural paintings. Boston has at present the best known American group of artists and sculp- Vupyriaht by Oadmun Co. HALL OF THi: IJOSTOX SVMlMloXV ORCUKSTRA Copyrlgltt by Uaamun Co. BOSTON ol'KH \ HofSK II pttfff IB II 2 1 Mil II, iilH ill HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL, BOSTOX iTll ,T BOSTON- MrSF.r.M OK riNK ARTS CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 47 tors now producing. Its new Museum of Fine Arts is a very large and beautiful structure, and contains a number of excellent collections and individual works of great importance. The Museum maintains a school which gives instruction in drawing, painting, modeling and design. The Boston Symphony Orchestra gives frequent public concerts during the winter in its great music hall, and travels extensively through the United States. The chief musical school of Boston is the New England Conservator}' of Music. The Boston Opera Company and its beautiful Opera House are only a few years old, but they already rank among the best in America. PARKS AND RECREATION Boston has many magnificent buildings, avenues and parks, with an abun- dance of striking natural scenery. There are seashores, rivers, forests and hills near at hand while not far distant lie the principal summer resorts of America. The park system of Boston is of wide extent and exceptional beauty. The city and metropolitan park systems taken together cover over 12,000 acres. Beginning at the center of the city in the Common and the beautiful Public Gardens, they extend in both directions along the shore of the Atlantic and back along the rivers and ponds for many miles. The boulevards comiect the beaches on the north and south with each other and with the great inland reservations. Near the center of the city is a magnificent fresh water basin recently created by damming the Charles River. Several of the ocean beaches lie within one hour's ride of the city. At the principal beaches are great public bathhouses. Harbor trips and steamer excursions to all parts of the bay constitute a popular summer recrea- tion. A characteristic American sport is baseball, and from spring to fall inter- city contests between professional teams are held daily. Boston has a team in each of the two principal baseball leagues. As many as 35,000 people have attended games played by one of these teams in Boston. American football is the chief sport in the autumn months. Football, un- like baseball, is always played by amateur teams. The i)rincii)al contests are those between Harvard and the other large colleges, which are played in the Stadium, where 40,000 spectators can be seated. HISTORICAL The Pilgrims who came from England seeking religious freedom landed at Plymouth, a coast to\Mi near Boston to the south. Boston itself was settled in 1630 by John Winthrop and a party of English colonists from Salem. As the scene of many of the important events in the historj- of the United States, and the birthplace or home of many of the men who achieved fame in 48 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF the early days of the nation, Boston has much of patriotic interest to Americans. It is amiually visited by thousands of people for this reason alone. It was at Boston that the men who conceived the idea of American liberty and who controlled the early destinies of the Republic were born and educated. The first battle of the Revolution was fought at Lexington, now a suburb, April 19, 1775. The first Provincial Congress met in Concord in 1774. Bunker Hill, at Charlestown, where the second battle was fought on June 17, 1775, is marked by a tall shaft. Both April 19 and June 17 are annually observed as holidays. Two of the earliest Presidents of the United States, John Adams, and John Quincy Adams, were born in Quincy, another suburb. The next period during which the city played a significant part in history began in 1831 when the movement for the abolition of slavery throughout the country was begun in Boston by William Lloyd Garrison and his followers. The national revolt against the slave-traffic, which led up to the Civil War in 1861, made its headquarters in Boston. Boston has been during the greater part of the last century the head- quarters of the American Peace Society, as it is now the headquarters of its Massachusetts branch ; it is also the headquarters of the World Peace Founda- tion. It has been one of the great centers of the college settlement move- ment in which South End House has had a most important place. It has taken the lead in a multitude of significant educational and philanthropic movements. BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Boston Chamber of Commerce, with nearly 5,000 members, is the largest commercial organization in America. It is chartered to promote the commerce, industrj^ and public interests of Boston and New England. Through its numerous committees of public-spirited business men, it participates in all that makes for the welfare of the community. Each member paj's §25 a year toward the general expenses of the organization, which include the emplo\inent of a large staff of paid secretaries and experts. The members are from all voca- tions. Although the membership is chiefly merchants and manufacturers, it also includes many lawyers, engineers, accountants, architects, doctors and others. The institution operates under a charter granted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It has a president, two vice-presidents and a board of twenty-five directors, all serving without compensation. There are also a large number of small standing committees. The opinions of the Boston Chamber of Commerce are carefully worked out and have much weight with public and legislative bodies. Its reports and investigations are valuable, and the direct service rendered to its members considerable. It maintains an exchange where the grain business of New England is conducted, a marine department which sends out news of the movement of shipping, a statistical department which collates and classifies general conmiercial statistics, a bureau of information WEST BOSTOX BRIDf.E TO rAMI'.Rinf.E STREET RAILWAY TERMIWI. AT FoRKST HILLS. BOSTON I'lniAC CAKDKXS IX TIIK CKXTKR OF liOSTOX coMMoxw i: \i;i"n A\i:xn:. hostox i CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 49 and investigation, an expert transportation department, an industrial bureau and a system for the arbitration of business disputes. The influence of the Boston Chamber of Commerce had a large part in bringing about the formation of the new Chamber of Commerce of the United States, a union of the commercial bodies in all parts of the country. The Boston Chamber of Conmierce took the lead in extending the invita- tions which resulted in the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Com- merce being held at Boston in 1912. MASSACHUSETTS STA 1 i; llol si;. I'.usroX STATi: STRKKT, HOSTON" ShowitiK Old State House soirii iia^.MixAL i; \ii.i;(t AD station, hostox • ^^B • ^^B * m tft ''!lf IfT Til i?i <, ill M^ .\i<>.\ >i \iinx. \V(>R(i:sti:r Jfactsf aljout tfje Cities; Vmtth on tfje American Cour WORCESTER Worcester, Massachusetts, the first city visited by the foreign delegates on the American tour, is the largest manufacturing city in the United States not on a waterway. It is a city of diversified industries employing 34,000 skilled mechanics and laborers and more than 3,200 salaried employees. It has a commercial history dating back to 1800. It has always been without serious labor strikes or trouble. It has become by steady progress an inland city of 160,120 people (municipal census for 1912) and is growing at the rate of 7,500 a year. This city is one of the machine tool centers of the United States. Here is located one of the principal plants of the American Steel & Wire Company, employing some 7,500 workers. It is the home of one of the largest manufac- turers of abrasives and grinding wheels in the world — The Norton Company. It is an important center in the corset industry, having located here the plant of the Royal Worcester Corset Company, where employees work under such excellent conditions that the plant has an international reputation. It is a factor in the envelope industry — the United States Envelope Company alone having three plants in this city. It houses a great leather-belting plant — the Graton «fc Knight Manufacturing Company. The famous Whittall rugs and carpets are manufactured here. The Wyman & Gordon Company of this city drop-forge more than 75 per cent of all the automobile crank-shafts used in the automobile industry of this country. The Crompton 6z Knowles Loom Works turn out everj' year the greatest variety of weaving machinery with a loom for almost every fabric. If space permitted, hundreds of other industrial facts to show the pre-eminence of this city might be written, but suffice it to say that this city manufactures almost everything — from a button to a passenger coach. Other cities specialize in a few products. Worcester has legion, a fact which has made possible its uninterrupted industrial development m the last century. In art, science and education, this city has an important place. It is the seat of Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Holy Cross College and lesser institutions of learning, and is the home of the third heaviest endowed art museum in the United States. 51 52 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF BUFFALO Buffalo, the Queen City of the Lakes, occupies an enviable position indus- trially and commercially. Situated at the easterly end of Lake Erie, and at the western terminus of the new State Barge Canal, which comiects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Coast, it is like an hour-glass through which flow un- ceasingly the products of the soil from the west, and the finished manufactured products from the east. Seventeen railroad lines and ten steamship lines make it one of the world's greatest points of transfer. Buffalo's strategic position with regard to transportation gives it immense advantage in assembling raw material and shipping finished products. Un- limited electric power from Niagara Falls, together with cheap natural gas, coal, iron and steel, lumber and water, gives to Buffalo all the essentials of low- cost manufacturing. Its products vary greatly, taking in over 60 per cent of the various kinds of manufactures recognized by the Federal Census Bureau and providing emplojTiient for skilled and unskilled labor of many kinds. The steel industry which leads in value of products represents only 10 per cent of the total. Other important industries are slaughtering and meat pack- ing; foundry and machine-shop work; flour and grist milling; automobiles; soap; printing and publishing; and malt. Although commercial interests emphasize Buffalo's advantages as a com- mercial center, there are many who urge Buffalo's claim to be one of the most beautiful, cleanest and most healthful of the larger cities of the countr3\ There are eight large parks containing more than 1,000 acres, connected by over 21 miles of shaded boulevard. Delaware Avenue is considered to be one of the finest residential thoroughfares in the United States. The Albright Art Gallery, situated on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition enjoys a high repu- tation and contains besides the permanent collection of the ]3uffalo Fine Arts Academy, one of the best art schools in the country. Buffalo is 22 miles from the world-famous Niagara Falls. Its population in 1912 was 444,950, increasing at the rate of about 15,000 a year. DETROIT The disclosures of the thirteenth census with reference to the growth of Detroit industrially and in population, and especially the marvelous develop- ment of its greatest industry, the automobile, were very striking. Detroit holds first rank among all the cities of the world in the manufacture of the automobile. The actual growth of this industry in Detroit has been one of the industrial marvels of the age. In the twelfth census reports, coveringi the work of 1899, this industry did not appear as a separate class in the tables.* In 1904 the value of automobiles and their parts produced in Detroit was given - at §6,240,057. In 1908 the product in automobiles stood at S22,000,000. It McKIXI.KV .Mt)\rMi;\l', lUTFALO M.\t;.\UA 1 ALLS VIKW OF THK LAKI-; FRONT, CHIC'ACJO :>>ru Co. !•( iiM K i\ I )! rill. < UK ■ \< ;i t > r< •< k ^ \i;i >.- CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 63 then jumped to $54,300,000 in 1900 and §134,587,000 in 1910. The next year this industry employed about 35,000 men, and turned out 135,000 cars valued at $160,000,000. The registered capital employed by the twenty-seven com- panies engaged in this industrj' is about $40,000,000. Every business man visiting Detroit ought to go through one or more of the immense automobile establishments. The second industry of Detroit is car building, with a larger output of steel cars than any other city in the United States. Detroit also has immense shops antl shipyards and is in the first rank among the lake shipbuilding ports. Detroit also holds a leading position in the manufacture of stoves, drug- gists' preparations, soda-ash and caustic soda, aluminum castings, adding- machines and overalls. It is among the leaders in the manufacture of malleable iron, paints and varnishes, matches and special lines of furniture. The official figures of the census show that in 1909 the value of the product of the factories of Detroit was $252,992,000. The enormous expansion of the automobile business in the next two years, together with an unusual gro\\'th in other lines, indicates a factory product for 1911 which reaches the tremendous total of $340,000,000. On December 31, 1911, the population of Detroit was about 527,000 people within its area of only 41.44 square miles. In 1903 the foundation was laid of the Detroit Board of Commerce, which has become one of the most powerful and useful commercial and civic organi- zations in the country. Its membership has increased from 506 at the time of its formal organization June 30, 1903, to over 3,100 in April, 1912. CHICAGO Less than a century- ago the city of Chicago was a military post surrounded by the habitations of a few traders and Indians. In 1837 it waa incorporated as a city with a population of 4,170. In 1912 it had a population of 2,446,921. Its area is 195 square miles. It is now the second city of the western hemi- sphere and the fifth city of the world. As a port of one of the great lakes its toimage has given it rank with the world's great seaports. It is the greatest railway center in the world, being the terminal for twenty-six railway systems, comprising 84,938 miles, or 34.8 per cent of all the railroad mileage of the United States. As a manufacturing center, Chicago leads in the production of agri- cultural implements, meat products, electrical equipment, railway supplies, passenger, freight and sleeping cars, musical instruments, millinery, clothing and various other lines. It is a foremost distributing center of grain, fruit and produce, stnictural steel, many kinds of machinery, hardware, lumber, fur- niture, dry goods, footwear, hides and leathers, books and publications. The population of Chicago is an aggregation of more than forty nationali- ties and racial variations, and this fact largely substantiates its claim to be dis- tinguished as the American city. It is a commercial and industrial rather than 54 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF a financial center, and its weekly bank clearings of S2G7,609,804 reflect the transactions of commerce rather than the speculative business of the exchange. Its business in grain, lumber, steel, meats, clothing, dry goods, etc., is enormous. Its wholesale trade is estimated to be 81,905,989,000 annually. Chicago is encircled by a system of parks and boulevards, having a circum- ference of about forty miles, three of its greater parks being upon its water front. It is in the front rank among the world's cities in the number and equipment of playgrounds provided for its children, and it is also distin- guished in having the great social settlement, Hull House. Chicago, like most cities of the new and old world, has gro^n without a plan. But a plan magnificent in design and practical in its workings has now been submitted to the people, and this will guide the city's great acts of recon- struction and extension in coming years. The great ofl^ices and mercantile buildings of Chicago are concentrated in a central district, and this district is under gradual transformation respecting those details which give beauty and convenience to metropolitan centers. Chicago is distinguished as the site of the University of Chicago which in twenty years of life has instructed 43,115 students, and represents an invest- ment in buildings, equipment, endowment, etc., of 835,000,000. Chicago is the meeting place of many conventions and so is an exchange for national thought on commercial, industrial, educational, religious, political and other questions animating the life of the American people. In Chicago's Art Institute, or Academy of Exhibition and Design, there are more than fifty classes aggregating 3,000 pupils annually. Chicago's public library, operating through a great main building and twenty-six liranches, offers one-half million volumes, the circulation of which is 3,000,000 ammally. The Theodore Thomas Orchestra and the Chicago Grand Opera Company are among the city's exceptional musical facilities. The city's business and professional strength and sentiment have been or- ganized in The Chicago Association of Commerce, one of the largest bodies of its kind in the world. CINCINNATI Cincinnati is located in two states and three counties, the metropolitan district including a population of about 600,000. The great Ohio River flowing through its center presents an example of governmental canalization on a large scale, and when completed will form a constantly navigable water system thou- sands of miles in length. Geographical and other natural advantages, including proximity to the center of population, to vast sources of supply of raw materials, including one of the greatest soft-coal fields in the world, have tended to develop manufac- turing on a large and diversified scale. Cincinnati takes a high rank in the manufacture of machine tools, woodworking machinery, office furniture, glass bottles, ornamental iron, playing cards and washing machines, and in the dis- CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 55 tributon of whiskey and hardwood himber. It is also an important center the the manufacture of shoes, soap, clothing, acids, musical instruments, printing inks, laundry machinery, distilling ai)paratus and carriages. So diversified are the industrial activities that a complete list is not feasible, but the situation may be summarized by the statement that 90 per cent of the lines classified by the Federal Census are manufactured in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is the only city in the United States o^^^ling a steam railroad, the Cincinnati Southern, extending from Cincinnati to Chattanooga, Term. The city operates playgrounds, municipal lodging-houses, an emplojTnent bureau, a municipal laundry, bathhouses, tuberculosis and general hospitals, in addition to the usual activities of a city government. A new municipal hospital, costing two million dollars, is under construction. Perhaps the most completely co-ordinated educational system in the coun- try' is found here, since it includes instruction from the kindergarten to and including the Municipal University. The co-operative system of education, by which the time of the student is divided between the class work and actual employment in the factories and other establishments of the city, is being adopted largely in other cities. A comprehensive park and boulevard system is being worked out by a special commission. Many new and important projects, such as a magnificent Union Station, a rapid transit system and a public auditorium and entertain- ment hall, are in contemplation, Cincinnati has long been noted as a center for art and music, and the May Festivals are renowned throughout the music-loving world. DAYTON Dayton, "The City of a Thousand Factories," is situated in the south- western portion of Ohio, a state near the center of the United States. It was founded in 1706 by English, and later, German people. It received its charter in 1805, when it had a population of about 100 people. Its present population is about 125,000, and its corporate area is 6.5 miles. Dayton is situated in a rich industrial and agricultural area — the most thickly populated section west of the Alleghany mountains, and within its trading district are over 750,000 people. Daj-ton is a city of homes, and ranks high in its civic improvements, parks, playgrounds and civic pride. Dayton is a leader in the manufacture of the following products: cash re- gisters, aeroplanes, car registers, railroad cars, sewing machines, cast-iron fit- ings. clay working machinery, computing scales, filters, shoe lasts, golf clubs, stamped envelopes. Dayton is also an automobile manufacturing center. Daj-ton has 1,264 industrial establishments, with an annual output valued at $72,000,000. The capital invested is 832,000,000. Dayton's annual payroll is over $35,000,000. The most notable industrial plant at Dayton is the great factory of the 66 IXTERXATIOXAL CONGRESS OF National Cash Register Company, which makes cash registers for every coun- try'- on the globe, doing 45 per cent of its business outside the United States. This company maintains in connection with its works a well-equipped school for the industrial education of its employees. The president of the Company maintains near the outskirts of the city a large park "Hills and Dales" for the use of the employees and the citizens generally. The original and present factory of Wright Brothers, the famous aero- nautic engineers, is located at Dayton. Eight railroads radiate in twelve direc- tions from the city. At Dayton is situated the largest and finest National Soldiers' Home in the United States in an exceptional location surrounded by beautiful grounds. PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh is the steel center of the world. It occupies the front rank in the production of iron, steel, pig iron, steel ingots and castings, structural steel, wire, iron and steel pipe, sheet and plate iron and steel, steel buildings and bridges, steel cars, rolling-mill machinery and other iron and steel products. The Pittsburgh district produced in 1910 ninety million tons of bituminous coal. Its steel works and blast furnaces give emplojnment to 75,000 men. For the hauhng of materials, coke, iron ore and limestone, which are made into pig iron in the Pittsburgh district, 88,000 freight trains, with an average load of 3,400 gross tons apiece are required every year. The total annual tonnage of the district is 167,733,268 tons. In 1910, 56,480,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas were piped into Pittsl)urgh direct from the gas fields. In addition to the great steel industry, Pittsburgh has an important posi- tion in the manufacture of plate and window glass, plumbing supplies, fire brick, air brakes, table ware, white lead, tin plate, electrical machinery, aluminum and cork. It has a huge pickling and preserving plant with 3,500 employees and 500 traveling salesmen. Metropolitan Pitts])urgh has a population within a ten-mile radius of 1,042,855, ranking as the fifth metropolitan district of the United States. Within a radius of 40 miles of the Court House there lives a population of four million people. There are 84 banks and trust companies in Pittsburgh with a capital of about 860,000,000, and surplus of about §100,000,000. The clearing-house ex- changes for 1911 amounted to .S2,520,285,912. Pittsburgh has 509 miles of paved streets. It has 22 parks, containing 1,387 acres, valued at over seven million dollars. Carnegie Institute covers four acres, and cost Andrew Carnegie $6,000,000, — with the teclmical schools adjoining, and all endowments, S24,000,000. The Carnegie Technical Schools have 2,450 students, a campus of 32 acres and a faculty of 100. The University of Pittsburgh is a splendidly equipped insti- tution with 1,948 students, a campus of 43 acres and a faculty of 225. Illllll viF.w <)i I'm-; hi\i:h lunxT, dkthoii ^ V, , <•- VIl.W 1 Ho.M rili; i>Hln HIVKH, CINCINNATI THE CAPITOL, WASHlXtiTOX. I). C. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 57 WASHINGTON Washington, the capital city of the United States, is generally admitted to be one of the most beautiful cities in the New World. It was planned by the celebrated French engineer Charles Pierre L'Enfant. The public buildings are handsome and well placed, and thousands of acres of small and large parks adorn the city. As the seat of the government of the United States, it has grown from a village to a city of 340,000 inhabitants. The White House, where the President hves, and the Capitol, where Congress sits, are located at either end of Penn- sylvania Avenue, the principal thoroughfare of the city, and one of the most notable in the world. In Washington are located the State, War, Navy, Treasury, Post-Oflice, Interior, Agricultural, Commerce and Labor Departments. The Library of Congress has nearly two million volumes. The National Museum, the United States Geological Survey, the Smithsonian Institute, the Naval Observatory, the Patent Office and the Carnegie Institute of Science are notable features. The Pan-American Union is housed in a magnificent building near the great Washington Monmnent. The government factories, such as the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Government Printing-Office, the Navy Yard and the Arsenal have plants valued at S25,000,000. Mt. Vernon, the home and tomb of George Washington, is within an hour's ride of the capital. Annapolis, the Government Naval School, is within a short distance of the city. A great National Soldiers' Home for the care of the retired and invalid soldiers is within the District of Columbia. Washington has 314 parks and parkways, covering 3,4L3 acres. The capital is the location of over 100 educational institutions. This num- ber includes three imiversities : the George Washington, Georgetown and the Catholic University of America. There are also a deaf mute college at Kendal Green, the Army War College, the Army Medical School and others. Washington is by no means insignificant from an industrial point of view. It contains 2,669 manufacturing establishments with 16,000 employees, and annual products valued at over §37,000,000. The District of Columbia, in which Washington is located, was established by Act of Congress in 1790. The administration of the affairs of the District of Columbia is in the hands of two commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and one Army Engineer officer detailed by the Secretary of War. These three men constitute a board of commissioners for three years. This board prepares and submits estimates for the expenditures for each year; one-half of the necessary amount being assessed upon the Dis- trict, and the other half appropriated by Congress from the Federal funds. 58 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia is one of the most important cities of the United States in commerce, industry and financial power. In 1910 its population was 1,549,008, and it ranked as the third city of the country. Philadelphia takes the lead in many important lines of domestic produc- tion. The largest single industry of the city is the Baldwin Locomotive Works, which gives emplojuient to 12,000 to 15,000 men, and turns out eight locomo- tives per diem. The city is a leader in the building of ships, the manufacture of textiles, carpets and rugs, leather, hosiery, knit goods, felt hats, saws, oilcloth and street- cars, and is important in sugar refining, petroleum refining, the production of machinery of all kinds, chemicals, druggists' preparations, cordage and twine. In Philadelphia are located 8,379 industrial establishments, employing 251,- 884 people, who receive annually w'ages of $126,381,000. The capital invested in the industries of Philadelphia is 8691,397,000. The value of the industrial product of Philadelphia in 1909 was $746,076,000. Philadelphia is the headquarters of two of the most important American railroads, the Peimsylvania Railroad and the Reading Railroad. There are in Philadelphia 105 national banks, trust companies and saving funds with a capital and surplus of $170,000,000, and deposits of nearlj' $600,- 000,000. Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by "William Penn as a Quaker colony, and has, in its 250 years of history, been the scene of some of the most important events of American history. The Declaration of Independence and the Con- stitution of the United States were both signed at Philadelphia. The first Na- tional ]\Iint and the first United States Post-Office were opened there. Philadelphia is an important educational center, being the scat of the Uni- versity of Pemisylvania, and the famous Girard College. The Drexel Insti- tute, devoted to the extension and improvement of industrial education, is attended by more than 3,000 students. The Pemisylvania Academy of Fine Arts has one of the most important art collections in the United States. Philadelphia has an excellent park system. The city's chief recreation ground is Fairmount Park, one of the largest city parks of the world, covering an area of 3,348 acres. The Zoological Garden in Philadelphia contains one of the best collections of the kind in America. The Philadelphia Commercial IMuseum was established in 1895 to dissem- inate knowledge concerning products, requirements, mamiers and customs of different parts of the world. This is the most important commercial museum of the United States. nil: SKY LINK OF I'lTTSIURdH INDi:i'EM>l..\( K HALL, I'llILADKLI'MLV ciililiriiiiil. nil :. ii„i;,n. r. l/"il .<• .Son THE SKVSCKAl'KRS (»F J.oWKK NEW YORK riiui;i'; of iiir. luuixii.s to iu{ooki,\.\, m:\\ ^ouk CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 59 NEW YORK New York is the metropolis of America and the second city of the world. In population, wealth, financial importance, commerce and manufacturing it dominates all other American cities. It is the natural gateway to the continent. In 1910, according to the Federal census, the population of New York was 4,760,883. Its present officially estimated population is 5,173,000. In 1911 the assessed value for purposes of taxation of New York real and personal property was $8,216,703,287. New York is the financial center of America. Its banking operations com- prise not only the interests arising from the immense volume of foreign and domestic commerce, but also the financing of the nation's railway system and a vast range of industrial enterprises in every part of the United States. These vast financial operations are carried on through 154 banks and trust companies, whose capital and surplus is over .S581, 500,000. The daily bank clearings in 1911 were over 8305,000,000, and for the year aggregated about ninety-five and one-half l)illions of dollars. More than one-third of the exports from the United States to foreign coun- tries find their outlet through the port of New York. In 1911 the total exports from the United States were valued at S2,049,000,000: those from the port of New York were valued at 8772,552,000. In the same year New York's im- ports were of the value of .8881,592,000, out of a total for the United States of 81,527,220,000. Fifty-eight lines of steamships engaged exclusively in foreign trade i^ly regularly between New York and all parts of the world. In addition fifty-one coastwise and local steamship lines transport an immense traffic be- tween New York and the Atlantic and Gulf ports. In 1911, 9,719 vessels arrived at the port of New York. In the same year, 180,201 cabin pa.ssengers (alien) and 556,333 immigrants landed there. In the volume, value and variety of its products New York is by far the most important manufacturing city of America. In 1909 New York had 25,938 manufacturing establishments employing 680,500 persons. The capital invested was 81,304,3.")3,000, and the aggregate value of products was 82,029,- 693,000. The industries of New York are of a widely diversified character. The city budget for 1912 (cost of municipal government) was 8181,090,256. The city owns and supports 511 school buildings costing 8130,000,583. The budget allowance for conducting the public schools in 1911 was 829,007,747 and the bond issues for schools were 812,132,287 making a total spent for the pui)lic schools of 841,140,034. The average daily attendance of pupils was 002,934. The public parks of New York comprise a total of 7,947 acres. The most important of the urban parks are Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in BrookU-n. The Metropolitan Museum of Arts in Central Park contains the largest GO INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS collection of paintings, sculpture, architectural models and archeology in America. New York's transit problem is one of the most serious which any munici- pality has ever been required to solve. Three great suspension bridges and one of the cantilever type comiect Manhattan with Brookljni and with Queens Borough. Ready access between New York and New Jersey is provided by the Hudson Tumiels connecting lower Manhattan and the do\\Ti-towii shopping district with most of the railroads on the New Jersey side. The present sub- ways under Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx are proving inadequate and huge new subways are under construction. The length of trackage in the present subways is 73 miles and their cost was $50,000,000. The length of trackage in the new subways under construction is 256 miles and their cost is estimated at $347,000,000. The sky line of the lower end of Manhattan with its huge skyscrapers is unique. The magnificent railroad stations, hotels, theaters and so forth of New York are world-famous. No brief description can give an adequate pic- ture of this constantly growing and wonderful city. ^ppenbix i ©elegatesi to tfje Jf iftfj Snternational Congregg of Cfjambersi of Commerce ARGENTINA Official Delegate Nominated by Government Dr. Abel Pardo, Consul General to the United States, New York, N.Y. Rosario de Santa Fe — Chamber of Commerce Thomas A. Eddy, Vice-President, American Trading Co. of New York Tucuman — Bol^a de Comercio G. Washington Rapelli AUSTRIA-HUNGARY AUSTRIA Official Delegate Nominated by Government Dr. Leonhard Hochdorf, Secretary to the Austrian Ministry- of Commerce, Postgasse 10, Vienna I Brunn — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Robert Mayer, Secretary Paul M. Samek Prague — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Franz Malinsky, Vice-President Dr. Rudolf Hotowetz, First Secretary Dr. Zdonko Fafl, Manager of the Export Office Dr. Otakar Hoppc, Official Charles Jczek, Blansko, Moravia Dr. Johann Lowenstcin, Official Dr. Jan. Matys, Deputy Secretary Dr. Jaroslav Xovdk, Official Gustav Steiner, Steiner Bros. Ing. Arthur Sykora Hcnr>' Waldes, Waldes & Co. Max Werthcinier, J. Wertheimer & Co. The Export As.socialion of Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia Rafael de Szalatnay Reichenberg — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Regienmg.srat Dr. Fritz Cams, First Secretary Kurt Grohmann, Teplitz-Schonau, Bohemia Paul Hielle, Hiello & Wun.sohe, Schcinlinde, Bohemia Julius Hille, Hillc & Muller, Schonau near Schluckenau, Bohemia Clemens Jaeger, Schonbiichel near Schonlinde, Bohemia Johann Klinger, Zeidler near Rumburg, Bohemia 63 64 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Vienna — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Josef Vinzl, Jr., ElisabethstraCe 1, Vienna Dr. ]Max von Tayenthal, Stubenring 8, Vienna I Arnold Bardas, Edler von Bardenau, AuhofstraCe 12, Vienna XIII Ferdinand Frankl, WahringerstraCe 2, Vienna IX Alfred Heinsheimer, LisztstraCe 1, Vienna I Hans Jauner von Schroffenegg, Hotel Sacher, Vienna I Arthur Klein, Horlgasse 7, Vienna IX Ernst Krause, Vienna Rudolf Otto Maass, Wallfischgasse 10, Vienna I Dr. Gustav Rosauer, Zelinkagasse 9, Vienna I Mrs. Emilie Stubenvoll, HelferstorferstraBe 4, Vienna I Association of Colonial Produce Merchants Josef Vinzl, Jr., ElisabethstraCe 1, Vienna Austrinn Export Society Adolf Schwarz, First Secretary, Schwarzenbergplatz 4, Vienna III Central Association of Austrian Merchants Josef Vinzl, Jr., ElisabethstraBe 1, Vienna Lower Austrian Association for the Promotion of Handicraft Ernst Krause, Vice-President Manufacturers' Association Felix Neumann, Werdertorgasse 7, Vienna I Merchants' Guild Josef Vinzl, Jr., ElisabethstraCe 1, Vienna Participants Paul von Boschen, Vienna III J. F. Votruba, II Tylovo 1, Prague HUNGARY Official Delegate Nominated by Government Dr. Edmund Kunosi, Assistant Secretary, Royal Hungarian Ministry of Commerce Arad — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Louis Varjassy, Secretary Budapest — National Hungarian Commercial Association Berthold de Furst, Vice-President Dr. Alexander Katona, Secretary Dr. Paul Szende, General Secretary Hungarian National Association of Chemical Industry Dr. Gustavus Bokor, Secretary Debreczen — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Geza Kacziany Jules Szdvay, Secretary Gyor — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Henri Kallos Paul Kuffler, B. Kuffler Co. Maurice Szendroi, Secretary CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE G5 Kassa — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Leo Per6ney Albert Scholtz, Mateocz Dr. Aladdr Siposs, Secretary Andrew Julius Siposs, President Aladdr \^'ein, Kesmark, Dep. Szepes Nagyvarad — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Louis Sarkadi, Secretary Osijek-Eszek (Croatia-SIavonia) — Chnmhcr of Covwierce and Industry Cedomil Mihocinovic-Plavsic, Deputy Szeged — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Louis Perjessy, Seeretarj' Joseph Toth, Director School of Commerce BELGIUM Official Delegate Nominated by Government Paul Hagemans, Consul General to the United States, Philadelphia, Pa. Brussels — Chamber of Commerce Adolphe Charlet, Vice-President Leon Chaussette Judge Louis Lazard Union des Associations Internationales Urbain J. Ledoux Ghent — Cercle Commercial et Industriel Charles Christophe, Secretary Mens — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Louis Canon-Legrand, President; President International Congress of Chambers of Commerce Cmile Jottrand, General Secretarj'; Secretarj- International Congress of Chambers of Commerce Participants Edouard Duez, Toumai Marc Prison, Tournai Henry Lechoux, Rue dc la Ferme, 2.5, Brus-sels Adrien Louvois, Rue de la Ferme, 25, Brussels BOLIVLA. Official Delegate Nominated by Government Adolfo Ballividn, Consul General, New York, X. Y 66 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF BRAZIL Official Delegates Xominated by Government Count Candido Mendes dc Almeida, Director of the Commercial Museum, Rio de Janeiro Manuel Jacintho Ferreira da Cunha, Consul General, New York, N.Y. Dr. Manuel da Costa Barradas, Commercial Attach^ of Embassy, Washington, D. C. Manaos — Commercial Association Manuel Lobato Commercial Association of the Amazon A. W. Stedman, 77 Summer St., Boston Rio de Janeiro — Academy of Commerce Count Candido Mendes de Almeida, Director Commercial Museum Commercial Association Count Candido Mendes de Almeida Commercial Museum Count Candido Mendes de Almeida Council of the Merchants and Ship Brokers Count Candido Mendes de Almeida Federation of Commercial Associations of Brazil Count Candido Mendes de Almeida International Chamber of Commerce of Brazil Manuel Jacintho Ferreira da Cunha Santos — Commercial Association Charles W. Walker, Arbuckle & Co., New York CHILE Official Delegates Nominated by Government Horace Newton Fisher, Consul, Boston, Mass. Ricardo Sanchez, Consul General to the United States, New York, N. Y. Richard J. Lenpold, Consul, Baltimore, Md. Santiago — Sociedad de Fomento Fabril Horace Newton Fisher David Montt, AAenida de las Delicias 2310 Tancredo Pinochet, 414 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, Pa. Participant Georges Pet it jean, Santiago CHINA Official Delegates Nominated by Government Dr. Chin-tao Chen, M. S., Former Minister of Finance in the Nanking Government Ching-Chun Wang, Assistant Director of the Peking-Mukden Railway, Peking Fu Liang, Canton, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Chiao Chung Tan, Commercial Attach6 of Legation, Wa.shington, D. C. Chung Wen-pang, Second Secretary of Legation, Washington, D. C. Hongkong — Sze Yap Commercial Guild Louey Po Sang Yang Sai Ngom Yong Bang Kok CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 67 Shanghai — General Chamber of Commerce Joseph Reed Patterson Charles R. Scott, International Banking Corp. John F. Seaman, Wisner & Co. Kwecn E. Yang COLOMBIA Official Delegate Nominated by Government Dr. Don Jorge Vargas, Consul, Boston, Mass. Participant Don Vicente Martinez R., Cartagena I COSTA RICA Official Delegates Nominated by Government F. Peralta, San Jos6 Samuel E. Piza, San Jos6 CUBA Official Delegates Nominated by Government Antonio Martin Rivero, E. E. & M. P., Washington, D. C. J. T. Monahan, 1 Wall St., New York, N. Y. Havana — Cdmara de Comercio, Industria y Navegacidn de la Isla do Cuba J. M. Andreini, 29 West 7oth St., New York, N. Y. Carlos Amoldson DENMARK Official Delegate Nominated by Government V. Lund Copenhagen — Chamber of Commerce A. C. Ilium Carl Rubow Hans Tegner ECUADOR Official Delegates Nominated by Government Vicente Gonzales, Quito, Chargd d'.VfTaires, Washington, D. C. Julio L. Roman, Consul, Boston, Mass. Quito — Chamber of Commerce L. E. Monge, Quito EGYPT Cairo — American Chamber of Commerce for the Levant Constant in Xippas, Mgr. Vacuum Oil Co. for Egj-pt and Palestine International Chamber of Commerce Const ant in Xippas 68 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF FRANCE Angouleme — Chamber of Commerce Ga.ston Miignicr Limoges — Chamber of Commerce L(5on Bernardaud Marseilles — Syndicat des Imporlateurs de Graines OUagineuses Paul van Haecht, 59 rue Paradis Paris — Aiyurican Chamber of Commerce Lawrence V. Benet, 19 Boulevard des Capucines D. Roditi, 1 rue Ambroise-Thomas Bernard J. Shoninger, President William J. Thomas, Assistant Manager American Express Co. in Europe Belgian Chamber of Commerce Eugene Allard Camille Huguenin Albert Wolfers, Vice-President British Chamber of Commerce Henrj' F. Fletcher, Vice-President Italian Chamber of Commerce Dr. Albert C Bonaschi, 203 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Luigi Solari, 203 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Netherlands Chamber of Commerce J. Pierson, J. & O. G. Picrson Ottorrmn Chamber of Commerce Michel Dumani Avram Farhi, Consul General, Boston, Mass. Roubaiz — Chamber of Commerce fimile Toulemonde Tourcoing — Chamber of Commerce Louis Lorthiois, Lorthiois Fr^res FRENCH POSSESSIONS — ALGIERS Gran — Chamber of Commerce Charles Dupuy Philippeville — Chamber of Commerce Charles Dupuy GERMANY Official Delegate Nominated by Government Wilhelm Thcodor Reincke, Imperial Consul, Boston, Mass. Aix-la-Chapelle — Chamber of Commerce Albert Schiffers Barmen — Chamber of Commerce Paul Neumann, Neumann & Biiren Rudolf Zicrsch, Otto Budde & Co. Kommerzienrat Ferdinand Bartels Berlin — Deutschcr Ilandelstag Dr. Soetbeer, General Secretary, Neue Friedrichstrafie 53-54, Berlin C. 2 Kommerzienrat Heinrich Vogelsang, Recklinghausen, Westphalia I CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 69 Die Altesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin Prof. Dr. Ma.\ Apt, Syndic Gcorg Frank, NicderwallstraCe 1314, Berlin C. 19 Felix Hcinumn Dr. Martin Kriele Komnicrzionrat C. L. Nctter, Wolf, Notter & Jacobi Kommcrzienrat Max Richtcr, Emil Ebeling Chamber of Commerce Dr. Otto Ehlcrs, M. P. Leopold Rcsenow, Ro.senow & Co. Hamltitiverlragsierein Hanilelsrichter Hugo Manes, Bockenheimer LandstraBe 45, Frankfurt a. M. Konunerzienrat Otto Miinsterberg, Hundega.sse 109, Danzig Direktor Artluir Vrancken, Leystapel 49, Cologne Verband Deulscher Waren- und Kaufhduser Ju.stizrat Dzialoszjmski American Association of Commerce and Trade Prof. George S. Atwood, Secretary, FriedrichstraCe 59-60 Boon — Chamber of Commerce Heinrich Breuer, Euskirchen Bremen — Chamber of Commerce Gottfried Koch, Postfach 472 Breslau — Chamber of Commerce Max Schlesinger, ButtnerstraCe 32-33 Brunswick — Chamber of Commerce Ernst Amme, Vice-President Chemnitz — Chamber of Commerce Hon. Ernst Stephan Clause, Plane bei Floha, Saxony Cologne — Chamber of Commerce Otto Bertuch Louis Lehmann, HohestraCe 43 Kdlner Gewerbe Verein Ludwig Koerfer Verein der Induslriellen des Regierungs Bezirk Fritz Schiffman, Eu.skirchcn Danzig — Vorsteheramt der Kaufmannschaft Kommcrzienrat Otto Miinsterberg, Hundegasse 109 Dresden — Chamber of Commerce Dr. August Karst, Syndic Konunerzienrat Emil Lunge, A. Lange & Sons, Glaschiitte Richard MattersdorfT, S. MattersdorfT Export Verein im Konigreich Sachaen E. Robert Bohme Verband Sdchsischer Industriellcr Dr. Gustav Stresemaim, ChristianstraCe 1-3 Diisseldorf — Chambrr of Commerce Dr. Brandt Hugo Meyer, SchlieBfach 77 Elberfeld — Chamber of Commerce Eduard Gebhard. MoltkcstraCe 63 Dr. Wiedemann, Sjiidic 70 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF V Erfurt — Chamber of Commerce Eduard Keller-Hartmann, Ziegenriick (Thiiringen) Essen — Chamber of Commerce Ernst Simon, Werden-Ruhr Frankfurt a. M. — Chamber of Commerce Georges Gottlob, Frankfurter Hof Dr. Levin, Stadtrat Carl Ritter, Ritter's Park Hotel, Bad Homburg near Frankfurt Freidrich Thon\-art, Vice-President Dr. Hans Trumpler, Secretary Vereinigung der Exporlfirmen Hugo Manes Gustav Mayer- Alberti, KaiserstraCe 37 Justizrat Dr. Ludwig Hecht Halberstadt — Chamber of Commerce Dr. Josef Weller, Quedlinburg a. Harz Halle — Chamber of Commerce Alfred Hoeltz, J. G. Hoeltz & Sons, Naumburg a. Saale Dr. Pfahl, Sj-ndic C. W. Roediger, Hallesche Maschinenfabrik und EisengieCerei Hamburg — Chamber of Commerce C. Gopner, Job. Diedr. Bieber Dr. Jur. G. Arnold Kiesselbach, SjTidic Heidelberg — Chamber of Commerce Geh. Kommerzienrat Friedrich Schott, President Heinrich Stoess, Stoess &, Co. Hildesheim — Chamber of Commerce Otto C. .Aiilbom Eduard Peine, SchuhstraCe Ludwig Peine, SchuhstraCe Karlsnihe — Handelskammer fur die Kreise Karlsruhe und Baden Camille Brenner, Hotel Stephanie, Baden-Baden Friedrich Straus, Bankhause Straus & Co. Konigsberg — Verein Deutscher Ingenieure ^ Otto Breuer t Leipzig — Chamber of Commerce j Kommerzienrat Sigismund J. Tobias, Tobias & Schmidt ' 1 Dr. jur. Wendtland, Secretary } Liibeck — Chamber of Commerce S Carl F. R. Dimpker, Dimpker & Sommer * P. A. Mann Mannheim — Chamber of Commerce Dr. Hans Clemm Dr. Emil Michelmann, Benz & Co. Mtinster — Chamber of Commerce Kommerzienrat Heinrich Vogelsang, Recklinghausen, Westphalia Neugersdorf — Verband Sachsischer Industrieller Oswald Hoffmann Nuremberg — Chamber of Commerce Carl Hutzelmeyer, KleistraCe 5 i CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 71 Plauen — Chamber of Commerce Walter Mammen, Femsprecher 8 Regensburg — Chamber of Commerce August Ludwig, L. S. Ludwig Kommerzienrat Ludwig Pustet, Friedrich Pustet & Co. Sonneberg — Chamber of Commerce Prof. Dr. Anschuetz, Secretary Sorau — Chamber of Commerce Paul Hermann, Naumburg a. Saale Stolberg — Chamber of Commerce Geh. Kommerzienrat Wilhelm Hoesch, Eberhard Hoesch & Sons, Diiren Stuttgart — Chamber of Commerce Dr. Ernst Klien Trier — Chamber of Commerce Hugo Loeser, H. Loeser & Co. Wiirzburg — Chamber of Commerce Kommerzienrat Fritz Lang, Vice-Chairman Participants Carl Gross, 'M. Gladbach Adolf Hartmann, Hannover GREAT BRITAIN AND BRITISH POSSESSIONS The delegates from the various portions of the British Empire are listed under the several con- stituent countries. The total number of the delegates is 102 ENGLAND Official Delegate Nominated by Government Hon. Thomas E. Erskine, British Consul General, St. Louis, Missouri Barrow-in-Furness — Chamber of Commerce I Alfred Aslett, General Manager Fumess Railway Co. !Birkenhead — Chamber of Commerce David B. Adamson Bradford — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce , John Bland W. W. Rycroft, Drake Hill, Bingley, Yorkshire Richard C. Thyne, Moorcroft, Yeadon near Leeds W. A. Whitehead, J. P. Bradford Dyers' Association Richard C. Thyne, Moorcroft, Yeadon near Leeds Bristol — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping G. Palliser Martin, Arg>le House, Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol Cheltenham — Chamber of Commerce George Dimmer, J. P. Cotteswold, Leckhampton Hill near Cheltenham H. St. C. Bowie-Evans, 20 Lansdowne Place 72 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Croydon — Chamber of Commerce L. H. Turtle, President Derby — Chamber of Commerce G. A. Longden, Stanton-by-Dale, Nottingham Dudley — Chatt^ber of Commerce F. W. Cook, J. P., Vice-President Halifax — Incorporated Charnber of Commerce John Armitage Drake, J. P., Messrs. Drake, Ltd. Huddersfield — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce Edward J. Bruce, J. P., Crowther, Bruce & Co., Ltd. Liverpool — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce Robert V. G. Adamson, Frank Hamilton & Co. James R. Barbour Price Jones, Marples, Jones & Co. London — British Imperial Council of Commerce F. Faithfull Begg, FaithfuU Begg & Co. Hon. J. G. Jenkins, 27 Clements Lane G. Palliser Martin, Stephens Bros. & Martin, Bristol Chamber of Commerce F. Faithfull Begg, Bartholomew House, E. C. Sir John E. Bingham, Bart., Walker & Hall, Sheffield Harold A. H. Christie, B. A., F. R. A. S., Deepdale, Woldingham, Surrey J. E. Evans-Jackson R. S. Eraser, 4 Finsbury Circus, E. C. Jacob Heilborn, 17 Holborn Viaduct, E. C. Hon. J. G. Jenkins, 27 Clements Lane A. Barton Kent, 75 Farrington Road, E. C. Sir Joseph Lawrence, 188 Fleet St., E. C. Alfred Lohnstein, 13 London Wall, E. C. Dr. Rudolph Messel, Managing Director Spencer, Chapman & Messel, Ltd. Edward R. P. Moon C. D. Morton, C. & E. Morton, Ltd. Graham Spicer, F. R. G. S., 19 New Bridge St. W. J. Thompson, 38 Mincing Lane, E. C. Thomas Usher, 72 St. Mary's Mansions, Paddington, W. Wholesale Stationers' Association Graham Spicer, F. R. G. S., 19 New Bridge St. Canadian Chamber of Commerce Henry F. Fletcher, Vice-President, British Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France Dr. Frank B. Vrooman, Authors' Club, Whitehall Court, S. W. Swedish Chamber of Commerce F. Henriksson, 35 Vineyard Road, Wimbledon, S. W. Nottingham — Chamber of Commerce W. H. Blackburn John Boot, St. Heliers, Park Drive Paul Meyer, 1 Pelham Crescent, The Park Reading — Chamber of Commerce Arthur Ncwbcry, Friar and Queen Victoria Sts. Sheffield — Chamber of Commerce Sydney Jessop Robinson, Wilham Jcssop & Sons, Ltd. i CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 73 Wakefield — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce arid Shipping A. Taylor White Walsall — I ncorporated Chamber of Commerce Alfred Dewsbury, John Dewsbury i Son, Ltd. Joseph A. Leckie, John Leckie «fc Co. Charles C. ^^■alker Sidney G. Wheway, The Shrubbery, Sytton Road IRELAND Cork — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping Benjamin Haughton, J. P., Cork Timber & Iron Co., Ltd. Dublin — Chamber of Commerce Richard K. Gamble, B. L., J. P., Honorary Secretary William P. Odium, J. P., Huntington, Portarlington, Ire. SCOTLAND Aberdeen — Chamber of Commerce James C. Glegg, J. P., Glegg, Thomas, Ltd. George Hutcheson, 47 Marischal St. Dundee — Chamber of Commerce William Mackenzie, 22 Meadowside Edinburgh — Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers James Comiack, J. P., Leith Young J. Pent land, Duncliffe, Murrayfield Leith — Chamber of Commerce James Cormack, J. P. ADEN. ARABIA Aden — Chamber of Commerce Hormusjee Cowasjee Dinshaw AUSTRALIA Official Delegate X ominaled by Government Right Hon. Sir George Houston Reid, P. C, G. C. M. G. Melbourne — Chamber of Commerce Randal J. .\lcock Fred Thonemann BAHAMAS Nassau — The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce R. H. Curr>- T. G. Johnson Hon. J. F. W. Turtle, Vice-Chairman Hamilton — Chamber of Commerce John P. Hand Eugene C. Pearman Sir Thomas J. Wadson BERMUDA 74 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA Nairobi — Chamber of Commerce Percy Chaplin CANADA Moncton — Board of Trade W. H. Price, Secretary Montreal — Board of Trade Col. Jeffrey H. Burland, 2 Place d' Amies Square Chambrc de Commerce C. H. Catelli Joseph Fortier Arthur Leniont New Westminster — Board of Trade James B. Kennedy Ottawa — Board of Trade J. Fred Booth George S. May, President Thomas Workman, 301 Wellington St. Quebec — Board of Trade G. A. Vandry, Ex-President Toronto — Board of Trade W. J. Gage, Ex-President W. G. MacKendrick INDIA Calcutta — Bengal Chamber of Commerce Hon. Norman McLeod, McLeod &. Co. Delhi — Punjab Chamber of Commerce Lionel Collins, A. Frausstadt, Amritsar, Punjab Participani Dr. Shiv Nath Kapoor, 167 Bunder Road, Karachi City, East India JAMAICA Kingston — Poxjal Jamaica Society of Agriculture and Commerce & Merchants' Exchange Reginald Melhado NEW ZEALAND Auckland — Chamber of Commerce Col. G. W. S. Patterson Christchurch — Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Gilbert Anderson, 6 Holborn Viaduct, London, England Albert Kaye, Kaye & Carter Dunedin — Chamber of Commerce Alexander Stronach Patcrson Invercargill — Chamber of Commerce Alexander Stronach Paterson, Dunedin Napier — Chamber of Commerce P. J. Ryan, C. H. Cranby & Co. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 76 Wanganui — Chamber of Commerce Leonard E. Bassett Alfred Burnett Allan Robinson Wellington — Chamber of Commerce Albert Kaye, Kaye & Carter, Christchurch Alexander Stronach Paterson, Dunedin SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town — South African Manufacturers' Association Willi:un J. Laite, General Secretarj' TRINIDAD Port of Spain — Chamber of Commerce T. Geddes Grant William Scott GREECE Athens — American Chamber of Commerce for the Levant Bernhard Mellissinos, Athens GUATEMALA Official Delegates Nomitiatcd by Government A. C. Garcia, Consul, Boston, Mass. WilUam A. Mosman, Vice-Consul, Boston, Mass. HONDURAS Official Delegate Nominated by Government Dr. Don Alberto Membreno, E. E. & ^L P. of Honduras, Washington, D. C. ITALY Official Delegates Nominated by Government S. E. Grand Uff. Marchese Gerolomo Cusani Confalonieri Hon. Gustavo di Rosa, Royal Consul, Boston, Mass. Ing. Grand UflF. Angelo Salmoiraghi, President Milan Chamber of Commerce Alessandria — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Alessandro Debendetti, via Bertola 20 Bergamo — Chamber of Commerce Luigi Locatelli, Piazza Cavour 3 Catania, Sicily — Chamber of Commerce Ugo Donatelli Augusto Morosoli Catanzaro — Chamber of Commerce Baron Antonio De Grazia, via Venti Settembre 1 1 76 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Florence — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dante Antolini, 45 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Lecco — Chamber of Commerce Cav. Giorgio Enrico Falck, via Monte Napoleone 7 Giuseppe Sala Lucca — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Luigi Solari, 203 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Milan — Chamber of Commerce Carlo Paini, viale Romana 23 Senator Ing. Angelo Salmoiraghi, President Cav. Aw. Edmondo Valdiserra, General Secretary Agricultural Association of Lombardy Carlo Paini, viale Romana 23 Associazione fra Commercianti, Esercenti ed Industriali Marco Boghen, via Tortona 15 Giuseppe Carletti, viale Monforte 4 Cav. Giorgio Enrico Falck, via Monte Napoleone 7, Lecca Comm. Giuseppe Janni Cav. Cesare Ponti, Portici Settentrionali 15 Francesco Ponzoni, via Brolo 2 Dr. Av\. Enrico Rajnoldi, Corso Venezia 61 Cav. Pietro Vallardi, via Moscova 40 Associazione fra Commercianti ed Industriali in Pelliccerie Emilio Pozzi, corso Magenta 80 Associazione Granaria Carlo Paini, viale Romana 23 Circolo per gli Inter essi Agricoli, Commerciali ed Industriali Cesare Goldmann, via Stefano Jacini 6 Consorzio fra gli Industriali meccanici e metallurgici Riccardo Radaelli, via Vittoria Colonna, N. 2 Federazione Commerciale e Industriale Italiana Marco Boghen, via Tortona 15 Federazione Internazionale Cotoniera Aw. Roberto Pozzi, via Monte di Piet^ 11 Modena — Chamber of Commerce Cav. Rag. Fermo Comi, President Dr. Guido Comi Magg. Cav. Giulio Formiggini-Nacmani, via Scalze 3 Dr. Emilio Malatesta, via S. Giovanni del Cantone 4 Dr. Joseph Salotti Dr. Ferruccio Testi, Rua Muro 20 Monza — Federazione Industriali Dr. Tullio Fossati Naples — American Chamber of Commerce in Italy Robert C. Arbib, Tripoh, North Africa Padua — Chamber of Commerce Dr. Gino de Benedetti, via S. Sofia 41 Rome — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gulienetti Guido Susa — Societd Anonima Banchiero Ing. Giovanni Grosso CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 77 Turin — Associazione Generate esercenti, commercianti ed industriali Hermann Leidheuscr, via Brcra 0, Milan Giuseppe Magnino, Cuorgne Cav. Eugenio Oilerio, via S. Anselmo 4 Cav. Uff. Paolo Timossi, President, corse Massimo d'Azeglio 76 Participants Ambrogio Bnisotti, via Vittoria 40, Milan Comm. Luigi HufToli, corso S. Celso G, Milan Emanuele Celanza Cav. Aw. Cesare Dalmazzi, via Pollenzo 840 Franco Fachini, Milan Prof. Stefano Fachini, Director Scuola Industria Olii e Grassi, Milan Dr. Adolfo Giro, Padua Dr. Giuseppe E. Hess, via Manzoni 39, Milan Ercole Marelli, casella postale 1254, Milan Ing. Roberto Naef, via Senato 28, Milan Ottavio Negri, Biella Quint ino Negri, Biella Grand Uff. Prof. Luigi Pagliani, via Bidone 37 Paolo Puricelli, via Carlo Cattaneo 1, Milan Cav. Ernesto Reinach, via Lario 90, Milan Luigi Scandroglio, via Foro Bonaparte 50, Milan Giuseppe Squindo, via Montecuccoli 9 Ing. Giulio Tosi, Legnano Ing. Mario Vicarj, corso Vittorio Emanuele 68 JAPAN Official Delegates Nominated by Government Y. Numano, Acting Consul General, New York, N. Y. Shinkichi Tamura, Vice-President of the Kobe Chamber of Commerce Kobe — Chamber of Commerce Shinkichi Tamura, Vice-President Tokio — Chamber of Commerce Reitaro Ichinomiya, 55 Wall St., New York, N. Y. Yokohama — Chamber of Commerce Iwao Nishi, 5 Itchome Tsukiji, Kiobashi-ku, Tokio MEXICO Official Delegates Nominated by Government J. Acovedo, Consul, Boston, Mass. Don Enrique Martinez Sobral, Mexico City, Mexico Domingo Valdes Llano, Hidalgo No. 121, Monterrey, N. L. Hermosillo — Chamber of Commerce -Vdolfo Ruiz Vera Cruz — N^ational Chamber of Commerce J. Acevedo, Consul, Boston, Mass. 78 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF NETHERLANDS Official Delegate Xoyninated by Government A. van de Sande Bakhuyzen, Consul General, New York, N. Y, Amsterdam — Chamber of Commerce and Industry M. E. Yonker, H. Yonker & Son Rotterdam — Chamber of Commerce and Industry W. Westerman, Boomjes 78 Tilburg — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Leon BruycUe, H. Bruyelle Jules de Beer, President P. W. Maas, Paleisstraat 18-20 NORWAY Official Delegates Nominated by Government Dr. Albert Balchen, Christiania Christian B. Lorentzen, Christiania K. Oppegaard, Christiania Bryggeri, Christiania Johan Steen, Steen & Strom, Christiania Bergen — La Bourse de Bergen Kristian Jebsen, Managing Director Bergen's Private Bank Kristian Lehmkuhl, Managing Director Bergen S. S. Co. Johan Ludw. Mowinckel Christiania — Den Norske Exportnceringers Landsforbund Dr. Albert Balchen, Secretary Christian B. Lorentzen Den N^orske FcEllesforening for Haandverk Induslri K. Oppegaard, Christiania Bryggeri Den Norske Handelsstands FoBllesforening Johan Rye Holmboe, President Tromso Handelsstands, Tromso Christian B. Lorentzen Johan Steen, Steen & Strom Chamber of Commerce Cath. Bang Johan Steen, Steen & Strom Handelsstands Forening Johan Steen, Steen & Strom PANAMA Official Delegate Nominated by Government Ramon Arias-Feraud, Central Ave., Panama, R. P. Participant Eric Barham, Eric Barham & Co., Panama PERSIA Official Delegate Nominated by Government Mirza Ali-Kuli Khan, Charg(5 d'Affaires, Washington, D. C. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 79 PERU Official Delegate Nominated by Government Manuel de Freyre y Simtander, First Sccretarj' of the Legation, Washington, D. C. Callao — Chamber of Commerce Federico A. Pezet, E. E. & M. P., Washington, D. C. Lima — Chamber of Commerce Federico A. Pezet, E. E. & M. P., Washington, D. C. Stock Exchange Federico A. Pezet, E. E. & ^L P., Washington, D. C. Piura — Chamber of Commerce Pedro V. Rubio PORTUGAL Official Delegates Nominated by Government Oscar Potier, Consul General, New York, X. Y. Jorge da Silveira Duarte de Almeida, Consul, Boston, Mass. Elvas — Commercial and Industrial Association Jacintho Lopes Lisbon — Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Union Jorge da Silveira Duarte de Almeida, Consul, Boston, Mass. William 0. Andrew Paul Gautier du Vignal Centra Colonial Manoel P. M. d' Almeida Charles N. Serpa Commercial Association Dr. Manoel Garcia Montciro, Cambridge, Mass. Geographical Society Dr. Joaquim Leite, Jr. British Chamber of Commerce of Portugal John Cas.'ed W. Fansher, Secretary G. N. Lingham, Manager Foreign Dept. National Cash Register Co. Decatur, 111. — Chamber of Commerce J. A. Corbett, President Edgar B. Tyler Denver, Colo. — Chamber of Commerce Thorndike Deland, Secretary Charles A. Johnson, 1020 loth St. E. L. Scholtz, President Retail Association, Chamber of Commerce H Robert W. Specr Edward J. Yetter, President Detroit, Mich. — Board of Commerce MI John \V. Anderson ^L George M. Black ^^m Roy D. Chapin ^F S. D. Waldon C. Haines Wilson Eureka, Calif. — Humboldt Chamber of Commerce Capt. Walter Coggeshall Fall River, Mass. — Chamber of Commerce John Sunimerfiold Braj-ton Frederick J. McLane, Vice-President .lames T. Milne Fitchburg, Mass. — Board of Trade tt Merchants' Association Marcus A. Coolidge, Vice-President Herbert E. Jennison, Jennison Co. Ralph D. Redfem, Industrial Secretary Fort Worth, Texas — Chamber of Commerce Col. Ix)ui3 J. Wort ham, Editor Fort Worth "Star Telegram" Framingham, Mass. — Board of Trade George L. Averj', President Harold B. Hayden Edgar Potter, Secretarj" Geneva, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Sidney H. Lewis, Secretary 86 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Haverhill, Mass. — Board of Trade William W. Emerson, President John E. Maguire Austin H. Perry Holyoke, Mass. — Board of Trade W. H. BuUard, President Morton Hull, Secretary F. A. McLane, Vice-President Houston, Texas — Chamber of Commerce John F. Dickson Indianapolis, Ind. — Commercial Club William Fortune Frank McAllister, President Kalamazoo, Mich. — Commercial Club Louis H. Conger Kansas City, Mo. — Commercial Club Charles J. Hubbard, Boston, Mass. Key West, Fla. — Chamber of Commerce Charles J. Curn.-, Secretary Kingston, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Sam Bernstein, Treasurer Herbert Carl, Director William F. Hoehn, Secretary Robert E. Leighton Los Angeles, CaUf. — Chamber of Commerce H. Z. Ozbome, President Louisville, Ky. — Board of Trade Charles T. Ballard, Ballard & Ballard Milling Co. James F. Buckner, Jr., Superintendent Lowell, Mass. — Board of Trade Arthur L. Graj', Hildreth Building George M. Harrigan, Lowell Trust Co. Clarence H. Nelson Lynn, Mass. — Board of Trade Ralph S. Bauer, 31 Central Square Maiden, Mass. — Board of Trade Frank A. Bayrd Charles Schumaker, President Milwaukee, Wise. — Chamber of Commerce J. W. P. Lombard Josef Mueller MinneapoUs, Minn. — Civic and Commerce Association E. P. Wells Newark, N. J. — Board of Trade Denis F. O'Brien, A. P. Smith Mfg. Co., East Orange, N. J. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 87 New Bedford, Mass. — Board of Trade Bcnjaniin H. Anthony George E. Briggs Abbott P. Smith New Haven, Conn. — Chamber of Commerce Robert W. Thain, 30 Beaufort Road, Jamaica Plain, Mass. New London, Conn. — State Business Men's Association of Connecticut, Inc. E. M. Dexter, Hartford, Conn. Frank H. Johnston, New Britain, Conn. S. E. Vincent, Bridgeport, Conn. New Orleans, La. — Progressive Union James W. Porch, President M. B. Trezevant, Secretary' New York, N. Y. — Board of Trade and Transportation C. A. Green, R. G. Dun & Co. Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York Austin B. Fletcher, 165 Broadway George E. Ide, 256 Broadway Eugenius H. Outerbridge, 11 Broadway Merchants' Association William C. Breed, Director William A. Marble, First Vice-President S. C. Mead, Secretary Henry R. Towne, President Produce Exchange E. R. Carhart William Harris Douglas Italian Chamber of Commerce in Xcw York C. A. Mariani, President The E. Mariani Co. Charles A. Pastene, Director, 69 Fulton St., Boston, Maas. Luigi Solari, President Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in America Louis I. Dubourcq, President U. S. Branch " Xederland Life Insurance Co." T. Greidanus, Secretarj- Peter C. Kuj-per, P. C. Kuyi)er & Co. Swedish Chamber of Commerce Hans Lagerlof North Attleboro, Mass. — Board of Trade William II. Bell, President Passaic, N. J. — New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce Ferdinand Wilckes, Camden, N. J. Philadelphia, Pa. — Board of Trade Frank D. La Lanne Bourse M William R. Tucker, Secretary Philadelphia Board of Trade Chamber of Commerce Charles J. Cohen, Vice-President John G. Croxton William O. Hempstead N. B. Kelly, Secretary 88 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Commercial Museum William S. Harvey, President, 100 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Wilfred H. Schoff, Secretary W. P. Wilson, Director Pine Blufif, Ark. — Chamber oj Commerce Samuel C. Alexander H. C. Sjjaulding, Secretary Pittsburgh, Pa. — Chamber of Commerce Albert J. Logan Logan McKee, Secretary Portland, Me. — Board of Trade Silas B. Adams Charles F. Flagg, President Hon. Charles F. Libby Frank H. Low, Second Vice-President Maurice C. Rich, Secretary Providence, R. I. — Board of Trade J. Palmer Barstow Frederick D. Carr James R. MacColl, Pawi;ucket, R. I. Manufacturing Jewelers^ Board of Trade Frederick A. Ballou Frederick D. Carr, President Harold E. Sweet, R. F. Simmons Co., Attleboro, Mass. Rome, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Alphonse J. Sigl, Secretary Richmond, Va. — Chamber of Commerce R. A. Dunlop St. Louis, Mo. — Business Men's League Hon. David R. Francis George David Markham Merchants' Exchange J. J. P. Langton St. Paul, Minn. — Association of Commerce Joseph H. Beek W. L. Seeley San Antonio, Texas — Chamber of Commerce James Routlcdge San Francisco, Calif. — Chamber of Commerce William M. Bunker, The Brighton, Washington, D. C. Paul T. Carroll, Director, 70S Market St. T. Gary Friedlander R. E. Miller, 611 Mission St. Somerville, Mass. — Board of Trade George E. Day, 101 Highland Ave. Albert L. Haskell, 424 Somerville Ave. i CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 89 Springfield, Mass. — Board of Trade ■ Charles P. Chase, President ■ William H. Shuart Einmett Hay Naylor, Secretary S)Tacuse, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Henr>' W. Cook B. E. Salisbury Troy, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Jtimes H. Caldwell William F. Gurley Waltham, Mass. — Board of Trade George A. Fiel, 53 High St. George E. Parmenter H. E. Tut tie, Secretary Washington, D. C. — Chamber of Commerce Edwin C. Reed, 279 Squantum St., Atlantic, Mass. Pan- American Union Hon. Jolm Barrett, Director-General Julian Moreno-Lacalle Westeriy, R. I. — Board of Trade Cliflford W. Campbell Samuel H. Davis Worcester, Mass. — Board of Trade Fred H. Daniels Charles T. Tatman Edward M. Woodward, President Possessions of the United States of America H.\WAII Honolulu — Chamber of Commerce William G. Cooke, 82 WaU St., New York, N. Y. P PHILIPPINE ISLANDS Manila — Merchanitf Auociation M. L. Stewart, 25 Broad St., New Y^ork, N. Y. URUGUAY Official Delegate Nominated by Government Dr. Carlos Maria de Pena, E. E. & M. P., Washington, D. C. Montevideo — Camara Mercanlil de Productos del Pais Max Otto von Klock, District Consul, Boston, Mass. 90 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS VENEZUELA Official Delegate Nominated by Government Pedro Rafael Rincones, Consul General, New York, N. Y. Caracas — Chamber of Commerce Comelio Stolk, Jr., 97 Water St., New York, N.Y. permanent Committee INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS 10, RUE DE LA TRIBUNE BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Names and Addresses of the Members of the Permanent Committee (August 25, 1912) I AUSTRIA Dr. Max von Tatenthal, First Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vienna, Government Counsellor, Imperial and Royal Commercial Counsellor, Vienna His Excellency Count Henri Clam-Martinic, Personal Counsellor of His Majesty, mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce of Prague Dr. Fritz Carus, First Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Reichenberg; Government Counsellor Alternates: Dr. Friedrich Mader, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Innsbruck Arthur Kuffler, Vice-President of the Central Association of Austrian Manufacturers, Vienna Dr. Hans Chudaczek, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eger I BELGIUM Louis Canon-Legr.\nd, Construction Engineer, President of the Federation of Commercial and Industrial Associations of Belgium, President of the Provincial Coimcil of Hainaut, Mona Louis Strauss, Economist, President of the Superior Council of Industry and Commerce, Honorary Consul of Belgium, 127, nie Lamorinii^re, Antwerp EuafeNE Allard, President of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce of Paris, 42, rue Le Peletier, Paris Alternates: E. VAN Elewtck, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Brussels Paul Gu.stin, Secretar>- of the Chamber of Commerce of Antwerp Joseph Soubre, Secretarj- of the Chamber of Commerce of Vcrviers, 64, rue du Palais, Verviers BULGARIA \L Zlataroff, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Sofia, Alternate: M. K.vRASTOYANOPF, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce of So6a 91 92 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF FRANCE Chari.es Lxgrand, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Paris, 42, rue de Clery, Paris IP Charles Bosseboeuf, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Tours Denis Bodden, Counsellor for Foreign Commerce, Second Vice-President of the French Chamber of Commerce of Brussels, 82, Boulevard du Hainaut, Brussels Alter nates: A. Hervet, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Bourges M. Benoit, President of the French Chamber of Commerce of London M. DuHEM, Member of the Chamber of Commerce of Lille GERMANY J. Andre AE, Geheimer Kommerzienrat, President of the Chamber of Commerce, 59, Neue Mainzerstrafie, Frankfort-on-the-Main Dr. Joh. Kaempf, President of the German Reichstag, President of "Dor Deutsche Handels- tag," President of "Die Altesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin," 8, HohenzoUern- straCe, Berlin, W. 10 Otto MUnsterberg, Kommerzienrat, Member of the "Vorsteheramt der Kaufmannschaft," Danzig Alternates: Dr. Louis Raven6, Geheimer Kommerzienrat, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce, 10, MargaretenstraCe, Berlin, W. 10 Hermann Robinow, Chamber of Commerce, Hamburg Dr. Soetbeer, General Secretarj' of "Der Deutsche Handelstag," 53-54 Neue Friedrich- BtraCe, Berlin, C. 2 GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND t Charles Charleton, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce of London, 4, East Cheap, lyondon, E. C. Frank Debenuam, Former Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce of London, Fitzjohns Avenue, London, N. W. Lewis R. S. Tomalin, Former Vice-President of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce of London, 95, Milton Street, London, E. C. Alternates: wM Arthur Serena, Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce of London, 34, Leadenhall Street, • London, E. C. W. J. Thompson, Member of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce of London, 38, Minc- ing Lane, London, E. C. Kenric B. Murr.w, Former Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of London, Oxford Court, London, E. C. HUNGARY L.\dislas Furst de Mahoth, Vice-President of the "Magyar Kereskedelmi Csamok," Sas Utcza, 20-22, Budapest V Dr. Eugen Scureyer, Secretarj- of the "Magyar Kereskedelmi Csamok," Perczel Mor Utcza, Budapest V Eugen Lukacs, Member of the Union of Hungarian Merchants, Eotvos Utcza, 38, Buda- pest IV CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 93 ITALY Ing. Gr. Uff. Angelo Salmoiraghi, President of the Union of Chambers of Commerce of Italy, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Milan CoMM. FiLippo BiNELLi, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Carrara Alternates: CoMM. Giovanni La F.^J^INA, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Palenno, Vice- President of the L'nion of Chambers of Commerce of Italy, Palermo CoMM. AW. Fekdinando Bocca, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Turin t LUXEMBOURG Joseph Wurth-Weiler, Director of the International Bank, Member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Luxembourg GrsTAVE DE Marie, Merchant, Member of the Chamber of Commerce, Ettelbriick J.-P. Sevenig, Professor of Commerce, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Luxembourg NETHERLANDS G. N. DE Stoppelaar, President of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce of Brussels, 48, chauss6e de Charleroi, Brussels Dr. W. Rooseg.^arde-Bisschop, Barrister at Law, Honorary Secretary' of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce of London, Paper Building, 3 Temple, London, E. C. G.-S. DE Clercq, General Secretary of the "Maatschappij van Nijverheid" of the Nether- lands, Haarlem NORWAY Alf. Bjercke, Merchant, President of the Union of Commercial Associations of Norway, Christiania Knud Bryn, Director Tidemansgate, 4, Christiania Reidar Drfi, General Secretary- of the Union of Commercial Associations of Norway, Borsen, Christiania Alternates: Adolf Oeien, Merchant, Trondhjem 0. Erichsen, Manufacturer, Deputy, Trondhjem RUSSIA Emanuel Nobel, Vice-President of the Association of Industrj' and Commerce of Russia, •16, Liteyny, Saint Petersburg Alternate: M. Kazimir Adamski, Member of the Association of Industry and Commerce of Russia SPAIN BARTiioLOMfi Amengual, Sccrctarj' of the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navi- gation, Barcelona Ediardo Estelat y Torres, Delegate of the Chamber of Commerce of Madrid Frederico Rauola, Member of the "Fomento del trabajo nacioual," 642, Calle de Cortes, Barcelona Alternate: Enrique Marti GarcIa, General Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Madrid 94 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF SWEDEN Db. Fbedrik Groxwall, Bank Director, Stockholm C Db. Jacob Ekman, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Malmo SWITZERLAND Dr. Ed. Sulzer-Ziegler, National Counsellor, Winterthur A. CuGELMANN, National Counsellor, Langental Dr. a. Georg, Former National Counsellor, Geneva Alternates: Dr. Alfred Frey, National Counsellor, Zurich H. Jezler-Lorenz, Bale Jules Vautier, Grandson UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Frank D. La Lanne, President of the National Board of Trade, 214 Chestnut Street, Phila- delphia, Pa. Edward A. Filene, Chamber of Commerce, Boston, Mass. T. Edward Wilder, Chicago Association of Commerce, Chicago, 111. Alternates: William McCarroll, Public Service Commissioner, New York U. J. Ledoux, Chamber of Commerce, Boston, Mass. Col. J. J. Sullivan, Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland, Ohio General Secretary £mile Jottrand, Mons, Belgium Names and Addresses of Members of the Permanent Committee Chosen at the Fifth Congress BELGIUM Louis Canon-Legrand, Construction Engineer, Former President of the Federation of Com- mercial and Industrial Associations of Belgium, President of the Provincial Council of Hainaut, Mons Louis Strauss, Economist, President of the Superior Council of Industry and Commerce, Honorary Consul of Belgium, 127, rue Lamorinicrc, Antwerp EuGfeNE Allard, President of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce of Paris, 42, rue Le Pele- tier, Paris Alternates: Joseph Soubre, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Verviers, G4, rue du Palais, ^■cr- viers Alfred Vander Stegen, Manufacturer, President of the Belgian Federation of Builders, and of the Commercial and Industrial C'lulj of Ghont J. B. Puttaert, Delegate of the Chamber of Commerce of Brussels, Merchant, GG, rue du Marche aux Charbons, Brussels CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 95 BRAZIL Dr. Candido de Mendes de Almeida, Director of the Commercial Museum, Delegate of the Federation of Commercial Associations of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro Dr. Alfonso Bandeira de Mello, Secretary of the Bclgiun-BraziUan Chamber of Com- merce, Antwerp Dr. Delpuin C.uilos, Director of the Bureau of Information of Brazil, Legation of Brazil, Paris FRANCE DA^^D-ME^•^•ET, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Paris, 2, place de la Bourse, Paris Charles Bosseboeuf, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Tours Denis Bodden, Counsellor for Foreign Commerce, Second Vice-President of the French Chamber of Commerce of Brussels, 82, boulevard du Hainaut, Brussels GERMANY J. Andreae, Geheimer Kommerzienrat, President of the Chamber of Commerce, 59, Neue MainzerstraCe, Frankfort-on-the-Main Dr. Jon. K.\EMPF, President of the German Reichstag, President of "Der Deutsche Han- dclstag," President of "Die Altesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin," 8, HohenzoUern- straCe, Berhn, W. 10 Otto Munsterberg, Kommerzienrat, Member of the "Vorsteheramt der Kaufmannschaft," Danzig Alternates: H. Edm. Bohlen, Chamber of Commerce, Hamburg Dr. Lor is Ravene, Geheimer Kommerzienrat, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce, 10, MargaretenstraCe, Berhn, W. 10 Dr. Soetbeer, General Secretarj^ of "Der Deulscher Handelstag," 53-54 Neue Freidrich- straCe, Berlin, C. 2 GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND Ch.uiles Charleton, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce of London, 4, East Cheap, London, E. C. F. Faitiifcll Begg, President of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce of London, Bartholomew House, London, E. C. A. B.\rton Kent, Member of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce of London, 75, Far- rington Rd., London, E. C. Alternates: W. J. Thompson, Member of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce of London, 38, Minc- ing Lane, London, E. C. Kenric B. Murray, Former Secretarj* of the Chamber of Commerce of London, Cromer Hyde, Central Road, Morden, Surrey Gr.^^.^ai Spicer, Member of the Chamber of Commerce of London, 19, New Bridge Street, London, E. C. 96 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF HUNGARY Jtjleb Szavay, Secretarj' of the Chamber of Commerce of Debreczen LotJis Varjassy, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Arad Dr. Paul Szende, Secretary of the National Association of Hungarian Merchants, Budapest Alternates: Maurice Szendroi, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industrj- of Gyor Dr. Louis Sarkadi, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry' of Nagj-varad Dr. Aladar Siposs, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kassa ITALY Ing. Or. Uff. Angelo Salmoiraghi, President of the Union of Chambers of Commerce of Italy, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Milan CoMM. AW. Ferdinando Bocca, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Turin NETHERLANDS G. N. DE Stoppelaar, President of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce of Brussels, 48, chauss^e de Charlcroi, Brussels Dr. W. Roosegaarde-Bisschop, Barrister at Law, Honorary Secretary of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce of London, Paper Building, 3, Temple, London, E. C. G. S. DE Clercq, General Secretary of the "Maatschappij van Nijverheid" of the Nether- lands, Haarlem Altert^ate: M. E. YoNKER, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Amsterdam NORWAY Alf. Bjercke, Merchant, President of the Union of Commercial Associations of Norway, Christiania Knud Bryn, Director, Tidemansgate, 4, Christiania Reidar Due, General Secretary of the Union of Commercial Associations of Norway, Borsen, Christiania Alternates: JoRGEN Blydt, Commissioner of the Bourse, Bergen O. Erichsen, Manufacturer and Deputy, Trondhjem SPAIN Bartholome Amengual, Secretary of the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, Barcelona Carlos Prast, President of the Chamber of Conunerce of Madrid Alternate: Enrique Marti Garcia, General Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Madrid SWEDEN Dr. Fredrik Gronwall, Bank Director, Stockholm. Dr. Jacob Ekman, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Malmo CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 97 SWITZERLAND Dr. a. Georg, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce of Geneva Arnold Gugelmann, National Counsellor, Langental Alternates: Dr. Alferd Frey, National Counsellor, Zurich H. Jezler-Lorenz, Bale Jtjles Vautier, Grandson UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Edward A. Filene, Chamber of Commerce, 453 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. Bernard J. Shoninger, President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Paris, 3, rue Scribe, Paris Harry A. Wheeler, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, 5235 Lexington Avenue, Chicago, 111. Alternates: John H. Fahey, Boston Chamber of Commerce, 12 Littell Road, Brooklinc, Mass. George S. A'nvooD, Secretary of the American Association of Commerce and Trade, Equi- table Building, FriedrichstraCe, 59-60, Berlin George W. Sheldon, Association of Commerce, Chicago General Secretary £mile Jottr.^nd, Mons, Belgium ©fficersf anb American Committees; FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS OlUctvi President Louis Canon-Legrand President of the Permanent Committee oj the International Congress. President of the Federa- tion of the Commercial and Industrial Associations of Belgium. President of the Chamber of Commerce of Mons Vice-President Edward A. Filene Vice-President of the Permanent Committee of the International Congress. Member of the Boston Chamber of Commerce General Secretary Emile Jottrand Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Mons. Secretary of the Federation of the Commercial and Industrial Associations of Belgium. Director of the Commercial Institute of the Manufacturers of Hainaut i8os(ton Cxecutibe Committee George S. Smith, Chairman President Boston Chamber of Commerce, 1911 William H. Bain Director Boston Chamber of Commerce Elmer J. Bliss Chairman General Organizing Committee William E. Butler Second Vice-President Boston Chamber of Commerce J. Randolph Coolidge, Jr. First Vice-President Boston Chamber of Commerce John II. Fauey Chairman Committee on Tour Edward A. Filene Vice-President International Congress of Chambers of Commerce James A. McKibben Secretary Boston Chamber of Commerce Bernard J. Rothwell Chairman Committee on Entertainment. President Boston Chamber of Commerce, 1910 Joseph B. Russell President Boston Chamber of Commerce, 1912 James J. Storrow Chairman Boston Honorary Committee. President Boston Chamber of Commerce, 1909 F. W. Taussig Chairman Committee on Program James T. Wetherald Chairman Committee on Publicity Robert Winsor Chairman Committee on Finance Robert J. Bottomlt, Secretary 99 100 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ^mtvitan ]i)onovavv Committee President Hon. William H. Taft, President of the United States of America Vice-Presidents Hon. Philander C. Knox, Secretary of State for the United States of America Hon. Charles Nagel, Secretary of Commerce and Labor for the United States of America Hon. Shelby M. Cullom, Chairman Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate of the United States of ,\merica Hon. William Sulzer, Chairman Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Represen- tatives of the United States of America Members Hon. Chester H. Aldrich, Governor of Nebraska Hon. Nelson W. Aldrich, Chairman National Monetary Commission His Excellency Viscount de Alte, E. E. & M. P. of Portugal John D. Archbold, Standard Oil Company His Excellency SeSor don Ricardo Arias, E. E. & M. P. of Panama J. Ogden Armour, Armour & Company F. R. Babcock, President Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce George F. Baker, President First National Bank, New York City His Excellency George Bakhmeteff, Ambassador of Russia Hon. Simeon E. Baldwin, Governor of Connecticut William M. Baldwin, President New York Tanning Extract Company William Barbour, President Linen Thread Company Hon. John Barrett, Director-General Pan-'Amcrican Union William M. Barrett, President Adams Express Company Hon. Robert P. B.\ss, Governor of New Hampshire Edward T. Bedford, Com Products Company August Belmont, August Belmont & Company H. H. Benedict, President Remington Typewriter Co. His Excellency Se5Jor Dr. Don Ram6n Bengoechea, Charg(5 d'Affaires, Guatemala His Excellency Count J. H. von Bernstorff, Ambassador of Germany Walter P. Bishop, President Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce W. K. BiXBY, CapitaUst St. Louis, Missouri Hon. Cole L. Blease, Governor of South Carolina Hon. Earl Brewer, Governor of Mississippi Hon. Julius L. Brown, Governor of Georgia William C. Brown, President New York Central Lines His Excellency the Right Hon. James Bryce, O. M., Ambassador of Great Britain His Excellency H. II. Bryn, E. E. & M. P. of Nonvay Alonzo N. Burbank, President International Paper Co. Hon. John Burke, Governor of North Dakota Curtis R. Burnett, President Newark Board of Trade NiCHOL.\s Murray Butler, President American Society for International Conciliation His Excellency L. L. Caftanzoglu, LL.D., Charge d'Affaires, Greece CHAMBERS OF COMMEIlCJi iQl His Excellency Se5Jor Don Ignacio Calder6n, E. E. «t M. P. of Bolivia His Excellency SeSor Don Manuel Calero, Ambassador of Mexico His Excellency SEfJoR Don JoaquIn Bernardo Calvo, E. E. & M. P. of Costa Rica Hon. Joseph M. Carey, Governor of Wyoming E. R. Carhart, President New York Produce Exchange Andrew Carnegie, Capitalist T. M. Carrington, President Richmond Chamber of Commerce Hon. Beryl F. Carroll, Governor of Iowa His Excellency Salv.vdor C.\strillo, Jr., E. E. & M. P. of Nicaragua John Claflin, President Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York Hon. Walter E. Clark, Governor of Alaska Ch.uiles a. Coffin, President General Electric Co. Hon. O. B. Colquitt, Governor of Texas S.VMUEL B. Colt, President United States Rubber Co. Hon. George R. Colton, Governor of Porto Rico His Excellency the Marquis Cusani Confalonieri, Ambassador of Italy George B. Cortelyou, President New York Consolidated Gas Co. His Excellency Dr. Fausto Davila, E. E. & M. P. of Honduras WiLLi.\M A. Day, President Equitable Life Assurance Society Hon. Charles S. Deneen, Governor of Illinois Hon. John A. Dix, Governor of New York Hon. George W. Donaghey, Governor of Arkansas Walter A. Draper, President Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Houston Dudley, President Nashville Board of Trade Hon. Adolph 0. E^erh.\rt, Governor of Minnesota TuoM.\s A. Edison, Inventor His Excellency W. A. F. Ekenqren, E. E. & M. P. of Sweden How.vrd Elliott, President Northern Pacific R. R. Co. James C. F.\rgo, President American E.xpress Co. Hon. Eugene N. Foss, Governor of Massachusetts Hon. George Eulas Foster, Minister of Trade and Commerce, Dominion of Canada Hon. W. F. Frear, Governor of Hawaii His Excellency Senhor Domicio da Gajia, Ambassador of Brazil Elbert H. Gary, Chairman United States Steel Co. His Excellence' SeSor Don Juan RiaSo y Gay.^^-gos, E. E. & M. P. of Spain W. E. Gibson, President Oakland Chamber of Commerce Hon. Albert W. Gilchrist, Governor of Florida Hon. Willi.\m E. Glasscock, Governor of West Virginia Hon. Phillips L. Goldsborough, Governor of Marjiand Hon. Lee Gruce, Governor of Oklahoma Hon. Herbert S. Hadley, Governor of Missouri Hon. John Hays II.vmmond, Mining Engineer Hon. Judson Harmon, Governor of Ohio His Excellencv E. Havenith, E. E. & M. P. of Belgium Hon. James II. Hawley, Governor of Idaho Hon. M.4JtiON E. Hay, Governor of Washington His Excellency Baron Hengelmuller von Hengerv.4r, Ambassador of Austria-Hungary A. B.\RTON Hepburn, I'rcsident Chase National Bank, New York City C. W. HoBSON, President Dallas Chamber of Commerce Hon. Ben W. Hooper, Governor of Tennessee M.VRViN Huguitt, President Chicago & Northwestern R. R. Co. A. B. Johnson, President Baldwin Locomotive Works Hon. Hiram W. Johnson, Governor of California 102 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Homer H. Johnson, President Cleveland Chamber of Commerce His Excxllenct J. J. Jcsserand, Ambassador of France Minor C. Keith, Vice-Pre.>^ident United Fruit Co. His Excellency Mirza Ali Kuli Khan, Charge d'Ailaires of Persia Eugene U. Kimbark, President Chicago Association of Commerce D. P. KiNGSLEY, President New York Life Insurance Co. Hon. William W. Kitchin, Governor of North Carolina His Excellency Jonkheer J. Locdon, E. E. & M. P. of The Netherlands Robert S. Lo\'ett. President Union Pacific R. R. Co. J. D. LowMAN, President Seattle Chamber of Commerce His Excellency Se5Jor Don Roberto Macdouall, First Secretary of Legation and Chargd d' Affaires of Colombia Clarence H. Mackay, President Postal Telegraph Co., New York City Sir William Mackenzie, Capitalist, Toronto, Canada Hon. Wilu.^jh H. M.\nn, Governor of Virginia Hon. Thom.4S R. ^L\RSHALL, Governor of Indiana Waldo H. Marshall, President American Locomotive Co. Cyrcs H. McCormick, President International Harvester Company J.\MEs McCrea, President Pennsylvania R. R. Co. Hon. J.vmes Benn*ett McCre.vry, Governor of Kentucky Hon. Wiluam C. McDon.\ld, Governor of New Mexico Hon. John Abn"er Mead, Governor of Vermont His Excellency Se5Jor Don Federico MejIa, E. E. & M. P. of Salvador Charles S. Mellen, President New York, New Haven & Hartford R. R. Co. His Excellency Solon Menos, E. E. & M. P. of Haiti WiLMER L. Moore, President Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Victor Morawetz, Lawj-er and writer on International Law J. PiERPONT MoRG.vN, J. P. Morgan & Co. J. PiERPONT Morgan, Jr., J. P. Morgan & Co. His Excellency R6MrLO S. Na6n, E. E. & M. P. of Argentina Thomas Ne.u., President General Motors Co. Hon. Edwin L. Norris, Governor of Montana Hon. Tasker L. Oddie, Governor of Nevada Hon. Emmet O'Neal, Governor of Alabama Hon. Ch.\se S. Osborn, Governor of Michigan H. Z. Osborne:, President Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce James F. Oyster, President Washington Chamber of Commerce William B.vrclay Parsons, Barclay Parsons & Clapp John H. P.\tterson, President National Cash Register Co. Ch.uiles a. Pe.vbody, President Mutual Life Insurance Co. His Excellency Dr. C.\rlos M.uifA de Pena, E. E. & M. P. of Uruguay Hon. Simeon S. Pennewill, Governor of Delaware George W. Perkins, Capitalist, New York, N. Y. His Excellency Se.^or Dr. Don pRANasco J. Peynado, E. E. & M. P. of the Dominican Republic His Excellency SeSJor Don F. A. Pezet, E. E. & M. P. of Peru J. W. Porch, President New Orleans F*rogressive Union Hon. Ar.vm J. Pothier, Governor of Rhode Island His Excellency Dr. Paul Ritter, E. E. & M. P. of Switzerland M. H. Robbins, Jr., President San Francisco Chamber of Commerce John D. Rockefeller, Capitalist His Excellency SeSor Don P. Ezequiel Roj.\s, E. E. & M. P. of Venezuela Hon. Jared Y. Sanders, Governor of Louisiana CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 103 Jacob H. Schiff, Kuhn, Loob Co. Charles M. Sen war, President Bethlehem Steel Co. Hon. John F. Shafroth, Governor of Colorado Sir Thomas G. Shaughnessy, President Canadian Paci6c Railway Company James Speyer, Speyer & Co. Hon. William Spry, Governor of Utah E. J. Stackpole, Harrisburg Board of Trade Allison Stocker, President Denver Chamber of Commerce Melville E. Stone, President Associated Press Hon. Walter R. Stvdbs, Governor of Kansas His ExcELLENci' Se.' of Navy. Former Governor of Massachusetts Augustus P. Loring, Loring, Coolidge & Noble A. Lawrence Lowell, President Harvard University Hon. Robert Luce, Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts Richard C. Maclaurin, President Massachusetts Institute of Technology SAiiuEL P. Mandell, C. F. Hovey & Co. J. Franklin McElw.ain, W. H. McElwain Co. Hon. George von L. Meyer, Secretary of the Navy Laurence Minot, Trustee J.^iiES J. Phel.\n, Homblower & Weeks Wallace L. Pierce, S. S. Pierce Co. Andrew W. Preston, President United Fruit Co. William Theodore Reincke, Imperial German Consul James L. Richards, President Boston Consolidated Gas Bernard J. Rothwell, Bay State Milling Co. Joseph B. Russell, President Boston Chamber of Commerce A. Shuman, a. Shuman & Co. Ellsworth Sisson, President Providence Board of Trade Charles A. Stone, Stone & Webster Lucius Tuttle, Former President Boston & Maine R. R. I. M. Ullman, President New Haven Chamber of Commerce Theodore N. Vail, President American Telephone & Telegraph Co. Cranmore N. Wallace, Ludlow Manufacturing Associates Frank G. Webster, Kidder, Peabody & Co. Hon. John W. Weeks, Homblower & Weeks WiLLi.vii Whitman, William ^^Tlitman 6z Co. MosE.s Williams, Trustee Daniel G. Wing, President First National Bank CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 105 Robert Winsor, Kidder, Peabody & Co. WiLLi.^M M. Wood, President American Woolen Co. E. M. Woodward, President Worcester Board of Trade Sidney W. Winslow, United Shoe Machinerj' Co. GENERAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Elmer J. Bli? Charles Francis Adams, 2d Charles H. Adams M. W. Alexander J. J. Arakelyan WlLLI.\M II. Baix George S. Baldwin Walter S. Bucklin AuGCSTrs S. Cobb Lewis A. Crossett Howard H. Davenport John H. Devine Alvin E. Dodd Leon Russell Eyges Frederick P. Fish Randolph Frothingham E. Howard George A. Leslie Harwood, Jr. Will T. Hedges Joshua B. Holden Frederick O. Houghton Eugene C. Hultman Benj.vmin Joy W. P. LiBBY Louis K. Liggett J, Chairman George R. Leghorn Amos R. Little Frederick G. Melcher WiLLi.vM Minot Herbert W. Moses Hugh Xawn J. Henry Neal Patrick A. O'Connell Eugene W. Ong Herbert F. Parsons Charles A. Pastene George W. Pratt L. F. Prescott B. Atwood Robinson Joseph B. Russell, Jr. Henry B. Sawyer Hon. Richard S. Teeling Everit B. Terhune George N. Towle WiLLi.vM H. Vincent Lyon Weyburn B. C. Whiting Russell R. Whitman E. a. Wilkie SUB-COMMITTEE ON OCEAN TRANSPORTATION Frederic 0. Houghton Eugene C. Hultman Robert Bacon Carroll W. Doten Edward A. Filene Robert S. Goruam COMMITTEE ON PROGRAM F. W. Taussig, Chairman Henry Howard Edwin D. Mead Fredric J. Stimson COMMITTEE ON ENTERTAINMENT Bernard J. Kothwell, Chairman Frank S. Baker Hugh Bancroft Edmund Billings Frank A. Bourne Arthur B. Chapin Louis A. Coolidge George T. Coppins A. Dudley Dowd 106 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Walter C. Fish tuomas b. fitzpatrick Randolph Frothingham Joshua B. Holden Westley Jones Henry L. Kincaide John S. Lawrence WiLLiAsi E. Litchfield George B. Morison James M. Morrison Francis P. O'Connor Francis Peabody, Jr. H. Staples Potter WiLLi.-vM H. Potter Charles W. Robie Henry E. Russell A. Shuman M. N. Smith Charles H. Taylor David F. Tilley Richard E. Traiser Eliot Wadsworth Harry R. Wellman John T. Wheelright Addison L. Winship Edgar N. Wrightington SUB-COMMITTEES F. A. Bourne Badges and Decorations Marcell N. Smith, Chairman F. P. O'Connor Banquet Edmund Billings, Chairman George T. Coppins DA^^D F. Tilley Henry E. Russell Edgar N. Wrightington Club Courtesies Charles H. Taylor, Chairman George B. Morison John T. Wheelwright A. L. Winship Concert and Music Richard E. Traiser, Chairman John T. Wheelwright Evening Reception A. Shuman, Chairman Arthur B. Chapin Westley Jones Thomas B. Fitzpatrick ^^'lLLI.uI E. Litchfield Eliot Wadsworth Greeting and Cab Serdce Westley Jones, Chairman James M. Morrison H. Staples Potter Hotel Accommodations and Halh Henry E. Russell, Chairman William E. Litchfield Charles W. Robie CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 107 Invitations Bernard J. Rothwell, Chairman HuGU Bancroft Joseph B. Ktssell Edmund Billings A. Siicman James A. McKidben George S. Smitu RicuARD E. Traiser Ladies Francis Peabody, Jr., Chairman George T. Coppins Randolph Frotuingiiaji A. Dudley Dowd Joshua B. Holden Loan of Automobiles Louis A. Coolidge, Chairman Hugh Bancroft A. Dudley Dowd Harry R. Wellman, Secretary Local Excursions Walter C. Fish, Chairman Hugh Bancroft Henry L. Kincaide Harry R. Wellman, Secretary Private Housing oj Guests Edgar N. Wrightington, Chairman Henry E. Russell COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Robert Winsor, Chairman Frederick C. Dumaine Philip Stockton WiLLi.\M A. Gaston Galen L. Stone Frank W. Stearns Eugene V. R. Thayer COMMITTEE ON PUBLICITY James T. Wetherald, Chairman ^ W pANDER DoDDS WiLLIAM F. RoGERS inB^AS J. Feeney Carroll J. Swan George B. Gallup Willi.\m U. Swan L. D. Gibbs Frank W. Tully Robert L. O'Brien Richard J. Walsh J. P. YODER committee on TOUR John H. Fahey, Chairman Rohkht W. Atkins Howard H. Davenport WiLLi.vji P. F. Ayer E. Elmer Foye Matthew C. Brush Louis F. R. Langelier Richard B. Carter Otto J. Pieuler 108 IXTERXATIOXAL CONGRESS OF LADIES' COMMITTEE Mrs. William H. Taft Mrs. Mrs. Eugene N. Foss Mrs. Mrs. John F. Fitzgerald Mrs. Mrs. Gordon Abbott Miss Miss Sarah Louise Arnold Miss Mrs. Elmer J. Bliss Mrs. Mrs. Willi.vm E. Butler Mrs. Miss Mart Goes Mrs. Mrs. J. Randolph Coolidge, Jr. Mrs. Mrs. John H. Fahey Mrs. Mrs. a. Lincoln Filene Mrs. Mrs. Willi.\m A. Gaston Mrs. Mrs. Robert S. Gorham Mrs. Mrs. John Hays Hammond Mrs. Mrs. Eugen-e C. Hultman Mrs. Mrs. Mary Morton Kehew Mrs. Miss Katherine Loring Mrs. A. Lawrence Lowell James M. Morrison J. Henry Neal Mary Boyle O'Reilly Ellen F. Pendleton Dudley L. Pickman James L. Richards Bernard J. Rotuwell Joseph B. Russell Ch.\rles S. S.vrgent J. Montgomery Se.vrs George S. Smith James J. Storrow J.VMES T. Wetherald Robert Winsor Roger Wolcott Edgar N. Wrighttngton SPECIAL COMMITTEES ACCOMPANYING DELEGATES ON THE AMERICAN TOUR Honorary Committee J. Randolph Coolidge, First Vice-President Boston Chamber of Commerce Edward A. Filene, Vice-President Fifth International Congress Committee on Tour Arrangements John H. Fahey, Chairman H. H. Daa'enport, Boston Chamber of Commerce James A. McKibben, Secretary- Boston Chamber of Commerce Robert J. Bottomly, Secretary Boston Executive Committee Julian Moreno-Lacalle, Delegate of the Pan-American Union Dr. Albert C. Bonaschi, Italian Chamber of Commerce, New York, N.Y. David Montt, Delegate of "Sociedad de Fomento Fabril," Santiago, Chile Charles LeDeuc, Assistant Secretary Mrs. Charles LeDeuc, Secretary of the Ladies' Committee James J. Conroy, Assistant Secretary John F. O'Connell, Secretary on Publicity P. D. Callum, Representing the Western Union Telegraph Co. Representatives of the Boston & Albany Railroad Charles E. Colony James Gray J. E. Sweeney Press Representatives Harry Hoye, Ignited Press Ernest G. Hall, "Christian Science Monitor"' CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 109 WORCESTER COMMITTEES The Chairman of the Committees appoiuted by the Worcester Board of Trade were aa follows: Edward M. Woodward, General Committee Locis H. Buckley, Committee on Itinerary George M. Bassett, Committee on Banquet Albert H. Inman, Committee on Automobiles Charles T. Taxman, Committee on Invitations Fred H. Daniels, Committee on Congress C. Herbert DeFosse, Committee on Interpreters Henry A. Macgowan, Committee on Ladies George A. P.\rk, Committee on Banquet Decorations Austin P. Cristy, Committee on Exterior Decorations Walter H. Allen, Committee on Tickets Herbert X. Davison, General Secretary BUFFALO COMMITTEE The Committee appointed by the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce was as follows: W. E. Robertson, Chairman E. J. Barcalo Darwin D. Martin Charles Clifton J. G. H. Marvin Wm. H. Crosby H. A. Meldrum J. C. DoLD F. W. Pardee James F. Foster Eugene A. Wolff DETROIT C0M:MITTEES The Committees appointed by the Detroit Board of Commerce were as follows: COMMITTEE ON ENTERTAINMENT Ward N. Choate, Chairman Milton A. McR.\e Philip Breitmeyer Joseph Mack C. Leidich J. J. Crowley Charles B. Sawyer H. T. EWALD C. H. GifFORD Hiram Marks committee on tour Roy D. Chapin, Chairman George M. Black J. W. Anderson S. D. Waldon Lucius E. Wilson C. Haines Wilson COMMITTEE ON BANQUET Robert B. Tannahill, Chairman Frederick H. Holt Carl M. Green no INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF COMMITTEE ON FINANCE M. J. MrRPHY, Chairman A. H. CiREEX, Jr. J. Newton Gcnn jAilES T. WUITEHEAD committee on transportation George W. Parker COMMITTEE ON RECEPTION Ward N. Ciioate Cuarles A. Brownell Philip Breitmei'er Joseph Mack Lucius E. Wilson William B. Wreford committee on ladies Mrs. R. H. Ashbaugh CHICAGO COMMITTEES In addition to the great Reception Committee containing 200 members, the active Com- mittees in Chicago were : EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE T. Edward Wilder, Chairman; Chicago Association of Commerce Frank M. Bunch, Vice-Chairman; Board of Trade of the City of Chicago George M. Reynolds, Treasurer; Continental and Commercial National Bank Douglas Mallocu, Secretarj-; Press Club of Chicago Elmer H. Adams, Chicago Association of Commerce James S. Ag.vr, Chicago Association of Commerce WILLI.^:M B. Austin, Hamilton Club of Chicago Alfred Baker, City Club Mrs. George Bass, Chicago Woman's Club Frederick Bode, Industrial Club William A. Bond, Chicago Association of Commerce Miss S. P. Breckinridge, Woman's City Club Ira M. Core, Chicago Automobile Club James G. Condon, Iroquois Club Richmond Dean, Chicago Association of Commerce Frederick A. Delano Samuel Deutsch, Standard Club F. W. Edwards, Illinois Club Walter Fitch, South Shore Country Club Hamlin Garland, Cliff Dwellers H. C. Gardner, Chicago Association of Commerce August Gatzert, Chicago Association of Connnorce John M. Glenn, Illinois Manufacturers' Association Charles E. Gregory, Chicago Motor Club Richard C. Hall, Chicago Association of Commerce Carter H. Harrison, Mayor of City of Chicago CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 111 Dr. a. ^^'. Harris, Union League Club W. A. Heatu, Bankers' Club Dr. Emil G. Hirsch, Sinai Temple Lawrence Heyavorth, Cahunet Club Joseph Joyce, Irish Fellowship Club Alexander A. McCormick, Chairman Reception Committee, Chicago Association of Com- merce F. B. Montgomery, Traffic Club of Chicago Frederick S. Oliver, Chicago Real Estate Board Ch.\rles Piez, Illinois Manufacturers' Association Wm. H. Reum, Chicago Association of Commerce JULIU.S ROSENWALD Harry Rubens, Jr., Gcrmania Club John S. Rcnnells, Chicago Club Frank T. Scanlan, Chicago Transportation Association Francis T. Simmons, Chicago Association of Commerce Edward M. Skinner, Chicago Association of Commerce John F. Smulski, Chicago Association of Commerce John T. Stockton, Chicago Association of Commerce Albert Wahl, Cook County Real Estate Board Charles J. Webb, Illinois Athletic Club Carleton White, Chicago Athletic Association Thomas E. Wilson, Chicago Association of Commerce FINANCE COMMITTEE George M. Reynolds, Chairman H.\RRY A. Wheeler, Vice-Chairman Frederick Bode J.\^es S. Ag.^r Frank M. Bunch Ch.vrles G. Dawes Richmond De.\n h. c. g.^rdner John M. Glenn Carter H. Harrison Eugene U. Kimbark Charles Piez John C. Roth Julius Rosenwald John F. Smuuski Fred W. Upham John H. \\'ood entertainment committee Frank M. Bunch, Ch;urman F. B. Montgomery C. E. Bartley Richard C. Hall George E. M.\rcy Charles E. Gregory, John E. Wilder John T. Stockton Francis T. Simmons N. H. Van Sicklen publicity committee Douglas Malloch, Chairman Malcolm McDowell William Hudson Harper Hubert F. Miller 112 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CINCINNATI COMMITTEES GENERAL COMMITTEE Representing the Cincinnati Biisiness Men's Club, The Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, The Cincinnati Commercial Association W. E. HuTTON, Chairman; President The Business Men's Club Thos. p. Egan, Vice-Chairman Walter A. Draper, Vice-Chairman; President Chamber of Commerce George F. Dieterle, Vice-Chairman; President Cincinnati Commercial Association Otto Armleder, Treasurer Carl Dehoney, Secretary; Secretary and Manager Cincinnati Commercial Association George Puchta, Chairman Entertainment Committee E. H. Bardes Wm. a. Hopkins Samuel L. Moyer E. L. Sternberger Frederick A. Geier Chas. Wiedemann H. C. Mather H. F. Cellakius James N. Gamble William Lodge James P. Orr Herman Kirschner E. W. Edwahds C. W. Shipley J. B. DOAN M.vx Hirsch George W. Weedon Thomas I. Schultz Rudolph H. Wurlitzer J. F. Taylor E. F. Du Brul D. B. Meacham B. H. Kroger Wm. H. Muench e. f. lunken Wm. B. Melish Maurice J. Freiberg Leonard S. Smith Julius Fleiscumann A. P. Hagemeyer Charles Pfau W. W. Taylor C. L. Harrison George R. Balch RECEPTION COMMITTEE John L. Suuff, Chairman E. W. Lynd James C. Hobart H. T. Atkins Si p. Egan H. C. Yeiser A. W. Macbrair J. R. Clark. Irwin M. Krohn R. K. Le Blond H. B. Closson Dwight S. Marfield Lazard Kahn J. Charles McCullough G. A. WiLLEY Wm. L. Doepke R. A. Cowing W. H. Schmidlapp E. p. Harrison Henry E. Deckebach B. F. Dulwt;ber L. A. Ault Frank H. Simpson Geo. B. Hawley W. D. Thalheimer Murray Shipley Jos. T. Carew Hon. J. B. Forakeb Wm. a. Windisch Napoleon Du Brul Alfred K. Nippert Charles Lewis Franklin Alter J. Stacey Hill George W. Martin i CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 113 N. W. Strobridge Ph. Morton Edward G. Pfau T. J. Moffett John E. C. Kohlsaat B. W. Campbell Ed. Fucker August Ferger James C. Ernst H. O. Wente DAYTON CO:\IMITTEE The Dayton Chamber of Commerce was assisted by the Welfare Department of the National Cash Register Company, the Daj'ton Bicycle Club and a Citizens' Reception Com- mittee of One Hundred. The Committee of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce was as follows: Edw.ard E. Burkh.vrt Fred Rike E. A. Deeds Frank McCormick, Jr. J. W. White PITTSBURGH COMMITTEES The Delegates were the guests of the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pittsburgh, the principal OflBciab and Committees being as follows : CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF PITTSBURGH William H. Stevenson, President D. P. Black, First Vice-President Robert Garland, Second Vice-President John B. Barbour, Third Vice-President H. M. Landis, Treasurer Logan McKee, Secretary RoBT. W. Barbour, Assistant Secretary Ira S. B.\ssett, Traffic Manager COMMITTEE ON ENTERTAINMENT W. S. Brown, Chairman James Francis Bcrke A. A. Hamerschlag DA\^D F. Collxnowood T. J. Keenan Wm. H. DA\^s Fr.\nk J. Lanahan Willi.vm Flinn H. M. Landis Wm. M. Furey R. L. O'Donnel C. A. Rook CITY OF PITTSBURGH Hon. Wm. A. Magee, Mayor Council Hon. E. V. Babcock Hon. J. P. McArdle Hon. Robert Garl.4.nd Hon. Enoch Rauh Hon. W. a. Hoeveler Hon. W. G. Wilkins Hon. J. P. Kerr Hon. S. S. Woodburn \ 114 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF WASHINGTON COMMITTEE The Committee representing the Washington Chamber of Commerce was aa follows: D. J. Kaufman, Chairman James F. Otster D. J. Callahan Thomas Grant PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEES The Committees appointed by the commercial organizations of Philadelphia were as follows: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Edward R. Wood, Chairman Charles Z. Trton B. Franklin Betts Dr. William P. Wilson William R. Tucker, Secretary JOINT COMMITTEE Philadelphia Board of Trade Edwakd R. Wood Frank D. La Lanne Chas, J. Cohen Philadelphia Bourse Geo. R. Yarrow Philip Godley Cyrus Borgner Philadelphia Maritime Exchange E. R. Sharwood Walter F. Hagar Jas. B. Bonner Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Chas. Z. Tryon N. B. Kelly W. 0. Hempste.u) Philadelphia Drug Exchange Chas. E. Hires A. Robinson McIlvaine An'thony M. Hance Master Builders' Exchange Wm. B. Irvine Col. John R. Wiggins Franklin AL IL-vrris, Jr. Philadelphia Commercial Exchange Samuel L. McKnigut Louis G. Graff Watson W. Walton CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 115 Grocers' and Importers' Exchange Wm. C. Halpen, Jr. H. H. Brown H. G. Flint Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association Calvin M. Smyth J. Howell Cummings Frank S. Evans Lumbermen's Exchange B. Franklin Betts S. B. Vrooman Tnos. B. H.^AiMER Hardware Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association T. James Fernlet Dr. E. E. Brown Frank Gould Commercial Museum Dr. Wm. P. Wilson Manufacturers' Club Thos. F. Armstrong J. Howell Cummings Ctbtts H. K. Curtis NEW YORK COMMITTEES In addition to the large Reception Committee, the active General Committee in New York was as follows: The Merchants' Association of New York William A. M.\rble Herm.\n A. Metz William Crawford Louis Annin Ames Benjamin D. Traitel Thomas H. Downing Marcus M. Marks John W. Lieb, Jr. S. C. Mead, Secretary The Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York Welding Ring E. H. Outerbridge Charles L. Bernheimer Julio F. Sorzano Maurice L. Muuleman S. S. Pratt, Secretary The New York Produce Exchange John Aspegren E. R. Carhart J. G. Gash William H. Douglas Charles W. Bowring W. B. Pollock L. B. Howe, Secretary 116 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS American Manufacturers' Export Association M. DE MoREiRA Robert C. KAiiifEREH O. W. Smith W. N. Dickinson H. T. Wills, Secretary The Pan-American Society C. A. Green William C. Downs Luis F. Corea Thomas A. Eddy Frederic Brown, Secretary' The Italian Chamber of Commerce of New York G. R. Schroeder GrsTAV Forges LuiGi SoLARi Ercole Locatelli ACHILLE StARACE The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in America P. A. PmCOFFS P. C. KtJYPER T. Greidantts, Secretary The Swedish Chamber of Commerce of New York g. h. lundbeck coxtnt j. w. h. hamilton Alfred Richardson E. E. Johnson Hans Lagerlof, Secretary Consolidated Stock Exchange M. E. de Aguero HisJt of Commercial (Drgani^ationsf AFFILIATED WITH THE PERMANENT COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS, 1912 ARGENTINA Rosario de Santa Fe — Chamber of Commerce Tucuman — Bolsa de Comercio AUSTRIA-HUNGARY AUSTRIA Bozen — Chamber of Commerce and Industry' Briinn — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cracow — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Eger — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Goritz — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Graz — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Innsbruck — Chamber of Commerce and Industrj' Klagenfurth — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Laibach — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Lemberg — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Olmiitz — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Pilsen — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Prague — Chamber of Commerce and Industry F*rague — The Export Association of Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia Prague — Nove Obchodni Gremium Ragusa — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Reichenberg — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Roveredo — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rovigo — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Trieste — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Troppau — Chamber of Commerce and Intkistry Vienna — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vienna — Association of Colonial Produce Merchants Vienna — Austrian Export Society Vienna — Central Association of Austrian Manufacturers Vienna — Central Association of Austrian Merchants Vienna — Lower Austrian Association for the Promotion of Handicraft Vienna — Manufacturers' Association Vienna — Merchants' Guild 117 118 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF HUNGARY Agram (Croatia) — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Arad — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brosso — Chaml)er of Commerce and Industry Budapest — Chamber of Commerce and Industry* Budapest — Association of Hungarian Merchants Budapest — Hungarian Commercial Association Budapest — Hungarian Inchistrial Association Budapest — Hungarian National Association of Chemical Industry Budapest — National Hungarian Commercial Association Budapest — National Union of Hungarian Merchants Debreczen — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gyor — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kaschau — Chamber of Commerce and Industrj' Kolozsvar — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Nagyvarad — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Osijek-Eszek ( Croatia-Slavonia) — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Pozsony — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Soprony — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Szegedin — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Temesvar — Chamber of Commerce and Industry BELGIUM Bruges — Chamber of Commerce Brussels — Chamber of Commerce Brussels — L' Association gcnerale des Meuniers Beiges Brussels — L'Association des Fabricants de Glaces Brussels — British Chamber of Commerce of Belgium Brussels — French Chamber of Commerce Brussels — French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brussels — Italian Chamber of Commerce Brussels — Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Brussels — Union of International Associations Charleroi — French Chamber of Commerce Courtrai-Roulers — Chamber of Commerce Ghent — Commercial and Industrial Club Ghent — L'Association cotonniere Hasselt — Chamber of Commerce of Limbourg Liege — La Bourse Industrielle Liege — L'Association des Licencids sortis de I'Universit^ de Li^ge Mens — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mons — L'Association houillerc du Couchant Ostend — Chamber of Commerce Ypres — Commercial and Industrial Club BRAZIL Manaos — Commercial Association of the Amazon Para — Garantia da .\mazonia Rio de Janeiro — Academy of Commerce Rio de Janeiro — Commercial Association CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 119 Rio de Janeiro — Commercial Museum Rio de Janeiro — Council of the Merchants and Ship Brokers Rio de Janeiro — Federation of Commercial Associations of Brazil Rio de Janeiro — International Chamber of Commerce of Brazil Santos — Commercial Association BULGARIA Plovdiv (Philippopolis) — Chamber of Commerce Rustchuck — Chamber of Commerce Sofia — Chamber of Commerce Varna — Chamber of Commerce Varna — La Corporation des Xegociants en COr^ales CHILE Santiago — Sociedad de Foment o Fabril Santiago — French Chamber of Commerce CHINA Hongkong — Sze Yap Commercial Guild Shanghai — General Chamber of Commerce CUBA Havana — Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of the Island of Cuba Havana — Union of Manufacturers of Liquors and Distillers of the Island of Cuba DENMARK Copenhagan — Chamber of Commerce Copenhagen — Grosserer Societetets Komite ECUADOR Guayaquil — Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Quito — Chamber of Commerce EGYPT Cairo — International Chamber of Commerce FRANCE Agen — Chamber of Commerce Angouleme — Chamber of Commerce Bar-le-Duc — Chamber of Commerce Belfort — Chamber of Commerce Bourg (Ain) — Chamber of Commerce Bourges — Chamber of Commerce 120 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Dunkirk — Chamber of Commerce Honfleur — Chamber of Commerce Limoges — Chamber of Commerce Marseilles — Chamber of Commerce Marseilles — Syndicat des Importateurs de Craines Olc^agineuses Montpelier — Chamber of Commerce Nancy — Chamber of Commerce Nantes — Chamber of Commerce Paris — Chamber of Conmierce Paris — American Chamber of Commerce Paris — Austria-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce Paris — Belgian Chamber of Commerce Paris — British Chamber of Commerce Paris — Italian Chamber of Commerce Paris — Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Paris — Ottoman Chamber of Commerce Paris — Russian Chamber of Commerce Paris — Spanish Chamber of Commerce Paris — Union des Chambres de Commerce fran^aises h TEtranger Paris — Comit6 commercial franco-allemand Reims — Chamber of Commerce Roubaix — Chamber of Commerce Rouen — Chamber of Commerce Tourcoing — Chamber of Commerce Tours — Chamber of Commerce Versailles — Chamber of Commerce FRENCH POSSESSIONS — ALGIERS Gran — Cham])or of Commerce Philippeville — Chamber of Commerce GERMANY Aix-la-Chapelle — Chamber of Commerce Barmen — Chamber of Commerce Berlin — Doutscher Handelstag Berlin — Die Altesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin Berlin — Cliambcr of Commerce Berlin — Handclsvcrtragsverein Berlin — Verband deutscher Waren- und Kaufhauser Berlin — American Association of Commerce and Trade Berlin — Ccntralverband des deutschen Bank- und Bankiergewerbes Berlin — Deutsch-franzusischcr Wirtschaft8\"erein Bonn — Chamber of Commerce Bremen — Chamber of Commerce Breslau — Chamber of Commerce Brunswick — Chamber of Commerce Chemnitz — Chamber of Commerce Cologne — Chamber of Commerce Cologne — Gewcrbe-Vercin Cologne — International Association of Hotel-keepers Cologne — \'ercin der Industrielleu des Regierungs-Bezirks CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 121 Danzig — Vorsteheramt der Kaufmanaschaft Dortmund — Chamber of Coniiiierce Dresden — Chamber of Commerce Dresden — Export-\'erein im KcuiiKreich Sachsen Dresden — Vcrband sachsisoher Industriellcr Diisseldorf — Chamber of Commerce Diisseldorf — Nethcrhinds Chamber of Commerce Elberfeld — Chamber of Commerce Erfurt — Chamber of Commerce Essen — Chamber of Commerce Frankfort-on-the-Main — Chamber of Commerce Frankfort-on-the-Main — Vereinigung der Exportfirmea Halberstadt — Chamber of Commerce Halle — Chamber of Commerce Hamburg — Chamber of Commerce Hanover — Chamber of Commerce Heidelberg — Chamber of Commerce Hildesheim — Chamber of Commerce Karlsruhe — Handelskammer fur die Ivreise Karlsruhe und Baden Konigsberg — Verein deutscher Ingenieure Leipzig — Chamber of Commerce Liibeck — Chamber of Commerce Magdeburg — Chamber of Commerce Mannheim — Chamber of Commerce Miinster — Chamber of Commerce Neugersdorf — ^'erband siichsischer Industrieller Nuremberg — Chamber of Commerce Plauen — Chamber of Commerce Regensburg — Chamber of Commerce Sonneberg — Chamber of Commerce Sorau — Chamber of Commerce Stolberg — Chamber of Commerce Strassburg — Chamber of Commerce Stuttgart — Chamber of Commerce Treves — Chamber of Commerce Wiirzburg — Chamber of Commerce GREAT BRITAIN AND BRITISH POSSESSIONS ENGLAND Barrow-in-Fumerss — Chamber of Commerce Birkenhead — Chamber of Commerce Bradford — Inrorporated Chamber of Commerce Bradford — Dyers' Association Bristol — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping Cheltenham — Chamber of Commerce Croydon — Chamber of Commerce Derby — Chamber of Commerce Dudley — Chamber of Commerce Halifax — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce Huddersfield — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce Liverpool — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce 122 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF London — British Imperial Council of Commerce London — Chamber of Commerce London — ^Miolesale Stationers' Association London — Austria-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce London — Canadian Chamber of Commerce London — Netherlands Chamber of Commerce London — Swedish Chamber of Commerce London — Federation of Foreign Chambers of Commerce in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Manchester — British Weights & Measures Association Nottingham — Chamber of Commerce Reading — Chamber of Commerce Sheffield — Chamber of Commerce Wakefield — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping Walsall — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce IREL.\ND Cork — Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping Dublin — Chamber of Commerce SCOTLAND Aberdeen — Chamber of Commerce Dundee — Chamber of Commerce Edinburgh — Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Leith — Chamber of Commerce ADEN, ARABIA Aden — Chamber of Commerce AUSTRALIA Melbourne — Chamber of Commerce BAHAMAS Nassau — The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce BERMUDA Hamilton — Chamber of Commerce BRITISH EAST AFRICA Nairobi — Chamber of Commerce CANADA Belleville — Board of Trade Moncton — Board of Trade Montreal — Board of Trade Montreal — Chamber of Commerce Montreal — L' Association des Marchands diitailleurs du Canada New Westminster — Board of Trade Ottawa — Board of Trade Quebec — Board of Trade Sherbrooke — Board of Trade St. Catharine's — Board of Trade St. John. N. B. — Board of Trade Toronto — Board of Trade CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 123 INDIA Calcutta — Bengal Chamber of Commerce Delhi — Punjab Chamber of Commerce JAMAICA Kingston — Royal Jamaica Society of Agriculture and Commerce & Merchants' Exchange NEW ZEALAND Auckland — Chamber of Commerce Christchurch — Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Dunedin — Chamber of Commerce Invercargill — Chamber of Commerce Napier — Chamber of Commerce Wanganui — Chamber of Commerce Wellington — Chamber of Commerce SINGAPORE Singapore — Chinese Chamber of Commerce SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town — South African Manufacturers' Association TASMANIA Launceston — Chamber of Commerce TRINIDAD Port of Spain — Chamber of Commerce GREECE Athens — American Chamber of Commerce for the Levant Patras — Chamber of Commerce Piraeus — Chamber of Commerce and Industry HONDURAS Tegucigalpa — Chamber of Commerce ITALY Alessandria — Chamber of Commerce and Industrj' Bari — Chamber of Commerce Bergamo — Chamber of Commerce Bologna — Chamber of Commerce Brescia — Chamber of Commerce Carrara — Chamber of Commerce Catania, Sicily — Chamber of Commerce Catanzaro — Chamber of Commerce 124 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Cuneo — Chamber of Commerce Fermo — Chamber of Commerce Florence — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foggia — Chamber of Commerce Genoa — British Chamber of Commerce Girgenti — Cliamber of Commerce Lecce — Chamber of Commerce Lodi — Chamber of Commerce Lucca — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Milan — Chamber of Commerce Milan — Associazione fra Commercianti, Esercenti ed Industriali Milan — Associazone fra Commercianti ed Industriali in Pelliccerie Milan — Associazione Granaria Milan — Circolo per gli Interessi Agricoli, Commerciali ed Industriali Milan — Consorzio fra gli Industriali meccanici e metallurgici Milan — Federazione Commcrciale c Industriale Italiana Milan — Federazione Internazionale Cotoniera Milan — Agricultural Association of Lombardy Modena — Chamber of Commerce Monza — Federazione Industriali Naples — Chamber of Commerce Naples — American Chamber of Commerce in Italy Padua — Chamber of Commerce Palermo — Chamber of Commerce Piacenza — Chamber of Commerce Pisa — Chamber of Commerce Rome — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Susa — Society Anonima Banchiero Syracuse — Chamber of Commerce Turin — Chamber of Commerce Turin — Associazione Generale esercenti, commercianti ed industriali Venice — Chamber of Commerce Verona — Chamber of Commerce JAPAN Kobe — Chamber of Commerce Osaka — Chamber of Commerce Tokyo — Chamber of Commerce Yokohama — Chamber of Commerce Yokohama — Foreign Board of Trade LUXEMBOURG Luxembourg — Chamber of Commerce MEXICO Hermosillo — Chamber of Commerce Vera Cruz — National Chamber of Commerce \ CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 125 NETHERLANDS Amsterdam — Chamber of Commerce Dordrecht — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Haarlem — Chamber of Commerce Haarlem — Miiatscliai)[)ij van Nijvcrhcid Rotterdam — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tilburg — Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vlaardingen — Chamber of Commerce and Industry NORWAY Bergen — Chamber of Commerce Bergen — The Bourse Christiania — Den Norske Export na?ringers Landsforbund Christiania — Den Norske Fiellesforening for Haandverk og Industri Christiania — Den Norske Handelsstands Faellesforening Christiania — Chamber of Commerce Christiania — Handelsstands Forening Christiania — Import-Export Agenters Forening Trondhjem — Chamber of Commerce PERU Callao — Chamber of Commerce Lima — Chamber of Commerce Lima — Stock Exchange Piura — Chamber of Commerce PORTUGAL Elvas — Conmiercial, Industrial and Agricultural Association Lisbon — Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Union Lisbon — Centro Colonial Lisbon — Commercial Association Lisbon — Geographical Society Lisbon — British Chamber of Commerce in Portugal PORTUGUESE POSSESSIONS — AZORES Ponta Delgada, SSlo Miguel — Commercial Association ROUMANIA Bucharest — American Chamber of Commerce for the Levant Crajova — Chamber of Commerce 126 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF RUSSIA Baku. Transcaucasia, Asiatic Russia — Chamber of Commerce Helsingfors — Fiiiska Haudelsdek-gationen Riga — Bourse ^St. Petersburg — Association of Industry and Commerce of Russia St. Petersburg — Russo-British Chamber of Commerce Warsaw — Towarzystwo Przcmyslo\vc6w Warsaw — Association of PoUsh Merchants SPAIN Barcelona — Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation Barcelona — Fomcnto del Trabajo Nacional Barcelona — French Chamber of Commerce Gerona — Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation Madrid — Official Chamber of Commerce of the Province Madrid — Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation Madrid — Official Chamber of Industry of the Province Madrid — French Chamber of Commerce Saragossa — Official Chamber of Commerce and Industry Valencia — Chamber of Commerce Valladolid — Official Chamber of Commerce and Industrj' SWEDEN Gefle — Chamber of Commerce Goteborg — Chamber of Commerce Jonkoping — Chamber of Commerce Malmo — Chamber of Commerce Stockholm — General Export Association of Sweden Stockholm — Chamber of Commerce Stockholm — Merchants' Club SWITZERLAND Basel — Chamber of Commerce Berne — Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Canton Geneva — Swiss L^nion of Commerce and Industry Geneva — Chamber of Commerce Geneva — French Chamber of Commerce Geneva — Italian Chamber of Commerce St. Gall — Direct orium dcs Ncl^'gociants Zurich — Chamber of Commerce TURKEY Constantinople — American Chamber of Commerce for the Levant Constantinople — Hellenic Chamber of Commerce CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 127 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Akron, Ohio — Chamber of Commerce Albany, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Baltimore, Md. — Board of Trade Bangor, Maine — Maine State Board of Trade Bay City, Mich. — Board of Commerce Birmingham, Ala. — Chamber of Commerce Boston, Mass. — Chamber of Commerce Boston, Mass. — Fruit and Produce Exchange Boston, Mass. — Massachusetts State Board of Trade Boston, Mass. — Music Trade Association Boston. Mass. — New England Ihu-dware Dealers' A.S30ciation Boston. Mass. — New England Shoe and Leather Association Boston. Mass. — Real Estate Exchange and Auction Board Boston, Mass. — Stationers' Association Brockton, Mass. — Chamber of Commerce Buffalo, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Chicago, 111. — Association of Commerce Chicago, 111. — Board of Trade Chicago, 111. — Illinois Manufacturers' Association Chicago, 111. — National Business League of America Cincinnati. Ohio — Business Men's Club Cincinnati, Ohio — Chamber of Commerce Cincinnati, Ohio — Commercial Association Cleveland, Ohio — Chamber of Commerce Dallas, Texas — Chamber of Commerce Davenport, Iowa — Commercial Club Davenport, Iowa — Greater Davenport Committee Dayton, Ohio — Chamber of Commerce Decatur. 111. — Chamber of Commerce Denver, Colo. — Chamber of Commerce Detroit, Mich. — Board of Commerce Eureka, Calif. — Humboldt Chamber of Commerce Fall River, Mass. — Chamber of Commerce Fitchburg. Mass. — Board of Trade and Merchants' Association Fort Worth, Texas — Chamber of Commerce Framingham, Mass. — Board of Trade Geneva. N. Y. — Ciiamber of Commerce Haverhill, Mass. — Board of Trade Holyoke, Mass. — Board of Trade Houston. Texas — Chamber of Commerce Indianapohs, Ind. — Board of Trade Indianapohs, Ind. — Commercial Club Kalamazoo. Mich. — Commercial Club Kansas City. Mo. — Commercial Club Key West. Fla. — Chamber of Commerce Kingston, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Los Angeles. Calif. — Chamber of Commerce Louisville, Ky. — Board of Trade Lowell. Mass. — Board of Trade Lynn, Mass. — Board of Trade Ljrrm, Mass. — Merchants' Association 128 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Maiden, Mass. — Board of Trade Milwaukee, Wis. — Chamber of Commerce Minneapolis, Minn. — Civic and Commerce Association Newark, N. J. — Board of Trade New Bedford, Mass. — Board of Trade New Britain, Conn. — Busine.ss Men's Association Newburyport, Mass. — Business Men's Association New Haven, Conn. — Chamber of Commerce New London, Corm. — State Business Men's Association New Orleans, La. — Progressive Union New York, N. Y. — American Manufacturers' Export Association New York, N. Y. — Board of Trade and Transportation New York, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York New York, N. Y. — Merchants' Association New York, N. Y. — National Association of Manufacturers New York, N. Y. — North Side Board of Trade, Borough of the Bronx New York, N. Y. — Produce Exchange New York, N. Y. — Italian Chamber of Commerce New York, N. Y. — Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in America New York, N. Y. — Swedish Chamber of Commerce Norfolk, Va. — Board of Trade and Business Men's Association North Attleboro, Mass. — Board of Trade Oakland, Calif. — Chamber of Commerce Passaic, N. J. — New Jersej' State Chamber of Commerce Philadelphia, Pa. — Board of Trade Philadelphia, Pa. — Bourse Philadelphia, Pa. — Chamber of Commerce Philadelphia, Pa. — Commercial Museum Philadelphia, Pa. — Maritime Exchange Philadelphia, Pa. — National Board of Trade Pine Bluff, Ark. — Chamber of Commerce Pittsburgh, Pa. — Chamber of Commerce Portland, Maine — Board of Trade Providence, R. I. — Board of Trade Providence, R. I. — Manufacturing Jewelers' Board of Trade Reading, Pa. — Board of Trade Rochester, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Rome, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Richmond, Va. — Chamber of Commerce Sacramento, Calif. — Chamber of Commerce St. Louis, Mo. — Business Men's League St. Louis, Mo. — Merchants' Exchange St. Paul, Minn. — Association of Commerce San Antonio, Texas — Chamber of Commerce San Francisco, Calif. — Chamber of Commerce Seattle, Wash. — New Seattle Chamber of Commerce Somerville, Mass. — Board of Trade Spokane, Wash. — Chamber of Commerce Springfield, Mass. — Board of Trade Syracuse, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Toledo, Ohio — Commerce Club Troy, N. Y. — Chamber of Commerce Waltham, Mass. — Board of Trade CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ^ 129 Washington, D. C. — Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America Washington, D. C. — Chamber of Commerce Washington, D. C. — Pan-American Union Westerly, R. I. — Board of Trade Worcester, Mass. — Board of Trade Youngstown, Ohio — Cluvmber of Commerce Possessions of the United States of America HAWAII Honolulu — Chamber of Commerce PHILIPPINE ISLANDS Manila — Merchants' Association URUGUAY Montevideo — Chamber of Commerce Montevideo — Cdmara Mercantil de Productos del Pals VENEZUELA Caracas — Chamber of Commerce i g)tenosrapf)ic l\eport of Official ^efi^fiious; FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS, AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A. SEPTEMBER 24, 25 AND 26 jfirsit ^tumn The session was called to order in the ball-room of the Copley Plaza Hotel, at 10.28 A.M., September 24, 1912, President Louis Canox-Legrand in the chair. At the desk, Gen- eral Secretary' £mile Jottrand and Dr. Max Apt. On the platform, Hon. Charles Nagel, Secretary of Commerce and Labor for the United States, Hon. Eugene N. Foss, Governor of Massachusetts, Hon. John F. Fitzgerald, Mayor of Boston, Mr. Edward A. Filene, Vice-President of the International Congress and Mr. George S. Smith, President Boston Chamber of Commerce, 1911. ADDRESS OF WELCOME Mr. George S. Smith, Chairman of the Boston Executive Committee and President of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, 1911 Delegates, Gentlemen, Friends from the four comers of this wide world, I give you greeting. On behalf of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, the business men of Boston, the men and women who have for weeks and months labored hard and faithfullj- to make this Congress a great constructive success, I extend to j'ou a most cordial and heartfelt welcome, (ilppfau.se.) From the verj' first those of us who have been the more closely identified with the plans for this Congress have had but one high conception. The comer stone and the building to stand for intemational goo', and bring those forty-six links and lay them here upon the forge of this Congre.s.s, and we in turn will endeavor to take thoi'e links upon the anvil of international good will, and link them into a mighty chain of intemational honor, of mutuality in commercial practice, and stretch that chain all around this world, encircling it securely with the compact commercial world repre- 131 132 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF eented by all the nations, who are after all of one blood, and one aspiration and one purpose, and that the practical ideals may be bound together, one and inseparable. And in this spirit I give you Boston's cordial greeting and express Boston's most solicitous hope that this Congress will immediately take form in constructive results, and that the influ- ence of this Fifth International Congress will be cumulative, and go down through all the ages, spelling progress as to the equitable and harmonious relations between the nations of the earth. (Prolonged applause.) Gentlemen, we have as one of the men of the United States to address you this morning, a nation's statesman who stands as one of our President's chief councillors in his Cabinet, who is the Secretarj* of the Department of Commerce and Labor, a man who has traveled up and down the vast reaches of this countrj', that he might come into touch with the business men of all sections, who can impress them, by his own personal word and hand, with his close and intimate interests in the business world of his country. And therefore it becomes my high honor to present the Secretary' of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Hon. Charles Nagel, who will give you the greeting of the Government of the United States. (Applause.) ADDRESS OF WELCOME ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Hon. Charles Nagel, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Mr. President and Gentlemen: It is my great privilege, in the name of the United States, to extend a hearty welcome to the members of this Congress. And in doing so I wish to congratulate the L^nited States upon the fact that for this occasion this country was selected as the meeting place. And I want to congratulate the United States upon the fact that the great city of Boston is the host for this occasion, because the city of Boston has been a pioneer in promoting the idea of a closer com- mercial organization in order that cities, states and countries may speak with effect. I am the more glad of this opportunity, because my short official experience has impressed me with the importance of an organization such as you have. As in our own countrj' the im- proved methods of communication bring us closer together and help us realize that there is no such thing as ultimate advantage at the unfair expense of our neighbor, so in an equal sense the closer communications between the countries make it manifest that between foreign coun- tries there must be a better understanding {applause and expressions of approval), there must be rules of the game that will make it possible to base all transactions and to measure them according to standards of equity and justice. {"Hear, hear!" and applause.) I know it has been said that in international relations we have no law-giving power and we have no tribunal to enforce a law. That is true. But in view of the tremendous trend of over-legislation in practically all individual countries, I am not sure but what you may re- ceive it as a subject of congratulation that there is at least one field in which you, the actors and the makers of commerce, may have an opportunity to work out your own salvation. {"Hear, hear! " and applause.) Those of us who watch the tremendous multitude of new laws must be impressed with the fact that there was great merit in the old system of working out your rules of the game by the custom of the countrj'. And if you have an understanding, if you make your rules, and if you are put in a position to enforce those rules through the agency of your government, you may evolve a system of international commerical law more apt to respond intelligently to your needs than any legislative body could provide. Perhaps our count r>' ought to confess that in some measure it is not quite up to the stand- ards which have been attained in some other countries. Comparatively speaking, we are a new country. For obvious reasons our attention has been centered upon domestic questions. We have been a countrj' of such vast resources that we have been able from time to time to seek out new tcrritorj' for the emplojmcnt of our energies within our own domain. But by CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 133 degrees we are bound to recognize that there is a limit to that sort of employment even in our country' with all its v;vst resources. We have a system of government, besides, in which the individual state plays an impor- tant part, and under that system much of our attention h;vs been given to the adjustment of just such questions involving interstate relations as you are here now engaged to consider with respect to the great countries of the world. Furthermore, we have had a protective system which has served to center our attention more especially upon our own affairs. But in respect to all these facts the trend is away from the past. We have entered the international field, not only politically but commercially, and we are interested with you in finding those stand- ards and those rules by which international commerce may be justly and sanely governed. We are making progress. The department over which it is my privilege to preside is being organized with a view to meet just that situation, and our Chambers of Commerce in this countr\' are awake to the fact that the old indiviilualistic idea must be abandonetl and that it must be replaced by the idea of intelligent co-operation, upon the theory that ultimately you must be willing to share with j'our neighbor. Our cities no longer estimate their success by the failure of sister cities. Every city in our Union realizes that the advantage of ever\' other city reflects upon it and that the failure of any other city must likewise reflect upon it. The spirit of co-operation is abroad, and if that be true within a country is it not equally true in the relations between foreign countries? Is it too nuich to say that to-day a wholesome, prosperous, .successful country may justly rejoice in the success of a neighboring country'? (Applause.) Is it not true that our .security lies in the success of our neighbors and our chief danger lies in the unrest to which our neigh- bors may be subjected? (Applause.) I need not recite to you what the subjects for consideration in a Congress of this kind may be. Your own program will indicate that better than I could state it. International relations must have tnie standards. The integrity of the dollar means the integrity of every paper based upon it: the integrity of money means the integrity of measure and weight; the char- acter of measure and weight means the character of the goods; the character of the goods means the honesty of the label and of ever>' declaration made with respect to it. ("Hear, hear!" and applaui', because the delegates of these countries may be trusted to take care of their interests and are here to promote the general cause of equit}' and justice under which all may thrive and prosper alike. That being the plan, you may not be called altruists, as for instance a congress of artists or even scientists might be; but no one can doubt that the purpose which you have in mind is to promote a program of general advantage, integrity of standards, quick and keen justice, peace among the nations, and ultimately the advantage of ever}- citizen and ever>' part of the community that may participate, however remotely, in your transactions. Gentlemen, in closing I want merely to say that any man in public life to-day must con- template with peculiar gratification any congress which may be called to consider questions as grave as those which you have up for discussion, and which at the same time cannot be charged with selfishness but must have it conceded that its purpose is the general well-being and welfare not only of those whom j-ou directly represent but of those whom the Congress as such represents throughout the world. (Applause.) Chairman Smith: Gentlemen, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from the stand- point of industrial development, is the fourth greatest Commonwealth in our Union of forty- eight states. Her present chief magistrate is a great captain of industry*. From the outset he has given us his most solicitous interest and effective co-operation, to the end that this Congress be the success it should be. It now becomes my pleasure to introduce His Excellency Governor Eugene N. Foss, of Massachusetts. (Applause.) ADDRESS OF WELCOME ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Hon. Eugene N. Foss, Governor of Massachusetts Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: It is with great plea.sure that I extend, on behalf of the Commonwealth, its greetings. The Commonwealth is indeed greatly honored that you should have chosen this city and this state for this your first meeting on American soil. It is significant that you are coming to us at this time, when a new era of commercial life is opening up. In the early years of this re- 41 CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 135 public the clipper ships of the ports of Massachusetts circled the world, but of later years we have been engaged, as Secretary Nagel has told you, in the development of our internal af- fairs. It was the capital of Massachusetts and New England which so largely contributed to the development of the western section of the countrj'. It wjis New England capital which built the great lines of railroads across the country and developed the great interior states of the West. But to-day we are turning our attention to the development of the waterways, of the internal waterways of the country, and are looking abroad for new markets. Here in Massa- chusetts you will find the home of the cotton industry, you will also find the home of the boot and shoe industry, which we like to term the great American industry, for with a small degree of protection to this industry we have been able to command the markets at home and the markets of the world, until the American shoe is now found in every part of the world. You will find here in Massachusetts not only the financial and industrial organizations which have contributed so much to build up the country, but you will also find those organi- zations which are conserving the natural resources of the countrj', like our forests and water- power, and which are working along the line of the further development of these resources which is going on. We wish for the delegates a pleasing and profitable stay here. We know that your min- gling among us will bring us much of good, and that the results will be beneficial to all; and we extend to you the warmest greetings of Massachusetts. (Applause.) Chairman Smith: Gentlemen, when you received your appointments as delegates to the city of Boston, I apprehend that you looked for the statistical and numerical strength of Boston, and j-ou read that Boston was a city of 670,000 people, with an industrial output of 8225,000,000. Boston stands alone as to its unfortunate uniqueness of physical position. Our municipal area has but 3S square miles. Therefore, owing to congestion within those limits we have municipally but 670,000 people. Within a stone's throw of where you now sit, and less than one thousand yards from where you now sit are two separate municipalities of over 100,000 people surging with industrial activity, and on the immediate outskirts of Boston, in co-terminous territorj', immediately adjoining, and whose interests are interdependent, within twelve miles, a population of a million and a half people with an industrial ouput of §560,000,000. The Mayor of Boston, in turn, has shown his most intimate interest in the success of this great Congress. HLs efTective co-operation has been evident on everj' hand, and I am sure some of you at least will be renewing an old acquaintance, because he was one of the Boston party of tourists to visit Europe last summer. It now becomes my pleasure to introduce Hia Honor the Mayor of Boston, John F. FiTZGER.\LD. (Applause.) k ADDRESS OF WELCOME ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BOSTON Hon. John F. Fitzgerald, Mayor of the City of Boston Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Fifth International Congress: I do not think that any one of us who journeyed across the water la.st summer ever thought that this gathering which I have the honor to address this morning, and to welcome formally to this great city of ours, would be as large in numbers and iia distinguished in representation as it is, and we all, in Boston, owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Filene, and to Mr. Fahey, who, two years ago at a similar Congress held in London, invited this gathering to Boston, and were the cause of such a distinction coming to this great city. (Applause.) Mr. Smith has spoken about the industrial life of this community, its population, its vast wealth, the interrelationship of the suburban communities, with Boston; but there is another 136 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF acti\'ity going on here to-day that I want to Bay just a word about before I proceed to my formal address, because it is perhaps a i)hase of our American civiHzation that some of you will never elsewhere have the opportunity to see. In this Commonwealth of ours, over which our distinguished Governor who has just addressed you presides, there is a political contest going on all over the state. Right here, within a short distance from this hotel, electioneering is going on; and you, gentlemen, who come from those parts of the world where property qualifications count, where the votes of men with vast property count ten to one hundred times as much as the vote of the man with- out a dollar, will be able to witness a practical exhibition of American democracy, because you can see, this morning or at any time until 4 o'clock this afternoon, the laborer walking side by side with the millionaire many times over, in the same booth, and the vote of one is as mighty and as potent as the vote of the other. And there is no better exhibition of Amer- ica's doctrine, there is not a better example of American democracy, than can be found right within the precincts of this hotel; and I hope some of you will take advantage of the occasion and go out and see how the voting is done. (Applause.) ^Tien a few years ago the American republics first realized that they had interests in common, a new word came into use, invented to express a certain unity among the peoples of the two continents. To Pan-Slavic and Pan-Germanic, with which j'ou are familiar, there was added the term Pan-American. It awakened visions of inter-continental railroads and the enrichment of civilization through the opening of unexhausted tropical lands. To-day we meet under the inspiration of a still larger concept. Envoys from forty nations, men of diverse languages, laws, customs and religions, are assembled in a common cause. From the unity of a single race or of a hemisphere our imaginations have progressed till they encircle the globe itself. We might call the movement Pan-terrestrial or Pan-human. \Miatever its name, we greet you, gentlemen, as its champions and e.vponents, — rational visionaries, in- nocent schemers, peacefullj' plotting the good of all mankind. The theme of your deliberations is commerce. Was there a time when this word had derogatory or even sinister implications? Perhaps in some feudal period, before men had learned to respect the dignity of everj'-day, useful things. Happily we breathe to-day the at- mo.sphere of the twentieth centur>', in which the builder, the creator of wealth, is honored above the destroyer or the dreamer. You who sit here in council, merchants, bankers, manu- facturers, engineers, operators of railroads, are the providers of the human family. Your ancestry reaches back to the primitive ages. Beneath war and change, turmoil and migra- tion, your patient industrj- has nourished and clad the race. The statesman and the soldier may dazzle by their victories, but your conquests arc less bloody and your influence more pervasive. The artist and the thinker maj' stand higher, but they do not come first. Read- ing history, we note that its luminous pages, those that treat of Athens, Rome, Venice, Flor- ence, London, Spain and Holland, in their prime, record the expansion of trade and the inflnw of foreign wealth co-existent with the bursting of whole generations into art and song. Far from being opposed, commerce and culture are sister wings of the human spirit. If either droops, the bahmce is lost and our flight becomes crippletl and erratic. One function of commerce is to facilitate intercourse and thus to mediate between tlic families of men. Your vessels have grooved the very waters of the sea with lanes of approved safety for travel. Your engines ride upon rails laid through mountain and jungle and omt the inhospitable desert. Upon these highways the nations journey back and forth and meet for the exchange of goods. Thanks to this freedom of movement there is no longer any Ik r- mit nation, but a universal interpenetration of knowledge and ideals. Governments adopt common aims and approximate a common type. Universities exchange professors. Great actors and musical virtuosi are citizens of the world. The jirophets of literature are honored in other countries as well as their own. A thousand influences knit together the peoples once estranged by isolation and ignorance. This better understanding is but a preface to great accomplishments which await us in the near future. There are problems which cannot be solved except by international agree- CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 137 ment, such as universal peace, and until that comes to pass, a civilized code of warfare; the reduction of the cost of living; the prevention of plagues; the destruction of insect and animal pests; the adoption of a uniform calendar; a superior and more economical postal sj'stem; rules for safety at sea; the extradition of criminals; standard weights, monetary systems and commercial forms; the arrest and control of panics; and laws for the protection of patents and copyrights. Some of these are included in the program of your Congress. We look for- ward to authoritative discussions of these subjects and to conclusions which must carry weight with those in authority. For this reivson the presence of so many representatives of governments is a most favorable augury as well as a signal honor. (Applause.) In America, gentlemen, you will find a nation well disposed toward the international movement, because we are, ourselves, a cosmopolitan people. Everj' one of the si.xteen lan- guages in which your program is printed is si)oken in this city, and there are other parts of the countr>' far more polyglot than Boston. The extent of our territory' and its diversities of chmate and contour give us a continental breadth of view and forbid all provincial narrow- ness. It is hardly too much to say that as you continue your travels each of you will find something familiar, as well as many features that are new and strange, in the composite fabric of our national life. But while other and more populous cities await your coming, it is our privilege to wel- come you first and to receive you as our particular guests. We believe that Boston may pos- sess some special attraction for men whose interests are commercial. Our settlement in the early seventeenth centurj' is one of the romances of the sea, and all our history is salted with an ocean flavor. After the Revolution a trade with India and China developed here, and it was no uncommon exploit for adventurous captains in vessels of small tonnage to circumnavi- gate the globe by way of Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. The whaling industry, now diminished, had its headquarters in nearby ports. Our fishing fleet, still the foremost in America, if not the world, is about to occupy a new pier with buildings specially designed for this business. Our coastwise commerce surpasses even that of Hamburg. Our foreign sail- ings are frequent and regular. Flotillas of pleasure craft are anchored in every bay and war- ships are built in an inlet of our harbor. In short, we New Englanders are still largely a sea-going people and it was no accident that the discovery of the North Pole was made by a native of Maine. (Applause.) To saturate our youth with this atmosphere, a special school, the High School of Com- merce, has been established, which trains boys for the commercial life. More than a thou- sand pupils attend this institution, and by the generosity of some of our business men several of them are sent each year to study the products and business customs of other countries. I trust that some of you may be able to visit this school. Our parks, water basins and boulevards are also at your service. These, with the col- leges and public buildings, the life along the water front, the business and manufacturing activities of the city and our suburban homes, may distract you plejisanth' in the inter^•als of your more serious occupation. The Chamber of Commerce has already laid all its resources at your disposal for your personal comfort and entertainment. The citizens in general will follow your proceedings with a friendly and enlightened interest. By the city itself nothing will be left undone that may testify to our sentiments of cordiality and esteem. It is one of the distinctions of my life, as Chief Magistrate of Boston, to inaugurate thi.s convention, the fifth of its kind and the first to be held in the western hemisphere. May its deliberations be fniitful and hannonious and your personal exTJeriences such as to repay you for the fatigues of the long journeys you have made. If the results correspond to the high purpose and bril- Uant intelligence of this gathering, the Fifth Congress will surj^ass all its predecessors and will lay the foundations for achievements still more massive and substantial in the years to come. (Applause.) Chairman Smith : As the business men of the United States read the commercial history of other nations they realize that long years ago you recognized the necessity for commercial 138 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF organizations first in your several cities, and again amalgamated into one national association that it might occupy at least a quasi-official relation to your governments who make the laws of commerce. We confess in America — or rather the United States — that we were sfl:'- centered, so fierce was the conflict to develop this great countrv' of ours. But twenty-fi\ ■ years ago, in these various and many cities of ours, there came to be Organized boards of traO' commercial associations and great chambers of commerce. And only as recently as this la-: April there was a new National Chamber of Commerce organized which has even in this short p>eriod gained an individual membership of over 100,000. And it becomes my pleasure to introduce the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Mr. Harrt A. Wheeler of Chicago. (Applause.) ADDRESS OF WELCOME ON BEHALF OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Mr. Harry A. Wheeler, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Untied States Gentlemen of the International Congress: It is peculiarly gratif>-ing that I should be able to represent, in this word of welcome to this Congress, by some authority, that of a national organization, the welcome which the com- mercial interests of this countn.* extend to you. As the presiding oflBcer has said, a year ago this would have been imp)ossible, but, following the example which you have set for us in your coimtries, we have at last in this countrj- endeavored to found a Chamber that shall be com- parable to your own in the force that it shall exert for the benefit of this countn.'s commercial interests. We are new and we have much to learn, and we expect to learn at your hands; and for that reason, if for no other, this Congress is doubly welcome to the commercial inter- ests of this coimtrj'. Their welcome to you is doubly cordial because of the benefits which we expect to receive as the resiilt of your deliberations. Now, in the p>oint of welcome, that welcome which you shall receive in this most hospi- table city of Boston is but an earnest of the cordial hospitality and the warm welcome that will be extended to you as you travel westward for a thousand miles and then retrace your steps to the seaboard. And I call you to note that when you have reached your farthest western point, my own beloved city of Chicago, there will still lie beyond an area more than two thousand miles in extent, dipping into the Pacific, and in that area there exist to-day by the hundreds chambers of commerce and boards of trade, men in business with hearts as warm, with hospitality as cordial as the best that you will meet in that part of our countrj' which you will traverse, men who are interested in the results of this Congress, who deeply think of the things that you are going to do; who are disappointed because they will have no opportunity because of your lack of time to greet you with a warm hand and with hearty, cordial hospitality such as they are accustomed to give to those who visit them. (Applause.) Those who are the absent ones and those whom you will not see — from them I bring cordial greetings and a hearty welcome to this our countr>'. The bu.'iiness interests of the United States are deeply sensible of the importance of this great gathering. It signifies to us a recognition of a world interdependence; an acknowledg- ment that the happiness, the welfare and the prosperity of all the people are so interlaced that harm permitted to be done to the least of the nations must necessarily find its adverse effect upon the greatest. Commerce has laid up>on its heart and its conscience, by those who are willing to attribute wrong to it, many atrocious crimes. Yet, save only for the influence of the great world-reUgions, commerce is the greatest single force in the world's civilization. (Applause.) And, further, gentlemen, save only for the same influence of which I have spoken, commerce will prove the greatest single force in the world's regeneration. A con- gress of this kind means unity of action. Commerce desires unity, because it is self-centered, as Secretarj- Nagel has said, and selfish. But that selfishness which absolutely resents inter- f CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 139 ference with its progress — that selfishness which deniands that obstacles shall be cleared away from the path of commerce — that selfishness which means jirogress to the world and has meant so much in the years that are j)assed, will in my jutlgmont have a greater influence in the introduction of those things which we are looking for — particularly I am referring to international arbitration of individual and national disputes (fippluiise) — than will obser- vance of the Golden Rule or than will the introduction into the minds of the world's people the sentiment or the desire that universal peace shall result. Commerce will do more in the last analysis to create and maintain world i)eace than all other forces or influences which may be brought to bear upon that subject. ("Hear, hear!" and applause.) Commerce, because it is selfish, will again exerci.se its jiowcr and its influence in creating those conditions surround- ing the industrial peoples of this world that will take them out of a voluntar}' .servitude and will place them in such position that they are benefitted with all the people with the good thiugs that come to us in life; that their interests shall be the interests of commerce, that their well- being shall be close to our hearts and that their uplift shall be our study and our pleasure to promote, because by the promotion of their well-being we are raising the standard of our commercial life, and are raising the standard of the products which our countries represent. If in no other way, gentlemen, than by the expression of the interdependence of the peoples of the world — if in no other way than by the influence which such congre.sses as this and such as the commercial interests shall exercise ever^'^vhere shall have upon the establishment of universal peace — if in no other way than that of raising the standard of living to tho.se who work for a living and to make their environments and their conditions better — if in those three things these great Congresses shall succeed in laying broad and fine foundations, then these other questions that we are settling will largely be solved by the influences that are fundamental to the greater problems. And we will find as a result of our deliberations that those questions of international justice and equity are, after all, questions that will solve themselves when right principles have been laid at the foundation of the business world (Applause.) Again, in the name of the commercial interests of this country, I give you a welcome. We are expecting much as a result of this meeting that we may learn from j'ou, and if in some small measure we may have something to contribute out of our newer experiences to the wis- dom of your conclusions in the deliberations you shall undertake, we shall be deeply gratified. But go where you will over this country of ours, you will find in our chambers of commerce that if given the opportunity they will teach you what it is to be hospitable, they will show you that measure of hospitality which we love to extend to those who visit us, and extend not only because of the cordial relations which we hope to establish, but because we desire you to know us better — to know what we have and what we are, what we are trj^ing to do and what our aspirations may be. (Applause.) Chairman Smith: Two years ago last May a director of the newly-formed Boston Cham- ber of C'oninuTce, and the one man who was the most instrumental in the inception of the movement which led to the cn,'stallization of the business bodies of Boston, had the large vision that if it were po.ssible to hold this great Congress in Boston in 1912 it might not be a forlorn hope. The board of directors were delighted to pass unanimously their authority that this gentleman with others be authorized to extend the invitation in London, and with others he journeyed thither, and your presence here marks the success of his and their efforts. I take plc:vsure in introducing him, as he is, first, a splendid citizen of Boston, one of Boston's most successful men, the vice-president of this Congre.s.'', who will in turn show us the special cour- tesy, bj- virtue of his office, of introducing your and our magnificent permanent pre.'^idcnt. And the gentleman I refer to — and to introduce him is my great pleasure — is Mr. Edward A. FiLENE of Boston. (Applause.) 140 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ADDRESS OF WELCOME Mr. Edward A. Filene, Vice-President of the Fifth International Congress Delegates and Friends: It is my double privilege, having been honored by you in being made vice-president of this gathering, and rei)resonting the Boston Chamber of Commerce, to add a brief word of heartfelt welcome and then to present to you the distinguished president of the Permanent Committee of the International Congress, who is to preside at these meetings. To welcome so many captains of industrj' and generals of finance from all parts of the world is a great pleasure and a great honor. You are the men who win the decisive victories of peaceful times. The intense interest which your coming has aroused in the United States is evidence that the fame of your victories has spread. One proof that this interest is not passive is the fact that over ninety North and South American business organizations have joined the International Congress during the past year, in order to profit by the discussions and to aid in this welcome. To-day you concentrate here more than three hundred commercial associations. You not only bring together the official representation of these influential organizations, but center on this hemisphere for the first time your combined knowledge. Here is a great opportunity. For our guests, as well as we Americans, know that when ten men sit down to reason together in a friendly way, a new fund of knowledge is created. Every one may draw on this fund and add to his own store of knowledge that of the other nine men. The power of each may be increased not once but tenfold, so that the result may be, not ten times one, but ten times ten or a hundred. And if we call the individual knowledge of a man a unit of efficiency, then the consultation may result in one hundred units of efficiency. And so here, too, each of us may command the individual knowledge of his seven himdred fellow delegates. The circle of ten has increased seventy-fold among the wisest business men of the world. And the corresponding possible result becomes nearly half a million units of eflB- ciency. (Applause.) That may seem an American exaggeration (laughter); but, gentlemen, underneath it lies the truth, and it is that truth that is the surest guaranty that these con- gresses will grow and grow and grow, because there will be created this new and greater fund of efficiency which shall bring nations more and more into co-operation one with the other, enriching the world and making us all wiser and better. I have called you the wisest of business men. This is not flattery, it is the truth. For if a successful business man has grasp and vision and imagination enough to give him interna- tional sympathy which is capable of appreciating the benefits to the world bom of international co-operation, he is surely wise. Then if this understanding is of strength sufl5cient to carry him over moimtains and seas to this great meeting, he is, I say, one of the world's wisest business men. (Applause.) So, also, will the friendships which we form in Boston be the wisest of friendships. They are to include all of us, I hope, for no member of this Congress needs a formal introduction to a fellow delegate. (Applause.) These friendships, tying us together years after we have returned to our scattered homes, mean much to the world. This Congress adjourns Thursday, but the friendships to which we look forward will kcej) its influence constantly alive, con- stantly helpful. The world, jus well as all of us, will benefit from such international friend.ships. When we were last together in London 1 had the great honor, on behalf of the Boston Chamber, to invite you to visit the United States, making at that time some promises which I hope we will fulfil. I told you that in coming to the United States, you were coming home. I told you that the United States, after all, was not made by the Indians. (Laughter.) I am talking of our own Indians now, not of the East Indians, some of whom I see here. (Laughter.) But America was made, I said, by the Englishmen and the Frenchmen and the Germans and the Italians — I will stop hero, for it would take up too much of your time to enumerate all of the nations which have made up the America and the United States that you are now visiting. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 141 And so you come this morning to your own, not to a strange countrj^, but to your home land. You are among your brothers who sailed westward to build a brotherhood nation. Here you will instantly recognize the colors of your home lands blending to make uj) the whole we call America. The forty or more nationalities represented by you are the real creators of the United States and its people, who are honored by your coming. (Applause.) The State, the City, and the Chamber, recognizing this debt of our nation to you, rejoice that this op- portunity of being your hosts will enable them to assist you in a still greater service. For they see in the Congress a long step in the advance towards the day when we business men of all nations shall be able to apply internationally what we have individually learned from our own business, — namely, that all business and all relations, to be permanent and really advantageous, must be mutually helpful. {Applause.) And it is on this basis that I i)redict our advance. We shall pass onward through the questions to which this Congress must now necessarily limit itself. From these, in the ful- ness of time, we shall pass upward to those far greater, far more important questions which are not only fundamental to the best commercial relations between nation.s, but are as well the basis of peace on earth and good will to men. (Applause.) Not that I minimize the things we are now doing. Though after all they are only the foimdation stones — still they are the important foundation stones which must be strong and well laid if the great superstructure is ever to be completed. It is with these thoughts in mind that we bid you thrice welcome. My privilege has still another great pleasure in store — to present to you Monsieur Lens C.\non-Legh.vnd of Belgium, citizen of the world. President of the International Con- gress, presiding officer of this meeting. Monsieur Canon-Legrand personifies the initiative of our always far-sighted Belgian brothers, who brought the first Congress into being at Li6ge in 1905. Steadily thereafter, he piloted the work at Milan, at Prague, at London, and now to-day he comes to guide us here with the same master-hand which has for years kept this great In- ternational Congress on its safe and prosperous course and off the dangerous rocks of inter- national (hfTerences. Head- of the federated commercial and industrial associations of Belgium, Monsieur Canon-Legrand has, since the International Congress came into existence, given freely of his great tact and his knowledge of international affairs, that we might fulfil our oi)portunity. Many international government conferences and many international economic movements of great importance owe their life to these congresses. All received their share of impetus from Monsieur Canon-Legrand. And, likewise, here we are to be directed by his knowledge — and directed, I feel sure, to great ends, to success which our home lands will look upon with justifiable pride. Gentlemen, I have the great pleasure of presenting to you our presiding officer and President, Monsieur Louis C.\non-Legrand. (Applaiise.) MONSIEUR LOmS CANON-LEGRAND President of the Permanent Committee of the International Congress Monsieur le President, Messieurs: C'est le cccur plein d'une profonde Amotion que je me It^ve pour r6pondre aux bienvenucs trop cordiales qui nous ont vt6 adress^es par les orateurs qui m'ont prec<''d6 k cette tribune. 81 je me sers de ma langue, le fran^ais, c'est qu'il est bon d'employer celle que Ton connatt le mieux et avec laquelle on exprime le mieux les sentiments de son ca-ur. Sinon, messieurs, je devrais, au nom des ddl6gu6s de tous les pays, ici presents, vous parler toutes les languea de la terre. Je suis done particulii^rement heureux de pouvoir, au nom de tous les d(!;l<^gu6s Strangers \ Venus k Boston, adresser nos remerciemcnts chaleurcux h. I'ancien prfoident de la Chambre de I Commerce de Boston, M. Smith, au secretaire du Dispart ement de Commerce et du Travail, ' M. Charles Nagel, au gouvemeur de I'fitat du Massachusetts, M. Foss, au maire de la ville de 142 IXTERXATIOXAL CONGRESS OF Boston, M. Fitzgerald, ain.si qu'au president de la Cbambre do Commerce des fitats-Unis h Washington; ct cnfin, je dois des remcrciement.s tout ?p6ciaux il nion ami — je I'appelle ainsi — M. Filene, que j'ai eu I'honneur dc connaitre il y a deux ans ii Londrcs, et avec qui dci'i:i- lors des relations se sont sui\-ies de la fa^on la plus cordiale. Messieurs, laissez-moi vous dire quclques mots en frangais — car je me propose de m i~ adresser la parole en anglais aussi — pour reconnaltre la gracieuse hospitality de nos hot-; laissez-moi vous dire, k moi, qui ai vu grandir I'ocuvre des Congr&s des Chambres de Commtiv. combien il est r6confortant, combien il est puissant pour I'avenir de voir le trds grand nombrc de d61(?gu(5s pr6sents dans cette salle. Nous avons commcnc^e, on vous I'a rappel6 tout k I'heure, en Belgique, oil nous nY'tions que quclques centaines, trois cents, trois cent cinquante; I'oeuvre s'est accrue, s'est d6veloppce; elle est all(5e en Italic, en Boheme, k Londres — nous ^tions six cents k Londres, — et aujourd'hui, messieurs, malgr(5 les difficultds du voyage, — car je ne vous cache pas que pour nous, europdens, la traversee de I'Atlantique n'est pas une petite affaire — nous sommes venus du vieux monde plus de sept cents pour rdpondre k la cordiale invitation de nos amis des Etats-Unis de rAm(5rique du Nord. Voilk les ddveloppements de I'oeuvre. Et la raison en est bien simple: c'est que les hommes de bonne volontd, que vous etes tous, se trouvent et se trouveront toujours de plus en plus nom- breux; c'est que, dans les affaires de commerce, d'industrie, d'affaires, la mcme mentalite nous anime tous. Nous avons tous la meme conscience des int(5rets g6n(?raux, et en regie gdndrale, d^s que nous discutons nos questions, immediatement nous sommes tous d'accord. Yoilk la raison des r(5unions pareilles k celle-ci. J'ai ('t6 tr^s heureux tout k I'heure d'entendre I'honorable president de la Chambre de Commerce des £tats-Unis nous dire quelle ctait I'influence du commerce sur les relations in- temationales. En deux mots, on peut dire: Le commerce, c'est la paLx — Commerce is peace. (Applaiidissements.) Je ne veux pas abuser plus longtemps de vos moments, car nous avons k commencer notre session et k travailler. Je vais done me permettre, par courtoisie pour nos hdtes, de vous dire en anglais de quelle fa^on je comprends notre ocuvre. (Transhilion) Mr. President, Gentlemen: With a heart full of profound emotion, I rise to respond to the cordial welcome which has been given us by the speakers who have preceded me on this platform. If I use the French language, it is because it is good for one to employ that which he knows best and in which he can express best the sentiments of his heart. Otherwise, gentlemen, I should have, in the name of all the delegates present, to address you in all the languages of the earth. I am particularly happy to be able, on behalf of all the delegates that have come to Boston, to address our heartfelt thanks to the former President of the Chamber of Commerce of Boston, Mr. Smith; to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Mr. Charles Nagel; to the Governor of Massachu.setts, Mr. Foss; to the Mayor of the City of Boston, Mr. Fitzgerald, and to the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States at Washington; and lastly I owe my most particular thanks to my friend — I call him thus — Mr. Filene, whom I had the honor to meet two years ago in London, and with whom I have had since most cordial relations. Gentlemen, let mc tell you briefly in French, as I propose to addre.>^s you in English also, in order to acknowleilgc the gracious hospitality of our hosts; let me tell you, I, who have seen the congresses of the Chambers of Commerce grow, how comforting, how full of hope it is for the future, to see this large number of delegates present in this hall. We began, as you have heard it said before, in Belgium, where we were only a few hun- dred; the work has grown, has developed; we went to Italy, to Bohemia, to London — we were six hundred in London — and to-day, gentlemen, notwithstanding the difficul- ties of the trip — for I will not conceal from you that for us Europeans the crossing of CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 143 the Atlantic i-s not a small affair — we have come from the old world more than seven hundred strong, to answer the cordial invitation of our friends of tlie United States of North America. Thus the work developed. And the reason is verj' simple; it is because men of good will, as you all are, will always be in the majority; because in the affairs of commerce, industry- and business, the same thought animates us all. We are all conscious of the general interest of the community, and as a general rule, when we discu.ss our questions, we agree immediately. This is the reason for meetings similar to the present one. I have been very happy to hear the Honorable President of the Chamber of Com- merce of the United States tell us of the influence of commerce on international rela- tions. In short, one may say that commerce means peace. (Applause.) I do not wish to encroach on your time, as we have to begin our session and get to work. I will take the liberty, as a courtesy to our hosts, to tell 3'ou in English how I understand our work. M. le President: Messieurs, nous commen^ons done nos travaux. Je vous dois quel- quos e.\])licatiuns sur la fa^on dont nous comptons proc(?der. Les rapports ont 6t6 envoy<5s en trois langues differentes, et chacun des rajiporteurs viendra faire devant vous un bref re.sum6 de CCS rapports. Nous prierons les rai)porteurs de vouloir bien, apr^s ce r6sum(5, transcrire eux- memes, pour I'exactitude des renseignements i\ donner h la presse, les resumes qu'ils auront faits. Messieurs, avant de commencer I'ordre du jour, je dois vous donner connaissance des t^l(5grammes que nous avons re^us. {Translatioji) L Gentlemen, we are about to begin our work. It is proper that I should give a few ■ explanations of our methods of proceeding. Reports have been sent to you in three dif- ferent languages, and each of the Reporters will give you a brief summary of these reports. We would ask the Reporters, after their brief statements, to kindly transcribe, themselves, for the sake of giving exact accounts to the i)ress, the summaries which they will have made. Now, gentlemen, before beginning on the order of the day, I wish to bring to your notice some of the telegrams which we have received: Remerciements sinceres pour aimable invitation; malheureusement impossible en profiter, vu (flections il la Douma. Meilleurs va'ux pour travaux du Congrcs. ProspcJritd pour votre Chambre. De Miller, President de Varsovie. {Translation) Sincere thanks for kind invitation; unfortunately impossible to take advantage of it, on account of elections to the Douma. Best wishes for the work of the Congress, and for the prosperity of your Chamber. De Miller, President, Warsaic. T616gramme de la Chambre de Commerce de Paris et les Chambres de Commerce ^tran- g^res 6tablies ii Paris, exprimant leurs vccux rdunis pour le succ(!'s le plus complet du Congr^s. {Translation) Telegram from the Chamber of Commerce of Paris and the foreign Chambers of Commerce established in Paris expresses their united wishes for the complete success of the Congress. -\s President and on behalf of London Chamber Commerce and myself, I wish Congress all success; trust that among other useful objects achieved, it may lead statesmen to take in hand calendar reform and fixed Easter date; much regret, was prevented attending. Desbobocqh. I Compliments have also been received from the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. 144 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FIXED DATE FOR EASTER, AND THE REFORM OF THE CALENDAR M. Louis Canon-Legrand, President of the Congress Messieurs: Pour Ics discussions, je prierais les orateurs qui voudront prendre la parole de se faire inscrire en donnant leur carte de visite au secretaire, afin de savoir exactemcnt I'ordre et les noms des orateurs. L'ordre du jour de la prdsente stance comporte d'abord une communication que j'ai h vous faire au sujet de la fixation de la date de Paques. Vous avez tous re^u le petit rapport, la mise au point de la question que j'ai faite. Je la resume en quelques mots: ce fut en 1907 que la variability de la fete de Pdques, qui pent at- teindre trente-cinq jours, fut discut6e par nous. Les inconv^nients r6sidaient dans la vie commerciale, dans le regime des 6coles et dans les transactions commerciales. Si PSquea tombe en mars, c'est une saison manquce pour certaines industries. Apres le Congres en 1908, la question fut port^e i l'ordre du jour. Elle etait tres connue en Allemagne, mais peu dans les autres pays. C'est au Congres de Londres, en 1910, il y a deux ans, que cette ques- tion fut traitee k fond, ainsi que celle de la fixite du calendrier. II est essentiel d'avoir, dans le calendrier, un nombre exact de semaines; il faut pour cela supprimer un jour sur les 365. Dans toutes les industries, dans tous les commerces, la question de la paye, qui se fait le 30 du mois ou le 15 du mois, peut etre r(5gl6e ainsi beaucoup plus rdgulidrement; pour les banques, pour les maisons de finance, il est essentiel que tous les mois se terminent de la m6me fa^on, et le Congres de Londres a done dmis I'avis qu'il serait d(^sirable d'arriver i\ I'dtablissement du calendrier fixe international. Vous savez, messieurs, comment nous procddons. Notre comity permanent se borne h dmettre des va'ux, et nous nous efforgons d'obtenir de Tune ou I'autre nation la convocation de conferences diplomatiques qui am^nent les legislatures des differents pays i\ s'occuper de ces questions. Ce fut le cas pour la question du calendrier au sujet de laquelle le gouvemement Suisse a pris I'initiative de conferences intemationales. Nous n'avons done plus k discuter cette question, mais ce que nous tenons k faire, c'est de la vulgariser en Amdrique. II est d'autant plus int^ressant de signaler la chose, que cette annde meme, en juin dernier, il y a quelques mois k peine, le Congres des Chambres de Commerce de I'Empire Britannique a pass6 une resolution unanime k ce sujet. Voili done, messieurs, le but de ma communication. Je I'ai resum6 bri^vement. Vous avez tous la traduction en anglais et en allemand, mais je suis pret a donner la parole, et notamment, j'ai, comme orateur inscrit, M. F. F.mthfull Begg. Je suis done pret i\ donner la parole k ceux qui voudront, dans un but de vulgarisation plus grand en AmC'rique, entre- tenir I'assembiee de la question. {Translation) Gentlemen: During the discussion, I would ask the speakers who wish to be heard to register themselves by giving their visiting cards to the Secretarj- in order that we may know exactly the order and names of the speakers. The order of the day of the present session contains first a communication which I have to make to you on the subject of the establishment of a fbced date for Easter. You have all received a little report containing a brief outline of the question. I will sum this up in a few words: In 1907 the variability of the season of Easter, which can extend to thirty-five days, was discusseil by us. Considerable inconvenience is oc- casioned in commercial Ufe, in the school sessions and in commercial transactions. If CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 145 Easter falls in March it is a ruined season in certain industries. After the Congress of 1908, the question was placeil on the order of the day. It wa.s already well known in Germany, but Httle in other countries. At the Congress of London, in 1910, two years ago, this question was discussed thoroughly, as well a-s that of the uniforinitj' of the calendar. It is essential to have in the calendar an exact number of weeks. It therefore becomes necessarA* to suppress one day of the 365. In all industries, in all business, the question of payment of wages, when made the 30th of the month or the 15th, can be arranged far more conveniently; for banks and financial hou.ses it is important that all the months should end on the same day, and the London Congress has therefore expressed the opinion that it would be desirable to arrange for the establish- ment of a fixed international calendar. You know, gentlemen, how we proceed. It is the duty of our Permanent Com- mittee to pass votes, and we make efforts to obtain from one nation or another the convocation of diplomatic conferences which shall lead the legislatures in the different countries to take up these questions. Such was the case with the question of the calendar in regard to which the Swiss Government took the initiative to bring about international conferences. It is there- fore no longer necessarj' for us to discuss this question, but what we have to do is to * popularize it in America. It is therefore the more interesting to note the fact that this present year, in June last, that was only a few months ago, the Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire unanimously pas.sed a resolution on this subject. This, gentlemen, is the puqiose of my report. I have summed it up briefly. You all have the tran.slation in English and in German, and I am ready to yield to another speaker, having noted Mr. F. Faithfull Begg. We are then ready to hear those who wish to speak to the meeting on this question with the purpose of a greater popu- lar interest in the topic in America. I Mr. F. Faithfull Begg, Chairman of (he Council of (he London Chamber of Commerce Mr. President and Gentlemen: I desire, having been especially requested to do so, to say a ver\' few words on the sub- ject of the President's communication on behalf of the London Chamber of Commerce, which I have the honor to represent here on this occasion. (Applause.) The London Chamber of Commerce, ever since it was instructed in the merits of this controversy by your respected President some years ago, has been enthusiastically in favor of the reforms which he so eloquently advocates. There are two questions involved, two questions of ver>' great importance. One is the regularization of the date of Easter, and there is the question of the adoption of a new calen- dar .system. Now I shall not detain you more than a very few minutes, but I should like to Bay a few words upon each of these subjects. Po.ssibly here in the United States you may not have appreciated the difficulties which arise in connection with the variable date upon which Easter falls. These difficulties are well explained in the communication of the President, and I do not propose to enter into them at all. What I wish to point out more particularly to thase who have not perhaps profoundly studied this subject, is that there is no reason whatever why you should have a variable date for Easter. It is an old arrangement, into the reasons for which I will not enter, but if we would only be content to regulate Easter by the sun, instead of regulating the date by the moon, we should get to a point where we might have annually a fixed date for Easter. That seems a ver>' simple matter, but it is by no means .so simple; and it is satisfactory to know that, looking at the difficulties from an international point of view, this Congress has already been able to interest the various govermuents in Eurojie in the question, and I think we may fully hope that in a short time a satisfactory result will be brought about. One point I desire to mention in connection with both questions: I will state that my I 146 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF own Chamber is in favor, but I wish to draw your special attention to a paragraph in the President's communication toward the close, where he mentions that the seventh Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, meeting last June, passed unanimously a favorable resolution. I wish to point out to you that that represents the combined wisdom, if I may use the word "wisdom," of the Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, a new organization which has been brought into existence quite recently which met the other day in London and which contained in its membership representative men from all parts of the British Empire. Now, gentlemen, with your permission I should like to say one word about the calendar. I am not going to discuss the calendar, because again, the President has provided us with full information with regard to what it is proposed should be done in that connection, but I wish to mention for a special reason a fact which I tliink is perhaps not well known to every one in this room, and it is this: That there is here, on the American continent, proof that before America was discovered by Columbus there existed on these shores a system for the most accurate adjustment of civil and solar time, and a s3-stem which was superior in its method to that in use in Europe in the days of Columbus, and to the calendar year under which we regulate our affairs to-da}', the calendar of the Pope Gregorj'. You may see for yourselves, if you choose to visit the place, the calendar stone of the Aztecs of Mexico. It exists in the form of a sun-stone, twelve inches in diameter, sculptured with great dexterity and fineness, and this stone is both a sun-dial and a calendar similar to that which was used by the EgjTJtians and the Chaldeans in time long gone by. By means of this stone the Mexican priests determined not onlj* the time of day, but they determined the solstices, and they kept account of years and of days. On the face of the stone there are inscriptions including the division of the year into weeks and into days, and the extraordinary thing is that that stone includes also the computation of centuries, with greater exactness, as I have said, than that of the modem Gregorian calendar. The error, and those of you who understand the error in the calendar will appreciate the force of this point, is equivalent to only one day in thousands of years. {Applause.) This stone is supposed to have been made in the year 1479 of our Lord; but the science upon which it is based must have taken enormous periods to evolve, wherever that science came from, whether it was European or native bom. How that stone came into existence nobody has been able to determine; but there it is. Now I have mentioned this extraordinar>- fact because in conversation with the Presi- dent, who is a master of this subject, I mentioned it to him. I do not suppose he will think I am giving away his confidence when he told me frankly that he had never heard of it. And I suppose there must be gentlemen here present from Europe who are in the same position. I am perfectly satisfied that everj- one here who comes from the United States knows all about this stone (laughter), has carefully examined it and has probably a theory of how it came into e.xistence. My idea is that this stone should be brought into play in connection with the proposal for the reform of the calendar, and at all events that the system in exis- tence, as I have said, in this countr\' before the discover^' of the countrj' by Columbus should have a show in the negotiations which are going on in connection with the reform of the calendar. (Applause.) M. le President: Je remercie M. Begg de son intif-ressante communication. II est exact que c'est une contribution nouvelle. La question du calendrier a 6t6 ctudide, nous n'avons pas I'intention de la discuter ^ nouveau, mais il est tres intc'-ressant de savoir qu'avant m6me que Christophe Colomb cut d^couvert TAmc/rique, il y avait dejiY une pierre sur laquelle un calendrier tres reraarquable avait 6iC' trace, par dcs Americains qui vous prec^daient tous. J'ai encore une demande de parole pour le calendrier, de M. Ernst Krause. (Translalion) 1 I wish to thank Mr. Begg for his interesting communication. It is a fact that thiS; is a new contribution. The question of a calendar has been studied, and it is not our CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 147 intention to discuss it again, but it is vcrj- interesting to know that even before Chris- topher Columbus discovered America there already existed a stone upon which a very remarkable calendar was engraved by Americans who preceded all of you. 1 have a further request, that the platform be given, on the subject of the calendar, to Mr. EuNST Kr.\use. Herr Ernst Krause, Vice-President of the Lower Austrian Association for Promotion of Handi- craft, Vienna Meine verehrten Herren vom Fiinften KongreC! Wir haben sehr viel dariibcr gehiirt und gelesen, wie die Vereinfachung des Kalenders durohpefiihrt werden soUte, und wie es moglich ist, Ostern auf einen bestimmtcn Tag zu Icgen. Die Mitgiieder der Handelskammer, die ich zu vertreten die Ehre babe, sind vollstiindig mit allem einverstanden, was in dieser Richtung bcschlossen wird; aber, meine Herren, wir sintl prnktische Kaufleute, und als praktische Kaufleute miissen wir uns sagen, es wird noch einc lange Zeit dauem, bis sich alles das durchflihren laCt, was hier und in den friihercn Kon- gressen beschlosscn worden ist. {Translation) Greatly esteemed Gentlemen of the Fifth Congress: We have heard and read a good deal concerning the simplification of the calendar and the manner in which it will be possible to fi.\ a definite date for Easter. I The members of the Chamber of Commerce, whom I have the honor of representing, are entirely conformable with everj-thing that is going to be decided in that respect; but considering, gentlemen, that we are practical merchants we necessarily must realize as such practical merchants that it will require a long time before everj'thing can be adopted that has been decided in former congresses and which may be decided upon now. At this point the speaker was interrupted by the President and finished his remarks as first speaker in the afternoon session. Meeting adjourned at 12.2.5. ^ 148 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF The members of the Congress reassembled at 2.30 p.m. President Canon-Legrand Nous rd.sumons les travaux de ce matin. Je commence d'abord par vous demandcr de laisser, autant que possible, la premit re rang6e de chaises libre. Cela nou.s pemiettra de donncr aux dt^k'guos officiels des gouvcr- nements Strangers, qui sont une trentaine, la place :Y laqucUe, normalement, ils auraient ( u droit sur I'e.strade. Comme celle-ci est trop petite, il faut bicn que nous leur donnions satis- faction autremcnt et avoir pour eux les 6gards auxquels ils ont droit. La parole est continu6e k M. Krause. (Translation) We will resume our labors of this morning. I will begin by asking you to kindly leave the first row of seats vacant, as far as possible. This will permit us to extend to the official delegates of foreign governments the right which, ordinarilj', they would have to seats on the platform. As the platform is not large enough, we .shall have to make other arrangements to accord them the iire- cedencc to which they are entitled. Mr. Krause has the floor. Herr Ernst Krause (continued) Maine verehrten Herren! I Entschuldigen Sie, daC ich jetzt noch einmal zuriickkomme auf das Thema, welches wir heute vormittag begonnen haben. Ich babe Ihnen bereits zum Ausdruck gebracht, dafi alle maCgebenden Faktoren in Wien damit cinvcrstandcn sind, daC das Osterfest auf einen bestimmten Tag gelegt wird, und daC cin einheitlicher Kalender fiir die ganze Welt eingefuhrt wird. Aber ich wollte auch zum Ausdruck bringcn, dafi es sehr vmpraktisch wiire, wenn wir darauf warten wollten, bis die kirchlichcn Autoritiiten und die staatlichen Autori- taten sich bereit finden, sich liber einen derartigen einhcitlichen Kalender zu einigen. Bis dahin, meine Herren, mussen wir praktischen Kaufleute etwas anderes finden, um das l^bel wenigstens cin klein wenig zu beseitigen, und da mochtc ich den geehrten Herren ins C!o- dachtnis zuruckrufen, dafi wir in jcdem Lande bis heute vollsliindig ohne Kenntnis des-^cn sind, wclche Feicrtage und Ruhetage in don anilcren Liimlern iiblicli sind, und wenn wir auch das cine odor andore Mai es in unseren Zoitungcn leson, so verges.scn wir sehr sohnell dariilxT, und koin Kaufmann kann sich die Tage aller dor Lander, mit welchen er korro.spondicrt, iin Gcdachtnis bohalton, vmi seine Dispositionen entsprechend zu treffen. Ich will Ihnen gaiiz kurz oin Boispiol gobcn: Ich hatto moine Di.sposit ionon so getrofTen, dafi ich am 2. September in New York oin- treffe, vom Morgon des 2. Septembers bis zum Abend eine bestimmte Arbeit verrichte und dann nach Chicago weitorfahre. Ich hatte keine Ahnung davon, daC am 2. September dcr Labor Day ist, an welchem es unmoglich ist, irgcndwclcho Goschafto in Amerika zu verrichton. Nun glaube ich, dafi dem cin klein wenig abgoholfon wordon kiinnte, wenn wir, die wir ira intcrnationalen Vorkohr stohen, auf unseren Bricfbopon, auf un.<:eron Mittoilungcn an unsore Geschjiftsfreunde im intcrnationalen Verkohr diojonigon Tage annoncieron, an wok-hen wir nicht arboiton. Dadurch konnon wichtigc Intorcsson goschont werdon. Vielc Geschiifte hangen davon ab, daC man innorhalb einer ganz bestimmten Zeit eine Antwort erteilt. Und wenn CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 149 man diese Antwort nicht bekoninien kann, weil der andere Partner einon FeiertaK hat und keine Telogranime bekommt, so konnen dadurch grosse Interesscn peschiidigt wcnlen. AuCerdom, meine Ilerren, glaube ich, dal3 os miiglich ist, auch die groCcn Tageszcitungen aller Lander tlahin zu interes-sicrcn, dafi auch dicse jedes Mai, wenn in einem anderen Lande Feiertag ist, diese Mittcilung dcm Publikuni zukoninien hissen. Wenn auf diese Weise, sowohl durch unsere eigene Korresjionilenz als auch durch die Tageszeitungcn venjffentlicht wird, wann Feiertage sind, so wird bis zur Festlegung des internal ionalen Kalenders ein groCer Teil desjenigen Schadens vcrmieden werden, der uns so oft trifft und der uns dahin gefiihrt hat, daC wir einen intemationalen Kalender anstreben. Aus diesem Grunde bitte ich den Fiinften KongreB der vereinigten Handelskamniern meinen Vorschhig zu unterstiitzen, daB alle Handelskammorn aufgefordert werden, ihrc Mitglieder dahin zu iufonnieren, daC sie auf ihren Briefkopfen die Feiertage des eigenen Landes angeben und femer dahin wirken, daC die Zeitungen des eigenen Landes die Feiertage der fremden Lander annoncieren. (Translation) Gentlemen : Please pardon me, if I refer again to the subject which we began this morning. I have already called to your attention that all important factors in Vienna have agreed that the Easter holiday's should be set for a definite date and that a uniform calendar should be introduced for the entire world, but I also wish to say that it would be very impractical if we should wait until the ecclesiastical authorities and the state authorities are ready to unite on such a uniform calendar. Lentil then, gentlemen, we practical business men must find another solution to reduce the annoyance in a measure. I think that as a rule we citizens of the various countries are at the present time more or less ignorant of the feasts and holidays in other countries. Even though we may read about them from time to time in our papers we are liable to forget verj' soon thereafter, and no merchant can keep in mind the holidays of all the countries with wliich he corre- sponds and which he must consider in his arrangements. I will give you a brief example: I had made my arrangements to arrive in New York on September 2 to do certain definite work during the day and to continue my trip to Chicago that evening. I had no suspicion that September 2 was Labor Day, upon which it is impossible to transact busi- ness anywhere in America. Now I think that this could be somewhat improved if those of us who engage in international business would state on our letterheads for our com- munications to business friends abroad the li.st of days upon which no business is done. This would prevent many serious mishaps. Many transactions depend on the receipt of an answer within a limited time. And if this answer cannot be received because the other party has a holiday and does not receive his telegram, large transactions are Uable to miscarr}-. Furthermore, gentlemen, I believe it is possible to interest all the large newspapers everj'where and have them publish, for the benefit of the public, the dates of holidays in foreign lands. In thLs way, until the inauguration of the international calendar, a large part of the annoyances which have harassed us up to the present time can be avoided, until we have agreed upon an international calendar. For these reasons I ask the Fifth Congress of the United Chambers of Commerce to endorse my suggestion that all chambers of commerce be asked to advise their members to indicate on their letterheads the holiday's in their own countries and further take steps to have their newspapers an- nounce the holidays in foreign cotmtries. M. le President: Je remercie M. Krause pour ses obs€r\'ations. U vient de me demander que, en attendant que Ton ait obtenu le calondrier g(^n(^ral, on pui.sse, au moins, de pays h pays, savoir quels sont les jours f(5ri6s. Aujourd'hui, dit-il, les conmien^ants d'un pays ignorent quels sont les jours f^ri^s dans les autres pays. C'est done, en somme, une communication dont nous pouvons simplement faire ankreich einerseits und Japan andererscits wegen Auslegiing von Vertragsbestimmungcn beziiglich der Steuerpflicht der in Japan ansassigen Europiier aus dem Jahre 1902 und endlich an den beriihmten Casablanca- Streitfall zwischen Deutschland und Frankreich aus dem Jahre 190S. ' Die zweite Haager Friedens-Konferenz ini Jahre 1907 hat das Wcrk der ersten Konferenz verbessert und ergilnzt. Wenn soinit auf dem Gebiete des offent lichen internationalen Rechts groCe Fortschritte zu verzeichnen sind, kann man dasselbe nicht von dem Gebiete des internationalen Privatrechts behaupten, und mit Recht fordert Zorn in seinem kiirzlich er- schienencn Buche ,,Das deutsche Recht und die internationale Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit." daU die Frage der internationalen Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit einer befriedigenden Losung zugefiihrt werde. Zu dcnjenigen Fragen, welche in erster Reihe in Angriff genommen werden miissen, ge- hort die Frage der Schaffung eines internationalen Schiedsgerichts fiir Streitigkeiten zwischen Privatpersoncn und ausliindischen Staaten. Eine Enquete, welche die Altesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin in ihrem Wirtschafts- gebiete angestcllt haben, hat ergeben, dafi der jetzt bestehende mangelnde Rechtsschutz eine groCe Reihe von Firmen von Anfang an abhalte, mit ausliindischen Staaten Geschtiftsverbin- dungen einzugehen. Der mangelnde Rechtsschutz werde von den Schuldnerstaaten hiiufig dazu benutzt, unbegriindete Bemiingelungen zu erheben, nicht berechtigte Abzuge vora Kaufpreis zu machen, die Zahlungsfristen ungebiihrlich auszudehnen. Es wurtle ausgefuhrt, wenn das jetzt bestehende MiBtrauen gegeniiber auslandischen Staaten durch die Errichtung eines internationalen Schiedsgerichts geschwunden sei, viele Firmen eine grofie Reihe von Geschiiften machen wiirden, die sie jetzt unterlieCen. Schon das bloCe Bestehen eines solchen Schiedsgerichts wiirde dazu beitragen, daC die Staaten in ihren vermogensrecht lichen Beziehungen zu Privatpersoncn kulanter wiirden, und daC sie nament- lich piinktlicher und schncller zahlten. Das Bediirfnis nach einer gesetzUchen Regelung tritt umso dringender hcr\'or, als unsere ganze wirtschaftliche Entwicklung dahin geht, als die Staaten gewerbhche und kommerzielle Untemehmungen in hoherem MaCe betreiben wie bis- her und dafi sie dadurch in mannigfache Beziehungen zu Privatpersoncn treten. Wenn aber der Staat in den privatwirtschaftlichen Vcrkehr cintritt, so widerspricht es unserem Rechts- bewuCtsein, dafi er dann anders behandelt wird wie jede andere Privatperson, und da(3 in einem solchen Falle dem Privatmann kein direktes Klagerecht gegen den auslandischen Staat zustchen soil. Denn in Wirklichkeit ist eine Verfolgung privatrechtlicher Anspruche gegen einen auslandischen Staat mit den groBten Schwierigkciten verkniipft. Wenn man den Gliiu- biger darauf verweist, dafi er den fremden Staat vor den cigenen Gerichten im Ausland ver- klagen konne, so ist doch in Betracht zu ziehen, dafi die rechtiichen Einrichtungen aller Staaten nicht so sind, daB mit Sichcrheit auf ein zutrefTendes Urteil uber die meist sehr schwie- rigen Fragen des internationalen Privatrechts gerechnet werden kann. Dazu kommt, daB der Schuldnerstaat innerhalb seines Gebietcs Ge.•^etzgeber ist und hat es daher in der Hand, ob er vor seinen Gerichten Recht nehmen will. Man braucht keineswegs an eine bewuBte Rechts- beugung oder Justizverweigerung zu denken, um die in der Geschiiftswelt bestehende Abnei- gung zu verstehen, die Gerichte des auslandischen Staates gegrn diescn Staat selbst anzurufen. Wenn man den Gliiubiger femer darauf hinweist, daB er den fremden Staat im Heimats- staat verklagen konne, so geht die herrschende Meinung in Theorie und Praxis dahin, daB kein Staat iiber den andcren zu Gericht sitzen darf, da das geltcnde Volkerrecht die Aus- dehnung der inliindischen Gerichtsgewalt auf fremde Staaten nicht gestatte. So hat bei- spielaweise das Reichsgcricht es als anerkannten Grundsatz des Volkerrechts hingestellt, dafi k 156 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ein auslandischer Staat auch aus rein privatrechtlichen Ansi)ruchen vor den inlandischen Gerichten nicht belangt werden diirfe. Es wird dort ausgefiihrt, es stehe fest, daC die hoheren Gerichte in Deutschland, Osterreich, Frankreich, England und den Vereinigten Staaten von Nordamerika fast stjindig zum Ausdruck gebracht haben, der auslandlsche Staat sei in der Kegel auch bei privatrechtlichen Anspriichen der Gerichtsbarkeit der Gerichte eines anderen Staates nicht unterworfen. Man kann den Gliiubiger auch nicht auf die in Nr. 2 des Reichsgesetzblatte.s von 1910 veroffentlichte Haager Konvention liber die „Dettes contractuelles" vom 18. Oktober 1907 verweisen. Die.se Haager Konvention triigt in der im Reichsgesetzblatt veroflfentlichtcn dcut- schen Ubersetzung die t^berschrift : ,,Abkomnien, betreffend die Beschriinkung der Anwen- dung von Gewalt bei der Eintreibung von \'ertragsschulden" und lautet in den maCgebenden Artikeln: ,,Art. 1. Die Vertragsmachte sind iibereingekommen, bei der Eintreibung von Vertrags- schulden, die bei der Regiening eines Landes von der Regierung eines anderen Landes fiir deren Angehorige eingefordert werden, nicht zur Waffengewalt zu schreiten." Diese Bestimmung findet keine Anwcndung, wenn der Schuldnerstaat ein Anerbieten schiedsgerichtlicher Erledigung ablehnt oder unbeantwortet laf5t oder ira Falle der Annahme den AbschluC des Schiedsvertrags vereitelt oder nach dem Schieds\'ertrage dem Schiedsspruche nicht nachkommt. ,,Art. 2. Man ist fcrner iibereingekommen, daC die in Absatz 2 des vorstehendcn Artikels erwahnte Schiedssprechung dem in Titcl IV Kapitel 3 des Haager Abkommens zur fricdlichen Erledigung intemationaler Streitfiiile vorgesehenen \'erfahren unten\orfen sein soil. In Er- mangelung besonderer Abreden der Parteien entscheidet der Schiedssjirucli liber den Grund des Anspruchs, iiber die Hohe der Schuld, sowie liber die Zeit und Art der Zahlung." Diese Haager Konvention iiber die ,,Dettes contractuelles" kann im vorliogenden Falle nicht in Betracht kommen, dcnn sic ist lediglich auf die Einschriinkung der volkerrecht lichen Selbsthiifc, also auf die Beseitigung eines Kriegsfalles gerichtet. Die Konvention will einzig und allein die Schuldnerstaat en vor Krieg wegen einer privatrechtlichen Streitigkeit schlitzen. Sie gewahrt daher dem Privatgliiubiger nicht nur keinerlei Ilechte, sondem sie nimmt ihm sogar die Moglichkeit, daI5 der Heimatsstaat seinetwegen den fremden Staat mit Krieg iiber- zieht. Vor allcm aber besteht flir den Heimatsstaat keine Pflicht zur Intervention, vielmehr ist es stets in das Ermessen des Staates gesetzt, ob er inter^-enieren will, und er wird in der Regel Griinde finden, aus denen er ablehnt, den dii>lomatischen Ajiparat in Bewegung zu setzen. Dem Privatgliiubiger steht also ein dircktcs Klagerecht nicht zu, er muB sich vielmehr an den eigenen Staat wenden, der, wenn es sich nicht um ganz exorbitante Fiille handelt, in denen nationalc Paragon berlihrt werden, wie gesagt, Griinde finden wird, eine diplomatische Inter- vention abzulehncn. Hiernach bleibt nur der Weg tibrig, dafi eine neutrale Schiedsgerichtsinstanz geschaffen wird durch Staatenvertretungen, die das Recht hat, uber Fiille zu entscheiden, die von Ange- horigen eines Vertrag-sstaates gegen einen Vertragsstaat erhoben werden. Die Durchfiihrung dieser Idee wird gewifi keine leichtc sein, denn dor SouvcriinitiitsbcgrifT ist bei cinzclnen Staalen so stark entwickelt, dafi sie die Bildung eines derartigen Schiedsgerichts als Ein.schriinkung ihrer Souvoriiniliit ansehen werden. Allein dieser Gesichtspunkt wiire ein unrichtiger, denn wenn ein derartiges Schiedsgericht geschaffen wird, so wird es lediglich geschaffen aus dem freien Willen der Staaten und nicht durch die Unterwerfung unter erne hohere Gewalt. Es han- delt sich auch nicht darum, daC ein einzelner Staat sich dieser neutralen Instanz unterwirft, sondem dafi alle Kulturstaaten sich derselben unterwerfen. Auch soil in dieser neutralen Instanz nicht eine den Staaten iibergeordnete Gerichtsbarkeit, sondem eine Jurisdiktion kraft gemeinsamen Rechts geschaffen werden. Und so viel ist feststchend, daB sich Staaten in den sie berlihrenden Streitigkeiten einem Schiedsgericht unterwerfen, ohne ihrer Wlirde und Souveriinitilt etwas zu vergeben. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 157 Der Einwand abcr, daC, wenn eine derartige Institution einRcfuhrt werde, dcr auswilrtige Staat es vorziehen wcrtle, lieber niit soinon eigencn Angohurigen Geschjifte abzuschlioBen und - main of the international law of nations the same cannot be said in respect of interna- tional personal legal rights, and Zorn properly asks in his recently published book, "Das deutsche Recht und die intemationale Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit '' (German Law and In- ternational Arbitration) for a satisfactory solution of the question of intemationa arbitration. To those questions which must be taken up in the first place belongs the question of creating an international court of arbitration for suits between individuals and foreien States. An investigation made by "Die Altesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin" in ita territory has shown that the existing lack of legal protection has withheld a number of firms from entering on business relations with foreign States. The defective legal protection is often utilized by debtor States to advance unfounded claims, to make un- fair deductions from the purchase price and to extend unreasonably the term for pajTnent. It was contended that if the mistrust which now exists towards foreign States were removed by means of an international court of arbitration, many firms would do a great deal of business which they now do not undertake. The mere existence of surii a court would contribute towards rendering the States more liberal in their relationshipe to private persons as regards the property laws of said States, and that they would pay more promptly. The need of legal regulation becomes more imperative as the States are to a greater extent than before entering upon mechanical and commercial under^ takings, thus coming into closer contact with private persons. But if the State takes up negotiations on a private basis it goes against our feeling of justice that the State should be treated otherwise than any other private person would be, and that in such a case no direct right of complaint should be allowed to the private person against a foreign State. For, in reality, the pursuance of private legal claims against a foreign State cxa only be done with the greatest difficulty. If one points out to the creditor that he can prosecute the foreign State in its own courts in a foreign countrj* one must take into consideration that the legal arrangements of all States are not so that one can reckon with surety on an accurate judgment on the generalh* ven.- difiBcult question of international private rights. Added to which the indebted State in the range of its own territory is its own lawgiver and therefore looks for its rights to its own courts. One is in no wise obliged to consider a conscious j-ielding to the law or refusal of justice, in order to understand the aversion existing in the business world to calling on the courts of a foriign State against that ver>- State. If one further points out to the creditor that he can prosecute the foreign State in the home State, the reigning opinion in theon>- and practice goes to show that no State can try another one, as the existing national law does not allow the interior legal power to extend to foreign States. For example, the Supreme Court of the Empire has made it an acknowledged fundamental clause of the national law, that a foreign State cannot be called before the courts of the interior for a purely private reason. It is there carried out and is firmly established, that the higher courts in Germany, Austria. France, England and the United States of North America have made it almost a settled point that the foreign States, as a nile, al.so in claims of a private nature, cannot come under the jurisdiction of the courts of another State. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 169 Neither can one refer the debtor to No. 2 of the i)iinii)hlet on "National Law of 1910" of The Hague Convention on the "Dettes contractuelles" of the ISth of Octolier, 1907. This Hague Convention in the German tran.sUition i.s called "Rcfrulations re- garding the Limitation of the Use of Force in collecting Contract-Dchts" and is given in the articles referring thereto as follows: "Art. 1. The contracting powers have agreed not to have recourse to warfare to en- force the pajTnent of contract-debts which the government of one country exacts from the government of another country for its subjects." This rule is not carried out if the indebted State refuses the offer of a settlement by a court of arbitration or if it leaves the offer unanswered, or in ca.se of an acceptance, himlers the settlement of the court of arbitration, or after the arbitration contract has been drawn up does not carry out the decision therein sjiccified. "Art. 2. It has further been agreed upon that the decision mentioned in paragraph 2 of the above article should be subject to the process described in Chapter 3, Title 4, of The Ha^^ue Convention for a i)eaceful arrangement of international dis])u1e.-. I'ailing a particular agreement of the parties, the arbitration decides on the reason of the claim, on the extent of the debt, or the amount of the debt as well as on the time and place of payment." This Hague Convention on the "Dettes contractuelles" cannot be taken into con- sitleration in the case on hand, for it is princijjally directed to the limiting of national self-help, therefore to the removing of a reason for war. The convention wishes only to protect the indebted States from war on account of private legal disputes. It therefore gives the private creditor not only no rights but it even deprives him of the possibility that his home State might declare war against the foreign State on his account. But above all no obligation e.\i.sts for the home State to interfere; on the contrary it is left to the judgment of the State, if it wishes to intervene, and it generally finds reasons to re- fuse to put the diplomatic apparatus into motion. The private creditor therefore has no right to a direct complaint. On the con- trar}', he must have recourse to his own State, which, unless it is a quite extraordinary case, in which national questions come into play, will find reasons for refusing a diplo- matic inter\'ention. Accordingly, there is onh' one way left, that of creating a neutral court of arbitra- tion by State representation, which would have the right of deciding in cases which are brought by subjects of a contract State against another contract State. The realization of this idea will certainly not be easy, for the feeling of sovereignty is .so strongly de- veloped in single States that each would look on the formation of such an arbitrary court as an encroachment on its sovereignty. Nevertheless, this view would be incorrect, for if such a court of arbitration were created it would be so essentially by the free will of the States and not through coercion by a higher power. The question al.so is not that of a single State giving way to this neutral court, but that all civilized States should subject themselves to it. Also in this neutral court there .should not be called into exis- tence a legal body having power over the States, but a jurisdiction founded on mutua rights. One thing is certain, that States which .subject themselves to a court of arbi- tration in disputes affecting themselves can do so without losing any of their dignity or sovereignty. The objection, however, that if such an institvition were established the foreign States would prefer rather to do bu.sincss with its own subjects and that therefore the uni- versal business relation.>hip of the individual nations would be injured, cannot stand, a.s one already to-day often contracts in the person of a dummj* with the subject of the State in question, there being no legal way open to act against the foreign State, all of which was shown by the investigation effected by "Die Altesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin"; or it may happen that one can come to a direct termination with the I 160 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF dummy, but has the guaranty for the outside affairs furnished by private parties. Should the State, however, not join in this agreement, it would be essentially dependent on its own State subjects and would probably not then be able to furnish those necessary materials for purposes of war, for which it is dependent on the subjects of other States. The idea of forming an international court of arbitration of this kind, has found widespread favor, since "Die Altesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin" decided to further this question. "Der MitteleuropiiLsche Wirtschaftsverein" and the "Handelsvertrags- verein" have expressed themselves in favor of it. The delegates of "Der Deutsche Handelstag" adopted a unanimous resolution of similar tenor at its session of this year at Cologne. The "Hansabund" has also voiced the demand. The Interparliamentary' Union will occupy itself with the question at its session in September, 1912, at Geneva. The League for International Understanding will take up the question of creating a court of arbitration at its meeting in Heidelberg. The American Association of Commerce and Trade in Berlin in its report of August 15, 1911, has introduced the question of having the United States of America on its part take up this important m.atter energet- ically. The International Congress of Chambers of Commerce which will take place in Boston in September has placed the question on its order of the day. In America at the conference on arbitration held this year, which was attended by about four hun- dred persons, Professor Wheeler spoke in favor of the court of arbitration. In the same manner, as the representatives of commerce and industry desire the creation of an international court of arbitration, the representatives of science have expressed their approval of this principle, as Freund, Meili, Nippold, Zom, Fischer, v. Maritz-Wehberg and Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. Professor Walther Schiicking, of Mar- burg, has drawn attention to the fact that the formation of a court for private suits against foregin States belongs to the organizing tasks of the Third Hague Conference. I therefore request that the Congress should decide that an international court of arbitration should be established for the purpose of deciding disputes afifecting property between foreign States and private individuals. {Continuing in English) Gentlemen, I have explained all the arguments in favor of the establishment of the international arbitration court. WTien that court is in operation, it will be a good foundation for the development of export trade and industrj-. But the chambers of commerce are not able to put it into existence. So much the more is it necessarj- that the States take tl^e initia- tive. And therefore I beg you, that in your States you may influence your governments. And I hope that the American Government will be the first of the States to invite the other States to form that international court. The realization of that idea would not only mean im- mense progress in the development of commerce and industry, but would also fill a great void in the path of justice and civilization. (Continuing in French) Messieurs, je crois que les explications" que j'ai eu I'honneur de vous prfeenter, ont iarge- ment suffi h d6montrer que I'institution d'un tribunal international d'arbitrage, k La Haye, ne peut que contribuer au doveloppement du commerce et de I'industrie d'e.vportation. Mais ce tribunal international ne peut etre cre«5 que si les Etats prennent, vis-i-vis les uns des autres, I'engagement, scelle par une convention reciproque, de le constituer. II faut que les chambres de commerce de chaque Etat prtJsentent h. leur gouvemement respectif le vceu pressant que soit convoqu6e une conference des Etats, pour le reglement de cette question si importante pour le commerce mondial. A vous, messieurs, j'adressc I'instante pri^re de lutter de toutes vos forces, dans vos Etats respectifs, pour la realisation de cette id6e. En consequence, je vous prie, messieurs, de vouloir bien 6mettre le vocu que soit constitud un tribunal international pour les diffdrends entre les particuliers et les Etats Strangers, qui I CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 161 represcnterait un immense progr^s, non seulement dans le ddveloppcment du commerce et de I'industrie, mais aussi rcmplirait une grande lucunc dans la recherche de la justice et de la civilisation. (Applauduisenicnl^.) (Translation) Gentlemen, I believe that the arguments which I have just had the honor of present- ing to you have sufficed to demonstrate that the establishment of an international court of arbitration at The Hague cannot fail to contribute to the development of com- merce and export business. But this international court cannot be created unless the governments will mutually agree, and be bound by a reciprocal convention to establish it. The chambers of com- merce in each country should present to their respective governments the urgent wi.sh for the convocation of a conference of the nations for the settlement of this question which is so important to the commerce of tlie world. To you, gentlemen, I address the sincere desire that you use all your efforts, in your respective countries, for the realization of this idea. Accordingly, gentlemen, I beg you to express a wish for the establishment of an international court for suits between individuals and foreign States, which would not only mean a tremendous advance in the development of commerce and industrj- but would also fill a great void which now exists in the path of justice and civilization. (Applause.) Mr. R. S. Fraser, Member of Council of London Chamber of Commerce Mr. President and Gentlemen: In seconding the resolution moved by Dr. Apt favoring the establishment of an Inter- national Court of Arbitration for the adjustment of differences between individuals ami States, I would wish to take the opportunity of felicitating Dr. Apt on the excellent, exhaustive, and may I say illuminating paper which he has written on the subject and which I fancj- will take a very high place in the literature of arbitral justice when that literature becomes history. (Applause.) It is a very great pleasure to one who has taken a considerable part in the establishment of international standardized courts of arbitration, commercial arbitration, to speak on this subject and to support Dr. Apt. In the past it may be said that arbitration has not made great advance. Mr. President, the astonishing thing is that in the absence of any fixed prac- tice or settled procedure, arbitration has advanced at all; and it is only consequent on the gootl sense of good men that arbitration is now in the forefront of practical politics. (Applause.) Since this Congress met in London great strides have been made in the direction of plac- ing commercial arbitration on a direct working basis. I have the honor to be a member of the International Law Association which met in Lon- don two years since and in Paris this last Whitsuntide and on both occasions this important subject was dealt with and pres.sed forward. Then again consequent upon the agitation for this movement in the Briti.sh Board of Trade, a very active inquiry is proceeding with a view to concerted steps for establishing standardized courts in all parts of the world, the awards of which will be enforceable wherever compliance therewith is required. Sir, it is not only in Great Britain that this great movement is taking root. Our good friends in Germany, in one of the most carefully prepared treatises that ha-s ever been written, pronounced by the Economical Council of Berlin, have submitted to the London Chamber of Commerce a proposal for establishing a commercial court of arbitration for dealing with differences between British merchants and German merchants. (Applause.) Sir, when once we establi.sh a court of arbitration commanding and deserving public con- fidence, whose judgments will command the rcsj)ect of all, we shall indeed have established the bridge over which other movements will subsequently follow. Not onlj* will the great claim which my friend advances be conceded of being able to establish a claim against the State, 162 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF but that still greater question of international peace will be most materially advanced. {Ap- plaiLse.) And for this reason: if you educate men in the study and practice of arbitration in their own alTairs, they will hesitate a long time before acting otherwise in community proceed- ings at the terrible cost to life and property. I do not wish to intrench on the question of imperial arbitration. I leave that to others. I confine myself to the de.'^ire for establi.shing a strong court of commercial arbitration to which you and I and everj' one having a difference can have recourse. Let me say one thing in conclusion: commerce is the subject of no State and it is the sov- ereign of all. And I feel that justice is a matter of right and not merely of privilege. In the past it has been a matter for rulers to decree whether they would open their courts during three of the most important months of the year. In arbitration I hope we will have forever put a stop to that abuse. Well, sir, it may be some years before you will secure the court of arbitration which Dr. Apt and myself have advocated. In the meanwhile you have large power in your own hands, power not only to secure the unification of law but also to provide the means for speedily adjusting your difficulties. I refer to the need for revising the commercial contracts which you are in the habit of entering into. Manj- of you have used obsolete forms only to be thrown into the waste basket. May I suggest to you that when you return to j'our home you should carefully look at the provisions of these forms of contract and if, as I surmise, you see occasion to modify them you will at least do so to your own advantage. I have very great pleasure in seconding the resolution. (Applause.) Dr. Louis Varjassy, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Arad, Hungary Messieurs: II y a deux sortes de questions dont nos congr^s doivent s'occuper. L'une est consacr^e aux exigences du moment et aboutit k des propo.sitions qui peuvent se rdali-ser imm(?diate- ment. L'autre est non moins pratique, mais se heurte pour le moment i\ des objections, des pr(5jug6s, des jalousies nationales, et il faut de grands efforts pour arriver, malgrt? ces difficult^s presque insurmontables. Je suis forc6 de constater avec un profond regret que la tres impor- tante question qui nous occupe en ce moment, de remplacer les possibilities de I'arbitraire par les principcs de la justice, de Timpartialito et du droit, n'est pas encore r6alisable. La question d'un tribunal arbitral international pour litiges entre particuhers et fitats Strangers a ddji 6t6 discut6e k plusieurs reprises, et elle a cu pour elle et contre elle de grands partisans. C'est surtout en AUemagne qu'elle a 6X6 6tudi6e d'une fa^on tres approfondie et rassembl(5e gen(!''rale du "Mitteleuropaischen Wirtschaftsvereiu in Deutschland," qui a eu lieu le 14 octobre 1911 si Munich, a pass(5 en revue tous les arguments et toutes les objections pos- sibles. Malgrd les sympathies incontestables qu'elle a soulev6es chez ses membres, elle ne pouvait aboutir k un r(5sultat pratique. A mentionner encore le cas tres impressionnant de rinstitut du Droit International qui, dans son congrds tenu k Hambourg en 1891, s'est oc- cupd de ce sujet et a rejet6 I'idee de la cr<5ation d'un tribunal arbitral international, 6tant d'avis que ces sortes de litiges doivent etre jugcs par les tribunaux rcgulicrs. fitant done donn6e cette grande divergence des opinions compctentes d'unc part et I'in- doniable int; et sans cela, il ne s'agit pas dans le cas pr6sent d'une restriction d(!>shonorante, imposcl-e par des fitats 6trangers, mais tout simplement d'une restriction volon- taire. En ce qui conceme la seconde objection, celle qui vise la convention des trente-quatre CHAiMBERS OF COMMERCE 163 Ctats sur les dettes contractuelles ct d'apr^s laqucllo toute convention nouvcUe en faveur des creanciers ctrangers serait superfine, puisqu'en cas de besoin ils peuvent se servir d'un tribunal international, je suis complt^tement d'accord avec Monsieur le rapporteur. II manque d'abord & ct'tte convention le caract^re d'obligation, en outre elle ne donne pas aux cr(5anciers le droit ^ Taction directe ne pouvant agir que par rinterm(5diaire de leurs gouvemcments. II n'en est pas moins vrai que la susdite convention a 6t6 un grand progress dans ce domaine, et pour le completer, il ne faut qu'eriger le tribunal arbitral international dont nous nous occupons en ce moment. La troisieme objection qui 6tii\t celle de I'lnstitut de Droit International consiste dans ce qu'on n'a pas besoin de recourir dans les cas mcntionnfis £l un tribunal special, puisquc lea tribunaux nationaux sont en 6tat d'offrir les m6mes garanties. L'ind<5pendance des juges envtrs les gouvemements est tellement assur^e li notre 6poque dans tous les pays civilis<5s et leur impart ialite, leurs hautes id6es sur le droit et la justice sont estimds k un degr^, que les cn'anciers otrangers n'ont aucune raison de les mettre en doute. En outre, la cremation d'une cour arbitrate interaationale serait I'expression tacite d'une mdfiance regrettable envers les tribunaux nationaux. Ces objections ne sont pas tres concluantes. En reconnaissant eans n^-rrve la haute valeur morale des jugements nationaux, il n'en est pas moins vrai qu'il existe les jugements differents, meme opposes, rendus dans des cas analogues suivant les in- - des pays en question. Et Ton n'a pas Ic droit de reprocher aux crdanciers d'trangers d'avoir plus de confiance dans des juges qui ne sont pas influences par des prdjug^s, des sen- timents patriotiques et un milieu trop tentant. Et maintenant, j'arrive au point saillant. C'est I'objection que les sentences d'un tri- bunal arbitral international n'ont pas de sanction, elles ne sont pas executoires et, par conse- quent, elles n'auraient aucune valeur pratique pour des commer^ants et des industriels. Dans le rai>port des '•.Utesten der Kaufmann.schaft von Berlin," cette difficulte est eiimin^e par I'e.-jpoir que les Ctats se soumettront volontairement aux sentences du tribunal international. C'est bien possible et tout ;\ fait siir, en ce qui conceme les pays moins puissants, mais la possi- bilite d'une resistance fatale n'est pas et, h^las! ne peut pas etre exclue. Je n'ai pas I'intention de dissimuler ce cote faible du tribunal k cr6er malgr6 toutes mes sympathies pour lui. Mais les jugements des tribunaux nationaux peuvent-ils offrir plus de garantie? Si c'est le tribunal du i^ropre pays, Ton se trouve en face des memes difficult^s en ce qui conceme rex6cution; et si c'est le tribunal du pays debiteur, c'est I'impartialite qui est en peril. Pour terminer mon discours, jc ne veux que mettre en relief les int6r6ts des pays debiteurs. Je le peux avec autant plus de droit parce que j'appartiens moi-meme k un pays d6biteur, mais k un pays debiteur honnfite qui veut agir conform^ment k ses devoirs et qui n'a aucune ob- jection contre I'idee d'un tribunal impartial, malgre qu'il a dej;\ perdu une partie de son territoire dans les Carpathes, en consequence d'un jugement arbitral international. Nous comprenons trds bien que la creation d'un tribunal neutre peut avoir de f&cheuses consequences pour certaines a.«!pirations iliegitimes, mais nous comprenons au.ssi bien que les pays debiteurs peuvent en tirer des avantages considerables en obtenant des conditions moins onereuses. Messieurs, si j'ai commence mes paroles par des allusions pessimist es malgnS mes con- clusions, c'etait parce que je sais qu'un tel progrt^s vers la justice et vers la victoire du droit aura :\ lutter contre tous les prejuges et toutes les jalousies d'un faux patriotisme. Et je savais en outre que ce n'est pas seulcment I'idee d'un tribunal international qu'il faut rendre sympa- thique aux differents pays; il peut y avoir de serieu.ses divergences quant aux details de la question. Notre CongrO's en tant que representant du commerce et de I'industrie et comrae avant-garde des progr^s intemationaux, n'a qu'il appuj-er tr^s chaleureu.sement la prop>osition du rapport auquel je m'attache au nom de toutes les chambres de commerce hongroises. {Translntio7i) Gentlemen: There are two questions with which our congresses must bu.*^ themselves. One is devoted to the actual exigencies and may be reduced to propositions which could be imme- 164 INTERXATIOXAL CONGRESS OF diatcly realized. The other Ls not less practical, but finds at present some objections, prejudices and national jealousies; and great efforts are needed to succeed against these almost unsurmountable difficulties. I am compelled to acknowledge with profound regret that the very important question before us at present, namely, to replace the possibilitiea of the arbitrary- by principles of justice, impartiality and right, Ls not yet realizable. The question of an international tribunal for arbitration of suits between citizens and foreign States has already been discussed many times before and has had great pap» tisans for and against . In Gennany especially it has been studied in a ver>' thorou^ way and the general council of "Der Mitteleuropaische Wirtschaftsverein in Deutsch- land," which took place October 14, 1911, at Munich, has considered all the arguments and all the objections. Notwithstanding the unquestionable sjinpathies of its members, it could not reach a practical result. I would mention also the very impressive caas of the International Institute of Law, which in the congress held at Hamburg in 1891 considered the subject and rejected the idea of the creation of an International tribunal of arbitration, believing that this sort of suits should be looked after by the regular courts of justice. In the presence then of this great divergence of competent opinionfl on the one hand and the undeniable interests of commerce and industn,' on the other hand, it is not easy to find a solution entirely satisfactory'. Before arriving at a conclusion I will take the liberty to examine briefly some of the objections and important details. The first objection brought forth is that of the restriction of the sovereignty of the State. That is the cleverest objection, just when the increase of international relations should oblige us to restrict private aspirations in favor of the whole of mankind; and without this it is not a question in the present case of a dishonoring restriction, imposed by foreign States, but simply a voluntary' restriction. As regards the second objection, that which refers to the convention of the thirty- four States on contract debts and according to which any new convention in favor of foreign creditors would be superfluous, since when necessity arises they can use an in- ternational tribunal, I am entirely in accord with the Reporter. This convention, at the outset, lacks the character of obligation, and does not give the creditors the right to an immediate suit, since they can only act through the intervention of their governments. It is none the less true that the above-mentioned convention has indicated great iirog- ress in this domain, and in order to complete it, it is only necessarj' to establish the ' international tribunal of arbitration with which we are occupying ourselves at present. ' The third objection, which was that of the International Institute of Law, consists in i the fact that no need exists for having recourse in the cases mentioned to a special tri- bunal, since the national tribunals are in a position to offer the same guaranty; that the. independence of the judges towards the governments is so well assured in our time in all civilized countries, and their impartiality, their high ideals of right and justice, arei held in such esteem, that foreign creditors have no reason whatever to doubt them; that: the creation of an international court of arbitration would be the silent expression of a regrettable mistrust of the national courts. These objections are not verj' conclusive.1 While recognizing fully the high moral value or worth of the national verdicts, it is none the less true that there exist already verdicts that differ, that are even contrary-, ren- dered in similar cases according to the interest of the countries that are involved; and, no one has the right to reproach foreign creditors for having more confidence in judges', who are not influenced bj' prejudices, patriotic sentiments anil an environment too full of temptation. And now, I come to the main point, the objection that the decrees of an inter- national court of arbitration are without sanction, that they are not executory, and con- sequently have no jjractical value for men in commerce and industry'. In the report of "Die Altesten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin," this difficulty is eliminated by the hope that the governments will submit willingly to the sentences of an international CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 165 tribunal. It is quite possible and perfectly sure, as far as it concerns less powerful countries, but the possibility of a fatal resistance is not and cannot, alas! be i)re- cluded. I have no intention to conceal this weak side of a tribunal to be created, in spite of all my sympathy. But are the verdicts of national courts able to offer better guaranty? If it is the tribunal of one's own countrj', the same difficulties are ex- I)ericnced in regard to execution; and if it is the tribunal of the debtor's country, impar- tiality is in peril. In closing I only wish to put in a conspicuous light the interest of the debtor coun- tries. I can do so with so much more right seeing that I myself belong to such a coun- try, but an honest debtor country, which wishes to act conformably to its duties and has no objection to the idea of any impartial tribunal, notwithstanding that it has lost a part of its territorj' in the Carpathians as a result of an international verdict of arbi- tration. We understand verj' well that the creation of a neutral tribunal maj- have bad consequences for certain illegitimate aspirations, but we understand as well that the debtor countries can gain considerable advantages by obtaining less onerous conditions. Gentlemen, if I have begun my speech by pessimistic utterances in spite of my con- clusions, it is because I know that in such progress towards justice and towards the victory of right we shall have to struggle against all the prejudices and all the jealousies of a false patriotism. And I know besides that we must first have the different countries sj-nipathetic to the idea of an international court; that the serious divergences arising in connection with the details of the subject must be worked out afterwards. Our Con- gress, in so far as it represents commerce and industry and is the vanguard of all interna- tional progress, must warmly second the proposition reported, which I support in the name of all the Hungarian Chambers of Commerce. M. Eugene Allard, President of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce of Paris Messieurs : La creation d'un tribunal arbitral international pour Ics litiges entre particuliers et Etats Strangers pr6occupe b. juste titre, depuis plusieurs ann6es, la plupart des £tats civilis<5s. C'est depuis notre dernier congrds de Londres que la question a etc posee d'une maniere prdcise par I'honorable M. La Lanne, le ddldgud des Ctats-Unis d'Amdrique. 11 nous a 6mis des considerations tellement dvidentes que d^s ce moment, notre opinion 6tait faite. Le commerce mondial r6clamait I'l^tablissement d'un tribunal international d'ar- bitrage. M. le rapporteur nous a 6mis de nouvelles consid<5rations qui nous ont satisfaits en tous points; seulement, je trouvc que devant runanimit«5 de nos opinions, Tunanimite de nos sen- timents, le rapporteur propose un ordre du jour qui me semble prolonger beaucoup trop longtemps la solution du probldme que le commerce r6clame avec tant d'impatience. II vou3 dit : Renvoyons i nos chambres de commerce la question pour proposer h nos gouvemements respectifs le d(?sir du commerce de chaque nation de voir s'(5tablir un tribunal arbitral. Sous ce rapport, je crois que la Chambre de commerce de Paris, par I'organe de son d6- Vou<^ president, M. Charles Legrand, membre du comit6 permanent, k Cnn'is le voeu qui dcvra rallior tous nos suffrages, et qui pourra faire avancer la solution du probldme avec une rapidit6 incspcr<^e. J'ai le bonheur de pouvoir vous expo.ser le vccu de la Chambre de commerce de Paris, au nom de M. Charles Legrand, que son <5tat de sant<5 a malheureusement emp6ch6 d'fitre parmi nous. Le vceu de la Chambre de commerce de Paris est formul6 d'une manii^re tr^ priVise. II expose: "Qu'une section 6conomique Internationale soit adjointe ii la cour de La Have, et chargC^e spdcialcment d'arbitrer souveraincment, en 6quit6, tous les diff trends inter- nal ionaux d'ordre commercial et industriel, soit des fitats entre eux, soit des industriels avec les Etats 6trangers. 166 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF "Que les membres de ce tribunal arbitral international soient choisis parmi les membres des chambres dc commerce et des associations conimerciales et industrielles." Permettez-moi de lire la partie du rapport de M. Charles Legrand qui justifie la cn^a- tion de cette section comnierciale intemationale, devant laquelle seraient port6s les differenda d'ordre 6conomique et non juridique, qui nous apparaltrait commc justifi6e par la diversite dea legislations commcrciales, par Timportance de plus en plus mondiale des choses de I'industrie et du commerce et leur developpement sur tous les points du globe, par ce mouvement con- siderable du cr(5dit qui existe entre tous les fitat^, qui rend de plus en plus ndcessaire la de- fense des int^rets des particuliers souscripteurs d'emprunts Strangers, et enfin, par cette tendance de plus en plus accentu(5e d'un grand nombrc d'Ctats h creer, diriger et exisloiter des entreprises de commerce et d'industrie. "Nous ne mdconnaissons pas le role important que les membres de ce nouveau tribunal arbitral seraient appeles ii jouer, d'autant plus que, dans notre pens^e, ils auraient pour mission d'apprdcicr en fait et non pas de juger en droit, d'intcrprdter les conventions fait€8 r^ciproquement et de bonne foi, les contrats bi-lat(!iraux, et d'arbitrer en 6quit^ tous les engage- ments non observes et leurs consequences. "Leur sentence serait ex6cutoire sans opposition, recours, ni appel. "Pour s'acquitter d'une telle mission, il y aurait lieu de faire appel a la competence d'in- dustriels et de commer^ants, notables et experiment's, choisis parmi les membres des cham- bres de commerce dignes de coUaborer il une ccuvre de precipitation et d'entente universclle k c6t6 des hommes eminents en droit international, jurisconsultes de la plus haute valeur, qui constituent, k I'heure actuelle, la cour intemationale d'arbitrage de La Haye. "Vous apprecierez, messieurs, s'il n'appartient pas aux chambres de commerce du monde de revendiquer, au point de vue international, I'exercice de prerogatives d'arbitrage et de conciliation qui sont de leur essence mcme dans leur propre pays, en se renfermant dans le role economique qui leur est assigne par les lois, sans empieter sur le terrain juridique. "Vous montrercz ainsi, une fois de plus, la place primordiale que les commer^ants et les industriels tiennent dans I'univers, et la part importante que leurs representants attitrds doivent prendre desormais dans les conseils de leurs gouvemements." {Translation) Gentlemen: The creation of an international tribunal of arbitration for suits between individuals and foreign governments has for several years past with good reason commanded the serious attention of most civilized States. Since our last London Congress the questions have been proposed in a very precise manner by the Hon. Mr. La Lanne, delegate from the United States of America. He has placed before us considerations so obvious, that from that moment our minds were made up. The world's commerce requires the establishment of an inter- national court of arbitration. The Reporter has shown us new considerations which have satisfied us fully; only I find that before our unanimous opinions, our unanimous sentiments, the Reporter proposes an order of the day which protracts to a large extent the solution of the problem which commerce requires with so much impatience. He tells you: Let us send to our chambers of commerce the question in order to propose to our respective govern- ments the wish of the commerce of every nation to see the establishment of an arbi- tration court. In this respect I believe that the Chamber of Commerce of Paris, through its devoted President, Mr. Charles Legrand, member of the Permanent Committee, has ex- pressed a feeling with which we are all in hearty accord, and which will be of great assis- tance in the rapid solution of the problem. I have the good fortune to be able to express the wish of the Paris Chamber of Commerce, in the name of Mr. Charles Legrand, whose state of health has unfor- 1 CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 167 tunately prevented his being with us. The wish of the Paris Chamber of Commerce is expressed in a very precise manner, namely, "That an economic international section be associated with The Hague Court and entrusted especially to arbitrate, in sovereign manner, in equity all international ditTerences of a commercial and industrial order, either of States between themselves, or of manufacturers with foreign States. "That the members of this international tribunal of arbitration be chosen from among the members of the chambers of commerce and of the commercial and indus- trial associations." Permit me to read to you the part of the report of Mr. Charles Legrand which justifies the creation of this international, commercial section, before which differences of economic and non-judicial order would be brought. It appears to us justifietl by the diversity of commercial legislation, by the importance, more and more world-wide, of industry and commerce and their development on all the points of the globe, by this extensive movement of credit which now exists between all countries, which renders all the more necessary the protection of the interests of individuals, subscribers to foreign loans, and lastly by the tendency more and more accentuated of a great many States, to create, direct and exploit commerical and industrial enterprises. "We do not slight the important part the members of this new tribunal of arbi- tration would be called upon to play, and the more so, since, in our mind, their mi.ssion would be to appreciate in fact, not judge at law, to interpret the agreements made re- ciprocally and in good faith, the bi-lateral contracts, and to arbitrate in equity all the pledges not observed and their consequences. "Their decision would be executory- without opposition, recourse or appeal. "To fulfil such a mi.ssion, it would be advisable to call upon competent manu- facturers and merchants, well known and experienced, chosen from among the members of the chambers of commerce, found worthy to collaborate, working towards a universal entente, with men eminent in international law, jurists of the highest worth, such as now constitute the International Court of Arbitration of The Hague. "You will appreciate, gentlemen, whether it does not rightly belong to the cham- bers of commerce of the world to ask, from the international point of view, the exercise of arbitration and conciliation, which is fundamental to them in their own countries, confining themselves to the economic role which is assigned to them by the laws, without encroaching on the legal ground. "You will thus show once again the prominent part that merchants and manu- facturers hold in the universe, and the important part that their appointed representa- tives must hereafter take in the counsels of their government." M. le President: Jc n'ai plus d'inscrits pour la question qui est r6ellement I'ordre du jour: "Creation d'un Tribunal arbitral international, pour litiges entre particuhers et fitata Strangers." Nous sommes done saisis des conclusions de M. Apt, qxii dit qu'il est desirable de voir 6tablir un organisme de I'esp^ce; et il ajoute qu'il serait peut-^tre opportun de dcmander aux £tats-Unis de prendre I'initiative de convoquer une conference. Nous n'avons pas la question i\ I'ordre du jour, mais je prends sous forme de motion les d^sirs que Ton pourrait 6mettre au sujet de voir I'arbitrage s'etablir entre commergants d'abord, peut-^tre plus loin aprfts. J'ai, au sujet de ce d6sir, une demande de parole de la part de M. Roberto Pozzi. {Translation) I have nobody else on the list on the question which is actually the order of the day: namely, "The Creation of an Intemationl Tribunal of Arbitration for Suits between Individuals and Foreign States." We have before us, therefore, the conclusions of Mr. Apt, who says that it is 168 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF desirable to see the establishment of a tribunal of this kind, and adds that it would per- haps be opportune to ask the United States to take the initiative for the convoking of a conference. While it is not on the order of the day, I take in the form of a motion wishes that could be expressed on the subject of arbitration, as meant to be established between merchants first, perhaps extended later. Along this line I have a request for the floor from Mr. Robebto Pozzi. M. Roberto Pozzi, International Cotton Federation of Milan, Italy Mr. Pozzi made extended remarks in Italian, sunmiarized later, and offered the following motion: "La F6d^ration Internationale des Associations Patronalesde Filateurset Manufacturiers de Coton, en exprimact la plus \-ive approbation a la proposition des 'Altesten der Kauf- mannschaft von Berlin' a Tobjet de la creation d'un tribunal d'arbitrage pour les diff^rends entre particuliers et £tats Strangers, recommande aux soins du comit^ ex^cutif des congres I'dtude de la question relative a I'unification des diff^rents systemes de droit en matiere d'ar- bitrage entre particuliers, surtout au sujet de la validite ou non de la clause compromissoire; prie le congres de vouloir bien prendre en consideration la question et la passer au bureau flfin qu'elle soit pr^sent^ apres I'instruction au prochain congres." (Translation) "The International Federation of the Patronal Associations of Weavers andManu- facturers of Cotton, express the keenest approbation of the prof>osition of 'Die Altesten der Kauf mannschaft von Berlin ' for the creation of a tribimal of arbitration for the differ- ences between individual and foreign States, recommends to the attention of the Executive Committee of the Congresses the study of the question concerning the unification of the different systems of law, in the matter of arbitration between individuals, especially as regards the validity or otherwise of the clause of compromise, and requests the Congress to take into consideration this question, and to refer it to the desk so that it may be presented to the next Congress after instruction." M. le President: M. Pozzi porte I'adh^ion de la F^eration siisdite k la proposition relative a la creation d'un tribunal d'arbitrage f>our les differends entre particuhers et Etats Strangers; cep)endant, le theme ne represente qu'un cas particulier de la plus vaste question de reglement des questions qui puissent surgir entre citoyens de diff^rents pays, ou entre les pays eux-memes. La question a d^ik 6t6 touch^e par les orateurs pr^c^ents. M . Pozzi insiste a ce que soient unifies les differentes legislations au sujet de I'arbitrage de droit priv6, legislation qui prfeente les plus notables disparit^s. lis s'entretiennent surtout sur les inconvenients auxquels donne lieu le fait que telle legislation ne reconnalt pas la vahdite de la clause compromissoire. et proj)ose ime motion afin que la question soit examinee par le comite ex6cutif et port^e a la discussion au prochain congres. II ajoute — ce qui est important k connaltre — que le com- merce international de coton, en Europe, k la suite de longues etudes, a pu obtenir I'approbation de toutes les associations cotonnieres a un reglement de I'arbitrage qui va entrer en \-igueur dfes le mois de novembre de cette annee. Je remercie M. Pozzi de son interessante commimication. II s'agit d'une motion avec renvoi au comite permanent, pour faire event uellement de cette question I'objet d'un ordre du jour du prochain congres. M. Pozzi a developpe tres largement sa prop>osition. Je ne sais si le service de steno- graphic a pu prendre le texte italien. Je le prieraLs en tous cas de bien vouloir completer le resume qu'il vient de nous donner en fran^ais. II serait aussi desirable, il me semble, — si e'est I'avis du congrte — d'avoir egalement im court resume dans lea autres langues, afin que ceux qui ne comprennent ni le fran^ais ni Titahen puissent quand m^me etre au courant de la proposition. Un de nos collegues allemands du comite permanent voudra bien nous dire en quelques mots, en allemand, le resimie de la proposition de M. Pozzi. Je pense que tous les membres du congrte auront ainsi satisfaction. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 169 {Translation) Mr. Pozzi brings the support of the above-mentioned Federation to the proposition concerning the creation of the court of arbitration for differences between individuals and foreign States. What has been said merely suggests the great tlifferences which may arise between citizens of different countries, or between the countries themselves. The question has already been discussed by the preceding speakers. Mr. Pozzi insists that the different legislation on the subject of arbitration be unified, such legislation now presenting the most noticeable disparities. He emphasizes es^pecially the incon- ■j veniences which arise from the fact that such legislation does not recognize the validity ■ of the clause of compromise, and offers a motion that the question be examined by the executive committee and brought up for discussion at the next Congress. He adds — and this is important to notice — that the international cotton business in Europe, after a long study, has obtained the approbation of all the cotton associations to a ruling of arbitration which will be enforced next November. I thank Mr. Pozzi for his interesting communication. He offers a motion with refer- ence to the Permanent Committee making eventually of this question the subject of an order of the day at the next Congress. Mr. Pozzi has developed very extensively his proposition. I do not know if the stenographic service has been able to takedown the Italian text. I will request him to kindly complete the r6sum6 which he has just given us in French. It would also seem desirable, — if it is the opinion of the Congress, — to have a short r(5.sum6 in the other languages, so that those who do not understand French or Italian could be informed on the proposition. One of my German colleagues of the Pennanent Committee will now tell us in a few words, in German, the r(?sum6 of Mr. Pozzi's proposition. I think that all the members of the Congress thus will understand it. Dr. Soetbeer (Berlin) iibersetzt die Ausfiihrungen des italienischen Redners wie folgt: Dor Rcdner stellt sich auf den Standpunkt, daC der Vorschlag des Herm Dr. Apt gut- zuheiUen sei. Hauptsachlich aber betont er, daC man auch ein Schiedsgericht zwischen Kaufleuten zum Gegenstande der Erorterung machen soUe. Er weist darauf hin, daC schieds- gerichtliche Entscheidungen fur Streitigkeiten zwischen Kaufleuten wlinschenswert seien, daC aber zurzeit groCe Schwierigkeiten fur die Durchfiihrung dieses Gedankens bestiinden. Die Schwierigkeiten findet er hauptsachlich darin, daC es Staaten gibt, welche Vereinbarungen fiir schiedsgerichtliche Entscheidungen tiberhaupt nicht anerkemien, und daC andere Staaten gewisse Bedingimgen stellen, von denen sie die Anerkennung abhiingig machen. Hieraus entstanden groBe Schwierigkeiten, und es erscheine wlinschenswert, diese Schwierigkeiten zu beseitigen. Da aber dieser Gegenstand nicht auf der Tagcsordnung des heutigen Kongrcsses stehe, gcht der Vorschlag des Redners nur dahin, da(3 bei dem stiindigen Komitee eine Priifung der Frage stattfinden moge, damit sie gegebenenfalls auf die Tagung des nachsten Kongresses ge- eetzt werde. {Translation) Dr. Soetbeer of Berlin translates the remarks of the Italian speaker as follows: The speaker is of the opinion that the proposal of Dr. Apt is to be approved. Mainly, however, he emphasizes the desirability of an expression in favor of arbitration between business men although at the present time there are great difficulties in the way of carrying this into execution. He considers that the difhcultios mainly consist in the fact that there are States which do not recognize agreements for arbitral justice at all, while other States prescribe certain conditions upon which they make its recogni- tion dependent. This creates great difficulties and it appears desirable to remove them. .\s, however, this subject is not on the order of the day of the present Congress, the speaker proposes that the Permanent Committee should make an investigation of this question, so that it might eventually be placed on the program of the next Congress. 170 IXTERXATIOXAL CONGRESS OF Mr. Lawrence V. Benet, American Chamber of Commerce of Paris Mr. Chairman: After most careful consideration of the naasterly and exhaustive report of Dr. Apt, the delegation of the American Chamber of Commerce in Pari.s have requested me to place be- fore you certain considerations which may throw a little light on this subject from another point of view. It is in no spirit of opposition to the principles of arbitration that we are in- clined to believe that the subject as stated is not of general and immediate interest to cham- bers of commerce, but that in a modified form it might become a most fruitful subject of discussion at a subsequent Congress. Three reasons have led us to this conclusion : — First: It is not apparent, nor has it been demonstrated, that there is any great or urgent need of such a tribunal on the part of individuals or corporations engaged in what is generally recognized as commercial relations with foreign governments. I may say, that I have been engaged for nearly thirty years in a business whose dealings have been almost exclusively confined to governments; that our transactions have aggregated in that period very many millions of dollars, and have involved relations with nearly everj* government in the world, recognized or unrecognized, rich or bankrupt, stable or on the verge of revolution; and dur- ing that entire time I can only recall two instances of uncollectible claims, and these for rela- tively unimportant amounts. Even should such a tribunal be constituted, a man of business with his future before him might long hesitate before haling a government before a court of international arbitration or international equity. Second: Such a court might even be of direct danger to the interests of individuals hav- ing commercial relations with foreign governments. It is hardly conceivable, if the right be given individuals to summon governments before such a court, that governments should not enjoy a corresponding right to summon individuals or corporations before the same tribunal. No man of business can lightly contemplate such a possibility, aside from all question of the expense involved, in time and money. Third: The establishment of such a court seems to be beyond the range of present possi- bihty. It would appear to us visionarj' to expect that any government would agree to sub- mit to the jursidiction of such a court, unless all other countries had made a like agreement; and it is hardly probable that any country with highly developed legal machinery for obtain- ing justice against the government thereof, would lightly abandon such practice. If such a court were established, it is more than probable that claims antedating the establishment of the court would be excluded from the jurisdiction thereof, and in such case our present in- terest in such a court might perhaps lose much of its enthusiasm. Finally: We beheve that the subject in its present form is one that is so foreign to the usual activities of chambers of commerce that better wisdom might be to leave its discussion to international lawj'ers and others more competent in the premises. If, however, the subject could be modified to read: "International Court of Arbitration for disputes between individuals or between corporations of different nationalities," then we beheve that the subject would become one capable of more intelligent discussion by chambers of commerce, and one which might lead to results of the greatest value to all engaged in foreign trade and commerce. In this connection it is worthy of note that the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, the American Chamber of Commerce of Paris, and other organizations in close touch with international trade have already provided means for the voluntar>- arbitration of commercial disputes between individuals of the same or of differ- ent nationalities, and we therefore strongly advocate giving a broader and more authoritative scope to this more comprehensive principle of commeni;d arbitration. Once the authoritative arbitration of commercial di-sjiutes has been realized, success will surely be found for the settlement of such special cases as are covered by Dr. Apt's sugges- tions. M. le President: Cette motion est done prise en consideration pour renvoi au comit4 permanent. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 171 J'ai, d'autre part, une demande de parole de la part de certains de nos colli^gues de Boston, toujours sur cette question de I'arbitrago, inais portee un peu plus haut. Je donnc done volontiers la parole h M. Edwin D. Mkad. {Translation) This motion then is taken under consideration for reference to the Permanent r Committee. I have a request for the floor on the part of certain of our colleagues in Boston, still on tliis question of arbitration, but carried a little higher. I gladly give the floor to Mr. Edwix D. Mead. • Mr. Edwin D. Mead, Boston Chamber of Commerce Mr. President and Gentlemen: I am very glad that after the general consideration of international arbitration in previ- ous conferences, we have had the subject introduced here to-day of the settlement of cases between States and individuals. I have listened with great interest to Dr. Apt's paj^cr and I am glad that the subject has been introduced here on American soil by a German interna- tional thmker. Dr. .\pt has quoted Dr. Zom of Bonn, for whom all men of international acquaintance in .Vmerica have such high regard, and he mentioned Dr. Zoni's desire that the basis of this international court should be much wider than that proposed from BerUn. He was not speaking of the outline by Dr. Apt, but of the previous suggestions of "Die Alte- Bten der Kaufmannschaft von Berlin." There are manj' of us who wish that this whole dis- cu.s.sion might have had a broader basis; and it was expected that the general question of arbitration, as a result of the action at London and subsequently at Paris, would have been open for discussion as a regular part of the program; but it was ordered other%vise. A great step has been taken leading I think far more directly than Dr. Apt may think, to the end that he has in view; and I am glad, I repeat, that Dr. Apt made his proposal on American soil. I wish, as an American, to express the thought wliich I believe is in the minds of international thinkers in common, that the proposition for the court of arbitral justice which was made at The Hague by our American representative, Mr. Choate, and ably sec- onded by Baron Marshall von Bieberstein, the leading German delegate at the Second Hague Conference, now the German Ambassador at London, and adopted by the conference, may soon become an accomplished fact.^ The Secretary- of the Department of Commerce and Labor said here this morning that commerce is always the pioneer. In this matter I wish to remind you that commerce has not been the pioneer. Here the governments have been distinctly in the lead; but the men of commerce in this worlil and particularly this great assembly, have the opportunity to create the strong public opinion which will reinforce the governments in this endeavor. We remember here in America that it was our fonner great Secretary of State, Elihu Root, who was the author of the idea of the establishment of a court of arbitral justice, and we remember how he appealed to us all to create that public opinion which should thus rein- force the governments in their efforts for its establishment. In his paper Dr. Apt ha.s referred to the Court of Central America at Cartago, Costa Rica, established by five States, which ha.s the power to decide not onlj* disputes between those States, but also the disputes between private persons and the governments of Central America. But he did not make a far greater appeal, and one far more illuminating; he did not refer to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States e.vists not onlj* for the purpose of adjudicat- ing cases between states, but between individuals and states and between individuals of dif- ferent states, as well as between the states and the nation. Now I believe that the court of arbitral justice, when it is established, will in time have its jurisdiction and its functions so ' The news of the death of Baron von Bieberstein appeared in the evening newspapers of the day on which the above speech was delivered. 172 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF extended as will assure that it will cover all these cases, and I believe that that court of arbi- tral justice will be the tnie instrumentality which will accomplish the great end which Dr. Apt has in view, and which it is so necessarj' to empha-sizc. I do not believe in advocating a new court at this time, instead of pressing for the found- ■ ing of the court of arbitral justice which has already been decreed at the Second Hague Con- ference, and awaits only its organization. I believe that in urging strongly the establishment of the court of arbitral justice we shall best accomplish what Dr. Apt has at heart. Upon this matter there is room for legitimate differences of opinion. But there is no room for dif- ference of opinion I think as to the importance to commercial men of the establishment of the court of arbitral justice. The commercial bodies of America are a unit in this thing; and it is the duty of commercial men everj-where to hasten the establishment of the court. I therefore venture to submit the following brief resolution: "The Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, representing the great interests of industry and commerce which are increasing so rapidly the interdependence of nations and demand so imperatively for their advancement and prosperity the peace and order of the world, urges the commercial organizations of all countries to earnest efforts for the widest extention of arbitration to the settlement of international disputes and for the earliest possible establishment of the Court of Arbitral Justice provided for by the last Hague Con- ference." M. le President: Cette rc^solution, comme la pr(?c(5dente, ne pent 6tre prise que pour notification au comitd permanent. La question n'est pas a I'ordre du jour et nous n'avons pas k voter sur cette resolution. Nous admirons beaucoup les bonnes raisons que vient de nous donner M. Mead. Sa re- solution est done h transmettre, pour notification, au comit(? permanent. J'ai aussi une demande de parole de la part de M. Edwin Gixn. (Translation) This resolution, like the preceding one, can only be regarded as a notification to the Permanent Committee. The question is not on the order of the day and we do not have to vote on this resolution. We admire greatly the excellent reasons that Mr. Mead has just given us, and the matter will be transmitted, for notification, to the Permanent Committee. I have also a request that the floor be given to Mr. Edwin Ginn. Mr. Edwin Ginn, Boston Chamber of Commerce Mr. President and Gentlemen: The .subject before us to-day is one that affects all nations alike. It is for the interest of all that peace and order should reign and anything that will contribute to that end should receive serious consideration. Commercial bodies should use their utmost influence to bring about the establishment of a judicial court and urge their governments to take advantage of it in all future difficulties. Such a court composed of the ablest jurists in the world would naturally command the confidence of all nations. I am in hearty sympathy with ever>- effort in this direction, but it seems to me we should go even further and bend our energies to the education of the people to a right idea of inter- national relations. It is the claim of militar\- men that large armaments are necessarj' to preserve the peace of the world, — a sort of insurance premium jiaid to .secure it. This assumption is not war- ranted by the facts. Large armaments insjiire distrust, fear and antagonism, conditions directly opposed to good will and peace. It is natural, perhaps, that the nations should feel that they must rely for .safety upon a phyi^ical force, for until recently such protection haa been necessary. But now the individual nations compel their subjects to settle their disputes i CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 173 in the courts; and the nations themselves should refer their difficulties to a judicial court for settlement. The military' system is a tremendous power to cope with, for it is supported by such vjist interests that it is almost overwhelming. Five million men are constantly employed in the armies of the world and twenty-five million a jiart of the time, all of whom are looking to the trade of war for their promotion, as a busine.--thing that creates interest in this great cause is helpful, but sudden or temporary emotion dies away as suddenly as it is created. The only way to succeed is by educating the people and this education must of necessity be of slow growth. Not until men shall have learned to subordinate individual preferences and selfish interests, their pride and their passion, to the general welfare of the people, and can be brought to work shoulder to shoulder for the highest interests of mankind will rapid progress be made toward permanent peace. The individual nations have been treating peace and war as a national afTair. Each has felt it necessar>' to arm itself to ward off attacks from all sources. The larger the armaments, the greater the fear of each other, and this fear can only be dissipated by inaugurating some Bj'stem of co-operation which shall make the interests of all nations identical. Would it not be well for us to join hands and see how much benefit each can secure for the other? The nations will not cut down their armies voluntarily until provision has been made for securing protec- tion in some other way. This can be done by establishing a small international force for the preservation of peace, consisting of a certain proportion, say ten per cent, of the annaments of each nation. Such an arrangement would in no way disturb the relative efficiency of exist- ing armies. This international force, instead of being organized on the selfi.sh plan of each nation securing as much as possible for itself, should be organized on the broader plan of pro- tection for all, which also would in.sure greater protection for the individual nation. Any State that is working for the good of all is as much greater in its efficiency as the whole is greater than its parts. Such a wholesome power would strengthen with the years and when 174 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF it had been in operation sufficiently long to satisfy the nations that they could rest securely upon its protection, they would not continue to tax themselves so heavily for national arma- ments no lonj^er needed and those armaments would gradually disappear. Why should there not be a representative parliament of the nations summoned to settle on some plan of co-ojieration, similar to The Hague Court? It is not a very great step from the one to the other. Then we should have the three necessar)' branches of a world federation, — the legislative, the judicial and the executive. When such an organization is formed, the peace of the world will be assured. In this work of education we shall need to avail ourselves of every avenue of influence, and first among these is schools. Here is our greatest opportunity for impressing upon the young minds, — those who will soon undertake the world's work, — the true principles which should govern international affairs. Our attention should be directed especially to the courses of study in order that we may improve conditions in the schools. It is surprising that our children should receive the im- pression that war has contributed cardinally to the development of mankind when so large a part of our histories and so much of the literature studied are devoted to details of the battle- field, — the picturesque features of war, — the marshalling of soldiers in glittering armor, stirring music and brilliant charges, — everj-thing to inspire the young to become a part of this magnificent display. The other side of the picture should be as carefully portrayed, — the return of the regiments reduced to a tenth of their original number, maimed and feeble, carrj'ing torn and bloodstained battle flags. That side of the picture is necessary for a proper comprehension of the meaning of war. That a hundred thousand men should have been killed upon the battlefield should be mentioned, not as something praiseworthy, but as a great loss to the world. History should dwell largely upon the peaceful pursuits of life which have made for growth and progress in civilization, — agriculture, trade, commerce, schools, science. Then there are the churches which come in contact with all classes and conditions of men the world over. Here is a tremendous influence that should be taken into consideration. The press is a most powerful influence in this educational work, and one that the world responds to most readily. Editors should be urged to use the greatest care in the selection of material for their publications, and to eliminate as far as possible such matter as would incite the people of one nation against another. Those who write for the newspapers should have a serious appreciation of their responsibility. Another great body of men of great influence are the merchants, the manufacturers and financiers of the world. They hold within their grasp the means for carrying on war, and they should have the fullest information bearing upon this subject in order that they may see the wisdom of withholding their support from a system that is exercising such a baneful influence. In this connection I would recommend heartily Norman Angell's book, "The Great Illu- sion," for it shows very clearly the impotency and utter unfitness of the old war system in this modem commercial age when investments are so largelj' international and when the real commercial interests of one nation arc the interests of all the world. If nations would put more money into peace budgets instead of so much into war budgets and devote them- selves to constructive measures in bringing about mutual good understanding, it would be the chief and the effective instnunentality at the present time. The court must take the place of the gun in settling disputes among nations, as it has already done in settling disputes among individuals. ^^'hen the well-organized war powers and selfish interests are united in taxing the whole world yearly for the enormous sum of nearly two thousand million dollars, what will a few million dollars do to meet this enormous force? It will take many millions to carrj' on this work succes.sfully and the fvmtls given by a few generous people are wholly inadequate. More- over it would not be well for the people to feel that this respon.sibility hail been taken from their shoulders and that the work could be accomplished without their assistance. A jierson is interested in that in which he has an investment, either in time or money, and it is this CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 175 investment, this responsibility, thut the friends of peace must take upon themselves if tliis problem is ever to be solved. Great as is the power of moral and intellectual forces, we have before us a task that few comprehend. It is for us not only to institute the measures neces- sary to curtail this awful waste of life and j)roperty, but to bring conviction to the masses that this question cannot be handled successfully by a few people. It is a work, a most diffi- cult work, for the whole world. We must do our part towartls bringing the subject so force- fully before each and ever>' one that all will feel that it is necessary to take a hand in it. It would be verj' desirable that this Congress should pa.ss resolutions creating in each country, better still in each organization, a committee to take in hand this great question, to study it as the one problem above all others afTecting their own private interests, and to adopt such measures as will secure the means to prosecute successfully the work. Tliese are some of the considerations wliich command commercial bodies everj'where to work earnestly for the system of arbitration and international law to supplant the war system and the next important step to this is the establishment of the Court of Arbitral Justice. (Ajifilnitse.) M. le President: Messieurs, j'ai laiss6 la parole express(?ment h I'honorable M. Edwin Ginn, d'abortl parce que c'est un de nos hotes de Boston, en.^uite, parce que c'est un philan- thrope bien connu, le fondateur de la "Fondation Universelle pour la Paix." Je le remercie des bonnes jiaroles qu'il a bien voulu nous apporter, et je propose de verser le texte de son discours aux documents, et le comite permanent en fera le meilleur usage. La parole est maintenant k M. Samuel Capen. (Translation) I have given the floor to the Hon. Mr. Edwin Ginn, in the first place because he is one of our Boston hosts, and moreover because he is a well-known pliilanthropist, the founder of the "World Peace Foundation." I thank him for the good words he has kindh- brought us, and will refer his address to the Pennanent Committee for their careful consideration. Mr. Samuel Capen now has the floor. Mr. Samuel B. Capen, Boston Chamber of Commerce Mr. President and Gentlemen: The hour is so late that what I shall have to say will be verj- brief. Before speaking of the Mohonk Arbitration Conference I wish to second the broad resolution that Mr. Mead has introduced. It is a matter of great interest that there are two hundred boards of trade and chambers of commerce representing everj* large city in this country- that are practically affiliated with the Mohonk Arbitration Conference and are pledged practically to support the I'nited States government in every move that it makes in the effort to settle evcr>- intenialional difference by a court of arbitral justice. I have here and will leave with the Secretarj- the business men's resolutions offered at Mohonk, and also a copy of the rci)ort of the last Lake Mohonk Conference. As an evidence of this position on the part of tho.'^e organizations, let me call attention also to the fact that nearly two hundred boards of trade endorsed the pacts with other nations made by President Taft a few months ago, and these two hundred organizations represented cities having a population of twenty millions of people. It is certainly true in this country that the business men and the financial interests rec- ognize that anything which interferes with peace — a war or a rumor of war — throws all business into confusion. But the thing to which I wish especially to call attention is this. We glorj- in the ])osition which the business interests in this count rj- and other countries have taken on this great movement; but I want to make this one point — that in keeping our leadership we are going to have splendid allies. In the first place, we will have with us 176 IXTERXATIONAL CONGRESS OF if we take this strong position all the labor interests, for these men recognize that they are the greatest sufferers when there is a contest. And in this countr>' I am verj' glad to say that we have on our side the Grand Army of the Republic. Last Memorial Day 1 spoke before one of their Posts, and I never had a more interested audience than those men who had fought through the great Civil War. For those men knew that General Sherman was right when he said "War is hell," and they did not wish their children or their grandchildren to suffer what they suffered. One of the best addresses atMohonk this j-ear was made by one of the admirals of the United States Navy. Not only that, but we have with us the schools and the colleges and the universities of this countrj*. They are being lined up back of this great movement. These young people are beginning to see that the university in full opera- tion is as much a matter to glory in as a war ship, and it will live forever, while the war ship will be on the scrap-heap within twenty years. And not only that, but we have back of us all the great movements which are represented by Mr. Ginn's world peace movement, and also by the money which is invested under Mr. Carnegie. We have the World's Student Federa- tion, and especially in these recent days the great Christian Endeavor Union, which numbers 79,000 societies in every countr>' represented here, with four millions of members, and these young men and young women are being pledged to this great movement. So I submit, busi- ness men, that we want to hold the right of the line. We have had it thus far. ^^'e have these great allies. But let us take a strong position in this Congress. Let us pass some resolutions of this kind and strike a note that will be heard round the world. We have got through the age of simple toleration and competition; we have come to co-operation. Nationalism is a great word, but there is a greater word — that is, internationalism. We learned in the last generation to be neighbors; we want out of this great Congress more and more to let the world know that we are brothers. (Applause.) Mr. Frank D. La Lanne, Philadelphia Board of Trade, President National Board of Trade, 190G-1912 Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Congress: Two years ago, when in London, I had the honor of proposing the resolution which is now before you. While it has been modified, I want to second it in its modification, for I think the resolution before the Convention to-day is ideal. It provides for the settlement of cases between nations, and it provides for the settlement of cases between individuals and nations. Nothing could be more ideal than this proposition. I believe if the business men represented here, who to my mind represent the most intelligent set of merchants, manufac- turers and bankers of the world, will go out with a decisive apjjroval of this resolution, the nations of the world, the diplomats of the world, will bow down their heads in respect to the decisions of this powerful Congress. I have verj- little to say except to endorse these resolutions. But after offering the reso- lution in London two years ago, I was delighted to see that my friends from Germany were highly pleased with the thought, and they took it in the proper spirit; and to-day the eloquent papers that have been read show the progress of the world and the thought of an arbitral court of justice. It is not necessarj', if that court is created, that all cases shall, nolens volens, come before it. Such cases as two nations wish to have settled can voluntarily be taken to that court. It is not neccssar>' that under the creation of such a tribunal we must have dis- armament, but if the tribunal is created the result will be in the future the gradual disarma- ment of the nations, for it will be cheaper, it will be more honorable to tr>' the cases before aa arbitral court of justice than it will be to fight them out and stand after the fight in the same unhappy position towards each other as before. Before I close I want to read a short letter from Secretary Knox which shows the views of our great Secretary of State, following the views of his predecessors. This letter he writes me on April 26 : "I sincerely hope that a resolution at the International Congress of Chambers of Com- CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 177 morce urging the establishment of a permanent arbitral court of justice will be passed, and I will feel ver>' hopeful when such a happy event occurs" — and he adds in a parenthesis that he has had from his identical note urging this thing to all the nations of the world very favor- able replies from nearly all. Gentlemen, it has been an honor to be here, ami before we adjourn I wish to say that I represent the committee of the Allied Hoards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce of my city, Philadelphia. It is a great plea.sure to be told that your itinerary brings you to Phila- delphia on October 15 and October 16. There we want to show you our industrial establi.sh- ments, and we want to show you that while we are a peace-loving city of Quakers, we have in Philadelphia the greatest shipyards of America. The New York shipyard is in Philadel- phia, and the Cramps'. We want to show you that we can drop into the water every year if necessarj- in Philadelphia alone eight of the greatest Dreadnaughts in the two shipbuilding establishments, so that in building them we hope that we are only creating instruments of peace. Following our invitation to Philadelphia I am instructed by the committee to say that all delegates will be invited to my house in the country to dinner on the evening of October 16. While later on you will receive formal invitations, which are now being printed, I take this method of expressing my hope that you will all be with me in my country home the eve- ning of the 16th to dinner, and I hope j'ou will put it down as a memorandum. (Applause.) M. le President: Je reraercie M. La Lannc pour la contribution qu'il a donnd-e h. la question de I'arbitrage, contribution qui sera vers6e, comme les autres, a titre de document, pour le comitt^ permanent. Je n'ai plus maintenant qu'un orateur inscrit, et il est absent. Dans ces conditions, messieurs, le nombre des orateurs inscrits 6tant dpuis^, la seconde question h I'ordre du jour peut 6tre consid(5r<5e comme termin6e. Nous avons done recueilli des mat(:''riaux pour le prochain congrds, aussi bien, de nos amis d'ltalic, au point de vue de I'arbitrage entre particuliers, que de nos amis de Boston et des fitats-Unis, au point de vue de I'arbitrage vu de haut, entre nations. (Translation) I thank Mr. La Lanne for his contribution to the subject of arbitration which will be handed over, like the others, to the Permanent Committee. There is but one -speaker remaining on the list, and he is absent. Under these conditions, gentlemen, I consider that the list of appointed speakers is exhausted and that the second question on the order of the day may be considered closed. We have, then, gathered material for the next Congress, — from our friends from Italy on the point of view of arbitration between individuals, and from our friends from Boston and the United States, on the point of view of arbitration on a broader scale, between nations. M. Bernard J. Shoninger, President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Paris .le Trains qu'il y ait malentendu. Les Am^ricains et les Anglais n'ont pas bien compris si lo rongr^s a accept^, .«elon votre jugement, sculcment la premiere re.solution i)ropo.sc'e par M. Apt. Est-ce que le congres demande au gouvemement des fitats-Unis de r<5unir un con- grC's pour decider de cette quest ion-U\ .seulement? {Translation) I fear there is a mi.sunderstanding. The Americans and English have not clearly understood if the Congress has accepted, according to your judgment, only the first resolution proposed by Dr. Apt. Does the Congress ask the government of the United States to call a conference to decide this question only? 178 IXTERXATIOXAL CONGRESS OF | M. le President: Seulcment, oui. Je vais rappeler en quelques mots, messieurs, ce qui a 6i6 fait. Le second objet -X I'ordre du jour porte exclusivement sur I'arbitragc cntre "individuals and foreign States," et les conclusions de M. Apt ont 6td adoptees, personne n'a fait d'objection aux conclusions de son rapport. Alors, on a suggd-nJ que, peut-dtre, — parce qu'enfin cela depend du bon vouloir du gouvemcment — que peut-6tre le gouvemement dea £tats-Unis pourrait prendre I'initiativc d'unc conference ii ce sujet. Le comit6 penuanent pourra se tenir en communication avec le gouvemement des £tats-Unis pour savoir si tel est son bon plaisir. Nous ne pouvons, naturellement, pas agir autrement. Le second point, c'cst tout simplement une motion relative a voir 6tudier r<5tablissement de I'arbitrage entre particuliers. Ce second point n'd'tait pas h I'ordre du jour. J'ai laissd; ddvelopper la question afin que cela constitue des mat(?riaux pour le prochain congrfes. LftV question sera port6e devant le comit6 permanent, qui, d'ici la, ras-semblera des mat^riaim nouveaux, et la question viendra alors, complete, avec rapporteur, devant le prochain congr^ Et enfin, la demiere motion, relative a I'arbitrage vu de haut, sera dgalement port<5e au comitc permanent, qui verra quelle suite pratique on pcut lui donner. Le congr^s a done vot6 une resolution sur les conclusions de M. Apt, et il a pris la mcil- leure note, avec la meilleure attention, des deux motions deposees, aussi bien pour I'arbitrage entre particuliers que pour I'arbitrage en g6n6ral. (Translation) This question only, j-es. I will sum up, gentlemen, in a few words what has been done. The second topic on the order of the day bears exclusively on arbitration between "individuals and foreign States," and the conclusions of Dr. Apt have been adopted, no- body having objected to the conclusions of his report. Then it was suggested — perhaps because, after all, it depends on the good will of the government — that perhaps the Government of the United States might take the initiative with regard to a conference on this subject. The Permanent Committee will enter into communication with the Gov- ernment of the United States to ascertain if this course will be agreeable to it. We can- not, manifestly, proceed in any other manner. As to the second point, it is simply a motion relative to an investigation of the establishment of arbitration between individuals. This second point is not on the order of the day. I have permitted the question to be discussed in order that it might afford material for the next Congress. The question will be referred to the Permanent Committee, which from now till then will be gathering new material, and the question will then come, complete, after consideration by a Reporter, before the next Congress. Finally, the la.st motion, relative to arbitration from a higher point of view, will Uke- wise be laid before the Permanent Committee, which will decide what practical form can be given to it. The Congress has, then, voted a resolution on Mr. Apt's conclusions, and it has given the most careful consideration, with the best attention, to the two motions offered, as well for arbitration between individuals as for arbitration in general. M. Shoninger: Si vous voulez me permettre, je vais dire quelques mots en anglais. {Translation) If I am allowed, I will say a few words in English. M. le President: Certainement. (Translation) Certainly. Mr. Shoninger: There seems to have been a misunderstanding. When the motion was made by the honorable President, the fellow members here, who do not speak French, some of them, supposed that that was merely an explanation of the position that had been taken CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 179 by some of the speakers to draw the line between the argument that had been proposed and BO ably presented by Dr. Apt, and the arguments that have also been proposed additionally to tills. M. le President: II faut fairc une distinction entre le rapport dc M. Apt, rapporteur, rapport dtudid, complet, et les motions, ^loquentes, qui nous ont 6t6 pr6sent(5es ici ex abrupto. (Translation) One must draw a distinction between the report of Mr. Apt, the Reporter, a studied and complete report, and the eloquent motions which have been presented here ex abrupto. Mr. Shoninger: I concede that, yes; but we did not suppose that we were coming here only to listen to discussion and adojjt, without opportunity to make an amendment, in the form of addition or otherwise, something we had read a few weeks ago. What would be the object of coming here thousands of miles if we could not, by some slight amendment, perfect the resolution we were considering? Remember, there is no one that is opposing the resolu- tion of Dr. Apt; we are all in favor of it, but many of us think that that is impo.ssible of reali- zation, while we all think that by enlarging the scope and by inviting the Government of the United States, of which we are the guests to-day, to enlarge the sphere of the inquirj-, we would be really placing this Congress in the position that we intended to have it place itself — that is, to invite the United States Government to take the initiative in asking other gov- ernments to a conference which shall have for its object the establishment of a tribunal of justice for commercial disputes between individuals or corporations belonging to different nations, and not alone the question on the order of the day, which we consider of far less importance, because it is not so customarj', for there is one case of that kind to millions of the other. That is, there is perhaps one case of commercial dispute between an individual and a foreign government against a million disputes between individuals residing in different coimtries. Therefore I say there has been a misunderstanding here, and since the question has just come up we would like to know now whether in the future procedure of this Congress we are only going to be allowed to vote on questions as they are put in the program, or whether any amendments or corrections or differences of opinion would be allowed to prevail. That is a question that we want to have cleared up now. {Applause; "Hear, hear!") M. le F*resident: Je ne puis que vous r(5p(5ter ce que j'ai dit. Nous avons vot<5 les con- clusions de M. Apt. Ce que vous dites en ce moment n'est pas un amendement, c'est une autre question, et cette autre question n'est pas ^ I'ordre du jour. Je ne puis ainsi pas vous demander de prendre une resolution sur une question qui n'est pas h I'ordre du jour. {Translation) I can only repeat what I have already said: we have voted in favor of Mr. Apt's conclusions. What you now state is not an amendment, it is another question, and this other question is not on the order of the day. I cannot, therefore, ask you to pass a resolution on a question which is not on the order of the day. M. Shoninger: Nous consid(?rons que c'est la mdme question <51argie, et qui a plus do chance d'etre rrations en ce moment, je dois vous faire dchb(^Ter sur cette question et non pas sur une autre. Vous avez d»^'hb(5r6 sur la premiere question, nous sommes d'accord. Vous voudriez main tenant ^largir . . . (Translation) I consider that in conducting the meeting at the present time I must oblige you to deliberate on this question and not on another. You have acted on the first ques- tion, wo arc agreed. Now you wi-^^h to amplify . . . M. Shoninger: Nous ne sommes pas d'accord. (Translatioji) But we are not agreed. M. le President: Vous n'etes pas d'accord sur les conclusions de M. Apt? (Translation) You are not agreed on the conclusion of Mr. Apt? M. Shoninger: Non, parce qu'il ne va pas assez loin. (Translation) No, because it does not go far enough. ., M. le President: Pardon. Vous pouvez toujours dire que, pour ce qu'il a dit, vous 6tes d'accord. Nous nous sommes occupfe de la question des litiges cntre particuliers et fitats, qui 6tait t I'ordre du jour, et pas autre chose; il n'y a pas a allcr plus loin, et dana I'esp^ce je considere la chose acquise. Vous avez entendu les conclusions de M. Apt et il n'y a pas eu d'observation; je considere done que, jusque-1^, nous sommes d'accord. (Translation) Excuse me. You can in any event say that as far as what he has stated goes, you are agreed. We have been considering the question of litigation between individuals and States, which was on the order of the day, and nothing else; there was no occasion to go further, and under the circumstances I consider the matter closed. You have heard the conclusions of Mr. Apt, and no comments were made; I therefore consider that up to that point we are agreed. ] I M. Shoninger: Jusque-lil, oui; mais attendez ... (Translation) Up to that, yes; but wait . . . M. le President: Bon, nous voili done d'accord. Mais vous demandcz d'aller plus loin. J'aurai.s pu, des le d^but, dire: non, la question n'est pas :\ I'ordre du jour. Je n'ai i pas voulu le faire, parce que j'ai trouvi' tres int(!>ressant d'avoir les motions que nous avons ) eues, aussi bien pour I'arbitrago cntre particuliers que pour I'arbitragc en general, et je vous 1 ai dit: nous accueillons ces motions avcc la jilus grande favour; nous les verserons conime i document au comit<5 permanent, lequel les mottra iV I'ordre du jour d'un prochain congres. ' Je ne pouvais rien faire autre chose. Vous no pouvez pas, messieurs, prendre, ii pied lcv6, une d(?cision sans avoir dtudie la question. Jusqu'il pr6sent, dans nos travaux de congrds, nous avons toujours procddd aveo CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 181 ordre et m^thode; Ics questions ont 6t6 mtlries, ellcs ont 6i6 6tudi6es, et c'cst sur les conclu- sions de CCS rapports que le congrds s'est decide. Je ne peux pas faire autrement. {Applau- dissements.) (Translation) Good, we are therefore agreed. But you wish to go still further. I might have said from the outset that the question was not on the order of the day. I did not wish to do so, because I have found the motions which we have heard most interesting, both those for arbitration between individuals as well a.s for arbitration in general, and I have stated that we would gladly listen to these motions, but would collect them in the forms of documents for the Permanent Committee, which would place them on the order of the day for the next Congress. I could do nothing else. You cannot, gentlemen, adopt a decision on the spur of the moment, without having studied the question. Up to the present, in the work of our Congress, we have alwaj's proceeded in an orderly and methodical manner; the questions have been studied and deliberated on, reports have been presented, and it is on the conclusions of such re- ports that the Congress has acted. I cannot do otherwise. (Applause.) M. Shoninger: Je ne veux pas abuser de votre temps. (Translatian) I do not wish to waste your time. M. le President: Je desire une chose, c'est dviter tout mal entendu. J'esp^re qu'il n'y en a plus. (Translation) One thing I desire above all, to avoid all misunderstanding. I hope that there will be no more. M. Shoninger: Qui, il y en a tou jours, parce que si on avait dit, d^s le commencement: 11 faut voter oui ou non sur la proposition telle qu'elle est port^e k I'ordre du jour, et il t'y aura pas d'amendement . . . (Translation) Yes, there is always likely to be, for, if it had been stated at the beginning that we must vote yes or no on the proposition as it is laid down in the order of the day and no amendment will be allowed . . . M. le President: Je vous demande pardon, ce n'est pas un amendement, c'est une autre proposition. (Translation) I beg your pardon; this is not an amendment, this is another proposition. M. Shoninger: Nous aurions peut-4tre vot^ autrement si vous aviez poa6 la question de cette fa<^on. (Translation) We might have voted otherwise if you had put the question in that manner. M. le President: Monsieur, nous ne sommcs pas d'accord. Un amendement, dans toutes les discussions, c'est une modification h une proposition d(f'pos<5e. Dana Tcspece, votre proposition est une proposition nouvelle. Nous discutons la question des diff^rends entre particuliers et fitats, pas autre chose; vous vcnez maintenant nous demander d'adopter des resolutions sur la question des diff^rends entre particuliers. Ceci est une chose absolument difTt: rente. 182 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF (Translation) We do not agree. An amendment in all debates is a modification of a stated prop- osition. In the present case your proposition is a new prop)osition. We were discussing the question of suits between individuals and States and nothing else; you now request us to adopt resolutions on the question of disputes between indi\-iduals. This is an entirely different thing. M. Shoninger: Vous allez plus loin; vous demandez que nous, Amdricains, demandioM k notre gouvemement d'inviter les autres gouvemements k discuter ime question qui est, k notre avis, trop limit^; et c'est cela que nous ne voulons pas adopter; nous voulons alle» plus loin. (Translation) You go even further; you ask us, Americans, to petition our government to invito other goverrmaents to discuss a question which, in our opinion, is too limited, and it is this which we do not wish to adopt. We wish to go further. M. le President: Je ne demande pas mieux que d'aller plus loin avec vous, je suis avec vous la main dans la main, quand la question sera ^tudiee; mais la question des litiges entre particuliers n'est pas ^tudiee. (Translation) I would ask nothing better than to go further with you, I am with you hand in hand after the question has been studied; but the question of suits between indi\idua]fl has not been studied. M. Shoninger: Par qui? (Translation) By whom? M. le President: Par nous. Au prochain congres, vous aurez un rapport complet. (Translation) By us. At the next Congress we ^^tU have a complete report. ^ M. Shoninger: Nous avons re^u ces rapports il y a cinq ou six semaines, et nous lea avons etudies. (Translation) We have received these reports some five or six weeks ago and we have studied them. M. le I*resident: Vous n'avez pas re^u un rapport sur les diffdrends entre particuliers: il n'y en avail pas, la question n'dtait pas k I'ordre du jour. Enfin, monsieur, il me semble que c'est bien simple. Vous dites: nous voulons aller pliM loin. Moi aussi, moi, personnellement ; mais moi, president du congres, je ne peux pas aller plus loin aujourd'hui. II faut de I'ordre et de la mdthode. (Translation) You have not received a report regarding suits between indiWduals; there wa« none. The question was not on the order of the day. Finally, it seems to me that the case is ver>- simple. You say, we wish to go further and so say I also. That is, personal!}'. But, as President of the Congress I cannot go further to-day. We must have order and method. il CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 183 M. Shoninger: Peut-^tre que M. Apt acceptera ramendement. {Applaudissemenls.) (Translation) Perhaps Mr. Apt will accept the amendment. (Applause.) B M. le President: Ce n'est pas un amendement. Je vous en prie, agissons avec ordre et m^'thode. Soyez assur6 dc toute notre bonne volonte. Comme vous, je veux aller plus loin, mais ce ne sera pas aujourd'hui. Step by step. Maintenant, I'invitation aux Ctats-Unis de convoquer une conference, c'est une id6e que M. Apt a euc. Ce seront Ics fitats-Unis ou ce sera un autre fitat; mais ce n'est pas parce que vos compatriotes d'Am^rique voudraient aller plus loin qu'ils devraient s'opposer h la premidre mesure sur laquelle nous sommes d'accord. Ce sera le gouvemement des £tats-Unis ou un autre. Laissez la question telle qu'elle est; elle est bien pos6e, mdthodiquement pos<5e. Je pense qu'il n'y a plus de malentendu. Nous avons nettement ddlib^rd sur une question k I'ordrc du jour, avec un rapport fait et obsen-ations faites. Xous avons accueilli avec la plus grande faveur, je le repdte, les obsers'ations qui nous ont 6i6 faites en dehors de la ques- tion i I'ordre du jour. J'aurais pu empecher cette discussion; je ne I'ai pa.s voulu, et j'ai meme tenu, sur la question d'arbitrage international, k laL^er parler nos amis de Bo.'^ton avec toute I'ampleur qu'ils ont voulu. Ce sont d'ailleurs des personnalit<5s importantes, a qui je Buis heureux de rendre personnellcment honmiage. Je pense done, messieurs, qu'il n'y a pas de malentendu et que vous pouvez parfaite- ment adopter la besogne telle qu'elle a 6t^ faite aujourd'hui. (Translation) It is not an amendment. I beg of you proceed with order and method. Be assured of our best wishes. Like yourself I would like to go further but we cannot do so to-day. "Step by step." Now the invitation to the United States to convoke a conference is one of Mr. Apt's ideas. It might be the United States or it might be another countr>'; but your American compatriots should not oppose the first measure, on which we are agreed, becau.se they happen to desire to go still further. It might be the government of the United States or some other. Let the question be a.s it is. It is properly put, methodi- caUy put. I do not think there is any further misunderstanding. We have carefully debated on the question on the order of the day. A report was made and comments heard. We have heard with the greatest favor, as I said before, the remarks which were made be- yond the question on the order of the day. I could have prevented this discussion. I did not wLsh to do so and I have even encouraged our Boston friends to speak on the question of international arbitration. They are, moreover, persons of consequence to whom I am glad to pay my respects. I think, therefore, gentlemen, that there is no misunderstanding and that you can perfectly well accept the proceeding as carried out to-day. Mr. William J. Thomas, American Chamber of Commerce of Paris: Mr. President, may I a.sk one question? Are we to understand your ruling to mean that should we desire to offer an amendment to any of the propositions here discussed it will not be in order to bring that forward and to vote on the question? Suppose we have an amendment to pro- pose, will it be in order to do so and to have the question put up to the meeting? M. le I*resident: Un amendement pent toujours etre admis; mais ce dont vous parlez n'est pas amendement, c'est une autre question. Je pense que vous pouvez vous en rapporter k toute notre bonne volont^ et k la m^thode que nous apportons dans tous ces travaux. Si personne ne demande plus la parole, je declare la stance lev6e. R<5imion demain k dix heures. Je dois vous informer que, k la demande de I'un des orateurs qui dfeire prendre 184 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF la parole sur la quatri^me question, relative aux T^formoa postales, cette question, au lieu de venir demain, sera remise ii jeudi. II y aura done une interversion entre les questions a I'or- dre du jour. La stance est lev6e. (Translation) An amendment is always admissible. But what you are speaking of is not an amendment; it is another question. I think you can yourself bear witness to all our good feeling and the method which we follow in all our proceedings. If no one wishes to speak further I declare the se.ssion adjourned to meet to- morrow at 10 o'clock. I ought to inform you that, at the request of one of the speakers who wishes to take the floor on the fourth question, with reference to postal reforms, that question, instead of coming up to-morrow, will be postponed to Thursday. There will thus be a change of order in the question on the order of the day. The session is adjourned. Adjourned at 5 p.m., to meet on Wednesday, September 25, at 10 a.m. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 185 The session was called to order at 10. OS a.m., September 25, 1912, President Louis Canon-Legr.^nd in the chair. At the desk, General Secretary IiImile Jottrand, Dr. Max Apt and Mr. Edward A. Filene. President Canon-Legrand Je donne la parole il M. le vice-pr(5.*5ident Filene, pour qu'il explique aux Am<5ricain.s la fa^on exacte dont nous proc<5dons dans les travaux du Congress, afin d'6viter les petita malen- tendus comma ceux qui se sont produits hier. M. Filene a la parole. {Translation) I give the floor to Vice-President Filene, who will explain to the Americans the exact way we proceed in the work of the Congress, so as to avoid such little misunderstandings as have occurred yesterday. Mr. Filene has the floor. Mr. Edward A. Filene, Boston Chamber of Commerce; Vice-President of the Congress Mr. President: I am going to try to explain verj' briefly once more just what the question at issue last night was. On the program of the session we had a question which was the first question presented by Dr. Apt yesterday, "Arbitration between Individuals and Foreign Nations." Through the courtesy of the officers of this Congress an opportunity was given to present two other questions of arbitration. I say the courtesy of the officers, because it is an unwritten law established in each of the conventions so far held — established as a matter of common sense and self-preser\'ation — that no question shall be acted upon except such as have been placed upon the program after consideration by the Permanent Coromittee. This rule is one which I think is backed up and will be backed up by all of us as we go from one Congress to another, for we realize that these Congresses cannot continue to be successful if questions which have not been considered and studied are acted upon hastily. Not only will the semi- official representatives from different countries cease coming to these Congresses, but I think that none of us who are members of chambers of commerce which are not semi-official will want to go to Congresses where we may be involved in votes on large questions which our own chambers have not had time to consider and to in.struct us as to their attitude. I say, by the courtesy of the officers, two other questions were allowed to be discussed, with the understand- ing stated in advance that they were not to be voted upon. The first of those two questions was presented by Signer Pozzi, who advocated arbitration between individuals of different countries. The third was presented by Mr. Etlwin D. Mead, who offered a resolution jvsking for arbitration between the different nations of the world. Mr. Bernard J. Shoninger, presi- dent of the American Chamber of Commerce of Paris, and my friend, with his well-known leal for the good things for the commercial men of the world which has placed him in the forefront of the American Chamber of Paris, desired that the first question, which hat! al- ready been passed on and voted on affirmatively, should be amended, and our President, M. Canon-Lcgrand, while saying that he was personally in favor of the extension of arbitration between individuals of different nations, said that he w;is compelled to rule that that was not an amendment, but a new question, which would have to be sent back to the Permanent Committee and studied, to be presented at the next Congress. Now, it undoubtedly seemed to Mr. Shoninger and others that our President's ruling was perhaps a bit arbitrary. As a matter of fact, it was not our President's ruling, because 186 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF the question had already been decided by the Permanent Committee at Paris, and in this fashion. We of America and Boston presented in London two years ago the question of ar- bitration between nations, and we expected and hoped that it would be presented at this Congress for vote. The Permanent Committee, meeting in Europe this spring, decided that in their judgment another question ought to take precedence as leading up, perhaps, to this question in the future. Thoy decided that the question presented by Dr. Apt, arbitration between individuals and foreign nations, should be the one question on the program of this Congress. By that decision they made the distinction between other tj-pcs of arbitrations, whether it be between individuals of different nations or between different nations them- selves. And so our President simply confirmed what the Permanent Committee had already carefully gone over. I need not say to you that we Americans were disappointed at that result. But we saw that if these Congresses are to continue we must help to so adjust the proceedings that they will more and more bring the important business men of all nations really together in this consultation. For finally, gentlemen, what we are first after, what we must first get, is international understanding, and through that we hope to go on to inter- national agreements. M. le President: En ou%Tant la stance, j'ai h vous donner connaissance de t(?l(?gramme8 de felicitations rc^us. Nous avons re^u des tcldgrammes de f^hcitations de Pera (Constan- tinople), de Norvege, de la Suisse, de Czemowitz, de Diisseldorf, de Christiania, de Buda- pest, de Londres et de Milan. M. Shoninger demande la parole pour une question d'ordre. (^Translation) In opening the session, I must make you acquainted with the telegrams of con- gratulations which we have received. We have received telegrams of congratulations from Pera (Constantinople), from Norway, from Switzerland, from Czemowitz, from Diisseldorf, from Christiania, from Budapest, from London and from Milan. Mr. Shoninger requests the floor for a question of order. Mr. Bernard J. Shoninger, American Chamber of Commerce of Paris Mr. President: Perhaps, as our distinguished Vice-President has spoken in English, it will be better for me to make a brief explanation in English. The misunderstanding yesterday arose from two causes, — first, because the majority of the delegates here had not been told at the begin- ning of the Congress, the opening session yesterday, that, in order to make amendments or to propose amendments to or corrections of any of tlie eight orders of the day that were on the program, the matter would have to go back to the Permanent Committee to be reported at a future conference. If that had been told us at the very beginning, or if we had received written notice to that effect at the same time that we received the various pamphlets con- taining the vcr>' able reports of the different Reporters, all this misunderstanding would have been avoided. That was the first cause. The second was, that the majority, of which I was one — and I understand l''rcnch thoroughly — did not hear the jirojiosition when it was put to a vote by our honoralile President. Therefore, we did not know that the proposition, as proposed by Dr. Apt, had actually been carried and voted for unanimously, because the majority of Americans — and, I dare say, a number of others — would perhaps have said, if I might use language perhaps a little bit common in this particular instance, we are beginning with the tail of the dog instead of with the dog itself {laugh(er), and the dog, even for one of that particular breed, is a vcrj- short tailed one at that. (Loughtcr.) So I think I am merely voicing the sentiments of those who did not quite understand the customs of these Congresses, as we have now been told, in speaking as I do at this time. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 187 The misunderstanding arose through failure to explain, and also through failure to hear the decision as put by the President yesterday in connection with the vote. We are all here for a single purpose. Delegates from all countries have one idea in view, and that is to facilitate commercial intercourse. We want to do all we can; we have but one idea. None of us wish to put any obstacles in the way. I would be the vcrj- last person in the world to put obstacles in the way of good achievement by this Congress. {"Good, good!" and applause.) Dr. Soetbeer, ''Der Deutsche Handelslag" of Berlin Meine Ilerren! Wir sind mit der Stellungnahme des Herm Priisidenten einverstanden. In London wxirde in Aussicht genommcn, die Frage des Schicdsgorichts beim niichsten KongreC zu ver- handeln. Es wurde aber der Wunsch geiiuCert, daC wir nur solche Fragen behandeln, iiber die gute Berichte vorUcgen. Als das ,, Comity Permanent" in diesem Sommer iiber diese Frage verhandelte, lag kein Bcricht vor iiber die Frage des Schiedsgerichts im allgemeinen. Es lag allerdings ein Bericht vor tiber die Frage des Schiedsgerichts zwischen Privaten und Staaten. Nach einer eingehenden Di.skussion im ,,Comit(5 Permanent" hat man unter Berticksichti- gung diescr Sachlage sich dafiir entschieden, den Gegenstand unserer Tagesordnung .so zu be- schhinken, wie es ge.schehen ist. Wir konnen und konntcn nicht anders als einen BeschluC fassen lediglioh iiber den Antrag des Herm Dr. Apt, und wir haben voUstiindig verstanden, da 6 der Pnisident eine Abstimmung dariiber herbeigefiihrt und das Ergebnis dieser Abstim- mung festgestellt hat. (Beifall.) (Translation) Gentlemen, we agree with the position taken by the President. The intention was, in London, to consider the question of a court of arbitration at the following Con- gress. The desire was, however, expressed that we should only consider questions regard- ing which proper reports were presented. Wlien the Permanent Committee handled the question this summer, no communications had been presented regarding the gen- eral question of arbitration. There was only a communication regarding the question of arbitration between individuals and States. After an exhaustive discussion in the committee, it was decided, in view of the circumstances, to restrict the subject on our order of the day in the manner which has been done. We cannot and could not do otherwise than pass a resolution based solely on the conclusions of Dr. Apt, and we have entirely understood that the President called for a vote thereon, and the result of the vote was declared. (Applause.) M. le I*resident: Je ne voudrais pas rouvrir la discu.ssion, nous ne devons pas la rouvrir. 11 ne faut pas confondre un amendement avec une proposition nouvelle. Je dois tnaintenant donner la parole i AL Filene. Avant de commencer pratiquement nos travaux je rapelle ceci: la nomination des mem- bres du comit6 permanent se fait par les delegu^s des divers pays au Congrj^s. {Translation) I would not like to reopen the discussion, we must not reopen it. An amendment should not be confounded with a new proposition. I must now give the floor to Mr. Filene. Before entering upon the practical part of work on hand, I call attention to the fact that the appointment of the members of the Permanent Committee is affected by the delegates of the various countries represented at the Congress. M. Ledoux: Monsieur le president, je demande la parole pour une question d'ordre. {Translation) Mr. President, I wish to raise a point of order. 188 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF M. le President: Pardon, vous n'avez pas la parole. (Translation) Excuse me, you have not got the floor. M. Ledoux: Alors, je vous la demande. Question d'ordre. (Translation) Then I ask for the floor. Point of order! M. le President: Laisscz-moi, monsieur; je suis k fairc une communication, ct je voua prie de me laisser cont inner. Je dis done, messieurs, que les membres du comit6 sont d(!'sign(?s par les d61(?gu(5s au Con- grks des difT<5rcnts pays. C'est-a-tlire que s'il y a ici des d^k'gui^s du Br(?sil, du P'thing to bring about a universal law on bills of exchange, can truly be jiroud of this result. The course of the negotiations bearing on universal legislation on bills of exchange is such there- fore, as to promise a great deal in behalf of universal legislation concerning checks. I. Definition The first question which presents itself is whether or not the law should contain any definition of a check or should confine itself to determining the essential conditions to be met by an instrument to be considered as a check. This much, I believe, has been established by the historic development of the entire check question, — that the view represented by the English group, according to which a check is merely a variety of a bill of exchange, can no longer be considered correct. But the attempts likewise of the French group which tried to estabhsh a legal definition of the check give rise to doubt and confirm the old adage: omnis difinilio est periculosa. Besides that, definition appears unnecessary provided that, as is done in the German check law, one confines oneself to enumerating the essential requisites of the check. 1 understand, too, that the conference upon universal legislation on bills of exchange, which also took up cursorily the question of legislation on checks, has desisted from estabh.shing any legal definition of a check and has merely confined itself to ex- pressing what it considered to be the essential requisites of a check. I believe, therefore, that as a first fundamental principle I may submit to the consideration of the Congress the following: " It is not necessary that a uniform law on checks should give a definition of a check . It is suflBcient to determine the essential elements of a check." n. Passive Capacity One of the most discussed questions is whether or not the number of persons on whom checks may be drawn should be restricted. There are laws which only admit the passive capacity of a banker, laws which consider a banking institute a credit institute and merchants as being passively capable and which provide for unlimited passive capacity. Finally, there are laws which prescribe a so-called debit regulation for the relations between bankers and institutions of equal standing and which require the u.se of revenue stamps on all checks which do not meet the.'^e requirements. The question thus arises, which is the point of view to be taken by universal legis- lation on checks. There is no doubt but that the industrial value of a check can only be realized by its being drawn on persons or firms whose occujiation it is to accejit the funds of third i)arties on deposit and to make payments for their account. Only in this way is it possible to obtain sufficient accmnulations of capital at such places to be accessible and available for the general requirements of business. And it must also be conceded that the larger the number of drawees the greater the difiiculties in the clearing through wliich, by mciUiB of booking and transfers by certificate, a considerable saving in specie in circu- lation can be brought about. Nevertheless, according to my ojiinion, universal legislation on checks could not take the point of view of English jurisjirudcnce according to which CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 199 a banker can bo the drawee, because even if tlie definition of the word banker were in reahty sufficiently clear (which it is not) to enable the person in whose favor the check is drawn to ascertain whether he has received a check which is \aliil or not, one should not, without absolute necessity, interfere with the economic tievelopment of other great States, such a.s France, where notaries in their quality as trustees frequently have on hand cash deposits of which the depositors dispose by means of checks. Nor is there any reason why large export and import houses with transatlantic or transpacific branches in places where there are no banks should be prevented from having checks drawn on themselves. For this reason, universal legislation on checks may declare desirable that checks shoukl only be drawn on bankers and equivalent institutions, while on the other hand checks drawn on other parties must not be decliu-cd void or non-valitl. I therefore propose to you to adopt for the international law on checks the following: " It should be determined that checks should be only drawn on a banker, but checks drawn otherwise, that is, on a party not a banker, shall not be void in law." in. Essential Elements of the Check Assuming that a check is an order to pay, producing legal obligations, it is in the interests of business security that this order should be represented by a WTitten instrument upon which all legal questions regarding check transactions are based. Thence results the first requisite for the form of the check. That is to say, it should be in writing. It is likewise self-evident that the maker's signature must appear on the check as an essential element, because without it the check could not be paid. The provisions in the various coimtries differ as to whether the character of the check must be indicated on the same. The fact that the United States and England have checks without the so- called check clause is due to the circiunstances that there the check is a bill of exchange of a special kind and in fact is considered equal to a draft unless it is dra%Mi on a banker. Yet for a document which is to be used as an equivalent of currency, the insertion of the check clause as an essential element is to be recommended inasmuch as it removes all doubt as to the intention of the parties and also because the check clause recalls to the maker the fact that by this document he disposes of a deposit held by the drawee and that he exposes himself to criminal proceedings in case he Lssues the check without the same being provided for. I understand also that the diplomatic conference has decided in favor of the check clause. The requirements of the pa>Tnent clause, that is to say, the instructions given a person or firm by the maker to pay from his deposit a certain amount of money, is not insisted upon in all States, but even in ca.ses where its necessity is not expressed .specially it is at any rate considered indispensable. All agree that the instructions to the drawee must be given unconditionally and must not be made dependent upon any counter- consideration. This appears al.so to have been the point of vnew taken by the diplomatic conference. The indication of the amount of money is everywhere considered as an indis- pensable requirement for all checks. The International Conference has without doubt considered it understood that only checks calling for money could fonn the object of a uniform law. The transfer check Ls not suited to bemg put within the scope of a uniform check law and it must be left to the banks to regulate the use of such a document by means of special conditions. It is an open question whether the designation of the place of payment is to be con- sidered as an essential element of a check. Yet, for a universal check law it might be well to recommend the indication of the place of pajTnent a.s an essential element. According to the German law if no place of payment is given, the place at which the check has been made is considered the place for payment ; according to the Austrian 200 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF law, however, the place where the drawee has his principal place of business. The latter provision is decidedly unfair because in numerous cases where a banker, as drawee, has a number of principal offices a clear definition of the place of pajTiient is simply out of the question. The designation of the place where the check has been made is of particular im- portance because from the date appearing there it is shown whether it Ls a domestic or a foreign check, — a matter which is of imjiortance when determining the tenn for presentation. Also the day on which the check is made is for each such document of great impor- tance because the beginning of the term for presentation can only be calculated from the date of the making thereof. Inasnuich as the object of the check is to be converted immediately into ready money and inasmuch jis its degeneration into a mere credit paper or credit document must be jirevented, the condition payable at sight should also be accepted for the uni- versal <'hcck law. Amongst the ines.sential elements of a check, — that is, such elements as could be dispen.seil with without interfering with the validity of a check, — are tlie provision clause and the indication of the payee. As regards the i)rovision clause, the English law does not contain any, although their strict commercial custom keeps the use of checks within well-defined limitations. Further the provision clause appears superficial for a universal check law because the characteristic quality of the "document" is already define' for a suitable utilization of the check. The terms within which a check must be presented differ vcr>- much and it would be highly desirable that a uniform check law should prescribe fixed terms both for domestic checks and checks payable abroad. vn. Payment As regards the paj-ment of the check, it is in the interest of general exchange to avoid pajTnent in si)ecie as far as possible. Settlements other than in cash are made on accounts. The holder can refuse to accept a partial pajTnent. If the drawee fails to pay a check presented to him in due form in .^pite of the provision of a sufficient balance, ho becomes liable under the general civil code to the amount of any damage suffered through the non-payment. The death or business incapacity of the maker or the business incapacity of the drawee are without influence on the right to pajinent. Even after the expiration of the term of presentation the drawee is permitted to pay the check. The drawee under the German law is entitled to obtain possession of the receipted check after pajTnent. According to English law the bearer is obliged to deliver the paid check although it is a qucfetion whether he is obliged to give a receipt. The French and EngUsh laws contain no provisions in regard to the method of payment, but according to French and IJclgiiUi laws receipt on the check is required. Italian, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Rou- manian and Swiss laws do not specially deal with the payment of checks, but the corre- sponding {xjrtions of the laws relating to bills of exchange are usually applied to check transactions. In some legislation the holder of the check is obliged to accept partial pa>Tnent while other laws stipulate that he is not obliged to accept partial pajTnent. For the uniform check law the following is suggested: "The drawee may request receipt. The paj-ee is not obliged to accept partial payment." Vni. Revocation In regard to the revocation of checks there are two contradict or>' ideas. In England the maker can cancel a check at will, and the check is not only void in the case of the bankniptcy of the maker but also when the drawee is notified of the death of the maker. The countries of the French group, however, view the negotiation of checks and drafts as an assignment of the right to the funds in the possession of the drawee. This leads thc^e countries to the principle of the irrevocability of the chock as well as the further provision that the holder of the chock in case of the bankruptcy of the maker may demjmd a separate settlement from the credit balance. For a uniform chock law it is desirable to adopt a medium between these two conceptions and to provide that a cjincellalion of the check shall only be effective after the expiration of the term for presentation. That the check should not become void through the death or business incapacity of the maker; but the check should be void on notice to the drawee of the in.solvency of the maker. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 203 IX. Transfer Check and Crossed Check The practice in business with the Imperial Bank and in clearing transactions of for- bidding payment of a check in cash by the inscription "for transfer only" written across the face of the check has become so common in Germany that a large proportion of the checks presented at the branches of the Imperial Bank bear this notation. By means of the transfer check the risk of its collection by an unauthorized person is materially reduced. The entry counts as payment and consequently the presentation for deposit as presentation for payment. Other countries, particularly England, have a system known as "crossing." The "crossing" Ls either general, in which case pay- ment can be made through any bank or banker, or is a special crossing, in which case pajTnent can only be made through the authorized banker. The crossing is desirable in one respect as it accustoms individuals more and more to handle their funds through a banker and therefore to open bank accounts. The crossing is not exactly re- placed by the tnmsfer check, since the transfer clause absolutely e-xcludes payment in cash, which is not the case with crossing. The transfer check has also some weak- nesses as regards international transactions. Only the crossed check and the transfer check both would provide checks for every use with practically complete protection against theft and forgery. It is therefore desirable for the uniform check law to permit both the transfer check and the crossed check. X. Recourse As regards recourse in case a check is dishonored, in most countries the same princi- ples are applied as for bills of exchange. In Gennany, however, there are some varia- tions. For instance, in the case of a check a personal declaration may be substituted for protest. The protesting of a draft is permitted for the draft at maturity and must be done not later than the second working day after the date of maturity. On the other hand, the German check law names no period for protest although the protest should take place before the expiration of the term of presentation. It is therefore desirable that the uniform check law should provide the same remedies in case of checks as for drafts. I tliercfore wish to recommend to you, to express the idea, that a unification of legislation relative to checks is not only desirable in the interests of commerce and in- dustr>' but is likewise po.ssible of realization, and that the princii)lcs decided by "Der Deutsche Handelstag" form a good foundation for the unification of check laws. In connection therewith I would a-sk you to favor an idea presented by the Gennan dele- gation at the close of the diplomatic conforence in regard to the international laws on bills of exchange. Reference w:us made to the fact that should the nations adopt the law on bills of exchange it would be necessarj* to have for this international law also an inter- national court which would decide in the last instance on disputes in regard to the in- ternational law on bills of exchange and it has been decided that the conference should address the request to the governments of the various States to consider the question whether it would not be possible to create such a universal court of law relative to bills of exchiinge. I believe that this idea is a vcr>' good one inasmuch as onlj- a uniform judiciary can guarantee that the international law on bills of exchange shall be uniformly enforced. The same rea.sons which speak for the establishment of a court of law for an interna- tional law on bills of exchange would aLso lead to the creation of a court for the inter- national check law, and I beg of you to express your sentiment in favor of this idea, possibly in the form that the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce ac- 204 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF cepi.H with ai)i)r(>v;il, the idea of creating a court of law for the interpretation of the international laws relative to checks and bills of exchange, and invites the govemmenta to co-operate in its realization. Gentlemen, I hope that my explanations will have convinced you that the unifica- tion of legislation relative to checks Is useful and necessary for commerce and industry and that it is possible to attain such uniformity. Hut uniformity of rights in matters of bills of exchange and checks cannot be main- tained unless sustained and guaranteed by some common jurisdiction. For this rea-^on the second dij)lomatic conference has addressed to the national governments which were there represented the request to consider the question whether it would bo pos.'iible to establish a common jursidiction for the universal law relative to bills of exchange. And we might add also relative to checks. And I would ask you, therefore, to ex-pre.ss your concurrence in this idea. I therefore move: That the Congress of Chambers of Commerce shall resolve, 1. "The unification of legislation relative to checks is not only desirable but pos.si- ble of attainment. The Congress directs to the various governments the plea to take steps towards such unification through an international conference to be convoked as soon as possible. 2. An essential supplement to the creation of an international law relative to bills of exchange and checks will be the establishment of a court in The Hague which shall decide disputes relative to international law on bills of exchange and checks in the last instance." (Applause.) (Continuing in English) Gentlemen, 1 have ex-plained that the difTerences in the laws of the check are not so great that it would be impossible to realize unification. And I hope that even if you are not all in perfect agreement with me, you will at least be in sympathj' with the unification of the law of the check. But it is not sufTicient that the law of the check and exchange are unified; it is still more necessar>' that a high court may be established for the interpretation of the ques- tions concerning the unified law of the check and exchange. M. le President: M. Apt nous a done comment^ les decisions les plus rdcentes. Vous savez, messieurs, que cette question du cheque a 6i6 trait<5e k La Haye. On nous demande done maintcnant dY-mettre un vocu en faveur de I'unification du cht^que et d'une legislation qui pcnnottrait que tous les pays puis.sent fitre trait6s de la meme fa^on. Je donne la parole h. I'orateur suivant, M. Almeid.\, du Brdsil. (Tranilalion) Mr. Apt has commented on the most recent decisions. You know that this ques- tion of the check has been treated at The Hague. We are now asked to express a wish in favor of the unification of the check and of legislation which would allow all countries to be treated alike. I give the floor to the next speaker, Mr. Almeida, of Brazil. Dr. Candido de Mendes de Almeida, Official Delegate of the Government of Brazil; Director of the CumtncTcUil Museum, Rio dc Janeiro Messieurs: Je vous tlemande la jiermission de parler en fran^ais, parce que ma langue nationale n'est pas reconnue conune langue officielle, et je ne puis pas, apr6s trente jours d'dtude de I'anglais, m'ex-])rimer dans cette langue de fa^on ii 6trc compris. Comme repri'-.scntant du gouvemenient Brcf-silien, comme rcprt'sentant aussi de la Fede- ration (les A.ssociations Commerciales du Br^sil — les a.s.sociations commerciales, ce sont des chambres de commerce — nous avons organist la Federation des Associations Commerciales L CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 205 k Rio-de-Janeiro, la capitale — et aussi comme repr(5sentant du Conseil des courtiers en mar- chandises de navires — c'est aussi una organisation des courtiers avec intervention du gouvemement. Ces institutions-Ill ont un intoret 6norme dans le cheque, parce qu'elles representent tout le commerce, c'est-i!l-' and of commerce, are ver>' great; and Brazil's name is not even mentioned in connection with the rights of the people. Brazil, gentlemen, is the greatest countrj' of South America. It has thirtj'-nine million square kilometers of extent, and all its lands are fertile, utilizable and pro- ductive. It is the land of coffee, rubber, and if the world possesses a rubber industry it is due to the great forests of the Amazon, as at present very well shown at the In- ternational Rubber Exposition in New York. Out of Brazil came the seeds that have produced the great crops of India, Ceylon and other Asiatic countries. This great land contains twenty-two million inhabitants, the great majority white, with a ver>- small proportion of natives. It is asked everj-where if we are all colored in Brazil. But I assert upon my responsibility as a Government representative, upon my responsibility as a representative of the Federation of Commercial Associations of Brazil, that we are descendants of Portuguese, Italians, Germans, Frenchmen and other European peoples. I assure you also that we make all possible efforts to attune ourselves with the evolutionist movement of the civilized world. We are the greatest producers of coffee in tlie world, the greatest producers of rubber, not to speak of anything else. I do not wish to monopolize your attention much longer but will tell you simply that yesterday I took from this table an American newspaper, in which I read with pleasure . . . Une Voix: Chdque — chdque. (Translation) A Voice : Check — Check. M. le President: Parlez du ch^ue. {Translation) Speak about the check. M. Almeida: Jc vous demande pardon. Si j'ai fait cette exordc, c'est pour vous d6- montrer pourquoi nous avons le droit d'etre entendus sur la question du cheque. Je lis dans ce journal: "Le Br6sil a exportd aux fitats-Unis pour 128,000,000 de dollars . . ." (Translation) I beg your pardon. If I made this diversion, it was to show why we are entitled to be heard on the question of the check. I read in that newspaper: "Brazil has exported into the United States merchandise to the value of $128,000,000." Plusieurs Voix : Cheque — Cheque. (Translation) Sever.\l Voices: Check — Check. M. le President: Parlons du ch^ue. (Translation) Let us speak of the check. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 207 M. Almeida: Eh bien! messieurs, sur la question du cheque, j'ai le plaisir de vous dire que le Bretiil a proinulg;u6, le sept aodt de cette ami6e, une loi renfermant toutes les aspira- tions sur le cheque; j'ai le plaisir de vous dire que toutes les aspirations exprim6es dans le rapport de M. Apt sont dejil indues dans la loi qui est prt^sentement en force au Br6sil. Vingt- deux millions d'hommes ont di''j:\ mis ces choses en pratique. Sur la question de I'vmification du cheque, la loi a ddclard que tous ceux qui auraient des fonds disponibles dans les banques ou entres les mains des commcr^ants — et c'est U\ le point int6ressant — j'ai lu dans les rapports qu'il y a une grande discussion pour savoir si le cheque doit 6tre tir6 seulement contre les banques et les associations similaires. — Au Br6sil, on a eu I'idce de faciliter la circulation du cheque et en mdme temps de le garantir d'unc fa^on com- plete. Vous savez, messieurs, que ces pays nouveaux n'ont pas autant de facilit^s pour la cir- culation du numeraire; alors, ils ont besoin de facihter la circulation du papier qui repr6sente I'argent; mais en meme temps, ils ont I'obligation de garantir cette circulation, de fa^on que le commerce n'ait pas de suri)rises ni de deceptions. Eh bien! nous avons 6tabli, k I'article premier de la loi, que le chi^que pourrait 6tre tir6 contre les banques et contre les commergants. Mais, naturellement, cette expression, "com- mergants," est li6e h nos transactions commerciales; c'est-^-dire que le commergant, dans le sens de la loi, est celui qui s'est enregistr6 convenablement selon les lois respectives. La loi etablit aussi la signification du mot "fonds." Qu'est-ce que Ton entend par fonds? II y a d'abord les sommes existantes en comptes courants "banqueres." Relativement h. ces fonds-h\, il n'y a pas d'autre exigence. L^ oil il y a un compte courant "banqudre," on peut tirer le cheque sans aucune autre con.-^ideration. Dans le cas d'un compte courant contrac- tuel, ou de I'ouverture d'un credit, pour tirer par cheque sur ces deux especes de sommes dues, il faut le consentement du tire. La loi sur la capacity active est conforme aux regies generales du droit civil. Celui qui jouit de tous ses droits civils a la capacity active pour tirer. Relativement h. la capacity passive, je vous ai d6']k expliqu6 la difference que fait la loi entre les banques et les commergants. Quant h la forme du cheque, not re loi est conforme aux aspirations e.xprimues dans le rapport de ^L Apt. Notre loi, qui n'est pas une aspiration, mais une loi 6crite et en force, e.xige le mot "cheque," 6cnt en portugais, — c'est notre langue — ou I'^quivalent en toute autre langue. EUe exige ensuite le nom de la raison sociale ou de la personne qui doit payer. Elle exige encore — et c'est une question qui a 6t6 trds discut(5e — I'indication du heu du paiement. II ne suflBt pas d'indiquer le nom de la banque, il faut indiquer la branche de cette banque sur laquelle on tire — parce qu'une banque peut avoir plusieurs branches, h differents endroits. Pour que le cheque .soit exigible, selon notre loi, il faut que Ton indique tres pr(5cisement I'endroit ou doit etre pay6 le cheque. Cette exigence de notre loi, I'indication prdcise de I'endroit du paiement, est la realisation de I'une de vos aspirations. Notre loi Etablit aussi — et en cela, elle innove sur toutes les autres lois que j'ai vues — que le cheque, pour etre cheque, doit etre h vue. Elle dit que le iir6, qui regoit un cheque mutil6, im cheque dcchire, un cheque jiortant de grosses taches d'encre, avec des dates sus- pectes, avec des corrections, peut exiger des explications, et mdme des garanties. Cela, c'est ime nouveaut<5. J'en fais la mention, ce sera peut-^tre utile. {Translation) Well, Gentlemen, as regards the check, I am pleased to say that Brazil has pro- mulgated, August 7th of this year, a law containing all her ideas concerning the check, and I am pleased to say that all these aspirations cxjire-ssed in Mr. Apt's rejiort are already included in the law which is now enforced in Brazil. Twenty-two million men have already put thes^e things into practice. As regards the unification of the check, the law applies to all persons who have deposits which they can make use of, in banks or in the hands of traders — and that is 208 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF the interest inR point. I read in the reports that a great discussion is going on to find out if a check should he drawn only on the banks and equivalent associations. In Brazil we had the good idea of facilitating the circulation of the check and guaranteeing it at the sjuiie time in a thorough manner. You know, gentlemen, that these new countries have not as many facilities for the circulation of cash; they need therefore to facilitate the circulation of paper repre- senting money. But at the same time they have the obligation of guaranteeing this cir- culation in such a way as not to cause fraud or deceptions, commercially. We have established, article first of the law, that the check can be drawn on the banks and on the merchants. But naturally this ex]iression, "merchant," is connected with our commercial transactions; that is to say, the merchant, in the eyes of the law, is a person properly registered. Thus the law defines al.so the meaning of the word "funds." WTiat are funds? We have in the first place such sums as exist in running accounts "banqudres." Re- garding these funds, nothing else is exacted. Where a running account "banquere" exists, a check may be drawn without any further consideration. In case of a nmning accoxmt covering a contract or the opening of a credit, in order to draw a check against two such sorts of obligations, the consent of the drawee is required. The law on active capacity is in accord with the general clauses of the civil law. Whoever enjoys all his civil rights is capable of drawing. Concerning the passive capacity, I have already explained to you the difference the law makes between banks and merchants. Regarding the fonn of check, our law agrees with the tenets expressed in Mr. Apt's report. Our law which is not merelj" an aspiration but is written and in force, demands the word "check," written in Portuguese, our tongue, or the equivalent in some other language. It demands besides the name of the firm or of the person that will have to pay. It also demands, and this question has been very much discussed, the indication of the place where the pajTnent is to be effected. It is not enough to indicate the name of the bank, the branch of that bank on which one draws must be indicated by name, because a bank may have several branches at different places. A check to be demandable according to our law must bear very precisely the name of the place in which the check is to be paid. This demand of our law, namely, the precise indication of the place of the pajTnent, is the realization of one of your aspirations. Our law also establishes, and this is an innovation on all other laws I have seen, that the check must be at sight. It says that the drawee who receives a mutilated check, or a torn one, or one bearing big ink-spots, or suspicious dates or corrections, may demand explanations and even guaranties. This is an innovation, and I mention it, because it may be found useful. M. le President: Comme documentation. (Translation) As a document. M. Almeida: Oui. Je suppose qu'il n'est pas ndcessaire d'entrer dans plus d'expUca- tions et de details. J'ai fait traduirc toute notre loi en fran^ais et en anglais, et elle sera in- troduite dans les travaux du Congrds. (Translation) Yes. I sujij)ose that it is not neoessarj' to enter into more explanations or details. I have had a translation made of our law into French and English, and it will be intro- duced in the work of the Congress. M. le President: Nous verserons done la loi Br^silienne au dossier comme documenta- tion. Cette loi, (I-tant la rui.sse fitre confondu avec un autre mstrumcnt de credit souniis ;\ des stipulations legales different es de cclles du cheque. Sinon, il est probable cjue dans la pratique il pourra se presenter et il se presentera certainement des inconvenients et des conflits cntre la legisla- tion regissant le cheque et celle concemant les autre-s instruments de credit. En effct, si le cheque doit — et c'est U\ I'csprit qui a preside au desir general d'une legis- lation intcmationale sur la matiere, — const ituer un substitut au numeraire et aux billets de banque, il faut qu'il jouisse autant que possible des conditions qui donnent k ceux-ci la facilitd de circulation et de liberation pour les paiements auxquels on veut que le cheque puisse ser- vir lui-m6me. Dans la revue que font les rapporteurs des definitions du cheque que donne la legislation de divers pays, ils ne rappellent que d'une fa^cm gdnerale la definition des pays de langue fran^aise. Cependant, parm ceux-ci, il est interessant de relever la definition beige, qui est CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 211 precise, et que lea rapporteure ont d'ailleurs signalde. Cette definition, d'aprSs nous, est ab- solument Tiinage de ce qu'est le cheque. La loi beige de 1875 dit: "Le chdque est une dele- gation de paieiuent au comptant et ii vue sur des funds disponibles." Vous voyez comnie le cheque se des.«aisit de la lettre de change. Eh bien! dans ces conditions-lii, je crois que, dans le voeu que nous devons emettre, nous devons deniamler, nous devons ddfinir exactement ce que nous voulons, et cette definition, nous la donnons par la loi beige. Si, dans les ditTerents pays ici representes, il y a une definition meilleure, messieurs, nous sommes tous prets h nous y rallier. Mais, ne rien dire du tout, laisscr cette definition dans I'ombre, eh bien! messieurs, ce n'est pas dire ce que nous voulons. Maintenant, messieurs, sur les autres points de vue, du rapport de M. Apt: un de mes compatriotes, M. Christophe, et moi, nous sommes absolument d'accord, et je ne voudrais pas retenir plus longtemps le voeu indiquant les differentes nuances que nous pourrions eta- blir. Je ne veux pas abuser de vos instants, je trouve qu'avant tout, nous devons dire ce que nous voulons, et pour le surplus, les details sont indiques d'une fa^on complete, d'une faQon magistrale dans les differents rapports dont nous avons eu connaissance. Ces rapports, je ne les analyse pas, mais je vous demande surtout que, dans le voeu que vous allez emettre, que vous allez envoyer k la conference de La Haye, vous disiez bien ce que vous voulez, et c'est la decision que je vous demande d'adopter. {Translation) Gentlemen: In a report presented in the name of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce of Paris my eminent colleague, Mr. H. A. Rau, has pointed out the practical means for extending the emplojTnent of checks and for reducing the inconveniences and risks resulting from the extended use of cash and bank notes. Even though it may not be our part to draft a law relating to checks, it is clear that we should at this time express our opinion as to the best legislation. We are in exactly the position to permit us to state in a thorough manner what we desire and what is required by the world's conmierce through the establishment of the check. The Hague Conference, as you have just learned, has occupied itself with the sub- ject of uniform legislation relative to drafts for all countries. I believe it ha.s aho taken up the question of international legislation relative to checks, one of the greatest desires of the world's commerce; but I do not know whether the conference at The Hague has adopted for checks the same rules which it has made for bills of exchange. We are therefore in entire ignorance on this subject. If I am correctly informed, it appears that The Hague Conference has postponed to a future session the investigation of legislation regarding checks but one point is certain, — that in drawing up a law for bills of exchange The Hague Conference has defined what a bill of exchange is. More- over, all our jurisprudence, all our laws give a definition of a bill of exchange. In the very valuable report presented by Mr. Otto Trundler he absolutely abjmilons this re- quirement which seems to us fundamental for a definition of the check. We cannot entirely share his opinion and even the Reporters themselves recommend that future legislation should mention the principal conditions for the check. It appears to us clear that one of these conditions, both in regard to international and domestic relations, is that the check should not be confounded with some other instrument of credit, sub- ject to different legal stipulations than those for the check. Otherwise it is probable that in practice there might be, and certainly would be, inconveniences and conflicts be- tween the legislation relating to the check and that regulating other instrumental of credit. In fact, if the check — and this is the idea which hiis in.spire', thinks a great deal of participating in all ques- tions, both economic and legislative. M. le President: Monsieur Christophe, vos observations ont port', the busine,>;s of London would stop ("right"), and we could not make any prog- ress with our work. Therefore, I am sorrj' to say that there are points, several points, to wliich my Chamber, the London Chamber, cannot under any circumstances agree. We must be understood as dissenting, and, if you will allow me, I will in the briefest manner refer to these points. The first point on which I would say a word is point No. II in the document which has been circulated this morning. It says that the check should onlj' be drawn on a banker. Now I will ])ut a conundrum to you. What is a banker? We have endea\ored to dc6nc CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 215 "banker" in England, and we have failed. We have suggested legislation on the subject, and it has been iinjiossible, because we cannot define "banker," and if you cannot define "banker" in England, let me ask you how you are going to define "banker" on the Conti- nent, or how you are going to define "banker" in the L'nitetl States, where so many gentle- men of honorable disposition carry on the business of so-called banking, — and it Ls banking of a sort, but it is not banking in any strict sense that could be laid down in an act of parlia- ment regulating this matter. The second point to which I wish to refer is in No. Ill, referring to optional particulars which might be put in a check. I am afraid that that might mean that these particulars would be insisted upon, and the first statement I notice here is "Statement of the funds standing to the credit of drawer." (Lnughler.) Now, gentlemen, from my point of view that is absolutely impossible. {"Hear, hear!" and a voice, "We u-ould like to knoie it!" JoUoxced by laughter.) I may not even know it myself, as I am going to ex]3lain to you in a moment. (Laughter.) It was .suggested by the last speaker that if he had an authority upon his banker to draw that might be a sufficient provision to fulfil the condition. Let me tell you in a sentence what my own practice is. I am a member of the London stock exchange. We have fortnightly settlements — what you call on the Continent "liqui- dations." On the day of the session we have all the transactions of the fortnight to carry through. What do we do? My cashier sends the documents that have been presented, have been e.xiimined and are in order, takes the certification of the clerk, and draws a check. He brings the checks all day, and, Mr. President, the last thing I think of is, how much money I have got in the bank. (Laughter.) I do not begin to think of that until three or half past three o'clock. Then they bring me a statement showing how much is wanted. If we are short, we go to the bank and borrow the money; if we are over — which frequently happens, you know (laughter), — we go home to dinner happy. (Laughter.) That is the universal practice in London, and not only is it the practice but it is a law of the stock exchange in London that a broker must issue a check, even if he does not think he is able to pay it, or may not be able to pay it. He must give a check, because the man presenting must have his document. If at the end of the day he fails, that cannot be helped, but it is his duty to issue the check in order that the transaction may be carrieil through. Therefore, I say, any statement of the funds standing to the credit of the drawer is im- possible. I couldn't tell how much I had, and wouldn't wish to know how much I had, to my credit at any particular moment. In regard to point No. VII, as to the time allowed for presentation. I will state the situation on that matter with us, as a matter of practice. The time has been reduced in practice to three months, but I think it would be a wrong thing to lay down any fixed or hard and fast nile in regard to that. Point No. VIII: It is suggested there that the drawee require a receipt. "As to pay- ment, it will be neces.sarj' to stipulate that the drawee can require a receipt." That means a duplicating or doubling, if insisted on, of the number of documents to be handled, because each check has to be accompanied by a receipt. I do not quite see how it is to be worked out. It comes under my heading of complications. You are going to double the number of documents and going to introduce congestion, when you ought to have simplicity. Point No. IX: "The countermanding of a check shouki not be permitted until after the time allowed for presentation has elapsed." I see that by the Gennan law that is a matter of ten days. That again, gentlemen, is impracticable. The drawer of a check may find withm five minutes after having i.ssued it that he has been .swindled. ("Hear, hear!") In practice with us I am at liberty to send over to my banker and stop payment on the instant I tliscover that I have been taken in. ("Hear, hear!") Here again you must not introduce complexity; you must introduce simplicity into your practice. I have a practical suggestion to conclude with, and the practical suggestion, sir, is this: that a small committee representing this Congress should be appointed to come over to Lon- don and spend a few weeks examining our clearing-house system and our manner of handling 216 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF checks. We will be ver>' polite with that committee; we will imdertake to look after them while in Ixmdon and give them all the information in our power, and I am sure they will agree with nie after they have had that information that these complications are impossible, and that if you attempt to introduce the complications to which I have referred j'ou will stultify your proceedings and negative your action. (Applause.) M. le President: 11 est int<5ressant d'avoir les ^changes de \-ues. II est ' that a high court may be established for the interpretation of the questions concerning the unified laws of the check and exchange." Tliat h.-vs reference to the present court, the tribunal at The Hague, and the Reporter, Mr. .Apt, wi.shes that the Congress express its consent that the same tribunal, the court of arbitration, should be as well for checks as for letters of exchange, drafts, liquidations. That is what is prf)posed now. M. le President: La proposition de ^L Apt en second lieu, je vais la mettre en fran^ais: "II y aurait un tribunal qui serait en quclque sorte une cour d'appel pour les proems rclatifs A la fois aux lettres de change et aux cheques." VoUi l'id(5e de M. Apt. Tout le monde a done bien compris. Que ceux qui sont d'avis d'adopter ce vccu — c'est un voeu — veulent bien lever la main. (Levie de mains des d6Ugu6s.) L'^preuve contraire. {Levie de mains de cer- tains dtUguis.) (Translation) I will put into French Mr. Apt's second proposition: "That there should be a tribu- nal which would be in a way a court of appeals for suits concerning at the same time bills of exchange and checks." That is Mr. Apt's idea. It is well understood by all. Tho.se who favor the wish, for it is a wish, pleai' one of us, unless there is a translation in English. It is an ab.solute scandal. Many of us do not understand French or German. We do not know what we are talking about. It is not business." And what was the result? We had a translation in English. It was abbreviated because of the time, but we had a translation in English. Wc knew what we were talking about, we knew what we were doing, and we knew what we were voting upon. {"Jlcar, hear!") M. le F*resident: Nous sommes absolimient d'accord et c'est pr6cis6ment pour cela que d6s le (k'but du Congrds j'ai demand6 h. M. Filene de se tenir h c6t6 de moi pour faire les tra- ductions; mais dans tons les ca-s, au sujet de la question qui vient de se terminer, il n'y a pas de malentendu, nous sommes d'accord sur le premier point. {Translation) We are entirely agreed, and for this reason I have asked Mr. Filene at the opening of the Congress to remain by my side in order to do the translating; but at any rate on the question which has just been closed, there is no misunderstanding; we arc agreed on the first point. {The President continued in English) We (juite agreed u]ion the first point, and the second point has been withdrawn — Voices: Too late, too late. Dr. Albert C. Bonaschi {New York): That has been voted upon. The Congress has refused to accept it. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 223 Mr. Thomas: I submit that it was too hite to withdraw it after voting. M. le President: Oui, c'est entcndu. Xous sommes done d'accord. (Translulion) Yes, it is understood. So we are agreed. An English Delegate: Mr. President, it was not accepted by the Congress, and it should go on the record as not accepted. M. A. Barton Kent (Londres) : Je demande si c'est 1^ votre decision finale. Le vote n'est pas enregistrc .sur le proc(>s-verbal, la proposition est seulement retiree. (Translation) I ask if that is your final decision? The vote is not registered in the minutes, but the proposition is simply withdrawn. M. le President: Nous avons xot6 sur le premier point, sur lequel tout le monde a 6td d'accord. (Translation) We have voted on the first point, and everj'body is agreed. M. Kent: Et nous avons vot6 sur le second point. (Translation) And we have voted on the second point. M. le President: Pardon, nous n'avons pas vot6. (Translation) Pardon, we have not voted. Plusieurs Voii: Oui, oui. (Translation) Several Voices: Yes, yes. Mr. Miinsterberg: We are the second time trying to avoid a misunderstanding. The honorable gentleman who has just spoken is quite right. We tried to vote on the second point, and when we did so . . . Voices: We did vote. Mr. Miinsterberg: Excuse me; when we did so we noticed that there had been a misunderstamling. Voices: No, no. Mr. Miinsterberg: I agree perfectly with you that perhaps the proceeding has not been absolutely correct. Now I believe we might overlook nuch mere fomialities if the spirit of the matter has been agreed upon, and I believe that after all these explanations we have found the way out — how the Congres-s can give a vote, one vote upon which we are imani- mous. The second vote was carried and we saw there had been some misunderstanding, and the President, after the vote had been taken, withdrew the whole thing, so that we are not divided upon this question. So perhaps, since the gentlemen, on informal points, are justi- 224 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF fieelieve, and I believe we can be perfectly satisfied that we have done so much aa we have been able to do. Mr. A. Barton Kent: Mr. President, I am verj* much obliged for that explanation, but I would like to disas-^Jciate my.self from any misunderstanding on the point. I perfectly understood the question as it was put, and it was my impression that most of the delegates also understood it. Unfortunately, it did not meet with the approval of the Reporter and it wa-s voted again.st. But if you as President of this Congress rule that that vote adverse to the ReiK>rter shall not be taken, but that the proposition shall be withdrawn, I am sure all our colleagut's hen- will bow to your ruling. M. le President: Je d<^sirerais que noua soyons bien d'accord. Le premier point est acquis. Pour le second point, on a commenced le vote, il est exact, mais le vote n'a pas 6t6 acquis. Qi*J^nd nous avons vu qu'il y avait de I'opposition, j'ai moi-m6me demandd que I'on retire la seconde partie, afin que nous soyons tous d'accord et que nous n'ayons pas k voter les uns contre les autres. {Translation) I would desire that we should properly agree. The first point is decided. As for the second, a vote was started, it is true, but the vote was not completed. When we saw there was oppo.sition, I personally asked the withdrawal of the second part in order to all agree and not vote against one another. Un D§lSgu6: Nous sommes ici des d(!^l' word. He speaks all languages, but sometimes in the heat of a debate like this he too misunderstands, as some of the rest of us do, but if you will make clear what you desire as a body, his only wish is to do as you want him to do. Mr. Frank D. La Lanne {Philodelphia): Mr. President, Mr. Filene has said that our desires will be listened to by the Chair, and I know the desire of the Chair is always to be fair, — but in this audience there are many men who do not understand French, and I am one of them, and I can't follow the decision of the Chair; and therefore, so that we can understand the decision of the Chair — which is always fair — I would move that it be also put in Eng- lish and in Gennan, in those three languages, so that every one of us here may understand the rulings of the Chair. Now if that cjuestion is put I beUeve it will be carried, Mr. Presi- dent, and I therefore make that motion. Mr. Alfred Aslett: I take pleasure in seconding that motion. M. le President: Je considdre la question comme excessivement simple. On a votd sur le premier j)oint, j'ai amionc6 le vote; sur le second point, il n'y a pas eu de vote acquLs. On a retir6 la question sur le second point. Enfin, k I'heure actuelle, le Congr^s s'est simple- ment prononcd sur ceci: II est ddsirable d'avoir I'unification de la loi sur les cheques, et c'est tout. Rien autre chose. Pas d'autre vote, pas d'autre resolution. Sommes-nous d'accord? {Translalion) I think the question exceedingly simple. The first point has been voted upon, and I have announced it; on the second point, no vote has been taken. The question on the second point has been withdrawn. Up to the present the Congress has expressed its mind on the following: That it is desirable to have unification on the law of checks, and that is all. Nothing else. No other vote, no other resolution. Are we agreed? Mr. Kent: I think we must bow to the ruling of our President. He has explained that the vote was taken on the first point, but when we thought that the vote was taken on the second point and lost that was not so, because he had not announced the result. lie has therefore permitted the second point to be withdrawn without voting. The F*resident: Quite so. Mr. Kent: That, I understand, is the ruling of the Chair, and to that ruling we must all bow. Mr. Fraser (London): I suggest, with the approval of Dr. Apt, that you should ap- point a committee to consider this point further, a conmaittee which should meet in London and be charged with drawing up a report to be presented to the next meeting of this Con- gress. That will be a step forward and will be dealing with a point of business in a business- like way. No one wants the point shelved. We want to go forward. If you will appoint a committee my friend Dr. Apt will scr^e and you will ajipoint your own representatives also to serve, and at your next Congress you will register your decision. I have the verj' great jileasure to move the appointment of such a committee and ask my friend Dr. Apt to second the resolution. 226 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF The President: Wh:it are you williriL' to ondon and that the subject for the present time should be withdrawn from the order of the day. This is agreeable to me. Mr. Miinsterberg : I am just going to explain what Mr. Apt has said. He is perfectly willing to .^I'cond the suggestion that the Congrc.'JS to-s dans im congrds comme celui-ci, oil. tout le nionde ne comprend pas toutes Ics langues. II a <5te propos6 par quelques orateurs qu'A I'avenir, il serait plus simple d'avoir les jiropositions r(5p6t6es au Congres dans les trois langues: anglai.>^e, fran<;aLse et allemande; et si vous Ic permettez, j'aimerais h fairc cette pro- po.^ition, et que cc soit vot(5 de suite, comme recommandation au prochain congres. (Translation) We have difTiculties in a Congress made up as is the present where everj- one does not understand all the languages. It has been suggested by some speakers that in future it would be more simple to have the propositions repeated to the Congress in the three language.^, English, French and German; and if you will permit I should like to propose to ha\'e it voted on here, as a reconmiendation to the next Congress. M. le President: Je suis absolument d'accord, et je comptais faire moi-m^me la motion. (Translation) I agree entirely and I had intended to make the motion myself. M. Kent: Je vous demandc pardon, monsieur le President. Je me retire. (Translation) I beg your pardon, Mr. President, and I will withdraw. M. le President: Je comptais faire moi-m6me la motion que toute proposition soit faite en fnmijai.'^, en anglais et en allemand. (Translation) I had intended myself to put the motion that all propositions shall be made in French, in English anil in German. (Continuing in English). The ruling of the Chair is that the motions will be made in French, German and English. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 227 Mr. Alfred Georg {Geneva): Wc have delegates here from twenty countries, who speak Spanish. Dr. Albert C. Bonaschi: If announcements are to be made in Spanish, they should also be made in Italian. The President: It is suggested that motions be made in other languages than French, German and English? Mr. Alfred Georg: Mr. President, it has been suggested that Spani.sh be added, also. There arc here representatives of twenty South American countries, who speak Spanish. {Continuing in French) Monsieur le President et messieurs, la convention ou la commission dont ont parl6 les pr«5- c<5dent3 orateurs aurait beaucoup k apprcndre en se rendant k Londres pour voir ce qui se passe h\-bas en mati^re de cheque; mais, messieurs, j'ai quclque scnipule h accepter la pro- position qui a 6t6 faite de designer une d61<>gation sp6ciale tl. cet effet. Nous risquons de marcher ainsi sur les brisiJes du congress specialiste qui est charg6 de s'occuper de cette ques- tion. Je crains en outre que la plupart des pays ici representees auront quclque peine i\ nom- mer des d61(5gu6s spcciaux pour aller (5tudier sur place, h Londres, le fonctionnement du cheque. Je crois que nous devons abandonner cette question ^ I'examen de la conference spdciale qui doit se rcunir h. La Haye, et s'il est utile d'envoyer une de^legation S, Londres pour y 6tu- dier le fonctionnement du cheque, elle le fera; mais je crois que ce n'est pas a nous qu'il ap- partient aujourd'hui de prendre cette position. {Translation) Mr. President and Gentlemen, the convention or committee which the preceding speakers have mentioned would have a great deal to learn by going to London to see what is being done on the subject of the check. But, gentlemen, I sec some objections to accepting the proposal which has been made to appoint a .special delegation for this pur- pose. We should run a risk of thus following in the footsteps of the Congress of special- ists which is to occupy itself with this question. I fear also that most of the countries here represented would find some difficulty in selecting special delegates to study on the ground, in London, the operation of the check. I beUeve that we should leave this question to the investigations of the special con- ference which is to meet in The Hague, and if it is desirable to send a delegation to Lon- don to study there the operation of the check it will do so, but I do not think tliat the present time is the time for us to take this position. M. le President: Le point a 6t<5 vid6. Cette question de comite, il faudrait I'expliquer en allemand et en anglais. {Translation) The matter has been decided. This question of the committee should be explained in German and in English. Mr. Georg: The Congress believes that it has now been decided that we are going to nominate the commi.-*sion. I think it is not in our program for the Congress to nominate the commission at this time, but I think the special conference that is going to deal with this matter will nominate a special comnii.'ision to see what is going on in London about checking, for instance, and looking into other matters that we do not have before this commi.ssion. I do not think the different countries here represented would agree to the proposition that has been made, and I propose to our President that he consider the proposition made as not accepted. 228 INTEBXATIOXAL COXGKESS OF Dr. GecciK Er kfth «• BKte fir rkkt%. dai iB > die Fx^r fiwiiam nl. wed - JBHa^ac iH9Bt daber. cs lekptaialMkhmier daC dcr KoBsrci jrtai M^d— ■MrtfcwdMW ■!■*■. mwda Mr. FiiMilit. I Aoald Hbe to obt for the Geoii "Ifdril ■ nnirr tfc«1 thrrr m\rr ' Be does bo* rMBrlrr k oi^ tk«t tike G tiBe to ttadr tbe f/atBttkm, ■■ce — if I kmrv TW Hi«ne ^i winmij mwmtifMSied tke sdhiect bjr bcfirwH, tkerefaR, tkat k waald be MpoclMW to I am peaemaMj oi tke opiMoa tkat we deiwxe aKi tkas tke CoMKres i^onld Bov dedde vkeckor it vfl BOC Tkis ntkfiMt resud to Mty pooable makft. Mr. rrimiifT. 1 beg kmre to hj «ae vord Sor mxadL Mr. Gcois bat grncB k w kis Qfimim xhMX tbe Coa«rca» woaid d» better soC to appoiat a eoaiMaee, beeaaae ^e om- fcnafceas Tbe Ha^oe ia Maiie «p ti wpeaal ddesateacif al eoaMfedea to sCadN- Ark qacs^ tioBL Mr. Gears tbialri tbe td^ect wM be baaflhri pcrbaps £v better ia tkat war t^a k eoold be baaHlrii or itedkd bjr at beve, mam. Expreaaas wsyr frnw rn al opiaioa, I feeL joat aa tone «f t^ ^friraa ddosatae bare aaidr tbat k k ack of tot BBieb ase far «» aow to speak abooi sack qaeitaaB* bere, jt* or aot Tbe Caagreaa k, of eoaRc, Tbe Coagrra* ma^ a ppok tt a coaaBiakaai, aad M tbe Goagycaa ra1l a if a i a g »aacaarketo maia ihiBMdf aadaA tkal k beaet Mate. I Mr. Pmkdea*, tbat «e pveeeed to tfe Mat banaeaiL {4f§lmmt ) I«9aajtka< Im< akcNk tbeckebktoi Mr G«oKs: Mr. Pk' vote and resolution announced in English, French, German, Spani.sh and Italian, will raise their hands. (.4 number raised their hands.) Those who are opposed will raise their hands. (A larger number raised their hands.) The motion wa« declared lost. M. le Prfisident: La question est incertaine; je nc pourrais pa.s me decider. Je pense qu'il faut .savoir nous bomer. II est (^'vident que la plupart il'entre nous ici comprenons au moins I'une des trois langues que je viens de citer: le fran^ais, I'anglais et I'allemiuid. Ce sont lea trois langues dans le.squelles les motions seront faites. Ceux qui .sont de cet avis, qu'ils veuillent bien lever la main. (Levie de mains r/e.s dfUgui^s.) L'6preuve contraire. (Uwie de mains de rpulques diHiguis.) La motion est adoptee. (Applaiuiisscmenls.) 230 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF (Translation) The matter is left in doubt; I cannot decide myself. I think we ought to keep ourselves within bounds. It is evident that most of us here understand at least one of the three languages which I have just mentioned: French, English and German. These are the three languages in which the motions will be made. Those who are of this opinion will kindly raise the hand. (A number of delegates raised their hands.) Contrary minded? {A smaller number of dele^ate^ raised their hands.) The motion is adopted. (Applause.) A recess was taken at 12.55 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 231 Jfourtf) ^cfifsfion COMMERCIAL STATISTICS, AND THE IMMEDIATE INSTITU- TION OF AN INTERNATIONAL OFFICE The members of the Congress reassembled at 3 p.m. President Canon-Legrand Me.-^sicurs, la S(5ance est reprise. Le quatrieme objet & I'ordre du jour ayant 6t6, k la demande des int6ress<5s, remia k la s<5ance de domain, nous aborderons le cinqui^me objet: "Statistique commereiale et insti- tution immediate d'un office international." Le rapporteur, M. Eugene Allard, a la parole, et je prierais les rapporteurs, comme tous les orateurs, d'fitre aussi brefs que possible. (Translation) Gentlemen, the sitting is resumed. The fourth matter in the order of the day having been, at the request of parties interested, postponed until to-morrow's session, we will take up the fifth matter: "Commercial Statistics, and the Immediate Institution of an International Office." The Reporter, Mr. EtjgJine Allard, has the floor, and I ask the Reporters, as all the other speakers, to be as brief as possible. M. Allard: Messieurs, je vais r6pondre h. la demande de notre cher president en 6tant le plus bref possible. Du reste, je ne voudrais pas troubler votre digestion en vous infligeant la lecture de toute la paperasserie, apr6s tous les rapports que vous avez eus. (Translation) Gentlemen, I shall respond to the request of our dear President by being as brief as possible. Moreover, I would not trouble your digestion by inflicting upon you the-, reading of this pile of papers after all the reports you have had. M. le President: On ne lit pas les rapports, on les resume. (Translation) The reports are not read, they should be summarized. M. Eugene Allard, President of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce of Paris Le r6sum6 en sera tr^s simple. La question qui est k I'ordre du jour, la statistique commereiale, a cette bonne fortune, qu'elle est la seule depuis I'institution de nos congrds intemationaux, qui obtient une solution pratique par le fait d'une entente gouvemementale pour r(5tabhsseni(nt d'une statistique douaniere intcmationale. Vous n'ignorez pas que la conference r^unic k Bruxelles s'est mise d'accord sur un groupe supplementaire statis- tique do chaque pays, dans lequel scront relev(''s un nombre d<''termin<5 de produits. Cc groupe- ment forme aujourd'hui deux cent huit cat(''gorics. Vous voyez le beau r dans les tableaux des dchanges du commerce mondial, se ralliant i\ la dsentes i\ la conf(;''rence ; approuve la proposition h, la conference de Hru.xelles de voir cr<5er un bureau international de la statistique commerciale, charge de cenlraliser toutes les indications utiles, pour donner au commerce mondial un aper^u annuel, et autant que possible semestriel, ct par la suite mensuel, du mouvement commercial des difT(5rents j^ays du globe, r^digd confonni5ment au groupement des marchandises adopte par la conference su.>*dite; emet le vceu que le gouvemement beige invite sans retard tous les fitats ii conclure une convention assurant la mise en CEU\Te des travaux projet^s." Voilii, messieurs, les vccux que je vous propose de vouloir bien adopter. (TransUUion) The summary will be ver>- simple. The question which is on the order of the day, Commercial Statistics, has this good fortune, that it is the only one, since the organi- zation of our International Congresses, which obtains a practical solution through a governmental agreement for the establishment of international customs statistics. You are aware that the Brus.sels Conference has agreed on a supplementary statistical group of each country, wherein a fixed number of products will be noted. This group- ing to-day contains 208 categories. You see the beautiful result we have obtained. During our Milan Congress we had 275 categories, and in Brussels, 208. As a result, the fact appears that the conference has accepted or adopted a uniform classification. What is regrettable is, that this same conference, after having declared that a group- ing should be established in the next statistics, those of 1910, has done absolutely noth- ing. All has remained in the same state because at the conference a new proposition was produced, that of organizing a permanent bureau for the establishment of custom- hou.se statistics. It seems that the conference will meet, that a new session will soon take place, and a practical .solution will be reached. I believe that we should formu- late our wish in a request to the government which has taken the initiative of a conference meeting, to hasten its work, so that international commerce may have the desired satisfaction; and this wish appears in my report in terms which might ap- pear more or less threatening, and which I would propo.se to change as follows: "The Congress, recognizing the initiative taken by the Belgian Government in bring- ing together at Bru.s.sfls on September 19, 1910, delegates of twenty-two States to seek for the means of introducing more harmony and unity in the tables of exchanges of the comiiierce of the whole world, approving the decision taken at that conference to have established for each one of tliese States, in addition to its own commercial statistics, a common nomenclature, under which may be grouped all merchandi.se imported or ex- ported under the heading of both weight and value, exi)res.ses the wish that this common nomenclature may ap])ear with the briefest possible delay in the statistical tables of the gov«Tnnients represented at the conference, and hopes" that the Belgian Government may be willing to continue its co-operation for the realization of this program, approves CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 233 the proposition made at the Brussels Conference for the creation of an international bureau of commercial statistics for the purpose of centralizing information under all useful headings to give to the commerce of the whole worKl an annual summary, and as soon as possible a semi-annual summary and eventually a monthly summary of the conmiercial movements of the ditTerent countries of the globe, arranged in conformity with the grouping of merchandise adopted by the aforesaid conference, adopts the resolution that the Belgian Government invite without delay all the States to conclude a convention as- suring the execution of the projected work." These are the suggestions I wish you to adopt. M. le President: Ces motions, sur lesquelles nous aurons ii voter, sont traduites en anglais et en allomand; je vous en donnerai done lecture tout b. I'heure dans les trois langues. Pour ne pas perdre de temps, je donne la parole h M. W. M. Hays, assistant-secretaire de I'agriculture i\ Washington. (Translation) These motions on which we shall have to vote are translated into English and Ger- man and 1 will read them to you later in the three languages. Not to lose time I give the floor to Mr. W. M. Hays, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture at Washington. Mr. W. M. Hays, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Mr. President and Gentlemen: I am at some disadvantage in discussing this question at the present point, but I da wish to discuss for a few moments a broader side of this subject of international statistics^ somewhat from the standpoint of all our markets. I sincerely hope that you will carry this motion in some such form. I don't know the exact form of your motions. This matter of international statistics, world-area statistics, not only of agricultural products but of manu- factured products and all products in store, needs to be followed out in its complete form, as is demonstrated not only by the work done by the statistical bureau of this country and by the bureaus of other countries, but by the bureau of statistics of the International Institute of Agriculture at Rome, which deals with those international statistics that have gradually, as our good friend from Belgium suggests, come under a common nomenclature for the entire world. Those statistics are becoming useful and we need such statistics in our markets. They should not be prepared so much by bureaus of the markets themselves or by private firms in connection with those markets, but by public bureaus. They will be useful not only in the locality where products are originally dealt with, but in the places where they are to be dis- tributed. These statistics will greatly help the producers, the farmers, particularly those producing peri.-^hable products, as well as being of assistance to the market agencies. They will help in the carrying of the right amount of products to the markets all the time, as well as keeping more steady supplies of products. This will have an important bearing on the handling of the pro' indications, aiming at giving annual, .'icmi-annual and monthly reports, worded in accordance with the grouping of the merchandise as adopted by the aforementioned conference." Those who favor the adoption of this proposition, please raise their hands. {Raising of hands.) Those who do not? Adopted. Lastly, Mr. Allard concludes with the wish that the Belgian Government invite without delay all the countries to conclude an agreement to put in operation the pro- jected work. Mr. Shoninger's communication informs us that the French Government is proceeding in the same direction. It is then a resolution which we can, I believe, adopt in any case. It is better that two governments attend to the matter than one. {Reads last resolution in English and German.) Those who arc in favor of adopting this latter proposition will please raise their hands. {Hands are raised.) Those opposed? The Congress adopts the resolution, and we may consider this question as closed. {The French and English text of the resolulions will be found in Mr. Allard's address on a previous page; the German text is as folloivs:) Der KongreC spricht seine Anerkcnnung aus iibcr die .scitens der bolgischen Regierung ergriffcne Initiative bci der Zusammenhcrufung von zweiundzwimzig Staaten in Brlissel, am 19ten Sejitember 1910, zum Zweck der Feststellung von Mitteln und Wegen, um groCere tlbereinstimmung und Gleichmiifiigkeit in der Aufstellung kommerzieller Statistiken in der Welt herbeizufiihren; erteilt seine Zustimmung zum BeschluC der besagten Konferenz, demzu- folge jedcr der in Betracht kommenden Stajiten. aufier der regelmalMgcn kommerzicllen Sta- tist ik, eine gemcinschaftliche Kla.ssifizierung aufstcllt, nach der E.xport- und Import -Guter CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 239 mit der doppelten Spezifikation von Gewicht und Wert gnippiert werdcn; driickt den Wunsch aus, dal3 diese gemeinschaftliche Klassifizierung in den stafischen Tabellen der Regierungen, die auf der Konferenz vertrcten waren, tunlichst bald erscheinen miigen ; und driickt seine Zuversicht aus, daC die belgische Regierung auch in der Zukunft der Verwirklichung dieses Planes sympathisch gegeniiber stehen und dcnselben fordern wird. Der Kongrefi di-iickt ferner seine Zustimmung zu deni auf der Briisseler Konferenz ge- machten Vorschlag aus, demzufolge ein Internationales Statistisches Bureau eingerichtet werden soil, dessen Obliegenlieit es sein soil, alle fiir den \\'elthandel niitzlichen Data zusam- meuzustellen und in cineni jahrlichcn Bericht zu veroffent lichen, niit der weiteren Benierkung, da(5 dieser Bericht tunlichst bald alle sechs Monate, und schlieChch alle Monate erscheinen soil, wobei besagter Bericht die konmierzielle Statistik der verschiedenen Lander des Erdballs auf Grund der von oben besagter Konferenz adoptierten gemeinschaftlichen Klassifizierung enthalten soil; und er driickt ferner den Wunsch aus, die belgische Regierung moge ohne Verzug alle Staaten einladen, ein Abkommen zu trefifen, das die Verwirklichung obigen Wer- kes moglich macht. VALIDATION OF THROUGH-ORDER-NOTIFY BILLS OF LADING M. le President: Nous abordons I'objet suivant de I'ordre du jour qui est: "Confe- rence Internationale sur la validite des Coimaissements directs b, ordre, et utility d'une legis- lation et d'autres moj-ens rendant leur systeme plus eflBcace." Nous avons un tres bon rapport, pr6sente par M. Charles S. Haiqht, de New-York, qui debute par un r6sume, afin de permettre i\ ceux qui ne veulent pas le lire en entier d'en avoir rapidement connaissance. La parole est done h M. Haight. (Translation) We now begin the next subject on the order of the day which is: "The Desirability of an International Conference upon the Validation of Through-order-notify Bills of Lading and of Legislation and Other Means for making the System more Effective." We have a very good report presented by Mr. Charles S. Haight of New York which begins with a summary in order to permit those ^ ho do not care to read it in its entirety to quickly obtain an acquaintance with the subject. Mr. Haight has the floor. Mr. Charles S. Haight, Xew York, N. Y. I did not understand when I was asked to speak before you that it was my privilege to recommend action by the Congress. You will not find, therefore, in my pajier any reference to action. But I have been told that I may make such recommendations, and I would therefore propose the following: First, a resolution that this Congress approves of the legislation proposed and now be- fore the L'nited States Congress in the way of the Pomerene Bill, making carriers respon- sible on their bills of lading where issued by their authorized agents after they have passed into the hands of innocent third parties. Second, a resolution that this Congress approves of the Cotton Bills of Lading Central Bureau for the safeguarding of cotton bills of lading against forgery-. Third, — a point which I have not yet touched upon, — that this Congress recommend to its Permanent Committee a consideration of the desirabilitj- of an international congress for the promotion of uniform laws governing international carriers. It has been my privilege to represent a number of steamship companies. It has been 240 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF vcr>- lucrative for lawyers, but extremely dLsagreeable for them, to operate under the con- ditions cxiMtinK to-day, which are that in Germany a certain exemption in a bill of lading may be perfectly leRal, but in Knghind that exemption may be illoRal and void, and in a third coun- tr>' a bill of lading confaininK that exemption may, when issued, constitute a crime. Inter- national bills of lading are necessarily documents in which at least two countries are interested. It is quite as imiM)ssible for an individual to accomplisli the feat of con.spiracy or matrunony as it is for a single nation to regulate international shipments. You must have international action. And a-s I know the situation of the steamship companies, believe me they would be glad to co-' £mile Jottrand, Mr. Alfred GeoRG and Mr. Edward A. Filene. President Canon-Legrand Me.shieurs, lu s<^'ance est ouverte. M. L.\zard demande la parole sur une question d'ordre. {Trantlaiion) Gentlemen, the session is opened. Mr. Lazard asks for the floor on a question of onier. Mr. Louis Lazard, Chamber of Commerce, Brussels, Belgium Mr. President and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Belgian delegation I want to say that wc were very much disai)pointed in reading this morning in the Boston papers that the Belgian delegates support a gentleman who spoke yestenhiv about arbitration and interrupted our pympathotir President. We want it to go out that the Belgian delegates to this Congress are Mr. Paul Hagemans, Consul General of Belgium in the United States, in Philadelphia; Mr. Adolphe Charlct, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce of Brussels; Mr. Leon Chjiu-ssette of Brus-sels, Mr. Louis Lazard of Brussels, Mr. lx)uis Canon-Legrand, our Presi- dent, Mr. fhnile Jottrand, our General SecretarA", and Mr. Charles Christojjhe from Ghent. We know no other delegate from Brussels, or from Belgium. We have thought it better that these few words should be said at the beginning of this morning's session, in order to avoid any misunderstanding. We do not want the delegates to think that we supported the gen- tleman who spoke yesterday and who is not known to the Belgian delegation. (Applmtse.) Mr. Edward A. Filene, Vice-President, at this j^oint read a letter from Mr. Eihvin D. Mead stating his position in the matter. INTERNATIONAL POSTAL REFORMS IN VIEW OF THE NEXT CON- FERENCE OF THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION IN 1913 M. le President: L'incident est clos. Nous abordons maintenant notre ordre du jour. Nous avons i\ parlcr des r(?formes postales Internationales en \aie de la proohaine conference de r Union Postale Universelle. Le rapporteur est M. Gcorg. Je tiens a reix'ter, messieurs, que si cette question a 6t6 remise t\ la s<5ance de ce matin, c'est i\ la demande (ki Postma.ster General des £tats-Unis, et non pas parce que M. Georg n'dtait pas pret ^\ donner lecture de son rapport aussitdt qu'on I'aurait voulu. {Traiislalion) The incident is closed, ^^'c now take up the order of the day. We have to speak of international postal reforms in view of the next conference of the Universal Postal Union. Tlic Reporter is Mr. Georg. I wish to repeat that if this question has been postponed to this morning's .ses.sion, it is becau.se of tlie riMjuest of the Postmaster-General of the United States, and not because Mr. Georg waa unjirepared to read us his report when it was wanted. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 245 Mr. Alfred Georg, Vice-President of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce Mr. President and Gentlemen: As you have in hand the English translation of the report on International Postal Re- forms, T beg leave to say in French, my own language, the few words that I wish to add in support of the proposed reforms. (Continuing in French) Monsieur le president et messieurs: S'il est exact que nos congres ont pour tdche d'6tudier les moyens de facilitcr le com- merce international, vous estimerez avec moi qu'il est superflu dc motiver longuemcnt les propositions de roforme postale que vous avez sous les yeux. Ces propositions sont en quel- ([ue sorte la r^'.sultante des discussions, et je puis ajouter, des reclamations qui se sont pro- duites dcpuis un certain nombre d'ann6es dans le sein des Chambres de commerce, et d'autres associations similaires, de la plupart des paj's commergants de notre globe. fividemment, ces propositions sont loin de comprendre toutcs les demandes qui ont 6i6 formul6es ii gauche ou h droite, et je comprendrais fort bien que I'un ou I'autre d'entre voua (h'sirat completer la liste des postulats exprirads dans la conclusion du rapport; mais, mes- sieurs, dans un domaine aussi vaste que celui des relations postales intemationales, il faut sHVoir se rcstreindre, en se disant qu'il chaque jour sufht sa peine, et qu'ici comme ailleurs, il convient dc proc6der par t:!'tapes. Qui trop cmbrasse mal (5treint. D'autres trouveront peut-6tre — et j'ai deji\ entendu exprimcr ici cette opinion — que nous demandons trop 5, la fois. A ceux-ljl je r^pondrai que, sans manquer de modestie, nous pouvons et nous devons demander aux Etats de I'Union Postale Universelle de r6aliser dea reformes dont la n6cessit6 n'est plus contestable. Les delegu(5s au prochain congrds postal universel, reprdsentants des administrations postales et du fisc de leur pays, objecteront que la plupart de nos demandes auront pour consequence des diminutions de recettes auxquelles ils ne pcuvent souscrire; mais il ces pre- occupations d'ordre financier, nous opposons et nous continuerons d'opposer les besoins du commerce et de I'industrie, dont la poste est I'instrument et le vehicule le plus indispensable. Et nous pouvons ajouter que ces apprehensions fiscales — I'expdrience de tons les pays I'a montrde — ne sont pas justifides, ou tout au moins sont fort exag6r6es. Plaie d'argent n'est I)as mortelle, et un nouveau developpement des affaires, consequence certaine de I'adoption des reformes que nous demandons, viendra rapidement combler les diminutions de recettes que redoutent les representants du fisc. Ceci dit, je passe aux questions spcciales qui font I'objet du rapport. Si la presidence est d'accord, nous pourrions, en vue de faciliter les dcbats et les decisions finales, prendre I'une apres I'autre les propositions formuiees. Chaoune d'elles n'exigcra que quelques brefs commentaires. (Translation) Mr. President and Gentlemen: If it is a fact that the ta.sk of our Congress is to study means of facilitating inter- national commerce, jou will agree with me that it i.s superfluous to argue at length the proposals for postal reforms which you have before you. These proposals are to some extent the outcome of debates, and I may add also, of complamts which have made their appearance from time to time among the chambers of commerce and other similar associations of most of the commercial countries of the world. Clearly, these proposals are far from comprising all the demands which have been made from various directions, and I understand very well that some of you will wish to add to the list of suggestions formulated at the conclusion of the report; but, gentlemen, in a subject as wide as that of international postal relations we must exercise some restraint, and be a.s patient as po.ssible, since here, as eLsewhere, it will be easier to ad- vance by stages. Who tries too much, succeeds poorly. 246 INTET^XATIOXAL CONGRESS OF Others may i)ossibIy cun-ider — and I have already heard the opinion expressed — that we are a>kinK too much at a time. To these I would reply, with all due modesty, that we can and we should demand of the States of the Universal Postal Union the realization of the reforms whose necessity is no longer debatable. The delegates to the approaching Universal Postal Union representing the postal and financial departments of their countries will object that most of our demands will have as a result a reduction of receipts to which they cannot consent; but to these financial considerations we oppose and we shall continue to oppose the needs of commerce and industrj', of which the postal ser\'ice is the most indispensable vehicle. And we may add that the.«e apprehensions on the score of finance — the experience of all countries has demonstrated it — are not justified, or are at least much exaggerated. A wound in the jK>cketb<>ok is not mortal, and the further development of business, the certain result of the adoption of the reforms which we ask, will .speedily offset the dimini.shed receipts wliich are feare'. After saying thLs I will now pass to the special questions which are the object of the report. If the Chair is willing, we might in order to facilitate debate and final decision, take up the drafts of the resolutions one by one. Each of them will require but a few brief comments. M. le President: M. Georg, vous pourriez pour chaque proposition donner lecture dana les trois langues. {Translation) Ml. Georg, you may be able to give a reading of each of the proposed resolutions in the three languages. M. Georg: Messieurs, pour la question No. 1, et en me r^fdrant aux explications qui se trouvent aux pages 5 ct G du rapport, actuellement, en vertu de la convention postale univer- selle No. 1, la taxe de transport est de 25 centimes, ou leur ^^quivalcnt, pour la lettre jusqu'ii 20 grammes, avec supplement de 15 centimes pour chaque poids ou fraction de poids de 20 grammes. Or, le commerce demande une taxe uniforme de 10 centimes, soit, la taxe payde dans le trafic interne pour le meme poids ou supplement de poids dans toute lY'tendue de rUnion Postale, I'impdt <5tant calculi d'apres le sj-steme mdtrique. Vous savez que la lettre i 10 centimes — 2 cents, 1 penny, 10 pfennigs, etc. — a ddji 6t6 afloptce!5.''airement, il a donn(5 lieu b. des interpretations fort diff6- rente.-* dans les fttats de 1' Union, et il en r^sulte des difficultds et des complications que nous voulons chercher j\ faire disparaltre. Ce n'est i):u<, dison.s-nous, I'absence de valeur, mais c'est la limitation de poids qui doit dtablir la distinction necessaire cntre cette catt-goric d'envois et les colis qui sont .soumLs aux taxes et aux formalits des droits de douane. II en est ainsi dans mon i)ays, la Suisse, entr'autres. Je vous propose par consequent d'adopter les con- clusions suivantes: 5. La disposition de Tarticle 55 de la Convention postale univenselle I, disant que les 6chantillons de marchandises ne doivent pas avoir ile valeur marchande, sera rapportde. La limite de poids des echantillons sera elevee a 500 grammes. Nous arrivons il la question des colis postaux. La Convention postale universcUe IV fixe ii 5 kilogrammes la limite de poids des colis postaux. Le commerce international demande dans ce domaine de nouvelles facilit(?s, d<^'ji!l crudes dans les relations postalcs entre certains pays. II conviendrait de fixer h 10 kilogrammes — c'est la limite actuelle appliqu6e par les pays dont jc jjarle — la limite de poids, tout en admettant pour les pays dont la legislation int<'Ticure n'admet pas le trans])ort de colis superieurs a un i)oids de 5 kilogrammes le droit de maintenir la limite de 5 kilogrammes. La limite du i)oids de 10 kilogrammes 6Uini ainsi devenue la r^gle g(5n6ralc, il convien- drait *idere', sliould not in unj- way involve the responsibility of the postal de- partments. We therefore propo.se for adoption the following resolution: N. The Universal Postal Convention shall impose on the States of the Union a rea- Bon.able iM'riod for the dcliverj' of postal parcels, varying according to the country of des- tination, beyond which the postal administration shall be responsible. Aft«r the publication of this report, which is now some time since, I have been a.sked to complete these resolutions by the addition of four other demands, which I shall briefly state and explain. The resolutions which were sent to me emanate from the German I'nion of Chambers of Commerce, and in part from the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce. I wish to add that the requests formulated by these bodies appear to me, as far as I am concerned, to be entirely acceptable, and I desire sincerely that the Congress may see fit to lend its approval. These refer first to the mailing of business papers. As you know, the Universal Convention provides a carriage of 5 centimes for 50 grams for business papers, but fixes a minimum charge of 25 centimes, corre.'^ponding to a weight of 250 grams. Now, gentlemen, business men con.sider that they should not have to pay this minimum rate when sending business papers of a much lower weight, and desire the abolition of this limitation of weight of 250 grams and of the niinunum charge of 25 centimes. They word the proposal a.s follows: "The rate for business papers should be fixed, as for printed matter, at 5 centimes for each 50 grams or fraction thereof (without the minimum tax of 25 centimes)." I will now jirocccd to the second demand which was sent to me: " Packages for collection on dehvery shall be accepted in all the countries of the Postal Union." Gentlemen, under the present conditions, the International Convention permits the signatory States to accept or refuse packages for collection on dcliverj-, and likewise to set a limit of value for such collections. We ask that in all ca.'ses the acceptance of packages for collection on delivery shall be obligator^' for all the States of the Union. The hist proposal but one is the following: "The Postal Department is responsible for parcels sent for collection on delivery- and which it has delivered without collection of the amount of the charge." Gentlemen, many of you are not aware that in international traffic where a depart- ment has accepted a j)arcel for collection on deUverj- and has dehvercd this package CHAMBERS OF COMMMERCE 253 without obtaining pajincnt of the whole or part of the value of the charge, it is not responsible to the sender. This is an entirely abnormal situation, contrary to elemen- tary principles of law, and wo demand that departments which have accepted a parcel charged for collection shall be responsible until the return of the amount of the collection. Finally, the last question refers to postal packages with a declared value. We re- quest that all the administrations who signed the convention be held to accept such packages with a declared value. I believe that this proposal docs not need any further justification: It is evident that international commerce would be greatly interested to have this suggestion adopted. The administrations which signed the convention relative to postal parcels should be held to accept these packages with a declared value. Tliat is all, gentlemen. M. le President: M. Brett n'est pas ici? Nous avions remis la question lY aujourd'hui afin du lui donner I'occasion de parler sur le .sujet. 11 n'est pas ici, nous aliens passer. Nous avons une courte lettre i\ lire d'un dcl^'gu6 de la Havane: {Translation) Mr. Brett is not here? We had postponed the subject to to-day in order to afford him an opportunity to be heard. As he is not here, we will proceed. We have a short letter to read from a delegate from Havana: Monsieur C.vnon-Legrand, President of the Congress. Dear Sir: In behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of Havana, Island of Cuba, we offer our hearty supjwrt to the reform propositions of Dr. Georg in his able paper, and we wish <>sj)ecially to empha.«ize the recommendation of this Congress to the Postal Congress to be held in Madrid in 1913 for the "Extension of domestic rates of postage on first-cla.ss matter to in- ternational correspondence within the Postal Union," such extension to begin if po.s.siblc by the tirst of January, 1915. Respectfully submitted, J. M. Andreini, Carlos Arnoldson, Delegates Chamber of Commerce Havana, Cuba. M. le President: M. Manes est in.scrit, je lui donne la parole. Je prie les orateurs d'etre aussi courts que possible et de bomer leur temps de parole i\ cinq minutes. {ApiAau- dissemenls.) (Translation) Mr. Manes is registered and I give him the floor. I would ask the speakers to be as brief as possible and to limit their speeches to five minutes. (Applause.) Herr Hugo Manes, Association of Export Hoiises, Frankfort-on-the-Main Meine Herren! Die Postfrage, welche wir heute zu behandeln haben, ist meiner Ansicht nach eine der wichtigsten, die den intemationalen Handelskammer-Kongrefi beschiiftigt. Es ist heutzutage notig, daC man sich einen Techniker anschafft, um zu studicren, wa.s die ein- zelnon Porto-Satze in den vcrschiedenen Staaten sind. Der Zustand, der augenblicklich herrscht, bcsteht seit 37 Jahren. Es hat sich in dieser Zeit sehr viel veriindert, so daU ich dem, was Dr. Georg gesagt hat, vollstiindig beistimmen kann, um zu bitten, daC der Internationale KongreB beschlieCe, daC unter alien Umstiindcn das Weltporto cinheitlich wird. Ich kann unter keinon I'mstiinden, da uns nur fiinf Minuten Redozoit aufgelegt sind, Boi.'-piele anfiih- ren, die die Unannehmlichkeit der Verschiedenheit des Portos zum Ausdruck bringen. 254 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Ich kouime nun zu vcrschicdenen Antriigcn, die spcziell in dcm Paragraph 5 enthalten Bind. Da vermissc ich, dafi dor Hcrr licrichtcrstatter etwas eingefiigt hat, was eigentlich untcr alien Tmstiindcn gcbracht werden niiiCtc, und ich mochte Herrn Georg bitten, viel- leirht liinzuzuftigen, daC bei Artikel 5 der Internationale KongreC wiinscht, daC beziiglich der \'ers<»ndung von Klisclii'fs, dioselbcn unter alien Umstiinden, da .«ie keinen HandeLswert be,sitzen, als Muster ohne Wert behandelt werden. Es ist uns bis heute in Deut.«ciiland nicht golungen, die dout-sche Reichspost dazu zu bringcn, daB diese Klischees als Muster ohne Wert vers«-nil<'t werden. W'ir haben dudurch die groCten iSchwierigkeiten mil unseren ausliindi- schcn Kunden, well, abgesehen vom Porto, die Kundcn gezn-ungen sind, auf die ZoUiimter zu gehcn und die Sendung zu vcrzollcn. (Translation) Gentlemen, the ((uestion of postage which we are treating to-day is in my opinion one of the most important which engages the attention of the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce. It is neccssarj* at the present time to employ an expert to study out the postal regulations of the various States. This .situation ha-s existed for 37 years. There have been many changes in this time so that I can fully :igree in Dr. Gcorg's proposal to ask the International Congress to resolve that the international postage should be uniform in every way. As only five minutes' time is allowed it is impo.>?sible for me to quote examples showing the inconveniences resulting from the variation in postal tariffs. This brings us to the various motions contained in paragraph 5. It seems to me that the esteemed Reporter has omitted an addition which is quite essential, and I should like to a-sk Mr. Georg if he will not add to Article 5 that, in relation to the mailing of elect rotj^ies, these should be accepted in all cases for mailing as "samples without value" since they possess no merchantable value. We have not as yet suc- ceeded in Germany in persuading the Imperial post-office to accept these cuts as "samples without value." This occasions considerable difficult}' with our foreign cus- tomers, since, even regardless of the rate, the customers are obliged to go to the custom-hou.se and to pay duties. M. Georg: Je desire dire que je suis absolument d'accord avec I'honorable pr^opinant que ses cliches devraient 6tre acceptos comme cchantillons sans valcur, mais j 'estime que nous ne pouvons pas pr(!'ciser dans la i)roposition, parce que si nous le faisions sur ce point special, d'autres viendraient immc^'diatemcnt avec d'autres categories de produits dont le transport i\ bon marchd et dans des conditions faciles s'impose tout autant que celui-1^. Je crois que nous devons verser aux d6bats les declarations de I'honorable pr6opinant, mais que nous ne pouvons pas I'introduire dans la proposition que nous avons fonnuI(5e. {Tranislation) I wish to say that I am entirely agreed with the esteemed speaker, that his electros .should be accepted as "samples without value," but I feel that we cannot well state this i^roposition in detail, because if we should do so on one special detail, others would immediately propose other classes of products whose cheap carriage, under convenient conditions, would be as important as this. I believe that we may admit in our di.scus.sion the statements of the .speaker, but that we cannot introduce it into the resolution which we have drawn up. M. le President: Je pen.se que c'est prdcisement de cette fa^on que nous devons envi- sager la discussion. Nous ne sommes pas ici des spC'cialistes en mati^res postales, nous sommes des membres de Chambres de commerce ou d'associations commerciales ou industrielles. II y aura une r6union de spdcialLstes en matiere de poste, et il me paraft difficile que, nous, con- etitu^s comme nous le sommes, nous discutions en ddtail tons ces points .spociaux. Je serais absolument de I'avis que vient d'^mettrc M. Georg dc verser tout ceci comme documents CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 255 pour le congr^s special qui doit se tenir I'an prochain. Si nous ontrions dans la discussion point par point, nous serions encore ici demain matin. N'est-ce pas votre avis, messieurs? (.1 ppla udissem enls.) (Translation) I think this is exactly the course along which wo should direct our discussion. We are not here as specialists in postal matters; we are members of chambers of commerce or commercial and industrial associations. There is to be a meeting of specialists in postal matters, and it seems difficult for us, made up as we are, to discuss all these special points. I am entirely of the opinion expressed by Mr. Georg to forward all these opinions as documents to the special Congress which is to be held next year. If we enter on the discussion point by point, we should still be here to-morrow morning. Is this not your opinion, gentlemen? (Applause.) M. Manes: Alors, vous ne permettez pas que je continue? (Translation) Then, you will not permit me to continue? M. le President: Oui, oui; seulement, nous n'adopterons pas de resolution i cet effet, nous verserons ces remarques comme document. (Translation) Yes, certainly; but we shall not adopt a resolution to this effect, we will record these remarks as a document. , Herr Hugo Manes: Meine Herrenl Wir haben hier femerhin den Paragraphen 6, das Gewicht der Postpakete betreffend. Das ist eine Sache, die meiner Ansicht nach ebenfalls durchgefiihrt werden mufi, nur fehlt hier etwas, was unseren Exporteuren manchmal sehr viel Schaden und I'nannehmlichkeiten macht, niimlich, das von einigen Staaten eingefiihrte ganz besondere GroCenmaC. Es gibt verschiedene Postverwaltungen, die unsere Postsen- dungen refiisieren, wenn die Hohe oder Liinge auch nur urn einige Zentimeter differiert, und da handelt es sich speziell um die Sendungen, die bis zu 5 Kilometer gehen. Was ich verlange, ist, daB der Post-KongreB darauf Obacht gibt, daB diese rigorosen Bestimmungen beziiglich geringen Unterschieds in den GroBcnmafien bei den Postsendungen von der Tagesordnung verschwinden. Dann handelt es sich hier noch um eine Frage, die ich zur Sprache bringen mcichte, das ist die Schadenersatzpflicht der Postvemaltung fiir Einschreibesendungen, die dem Empf an- ger ohne Inhalt iiberliefert werden. Im Artikel S des Weltpostvertragcs heiBt es: ,,Cicht eine Einschreibcsendung verloren, so hat der Absender, oder auf dessen Verlangen der Empfiinger den Fall hoherer Gewalt ausgenommen, .\nspruch auf eine Entschiidigung von 50 Franken." In meiner Pra-xis ist es verschiedene Male und in verschiedenen Lilndem vorgckommen, daB kleine Gegenstande von Waren, die einen bestimmten Wert haben, in registrierten Briefen geschickt \^•urden und behauptet wurde, daB diese Briefe ohne Inhalt abgeliefert wurden. Es fragt sich, ob die Postverwaltung nicht dafiir verantwortlich ist, daB dor Empfiinger das Recht hat, die voUstiindige Sendung zu crhalten. Die dcut.sche Rcichspostvenvaltung hat auf meine Reklamation geantwortet, daB da.s nicht ginge, und ich mcichte daher don Boricht- erstattor bitten, eine kurzo Boinorkung hinzuzufiigen, daB die Schadonorsatzpflicht dor Post- verwaltung fiir derartige Einschroibosondungon in voUom MaBo exist iort. (Translation) Gentlemen, we now come to paragraph 6 relative to the weight of postal parcels. This is also a matter which, in my opinion, ought to be carried out, but one detail is omitted, — a question which has often cau.sed our exporters lo.ss and annoj'ance, — namely, the restrictions of some countries reganiing dimensions. There are some 256 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF post-office dcpftrtments who rcfus6 our packages should the height or length be only a few centinictors out of the way, and this concerns particularly the packages of up to 5 kihjgratns. NMiat 1 would like would be to have the postal congress take into consideration the rvpen\ of these stringent regulations regarding trifling variations in the dimensions of j^ackiiges. Still another question which I would like to mention is the liability of the postal Ber\'ice for registered packages which are delivered to the addressee without their contents. Article 8 of the International Postal Convention says: "In case of the loss of a registered package the sender or, at his request, the addressee, has right to claim comiK'nsal ion up to 50 francs, except in the case of force major." In my experience it has happcnetl several times and in difTerent countries, that small articles having a definite value were mailed as registered packages and it was claimed that these packages were delivered minus their contents. The question is whether the post-office department is n- to another with complete postal franchise. M. le President: ^'ous pouvez le demander. Je doute fort que vous I'obteniez. (Translation) You may ask that. I have strong doubts if j-ou will get it. Dr. Almeida: C'est le vceu. C'est Tint^ret de tous les pays d'avoir tous ces renseigne- mentfl. Alors le vceu est seulement que ces communications-li soient pr(5sent<5es ^ la conven- tion postale ainsi que toutes les publications officielles des Federations commerciales, de Chambres de commerce et des departements officiels des pays. (Translation) That is the wish. It is to the interest of all countries to have all such information. The wish is then only that those should be presented to the postal convention, as well as all official publications of the commercial federations, of the chambers of commerce and of the official departments of nations. M. le President: La discussion est done close. Vous avez entendu les difTcrents ora- teurs, vous avez vu le depcH de leurs documents; je vous propose done de passer une resolu- tion dans ce sens, et que le comite iiermancnt ait pour mission d'attirer I'attention du Bureau International de I'l'nion Postale sur les dep6ts qui ont ete faits au cours de cette seance et de verser i\ ce bureau les documents que nous avons re^us ^ ce sujct. Je propose done d'avoir la resolution suivante: "IjC comite permanent sera instruit de presenter k I'attention de I'Union Postale Univer- eelle toutes les questions de rcforme postale qui ont ete consid6rees dans ce congr^s." CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 259 (Translation) The discussion is then closed. You have heard the different speakers. You have seen the text of their documents and I would propose the passage of a resolution in that sense, that the Pennanont Committee should have authority to draw the atten- tion of the International Bureau of the Postal Union to the propositions which have been presented in the course of this sitting, and to turn over to that bureau the documents we have received on the subject. I propose, therefore, the following resolution: "The Permanent Committee shall be instructed to bring to the attention of the Uni- versal Postal Union all the questions of postal reform that have been discussed at this Congress." M. le President: M. le rapporteur Georg a la parole. {Translation) The Reporter, Mr. Georg, has the floor. M. Georg: Je pense que vous 6tes tous d'accord que je demande h. la pr6sidence de vouloir bien faire mettre au vote les propositions qui sont consignees dans le rapport que je vous ai present^ tout i I'heure. (Translation) I believe you will all agree that I may request the Chair to be so kind as to take a vote on the propositions which appear in the report that I presented to you a short time ago. M. le President: Si nous votons point par point? (Translation) A vote on each point? M. Georg: Xon, il a 6i6 convenu au d6but que nous voterions sur I'ensemble de ces propositions, et que les observations formuloes seraient vers<5es au debat. (Translation) No, we have agreed at the outset that we vote on the ensemble of the proposi- tion, and that the observations made would be deposited at the desk. M. le President: Qui. Je demande done de passer un vote sur I'ensemble des proposi- tions, 6tant entendu que les observations formuloes apres seront vers(5es au debat ii, titre de documents. Est-ce que la chose est bien comprise? Ceux qui sont d'avis de voter la r(5solu- tion dans ce sens, qu'ils veulent bien lever la main. (Lev^e de mains g^nirale.) L'6preuve contraire. (Personne ne live la main.) II n'y a done pas d'opposition; en consequence la question est ainsi vid6e. (Translation) Yes. I request then a vote on the ensemble of the propositions, it being understood that the observations expressed afterward shall be deposited at the desk as documents. Is the matter well understood? Those who favor the resolution in this sense, please raise their hands. (General raising of hands.) Any opposition? (Xo hands are raised.) Then there is no opposition; as a result the question is thus settled. 260 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE DESIRABILITY OF INTERNATIONAL UNIFORMITY OF ACTION IN THE MATTER OF CONSULAR INVOICES M. le President: M. Thomas Sammons remplace le rapporteur M. \V. J. Carr. {Translation) Mr. TuoMAs .Sammons takes the place of the Reporter, Mr. W. J. Carr. (Mr. Thomas Sammons is called and has the floor.) Hon. Thomas Sammons, United States Consul General, Yokoahma, Japan Gentlemen: An honor luus been .^^uddenly tliru.>' tlisadvantageous not only to American business men, who from these statistics are unable to get information about the very origin of the goods imported, but also to the conclusion of commercial treaties for which reliable statistics form an indis- pensable basis. The knowledge of the real foreign traffic is a very important economical factor. In order to find out the real amount of the foreign traffic of the .Vmerican states it is therefore neces- sarj- that invoices should always be authenticated by consulates having authority at the real place of origin, and not at the port of departure, as it has to take place now in many States. The President: Mr. Bexet. 262 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Mr. Lawrence V. Benet, American Chamber of Commerce of Paris Gentlemen, the delegates of the American Chamber of Commerce of Paris, owing to the ver>' hijtuation and daily exi>erience of the members with consular invoices, are placed in a position favorable for thorouRhly appreciatinR the necest^ity for uniformity not only in con.'' fines, the shipper cannot make up his consular invoice until he is in possession of all the details. He cannot know the exact amount of the freight until he actually receives the bills of lading from the steamship company and often goods are placed on board up to a few hours before the sailing of the steamer. He cannot calculate the amount of the insurance which he must cover until he knows the freight and has approxima- ted the other expenses, as prepaid freight and other advance charges must be insurtd as well as the goods themselves. Then he must determine the amount of his commission, if he is a commi.ssion merchant, which is naturally figured on all disbursements. All this takes time and labor and leaves no time for the preparation of an accurate consular invoice and obtain- ing its certification bj- the consul before the steamer leaves, if the bills of lading are received only at the la.'^t moment. No rush orders can be executed. The shipper from New York overcomes this difficulty in some instances by forwarding his shipping documents after the steamer has sailed via Mobile or New Orleans, trusting to luck that by thus employing a part rail and part water route his papers may reach their destination before the arrival of the stea- mer carrj'ing the goods. This method, however, is uncertain and is not available to European shippers or shippers from Mobile or New Orleans themselves. If the consignee does not receive his papers in time he cannot take his goods out of the custom-house on their arrival and may have to pay heavy storage charges and may possibly incur a fine. The next and last classification which I make of consular invoices has the distinguishing feature that the fee is not a fixed sum or a definite percentage of the value, but is an arbi- trary amount which varies according to the value of the shipment but in no proportionate ratio. This group is a large one and embraces the following countries: Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Salvador, Santo Domingo and Venezuela. There are also various differences in the requirements of the countries composing this class, some taking only the value of the goods into consideration, others collecting the fee on the freight and other charges as well; some requiring i^cparate invoices for each shipping mark, others pennitting several shipping marks to appear on the same invoice. The objection to calculating the fee on the expenses has already been pointed out; the system of charging arbitrary sums for specified amounts is unjust to the small importer and gives an undue advantage to the larger importer. Consider briefly the fees of the different countries in this group. Chile charges J2.00 on the value of goods up to ?2oO; S2..50 up to $300; S3.00 on the value of goods up to $450; $3.50 up to $500; $7.50 up to $1250; $13.50 up to $2500; $26.00 up to $5000. As it is the importer who eventually pays the fee, it is evident that the merchant who imports $5000 worth of goods is taxed only i per cent, while the man who buys $300 at a time jiays 83-100 of 1 per cent, and he who purchases $600, H per cent. The larger the importer, the greater the advantage which his ovra government gives him over his smaller competitor. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 265 In Guatemala the discrimination in favor of the large man is still greater. For goods valued up to $99.99 the fee is S7.00; up to S449.99 it is SIO.OO; up to $999.99 it is $14.00; up to $2999.99 it is $16.00; up to $5999.99 it is $20.00. For $6000 and over it is $20 plus $2 for each additional $1000 or fraction thereof. On this basis the importer of $10,000 worth of goods would be taxed $28 or a little more than i of 1 per cent, while the $500 importer would have to pay $14 or nearly 3 per cent. Such great differences also furnish a strong temptation to under-valuation of goods, which, although the untler-valution may be very slight, is nevertheless demoralizing. Suppose the true value of the goods is $502; if honestly declared the fee would be $14, while it would be only $10 if they were declared at §499. For Honduras the fee on goods valued up to $25 is $1.00; up to $50 is $1.50; up to $100 it is $3.00; up to $500 it is $6.00; up to $1000 it is $10.00. For over $1000 it is $10 plus 25 cents for each $100 up to $10,000. For over $10,000, it is $32.50 plus only 15 cents for each $100. Thus for $500 you are taxed U per cent, while for $10,000 only i of 1 per cent. In the case of Mexico the fees change for every $500 with the advantage always in favor of the large importer, although not in so marked a degree as in some other cases, $500 paying about i of 1 per cent and $5000 about i of 1 per cent. Nicaragua presents the following case, the fee being: $2.50 up to $100; $3.00 up to $200; $5.00 up to $500; $10.00 up to $1000. In excess of $1000 the fee is $10 and i of 1 per cent of the excess. Hence the importer of over $1000 has a great advantage over the smaller im- porter. Nicaragua also calculates its fees on the freight and other charges. Salvador also penalizes the small man by charging $1.00 on invoices up to $25; $2.00 up to $100; $4.00 up to $500; $6.00 up to $1000. For over $1000 the charge is $6.00 plus 25 cents per $100. For over $5000 the charge is $16.00 plus 10 cents per $100. Thus the tax on $500 is $4.00 or f of 1 per cent, while on $10,000 it is $21, or only i of 1 per cent. A similar scale for Santo Domingo compels the $500 importer to pay $3 or i of 1 per cent, while the $10,000 importer pays $11 or 11-100 of 1 per cent. The scale is: $1.00 for $50; $2.00 for $200; $3.00 for $1000; $4.00 for $2000; $5.00 for $4000; for over $4000 the charge is $5.00 plus $1.00 for each $100. Venezuela has a still different range of fees, the charges running: $3.75 for up to $100; $5.00 for up to $200; $7.50 for up to $800. For over $800 the consul collects $7.50 plus $1.25 for each $200. Thus $500 pays $7.50 or li per cent; $1000 pays $8.50 or 85-100 of 1 per cent; $10,000 pays $63.75 or 64-100 of 1 per cent. In the interests of fair play to their own merchants the countries in this last group should revise their scale of consular fees and put them upon a percentage basis, no matter what ac- tion they may take in the matter of securing uniformity of such invoices. The disadvantage to the small importer might be overcome were the shipper permitted to consolidate shipments to various parties on a bill of lading and issue only one consular in- voice, consigning all the goods to one party for distribution. This, however, Ls prevented by the regulation of most of the countries that only one shipjnng mark may appear on the con- sular invoice. It is po.ssible, of course, to give all the goods one general shipping mark, desig- nating the separate consignees by the different numbers given to the package composing the shipment, but this recourse is generally available only to the large commission houses who may have several clients in one place — and seldom to the manufacturer who does a direct business — and these customers must all be on good terms with each other and consent to the arrangement. In any case it is liable to cause delay in the execution of the order, confusion in the delivery of the goods and makes it impossible to negotiate each invoice separately. In short, it is generally unsatisfactory. This system of calculating fees also works somewhat to the restraint of trade in rendering it extremely difficult to make C. I. F. quotations, — that is to say, quotations which include the cost, insurance, freight and all other charges. Practically all articles that are sold in bulk or that are subject to violent fluctuations in price should be sold on cable quotations, subject to acceptance by cable, these quotations being the price per unit delivered in the port of entry. 266 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF With the consulur fees or taxes, however, varj'ing in no fixed ratio to the value or quantity, it is impossible to determine a unit. Thus the countries using this system force their mer- chants to do a bu.sinesrt which is unneces^sarily Kpeculative. I have gone thus into detail in tlie matter of consular requirements in order to emphasize the imiKjrtance of making some reforms. It is now two years since the resolutions cited by Mr. Carr were adopted by the Conference of American States in Buenos Aires and nothing whatever has been done. It is pos.sible that the matter has not been brought forcibly enough to the attention of commercial organizations such as arc represented at this Congress. After ex.amining tlii.s somewhat fonnidable display of the difTcrences and difficulties in the documents, it might be asked why are consular invoices required. They apparently serve one or more of three purposes. First, to facilitate statistical work. Second, to classify and value the goods for custom-house purpKJses and to prevent false entries. Thinl, to raise revenue. As to the first, the making of con.sular invoices would appear to cause unnecessary' labor and loss of time. All steamship companies require that the bill of lading shall show marks, numbers, numbers of packages, class of goods, quantities and value. If the con.sul requires these particulars for his records, an extra copy of the bill of lading can easilj' be fumi.shed him as in the case of Uruguay. The custom-house at the port of entry gets an identical record, as a bill of latiing must be presented to the consignee when the goods are entered. These two copies should be sufficient for all statistical purposes. As for the second object, the bill of lading again answers every requirement and is again supplemcnteil by the consignee's custom-house entr>-. If desirable a separate invoice may be prepared for custom-house ends as in the case of Costa Rica, and it is immaterial whether it is certified at the point of shipment or at the port of entry — for it must be borne in mind that in the final anah-sis it is the shipper's word that the consul takes that the statements in the consular invoice are true and correct. lie has neither the time nor the means to verify them himself. In regard to the third object, to raise revenue, it has already been pointed out that it is the consignee who eventually pays all the consular fees, since the shipper invariably either charges them separately in his commercial invoice or adds them to the price of the goods, be they small or large. It therefore seems to be a circuitous method of taxation, giving un- nece.ssarj' trouble and causing loss of time to the wrong party. The fee or tax could be col- lected more directly at the port of entry by adding its amount to the duties as a sur-tax to maintain, if jou will, the consular service. It is well to note that none of the countries re- quiring consular invoices are free-trade countries, although there are countries which require no consular documents and which still have a high tarifT; hence it would necessitate no new machiner>' to collect the fee in this way. I venture to suggest, therefore, that to facilitate international commercial relations, the aim of the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce should be, not merely to secure uniformity in the matter of consular invoices, but to abolish them entirely, as documents whose i)urpose can be more conveniently served othersvise. The certificate of origin required for gosident, messieurs les mcmbres du congr6s international, je represente la Chambre de commerce de Montreal. Comme I'a dit M. Wilbur Carr, il faut de plus en plus tendre k la simplification des moyens permettant aux nations d'avoir des relations les unes avec les autres. Faire lY'conomie du travail et des capitaux et faire I'accord mutuel comme base des re- lations, tant politiques que commerciales; et pour arriver ^ cette simplification, h cette Eco- nomic et vers cet accord mutuel, M. Carr reconimande d'assurer la r(''glementation uniform en ce qui conccme la facture paraph(?e par les consuls. Or, la Chambre de commerce de Mon- trtl-a! (Canada), soumet respectueusemcnt h ce congrcs s'il ne serait pas desirable d'elargir le cadre de la question qui nous occupe en ce moment et d'(?mettre le vopu que le gouvernements des divers pays represent<5s k ce congrds, autorise les Chambres de commerce k l(5galiser les (^^critures d'exp(?diteurs, comme cela se fait d6j^ par le consul en vertu du traits qui rdgle les relations commerciales du Canada avec la France. Cette autorisation est donn^e aux prc.'ii- dents des Chambres de commerce et aux presidents des associations commerciales en Italic. Je crois que le pr<5sidcnt des Chambres de commerce a cette autoritd nulle part autant qu'au Canada. Cette innovation aura d'heureux r<''sultats. Le Canada est appel(^' a devonir un grand pays d'exi)ort.ation, mais le nombre de consuls n'est pas aussi considcf'rablc qu'il dcvrait I'^tre. Or, si les gouvernements exigent un certificat d'originc vis6 par les consuls, les ex])ortateurs canadieiLs auront k soufTrir de graves inconv^nients, et il en serait de mfime pour tous paj's oil le territoirc est immense. En Canada, les consuls sont <5tablis dans les grandes villes. Or, on ne peut se rcndre comptc des ennuis des c.xportateurs que le jour oh il faudra se rendre chez le consul pour faire viser les factures. D'un autre c6t<5, il existe des Chambres de commerce dans toutes les villes. On voit quels services peut rendre une loi qui autorise les pr(?sidents des Ciiambres de com- merce k parapher les factures; c'est par ce moyeu qu'on arrivera k simplificr toutes les formalit«''s qui r^gissent les rapports entrc les commergants des divers pays. {Translation) Mr. President, Members of the International Congress, I represent the Chamber of Commerce of Montreal. As Mr. Wilbur Carr has said, there is more and more need for the simplification of the means by which nations have relations with one another. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 269 With a view to the economy of capital and labor and with a v'iew to making mutual good will the foundation of both political and commercial relations, and in ortler to arrive at this economy and to approach this mutual good will, Mr. Carr recommends uniform regulations in the matter of consular invoices. Now the Chamber of Commerce of Montreal, Canada, respectfully submits to this Congress whether it will not be de- sirable to enlarge the scope of the question which we have under consideration at this time, and to adopt a resolution that the governments of the different countries repre- sented at this Congress authorize chambers of commerce to legalize the documents of e.xporters, as is done already by the consul under a treaty which regulates the commer- cial relations of Canada with France. This authority is given to the presidents of chambers of commerce and to the presidents of commercial associations in Italy. I think that the presidents of chambers of commerce have this authority nowhere as much as in Canada. This innovation will have verj' happy results. Canada is becoming a great exporting country-, but the number of consuls is not as large as it should be. Now if the governments demand a certificate of origin vised by the consuls, Canadian exporters will have to suffer great inconvenience, but it will be the same for all coun- tries where the territory is immense. In Canada the consuls are located in the large cities. It is impossible to realize the great inconvenience to exporters if it should be necessary to go to the office of the consul to have the invoices signed. On the other hand chambers of commerce exist in all cities. It is easy to see of what great service would be a law which authorizes the presidents of the chambers of commerce to sign the invoices. By this means the formalities governing the dealings between merchants and different countries would be simplified. M. le President: M. Morton a la parole. {Translation) Mr. Morton has the floor. Mr. C. D. Morton, London Chamber of Commerce Mr. President and Gentlemen, we have great pleasure in supporting the most able paper of Mr. Wilbur Carr, whom we think has dealt with this subject in a very clear, concise and able manner. He has taken up every possible detail and explained it fully, and we give it most hearty support. There is one point I would like to mention, and that is in regard to a custom that pre- vails in some parts of South America of delivering goods against a consular invoice. I have always understood myself, and I think it is the general unflerstanding, that a consular in- voice is not to be used as a bill of lading. But this does occur in a few of the republics. I take the liberty of mentioning it here, as I think it is a practice that we do not wish to see grow. In London, we consider the bill of lading to be the legal document which fur- nishes the only title to claim the goods. {A-pplause.) M. le President: M. Soetbeer a la parole. {Translation) Mr. Soetbeer has the floor. Dr. Soetbeer, "Drr Deutsche flandclslag" of Berlin. Mcine Herren! Die Tagesordnung lautet: ,,Vereinheithchung der Konsulats-Fakturen," und der Herr Berichterstattcr wiinscht, daC wir uns dafiir aussprechen, daB die Konsulats- Fakturen vereinheitlicht werden. 270 INTEHXATIOXAL CONGRESS OF Ich bin nicht (lagogcn, — im Gegenleil, ich glaube, daC dies wiinschenswert ist; — aber ich hnlM? dan Iknliirfnis zu crkhiren, daC dcr Wunsch sehr bcschciden ist. Es ist nicht so wichtig, daC die Konsulats-Kakturen einhoitlich sind, als dafi nioglichst wenig Beliistigungen durch die Konsulat.s-Kakturcn herbeigcfiihrt werden. Moglichst wenig Beliistigungen nach drei Hichtungon bin: einnial, dafi die verlangte Zahl der Konsulats-Fakturcn moglichst gering ist; zweitens, daD die geforderten Formalitaten tunlichst einfach sind, — damit man nicht etwft eret zum Notar zu gehen braucht, wie es einige Staaten verlangen; und drittens, daC sie moglichst billig sind. („Schr richtig.'") Das sind drei Forderungen, die unbedingt wichtiger sind, als die Vereinheitlichung, denn wenn dicsc \'ereinhoitlichung schlccht ist, dann haben wir kein Interesse daran, wir haben nur dann cin Interesse daran, wenn die Vereinheitlichung gut ist, und wir haben das erste Interesse darjin, — wie auch schon einrr der Ilerren \'orredner bemerkte, — daC die Konsulats-Fakturen Qberhaupt abgeschaflt werden. {,,Bravo! " — „Sehr richtig ! ") Els ist eine besondere Liebenswiirdigkeit unsercr Freunde aus den Vereinigten Staaten, daC sie uns Gelcgcnheit geben, hier zu sagen, daG wir leidcr in Dcutschland selu* belastigt wertlen durch die Fordemngen der Vereinigten Staaten, die man an diejenigen Firmen stellt, die nach den Vereinigten Staaten exportieren, hinsichtlich der Konsulats-Fakturen, wie z. B. Angabo des Wertes usw., und ich mcichte um Nachforschungen dariiber bitten, inwieweit diese Anfonlerungen richtig sind, nach der Art, wie die Sachen gemacht werden miissen. Kurz und gut: es gibt eine ganze Anzahl von Dingen, die man hier vorbringen konnte, und ich mochte erklaren, indem ich schlieCe, daC ich den hier in der Vorlage geiiuBerten Wunsch fiir Behr bescheiden halte, und dafi ich nur deshalb keine weiteren Antriige stelle, weil sie uber den Rahmen der heutigen Tagesordnung hinweggehen wurden. {Beifall.) (Translation) Gentlemen, the order of the day reads, "Uniformity in the Matter of Consular In- voices," and the esteemed Reporter wishes to have us pronounce ourselves in favor of having consular invoices made uniform. I am not oi)posed, — on the contrar}', I believe this is highly desirable, — but I would like to say that this wish is rather modest. It is not so important to have the consular invoices uniform as it is to have as few annoyances as possible in connection with consular invoices. We wish to reduce as far as possible the trouble in three direc- tions: first, the number of copies of the consular invoices should be as small as possible; second, the formalities required should be simplified as far as possible, — for instance, to make it imnecessary to first go before a notarj', as is required by some countries; and, third, the charges should be as low as jwssible. {Approval.) These three demands are undoubtedly more important than mere uniformity, since if this uniformity is bad it would not be to our advantage. We arc only interested in it if the uniformity is good, and our greatest interest, — as one of our speakers has already siiid, — would be to have the consular invoices abolished altogether. {Applause.) It is especially kind of our friends in the United States that they give us an oppor- tunity to say here that we are in Germany very much bothered through the require- ments of the United States from firms ex])orting to the United States in respect to the consular invoices, as for instance, the statement of value and so forth, and I should be glad to obtain information as to how far these requirements are correct and how the matter really should be carried out. In brief, there are many things which might be stated here, and I will say in closing that I consider the desire expressed in the motion to be ver>- modest, and that 1 am only withheld from a further motion by the fact that it would exceed the scope of our present order of the day. {Applarise.) M. le President: M. Kiesselbach a la parole. (Translation) Mr. KiEssEUJACH has the floor. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 271 Dr. A. Eliesselbach, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce I am not able to follow the deductions of this report, because I believe that the disad- vantages of the present system of consular invoices would not be avoided if we should accept this proposed form for consular invoices. C)n page 2 of the report you find enumerated a number of complaints about the present system. The first complaint you find there is that "Some countries require the shipper to submit only three copies, while others require five, six or, as in the case of Ecuador, seven copies." The proposed form of invoice does not say anything about the number or price which the shipper would have to submit, so that at this l)oint the accei)tance of the proposed form would not be of any advantage. The secoml point concerns the language which is to be used for the invoices. The report says, "Most countries require invoices to be in Spanish, while others permit also the use of English." The proposed form of invoice uses the English language. I do not know if it is intended to prescribe exclusively the use of the English language. That would be no relief for an exporter in Spain. But if it is not intended, also in this point the acceptance of the proposed form could not bring any advantage. The third point you find on page 2: "Invoices for some of the countries must be sworn to," etc. That is the same as with other points you find enumerated there. So I am sorrj- to come to the conclusion that the acceptance of the proposed form of con- sular invoice cannot be considered, as I say, as in the line of progress. M. le President: M. Maxes a la parole. (Translation) Mr. Manes has the floor. Herr Hugo Manes, Associatioti of Export Houses, Frankfort-on-the-Main Mcine Herren! Um Ihnen nur an einem Beispiel klarzumachen, wie sehr es notig ist, die Konsulats-Fakturen einer einheit lichen Regelung zu unterziehen, will ich nur mitteilen, daC ich hier ungefiihr ein Dutzend Briefe von deutschen Ex-porteuren und Fabrikanten babe, in denen ausgefiihrt wird, daC die Konsulate der Kubanischen Republik die deutschen Faktu- ren, die nach Kuba gehen, in einer sehr eigentiimUchen Weise behandeln. Der General-Konsul in Hamburg verlangt eine siebenfache Ausfiihrung auf von ihm bezogenen Formularen, von denen jc die erste Seite mit 10 Pfennig und je die zweite Seite mit 5 Pfennig bcrcchnet wird. Der Konsul in Bremen verlangt eine fiinffache und der Kon- Bul in Niimberg eine dreifache Ausfertigung dor Fakturen. Hieraus ersehen Sie, meine Herren, daC es unbedingt erforderlich ist, die ganze Frage einmal einheitlich zu regeln. (Beifall.) {Translation) Gentlemen, to show you by an example how necessary it is to have consular in- voices subject to uniform regulations I would say that I have here about a dozen letters from German exporters and manufacturers stating that the consulates of the Cuban Republic treat the German invoices which are sent to Cuba in a verj' peculiar maimer. The Consul General in Hamburg requires seven copies on forms furnished by him, for which a charge is made of ten Pfennigs for the first page and five Pfennigs for each additional page. The Consul in Bremen requires five copies, while the Consul in Nuremburg only demands three copies. This will show you, gentlemen, that it is entirely to be desired that the entire question should be uniformly regulated. (Applause.) M. le F*resident: M. Paul Meyer a la parole. (Translation) Mr. Paul Meter has the floor. 272 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Mr. Paul Meyer, .\oUingham Cfuimbcr of Commerce Mr. Prcsidt-nt and Gentlemen, the time for closing our proceedings is approaching, and I fhall be verj' brii-f. While 1 am most anxious not to hurt the feelings of our American friendii, who have done and are doing so much for our comfort and pleii-sure, I think I must not let this occttsion pass without mentioning the abuses to which consular invoices sometimes lea', I am authorized to state that notwithstanding the position which my govern- ment may wish to take in this matter, the commercial interests in Peru wi.sh and desire the complete abolition of the con.sular invoice — just attach the signature of the con.sul to two copies of the bill of lading, thus making it more valid if possible. I have the honor to salute you. {Applause.) M. le President: Le dernier orateur est AL ErrcfeNE Allard. {Translation) Mr. Eugene Allard will be the last speaker. M. Eugene Allard, President of Belgian Chamber of Commerce of Paris Je n'ai qu'une seule demande k faire: devant les mesures qu'on nous propose, devant I'esp&ce de reportage qu'on veut donner h ces mots "factures consulaires," eh bien! messieurs, je crois qu'il appartient au congres de demander carr(5ment la sup[)ression pure et simple de la facture consulaire. (Translation) I have only one request to make. In advance of the steps which are proposed, in advance of the kind of continuance .sought to be given to the words "consular in- voices," I think, gentlemen, that it would be proper for the Congress to demand squarely the absolute abolition of the consular invoice. M. le President: J'ai une proposition: nous nous trouvons en presence d'un rapport. Nous prcnons acte de vos remarques. Les orateurs ont fini d'adresser la parole, je vais main- tenant donner lecture de la proposition. (Translation) A motion has been presented; we have a report before us. We will make due note of your remarks. The speakers have finished their speeches. I will now read the draft of the resolution. {Continuing in English) The Congre.ss approves in principle the proposal for uniformity of consular invoices, and recommends to the interested States for their consideration the form of consular invoice pre- pared by the Fourth Conference of the Pan-.\merican I'nion. The Congress approves the recommendation for moderate con.sular fees and their strict limitation to amounts necessary to cover the cost of the consular service. {Continuing in French) Ceux qui sont d'avis d'adopter ces conclusions, qu'ils veulent bien lever la main. {Lev6e de mains ginirale.) L'dpreuve contraire? Le Congris adopte. (Translation) Those in favor of adopting these resolutions will plea.se raise their hands. (General raising of hands.) Contrarj- minded? The Congress adopts the resolutions. 274 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Un D616gu6: Monsieur Ic Prdsident . . . {Translation) A Delegatk: Mr. President . . . M. le President: Sur ciuellc question, monsieur? (Triiiuslation) On what question, please? His Excellency Antonio Martin Rivero, Minister of Cuba, Washington, D. C; Delegate of the Government of Cuba I will speak in English. This proposition wjus presented at the table by the delegation from Cuba. I sent it myself and I want it to stand on record that this was proposed by this delegation, and also that 1 know that the representative of Japan desires to second that mo- tion before it is put to vote — that is, the question before the house. The President: That will be recorded in the transactions. THE DESIRABILITY OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PRICES AND THE COST OF LIVING M. le F*resident: Maintenant, nous abordons le dernier ordre du jour. J'ai demands hier d'avoir un peu dc patience et que nous pourrions ainsi terminer ce matin. II est midi, nous avons uuc heure devant nous, et avec un peu de bonne volontd, nous pouvons finir. (Translation) We will now begin on the last subject on the order of the day. I asked yesterday that you kindly have a little patience which will enable us to finish this morning. It is now twelve o'clock; we have an hour before us and with a Uttle good will we shall be able to finish. M. le President: Le rapporteur, M. Fisher, a la parole. (Translation) The Reporter, Mr. Fisheb, has the floor. Prof. Irving Fisher, Yale University Gentlemen, inasmuch as my report has been pubUshed and circulated I will confine my- self, in order to save time, to a brief summary of the report, for the benefit of those who have not read it. The fact of high prices is world-wide. Primarily this is a business fact. Convulsions in prices, booms and depressions, concern rightly business men. Less than a generation ago the whole world was complaining of a prolonged fall in prices; now it is complaining of a jiro- longed rise in prices. Then the cry was. Depression of trade; now the cr>- is. The high cost of living. Then there wa.s a great deal said about the purchiusing power of money increasing, and now the purchasing power of money is decreasing. Then much was said about the scar- city of gold; now much is sjiid about the abundjince of gold. Then there were proposals carried out for intemationiU conferences on the gold question, and to-day there is a proposal for an international conference on the whole subject of the hi gh cost of living. I believe the time will come when business men may well feel the need of a more stable CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 275 standard of value. That is, we should have a gold standard which is of constant purchasing power instead of merely, as at present, constant weight. One of New York's foremost busi- ness men, a cotton broker, is to-tlay devoting much of his time to e.xliibiting the evils to in- vestors and business men of a variable dollar. The proposal for an international investigation of the high cost of living — the facts, the causes, the effects, the possible remedies, including not only the .subject of a variable unit of purchasing power, but also the subject of the purchasing jiower of one's whole income, has been endorsed by the leading business men and organizations of this countr>' and some of Euroj)e. Financial editors, railway presidents, bankers and others, have joined in the move- ment for an international investigation. Manj- chambers of commerce have done this. A partial list is included in the printed report. It inclutles the Boston Chamber of Commerce. The proposal has the endorsement of the President of the United States and of all the candi- dates for the presidency in the present campaign. It has the endorsement of the "London I'A'onomist," of the "London Statist"; the endorsement of Bemhard Dernburg, formerly Secretary' of State of Germany; of Hon. Raymond Poincare, Premier of France; Dr. Robert Meyer, Finance Minister of Austria; Dr. Morawitz, President of the Anglo-Austrian Bank of Vienna; Signor Luigi Luzzatti, formerly jMini.ster of State, Rome; of Baron Y. Sakatani, formerly Finance Minister of Japan, and many others, a partial list of whom is given in the printed report. On February 2, 1912, President Taft sent a special message to Congress, advocating that Congress authorize him to call together an international conference to discuss the cost of living. In that message he said : "There has been a strong movement among economists, business men and others inter- ■>ted in economic investigation to secure the appointment of an international commission to look into the cause for the high prices of the necessities of life. "For some years past the high and steadily increasing cost of living has been a matter of such grave public concern that I deem it of great public interest that an international confer- ence be proposed at this time for the purpose of preparing plans, to be submitted to the va- rious governments, for an international inquiry into the high cost of living, its extent, causes, effects and possible remedies . . . "The numerous investigations on the subject, official or other, already made in various countries (such as Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States) have themselves strongly demonstrated the need of further study of world-wide scope. Those who have conducted these investigations have found that the phenomenon of rising prices is almost if not quite general throughout the world; but they are baffled in the attempt to trace the causes by the impossibUlity of making any accurate international comparisons." Prior to the President's message. Senator Crawford had introduced a bill for this pur- pose, and afterwards Mr. WiHiam Sulzer, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House, introduced a bill, and the Senate bill has been unanimously jias-sed in April, 1912, and it has been unanimously recommended by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on May 15, 1912, in an elaborate report of twenty-nine pages. It now goes over as unfinished business, to be voted on in the House of Representatives at the next Congress. Having passed one House it still requires pas.sage in the other and the signature of the President. The work to be undertaken by such an inquiry' would relate to three branches. First, the facts — the facts as to the high cost of living; .second, the cau.ses; third, the remedy. Even as to the facts, there is difference of opinion. Although there is a great deal of glib discussion, when the facts as presented are challenged they arc found to rest on very insecure foundation. Very few nations have any index numbers showing the extent of the change in prices. The few that have — such as the United States, Canada, England, France, Germany, Japan and India — all have them bj- different methods. For instance, the United States Bureau of Labor has an index number involving 256 commodities; England, through the wool merchant, Mr. Saurbeck, has an index number of 44; the "London Economist" has 22. 276 IXTERXATIOXAL CONGRESS OF Our Commisaioncr of Labor, Dr. Xeill, has long sought to secure some degree of unity of method and compariibility of statistics and index numbers; and I am informed this morning that the National Hungarian Commercial -\8sociation at Budapest has recently passed a resolution asking some methcxl of uniformity in index numbers of prices. As to the causes, there is much di.sagreement. Much is said of gold, something of credit, something of tariffs. There are at least twenty odd causes assigned for the high cost of living. These should be investigated and reduced to a few, at any rate. As to remedies, there is still more need of an international conference. Many minor practical propowils have been made, and many radical suggestions have been made. All should receive consideration. Among the suggestions to go to the root of the matter is one of my own in reference to the dollar a-s a stable standard of purcha.'^ing power. The suggestion which I have made and which is claboratetl somewhat in this report, and still further in some tjT>ewritten memo- randa here, is simply the working out of an idea suggested some time ago by Gov. Woodrow Wilson, now one of the nominees for the presidency of the United States. I did not intend to mention this detail, but the Boston committee on program asked me to do so, and I have done so merely as an illustration of the kind of subject which would be considered by an in- ternational conference. And I wish to emphazise the fact, as I understand some one looking nionMy at the summarj' of this report has misunderstood it — that any endorsement of the plan for an international conference on the cost of living does not by anj- means commit this organization to approval of my particular suggestion for a remedy. {"Hear, hear!") It merely commits the association as in favor of having the discussion of this and all the other remedies which may be suggested. As to the technical working out of the plan for making a more stable dollar, so far as it is not fully and technically expressed in this report, I would refer you to the closing chapter of my book, "The Purchasing Power of Money," or for a still more technical and complete ex- pression, to the typewritten memoranda here which I have especially prepared for distribu- tion at this Congress to any of those who may be particularly interested in this vital subject. And any of you who take the.se memoranda would do me a service if you would send me your name and address, in order that I may communicate with you further. The plan, I would say, if I may add one word about my own particular plan, is one which does not involve any untried elements. It merely is novel in that it brings together a number of elements, every one of which has been tried out by business experience. Of course it is not pretended that to cure a variability in the purchasing power of the dollar would fully solve the great question of the high cost of living. The high cost of living is a problem of the purchasing power of income, and therefore involves two great branches — first, the purchasing power of the monetary unit, the dollar, the franc, the mark, the pound sterling; and second, the number of such units in the incomes of the people. Both of these problems merit careful consideration by an international inquirj- on the subject. It is not only of great interest to-day, but it will be of great interest in the future if the prediction which I venture to make with considerable confidence comes true — that the rising tide of the price level will continue in the future. I do not mean to say that it will steadily increase year after year; on the contran,-, I believe that it will be broken before manj- years by a crisis more or less .severe. But I do mean to say on the basis of a careful statistical study wliich I have recently published in the American Economic Review, that the general level of prices, the general trend of prices for a number of years in the future will be upward and not downward. No one nation can successfully cope with this great subject; it is too big. It requires an in- ternational conference, and an international conference will surely be called if there is suffi- cient demand ft)r it; and the demand which counts most with legislatures is the demand of business men. And it is for that rea.'^on that I appeal to you as business men to lend your api)r<)V!il to the plan for an international investigation on the high cost of living, in order that this great subject may be dealt with in a statesmanlike and a businesslike manner. {Ap- ■plaust.) I CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 277 The President: Mr. Kvnosi. Dr. Edmund Kunosi, Assistant Secretary Royal Hungarian Ministry of Commerce; Delegate of Royal Government of Hungary Mr. President and Gentlemen, in the name of the National Hungarian Commercial As- sociation I submitted to the Congress a projjosal of resolutions and a report on the same on the uniform compilation of statistics of prices. This proi:)osition was printed and distributed among the members of the Congress; therefore, I will not trespass on your time by repeating it. I for my part accept the proposal of the Reporter, because the calling of an international conference on this question is necessarj- for the realization of our proposal concerning the uni- form compilation of statistics of prices, and because just before its adjournment the Congress has no time to discuss such comi)licated methods. When this inteniational conference is held I shall try to find ojiport unity to submit projwsals to it. An English Delegate: Mr. President, I would like to ask a question. Is this really a question atTecting chambers of commerce? Is it not really raising a political question with which chambers of commerce have really no say? M. le President: I^a question a (5t6 mise h I'etude, des rapports ont dt6 pr^parees, et elle est :\ Tonlrc du jour; nous suivons notre ordre du jour. Vous pouvez avoir votre opinion k ce sujet, mais nous devons quand mdme coutinuer. {Translation) The question has been given study, reports have been prepared, and it is in the order of the day; we follow our order of the day. You may have j'our opinion on the subject, but we must nevertheless continue. Mr. C. H. Canby, Board of Trade, Chicago, Hlinois Only one moment, gentlemen. I will detain you but one moment. The professor has read from the brief which was submitted to all the members of the Congress practically his argu- ment in favor of the international conference on the cost of living. I have read his brief with some care, and I do not find anywhere in it any recognition of the law of supply and demand. {"Hear, hear!") Those of us who have been closely identified with the handling of mer- chandise know that at no time in the past, not now and at no time in the fututre will a dollar, a franc, a mark or a pound sterling ever have a fixed purchasing power for more than the one moment before you. {"Hear, hear!") Every merchant in the world is changing the pur- chasing power of money every week. And how is he doing that? You have a stock of goods. Those goods you offer to-day for sale at a certain price. Within ten days' time the failure of a crop from which those goods are manufactured has changed the whole price level of that one particular commodity, without touching any one of another thousand commodities. What is the merchant's attitude? Instantly his i)rice is marked uj). The dollar, the pound sterling, is not depreciated as a purchasing power — not at all; but in this particular instance he asks a higher rate for his goods. Now, so far as the cost of living in the United States is concerned — and that is the only count r>- of which I have any close i)ersonal knowledge — I assure you I can take ever}' article which has changed in value in the last ten years and I can show you a set of distinct, definite reasons why that price level has changed. The people of the United States are becoming more highly educated — what I term "the people," by which we mean the great mass of the people beneath the professional, beneath the merchant class; the great mass of the i)eople are becoming more prosperous. Labor earns more for a day's work than ever before in this land. They demand more comforts and a higher grade of public ser\ice. The municipalities have increased the water supplies, the number of schools, the parks and all kinds of improved 278 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF conditions in the cities in which people live. \Miat is the result? Municipal taxation has in- creased, and the municipal taxation is absorbed in the rent roll. Now, there is one item. Take the other great item, that of meat. I come from the wes- tern country, and I assure you, gentlemen, that it is simply a change in the ratio of the number of con>tumcr8 to the number of animals. That is all there is to the meat proposition. {Ap- plause.) Now, gentlemen, there has been a great deal of talk about the high cost of living which is based on an incorrect statement of facts and conception of the situation. You can buy to- day on one of the streets of Boston a better pair of shoos for $4 than you could buy in 1880. You can buy a barrel of flour in any one of the grocer}' stores of the city of Boston to-day just as cheap as you could in 1885. Now the people are more extravagant, and furthermore — I will say it myself, because I can look back to my boyhood daj's — the people to-day haven't got the thrift, they haven't got the saving instinct that our fathers had. The President: Professor Taussig. Prof. F. W. Taussig, Harvard University Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Conference, the sole question which presents itself to this gathering on this topic is whether we shall agree that this is a matter which concerns not one countrj' but all the countries of the civilized world, and indeed all the world. We are not here to consider questions of causes or of remedies. It may be that the gentleman who has preceded me could present to an international conference a full, complete and exhaustive answer to all the questions that concern themselves with the cost of living. If so, I am sure we hope he \vill do .so if such a conference is called. Some of us believe that the subject is more complicated than it seems to him, that it deserves consideration not by one country but by all the countries. We believe there are difficulties more particularly with reference to as- certaining just what the situation is. The admirable report which has been presented by the National Hungarian Commercial Association suggests certain methods of compiling price sta- tistics to be adopted uniformly by all the different countries. Those methods deserve con- sideration because we do not now know what is the extent of the change, — whether it is greater in the United States than in Germany, whether it is true, as some people think, that it is greater in the United States than in any other country'. These things we do not know. In onler to gain fair and full light upon the subject we need an international understanding as to the waj's of ascertaining the extent of the phenomenon. Therefore it seems to me that this gathering can verj- well say "Let us take the initial step for an international conference for the uniform consideration of the subject, and let us not here attempt a discussion of why, how, how much, what any individual understands or what anj* individual proposes to do about it." I hope the motion in favor of the calling of an international conference will pre- vail. (Applause.) The President: Mr. Cook. Mr. F. W. Cook, Dudley {England) Chamber of Commerce Mr. President and Gentlemen, I strongly support the proposition that ha.s been made, that an International Conference be called on this question. In our own countrj- a large dis- cu.ssion has been taking place with regard to the question of tariffs, and the boards of trade have been charge' questions which are at the basis of the plat- form of our poUtical parties, on which we are waging our presidential election. Now, gentle- men, we know that a similar thing is happening in all countries of the world. Nothing, I repeat in closing, is more businesslike, nothing will conserve for us what is justly due to us as business men and will help us to do our duties to our country more than to make sure that the great mass of the people in every country shall get all our help, so that the cost of living will not be so high as to be insupportable. M. le President: Je n'ai plus d'orateurs inscrits, et je m'excuse si, lors de la discussion prcccdcntc, certains orateurs n'ont pas eu leur tour de parole. C'est, 6videmment, qu'ils n'avaient pas ^t<5 inscrits. C'est tr^ involontairement de ma part si quelques-uns ont 6t6 oublios. 2^0 IXTERNATIOXAL CONGRESS OF I,; ran.'iiiitK'rt ) I have no more speakers on my list, and trust I shall be excused if, during the discussion, certain speakers have not had a chance to take the floor. If such has been the case, it is evidently because they were not listed. It was entirely involuntar>' on my part if certain speakers have been overlooked. M. Pierson: Je demande la parole. {Translalioti) I ask the floor. M. le President: M. Pierson a la parole. (Translation) Mr. Pierson has the floor. Mr. J. Pierson, Member of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, Paris Mr. Chairman, Gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to rae to have an opportunity to sup- port the proposal of Prof. Irving Fisher, but only to a certain e^ctent, viz., as far as it con- cerns the plan for an international inquiry on the cost of living. A well-known European economist ha.s said: "Le meilleur remdde contre la chert<5 c'est la chert' seriously discussed bj- the most emi- nent economists. I think that there will be a great advantage to bring these economists to- gether in an international congress and "du choc des idees jaillira la v6rit(5." There is one thing, however, against which I wi.sh to warn. It would be a great danger for the cause of free trade, which, notwithstanding the protectionist tendency of the whole world, will have to come to the front again (I am thoroughly and firmly convinced of it), to attribute the rise in prices to protectionism. This, however, does not say that free intercourse lietween nations will not reduce prices. Free intercourse will enlarge the field. The larger the field, the greater will be the development of division of labor, and the more intense the division of labor will be the lower will be the cost of commodities produced, the greater will be the number of people that will see the prices of commodities come within the reach of thoir purchasing i)ower. As the greeting, kindly sent to us by the Boston Chamber of Commerce, requested our endeavors to get a better knowledge of international economic conditions and problems, I think the proposal of Professor Fisher must have the full support of this Congress as far as regards the International Congress for examination of the causes of the high cost of living. But let me expreas a wish and permit me to say that I hope that this question of reduc- tion of the cost of production will also be examined from the standpoint of a freer intercourse between nations so as to come to a more stable basis for intercourse than is now ruling with the absence of commercial treaties. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 281 M. le President: Messieurs, il u'y a plus d'orateura inscrits, je vais mettre aux voix lea resolutions. Les voici en fran^ais: {Translation) Gentlemen, there are no more speakers on the list. I will put the resolutions to a vote. Here they are in French: Le congr6s approuve hv proposition de reunir une conference intemationalc au sujet du prix eleve des choses necessaires i\ la vie, ile son augmentation, de ses causes, des effets qui en resultent, des mesures et remedes possibles en vue d'unc amelioration. Lc congres transmet le projet et le rajiport de I'Association nationale commerciale Hon- groise pour la compilation hanuonique de Ja statist ique des prix au comit6 permanent, en vue de sa prise en consideration et de sa remise C'ventuelle i\ une conference internationale. (The resolution in English) Tlie Congress approves the proposition of convoking an International Congress on the question of the high cost of living, its increase, its causes, its results and the measures and reme- dies possible to improve the situation. The Congress transmits the project and the report of the Hungarian National Commercial Association, for the uniform compilation of statistics of prices, to the Permanent Committee, with the view of its taking it into consideration and referring it eventually to an international conference. {The resolution in German) Der KongreC billigt den Vorschlag einer internationalen Konferenz iiber die Teuerung, ihren Umfang, die Methoden sie festzustellen, ihre Ursachen und Wirkungen und die mog- lichon MalJregeln fiir Abhilfe. Ucr KongreO beschlie(5t, die Resolution und den Bericht des Nationalen Ungarischen Handelsvereins uber eine gleichmilBige Preis-Statistik dem stiindigen Komitoe zu liberweisen, damit es sie erwiige und einer etwa zu berufenden internationalen Konferenz unterbreite. Que ceux qui sont d'avis d'adopter ces propositions veuillent bien lever la main. {Levie de mains.) L'^preuve contraire. Le congres adopte h. I'unanimite. {Translation) Those in favor of adopting these propositions will raise the hand. {Hands raised.) Contrary minded. The Congress adopts the resolutions unanimously. INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION M. le President: Maintenant, messieurs, avant de terminer notre ordre du jour, avant de parler de I'endroit du prochain congres, avant d'adresser ii tons les remerciements que j'ai ii CGCur de vous adresscr, j'ai une proposition h. vous faire. Je vous fais cette jiroposition, messieurs, non pas tant comme presitlent officiel que comme I'un des deiegutls du congrds venu d' Europe, parlant en son nom et au nom de nombreux congressistes desireux de donner aux congressistes d'Am^rique la satisfaction qu'ils attendent, et que nous leur avons d'ailleurs toujours roservee au sujet de leurs d^sirs ii pro[)os des questions d'arbitrage. Jusqu'ii present, les congres ont 6X6 conduits en fran^ais, et en Europe, quand le frangais est parie, il est compris par la majority des auditeurs. II n'en est pas de mfime ici, et c'eat evidemment ^ cau.se de ce fait que certains malentendus, que je vais effacer compldtement, 8oyez-en sAr, ont pu se produire. J'ai tenu jusqu'^ present A parler fran^ais, mais tantdt je m'exprimerai en anglais, mon anglais H moi. II n'est peut-^tre pas tr6s bon, mais je le parle moi-meme. Eh bien! messieurs, dans cette grande question de I'arbitrage, vous avez, il y a deux jours, adopts les conclusions du rapport prepare sur les difierenda entres particuliers et £tat8. 284 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF "3. An international campaign is nectled against medieval feudalism which has, within recent ye'an*. grown aggressive beyond all reju«onable limits. It is not merely a question of national defense, but the larger pro[)osition of international defense, which claims attention. "Theofficijil world should be mfonne;s that I believe everj- member imdcrstands it. Sir John E. Bingham is here. You have a«ked for a second to that resolution. I move that Sir John Bingham be now given the floor to second that resolution. The President: The consul general of Japan has asked the floor to speak on this sub- ject in a letter which I have received from him. However, he docs not respond. Sir John E. BlNGH.\M. Sir John E. Bingham, Bart., London Chamber of Commerce Mr. President, after your eloquent expressions on this subject I shall be brief. I am proud that you have taken up this subject as you have. I think it is the apex, I might almost say, of this great meeting. I think it should be, as it were, written in letters of gold, that we are all in this Congress, a combination of the nations of the world met here together, of one mind that when and where possible we should endeavor to prevent the atrocities of war. {"Hear, hear!" and applause.) I was prepared, gentlemen, — but it turned out not to be in order — to send forward this resolution myself. In that I was supported by the concert of the London Chamber of Commerce and al^o of my native city of Sheffield. But I am prouder still that I do not bring forward this resolution, but that the President himself has brought it for\vard and has honored this convention by making it a resolution from his own lij)s. {Applause.) I hope, and 1 know, that all of you gentlemen here present at this conference will exer- cise all over the world, in the countries which you represent, that power which you have anil which it is to your interest, as representing the commercial interests of the world, more than to the interests of others, to exercise; for a war between two great nations might set back the commerce of the world for fifty years or more. Therefore, it is to your interest to support, to back the resolution of our President and to give bon voyage to the resolution. {Applause.) CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 285 Mr. Frank D. La Lanne, Philadelphia Board of Trade Mr. President and Gentlemen, I cons-ider it a distinguished honor to be pennitteil to address you in the closing minutes of this session. I think we should all feel highly gratified that this principle, so near to the heart of ever>' delegate from everj' nation, sliould have been recognized by our distinguished President, and that he himself should have brought in this resolution, which I have high honor in seconding. I represent the United States Government, and I have received two letters from the Department of State, of which I will give a synopsis. To-tlay more than ever the executive of the world is public opinion, and the nations of the world cannot disregard the words of a great Congress like this, which represents the sen- timents of all the business world. Your decision to-ilay to ajjprove of this principle will be known in every chancellery of the world to-night, and I sincerely hope, gentlemen, that we are a unit in the thought that the continuity of the business interests of the workl demand that there shall be an arbitral court of justice to prevent future wars, which destroj- our lives commerciallj-. The Secretary of State of the United States, whom I represent, the Hon. Philander C. Knox, directs me to say that the responses to his note along this identical line, sent out a few months ago as a circular note to all the nations of the world, manifest such a willingness and desire on the part of the leading nations to constitute a court of arbitral justice, that he be- lieves a permanent court, of purely judicial arbitral responsibility, composed of judges acting with a sense of their responsibility and representing the various nations, will be established in the ver>' near future. The assent and approval of this Congress will be highly appreciated by my government. Gentlemen, I thank you. M. le President: M. Shonixger a demande la parole. {Transla(ioti) Mr. Shoninger has asked the floor. Mr. Bernard J. Shoninger, American Chamber of Commerce of Paris Mr. Presiilent anil Gentlemen, my desire to remove a misunderstanding having become, unwittingly as well as unwillingly on my part, the point of departure for rather unexampled behavior on the jiart of some one else later, I think it now behooves me to express myself and to say how much satisfaction and how much extreme plea.sure it gives me that the President himself should have taken the initiative, of which you see the result in these resolutions. {Applause.) Owing to the experience we have had in connection with this matter, it has been sug- gested by a number of the delegates, my colleagues, that a word might be said at this point. This matter is to be submitted for future consideration, and I beg leave to read these, so that they can be put upon the oriler of business for another Congress. In the light of experience at this Congress, and to avoid misunderstandings and disappointments in the future, we will submit the following propositions for study and consideration: ''All papers" — Mr. F. W. Cook, J. P. (Dudley, England): Mr. President, is this in order before the resolution is put? I rise to a point of order; we have business pending before the body Mr. Shoninger: I am coming to it. The President: \\\\\ you finish in a minute? Mr. Shoninger: This will take two minutes. 286 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Sir Joseph Lawrence: I move that the first resolution be put to the meeting. Mr. Sboninger: If you will permit me, I will afterwards take the floor, because my intention wjus merely to saj' a word because of my innocence in having — Sir Joseph Lawrence: The resolution first. {Crie^ of "Vole! Question!") Mr. Shoninger: Take the vote and then the matter can be explained further. The President: I Imvt^ ji final request from a delegate from China, Dr. Chin-tao Chen. Is he here? Dr. Chin-tao Chen, M.S.: I want to speak on another question which will come after this motion is disposed of. M. le President: Jo vous propose maintenant le vote de la resolution dont je vais donner lecture dan.s les trois langucs. Ceux qui sont d'avis d'adopter la resolution voudront bien lever la main. {Levie de mains.) LYpreuve contraire. (Personne ne Veve la main.) {Cris de "Hip! Hip! Hourrah! Hip! Hip! Hourrah!" Applaudissementa.) {TransUUion) I will now present to you for vote the resolution which I will have read in the three languages. {Resolution read in three languages.) Those in favor of adopting the resolution will please raise their hands. (Raising of hands.) Those opposed. {No hands raised.) (Cheers ami applause.) INVITATIONS FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS M. le President: Maintenant, messieurs, en tcrminant nos travaux, je dois vous donner connaissance dcs invitations qui nous sont parvenues pour le prochain congress. (Translation) Now, Gentlemen, in closing our labors I wish to advise you of the invitations, which have come to us for the next Congress. (Continuing in English) Our next meeting will be held in two years. We have received an invitation from Barcelona, Spain, from Geneva, Switzerland, from Amsterdam, Holland, from Monaco (laughter), from Leipzig, Germany, and from Li.sbon, Portugal. As a rule, the choice of the next place for the session is given to the Permanent Committee. I suppose, as wo have so many invitations, it would be a good thing at this time to leave the question in the hands of the Permanont Committee to decide. Do you agree? (There being no dissent, it was decided to leave the choice of the next place for meeting to the Permanent Committee.) Mr. Filene: Gentlemen, we have an invitation from the merchants of St. Louis, that all (iclcgates may come to visit them. They assure you a good time. You will find it printed in full in the Boston Chamber of Commerce News to-morrow. (The telegram referred to vxis as follows:) CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 287 St. Locis, Sept. 25, 1912. Mr. Alfred Aslett, Chambers of Commerce, Boston, Mass. St. Loui.s has extended a cordial invitation to menibcns of the Congress to visit St. Louis, and our Hu.sinc.s3 Men's League will most heartily entertain whatever number of representa- tives visit us. I trust to greet you and all the friends of the Cami)ania and all others who will accomj)any j'ou. Plea.se see that the members of the Congress are made aware of the invitation. \\'ire answer at my expense, care the Business Men's League. (Sigrmi) Goodman King. M. le F*resident: ^L L.\z.\rd a la parole pour unc motion d'ordre. (Translatiort) Mr. L.\ZARD has the floor for a point of order. CONTRIBUTION FOR THE POOR OF BOSTON Mt. Louis Laz&rd, Chamber of Camynerce, Brussels: Since we landed in the beautiful city of Boston we have been most cordially received. Our hosts, who are full of verve and charm, have managed for the delegates the most wonderful reception. {Applause.) All of us appre- ciate ver>- highly their kindness and their attentions. Although knowing well the American hospitality, the way we have been treated is above all expectation. ("Hear, hear!") And how can we foreigners return the courtesies extended to us? It is too late now to organize a banquet. The Brussels delegation, on behalf of which I am speaking, wants to suggest that the visiting members of the Congress open a subscription, the full amount of which would be turned over to the Honorable Mayor for the poor of Boston. (Applause.) Thus doing, we should ally charity to thankfulness, and I hope our Boston friends would appreciate our donation. If our proposition goes through — as I sincerely hope and expect — I should suggest that the Committee make the necessary arrangements for collecting the contribution — the amount of which, in our opinion, should be fi.\ed at So each. (Applause.) M. le F*resident: Je prie, pour notification, ceux d'entre vous qui voudront bien se rendre k I'invitation de ^L Lazard, de s'adresser au secretaire. II est clair que nous ne pouvons obliger personne. (Translation) As a matter of information, I would like to ask those of you who wish to accept the invitation of Mr. Lazard to advise the Secretary. It is clear that we cannot oblige any one to do this. TERMINATION OF THE SESSION M. le President: Maintenant, messieurs, je me 16ve pour terminer la session et pour adresser i\ tous les remerciements auxquels ils ont droit. Je rcmercie tout d'abord le president des £tats-Unis, M. Taft, qui nous fait I'honneur ce .soir, d'etre prdsent au banquet de cloture. Je rcmercie les autorit<5s de I'f^tat du Ma.ssachusetts, en la personne du gouvemeur, que nous avons H6 heureux de rencontrer; et la cit^ de Boston, en la personne de son maire, que nous avons pu appr(5cier dcpuis notre arriv6e ii Boston. Je rcmercie tous les d616gu<^3 officiels des gouvememcnts, qui ont bien voulu par leur presence rchau.sser I'^clat de cette cc^r^monie intemationale et mondiale. Je rcmercie, messieurs, tout sp^cialemcnt la Chambrc de commerce de Boston. Pour 288 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF elk', je I'ai dit d6'}^ et jc me propose de la redire ce soir, nous n'avons pas de mots suflBsants pour exprimer nos sentiments. Je n-inercie au-ssi les industriels qui nous re<;oivent, qui nous ouvrent toutes larges Ics portes de leurs usines et qui nous montreront les merveilles de rindustrie et de la science ami/ricaines. Je remercie, messieurs, tous les clubs de la ville, qui nous ont si agnSablement donn6 le libre accds de leurs looaux. Nous nous sentons absolument chez nous et nous emporterons de Boston un souvenir incffa<;:ible. Eniin, last but not least, je remercie la presse, les joumalistes, ces travailleurs de tous les instants, qui ont, eux, le hard labor, alors que nous, nous sommes en banquets et en rc'jouis- sance. Je reconnais tout leur zdle. Et k vous tous, au nom des d61(5gu(5s venus de tous les coins du monde pour assister i ce merveilleux congres de Boston, de tout mon coeur, je vous dis: merci. {Tranlalion) Now, Gentlemen, I ri.'se to close the session and to express to all the thanks to which they are entitled. I thank first of all the President of the United States, Mr. Taft, who will do us the honor this evening to be present at our closing banquet. I thank the authorities of the State of Ma.ssachusetts in the person of the Governor, whom we have been delighted to meet; and the City of Bo;' which, during the past half century, has at- tained a wonderful industrial and financial growth, by reason of that complete reciprocity of trade which marks the relations of each state with all the others in our Union. Among the nearly fifty sei)arate governments within the United States each has built up its commercial relations with the others, without restrictions and without fear or favoritism. Some of these states exceed in territor>' the limits of foreign nations, which have grown to the foremost commercial rank. Others you will find that exceed in wealth and population some of the sovereignties of other lands. These states have prospered through reciprocity and mutual understanding, each profitng by the industrial benefits it has conferred upon the others. You have come to Massachusetts at a time when we are at last realizing that the same ties should bind us to other peoples and other countries. Massachusetts realizes her debt of gratitude to President Taft for giving official expression to this neglected principle. You will find the people of New England joining with other sections of the country in offering to Canada a declaration of closer trade relations; and I believe that the lack of these rela- tions to-day is due only to transient motives which a stronger mutual confidence will quickly overcome. You will find the great industrial centers of Massachusetts and New England (and I behave of the rest of the countrj' as well), open-minded to the extension of reciprocal trade treaties to still other nations, in fact to all quarters of the globe, to the greatest degree con- sistent with the maintenance of American standards of life and labor. You will without doubt view with interest as a further sign of the times the activity in our great ship- buihling centers, and you will find that we are building right here, within the limits of Greater Boston, ships that are fitted for all the demands of modem commerce. You will find the peoi)le of Boston aroused to the development of our great seaport. We recognize in the natural location of Boston, in its wonderful harbor and tlie industrial communities around it, the logical marine frontier of this country opening toward the great markets of Europe. We are resolved that Boston shall be equipped in accordance with the exacting demands of mcKlem commerce to accommodate the merchant fleets of the world. We are looking even northward to Canada, believing Boston to be the natural seaport for the manufacturing and agricultural communities of that country. In anticipation of closer commercial relations with Canada and Europe we have invited to Boston one of the princi- pal railroads of Canada — the Grand Trunk. You will find the people of Massachusetts earnestly resolved to effect the greatest possible development of marine transportation, not only coastwise, but transatlantic. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 295 We are at the dawn of our owii era of commercial expansion. With the extension of our foreign trade, and the development of our coastwise and interior waterways, our rivers, canals and harbors, you will find us fitting ourselves for constantly broadening trade relations with yourselves. The people of this Commonwealth would be proutl at any time to welcome the most distinguished commercial conference in the world, but they are particularly grati- fied that you should have come here to mark for American history the beginning of our own broader industrial and commercial life. (Applause.) President Russell, Boston Chamber of Commerce His Honor the Mayor of Boston also comes to give you greeting. To us here he needs no introduction. To those from afar I can give assurance that his tireless energy in all that tends to the development of our city is an inspiration and a lesson. Another year may see him sitting in the highest councils of our land; but whether in Wa.shington or in Boston, wherever he may be, there we know stands a zealous advocate of the interests of our state, a loyal champion for the welfare of our city. I present to you His Honor the ^Iayor of Boston. {Applause.) ADDRESS OF HONORABLE JOHN F. FITZGERALD Mayor of the City of Boston Gentlemen, now that our serious labors are ended, we meet before parting to speak the final words of review and felicitation. The results of this Congress have, I am assured, been such as to justify the sacrifices which it involved, but above all its concrete enactments and salutary reforms I place those intangible values that do not figure in the program, but are incidental to our personal intercourse. The commerce of ideas, after all, is more generous, or at least more enlightened, than the commerce of commodities. By one of those paradoxes which are found in the spiritual life each side wishes the other to be the gainer. This is the amicable traffic in which we have been. engaged during the last few days. We trust that our guests have profited by their visit to Boston, though it is not for us to say in what manner or to what degree. Our own debt is certainly so large that we scarcely venture to express it for fear of seeming to exaggerate. It is enough to say, gentlemen, that your j^rcsence has stimulated us to new aspirations and has awakened larger visions in our hearts and minds. Such conventions, I repeat, find their highest sanction in the strength which they impart to the sense of interdependence among nations, which is, without doubt, their prime motive and original inspiration. They assume that the whole world of production, credit and ex- change is in a state of equilibrium so that a disturbance in any one market causes oscillation over the entire civilized earth; and this view is amplj* justified by recent events. The tremors of the San Francisco earthquake were felt in the insurance companies of London. The war in Manchuria was reflected in the violent dance of prices on the Paris Bourse. A drought in India may determine the quotations for wheat in New York, and failures in Argentina have precii)itated a disastrous panic. To preserve the universal stability which is necessarj- for the conduct of business is one chief aim of your assemblies. What is true of calamities is no less tnie of benefits. It is conceivable that a traveler journeying from Portugal to Russia might find a different railroad gage at every frontier, but such impediments to the free movement of trade would be a poor expression of patriotism. A (lifTerence of an inch between nation and nation would prevent travel at express speed for long distances, thereby causing delay, and would comj)el the needless duplication of rolling stock, thus increasing cost. In the United States one width of rail prevails across the conti- nent and the adoption of this uniform standard would be an advantage everj'where. My illustration is merely imaginary, but the principle is clear. Ever>' device for increasing speed, 29G INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF or saving life, or diminishing the discomforts of travel becomes internationalized sooner or later and ceases to be the exclusive propertj* of the nation in which it originates. The electric engine, the air brake, the refrigerator car belong to no p>eople, but diffuse themselves with other beneficial inventions over the entire world. It is .such a diffusion, not of mere appli- ances alone, but of forms and regulations as well, that your Congress aims to promote, as it eliminates differences and compels local usage to conform to the requirements of the world's larger interests. This is, after all, only a new application of science to practical affairs. We know what science has accomplished for agriculture in the study of the chemistry of soils, the selection of .secds,*the relation of birds to the control of pests, and of bees and other in.sects to fertili- zation. By no magic wand, but through rca.son and experience guided by imagination, she has bidden the earth to teem with manifold abundance. In manufacturing, mining, forestry, irrigation, drainage and the conservation of water supply, the engineer and the expert now exerci.se an unquestioned authority. Similar studies and the creation of a similar body of experts will fortify commerce in the same degree by reducing waste and cultivating facility in administrative and fiscal methods. Your collective importance and economic function are not inferior to those of the other interests which I have mentioned. As it happens, gentlemen, there is a certain feUcity in your visit to Boston which has not been pointed out by any other speaker. I do not know any class that appeals to the people of this city more than that which you represent. The traditions of our community uphold the merchant as the highest tj-pe of citizen. The nature of his occupation forbids seclusion and aloofness, and brings him into personal contact with his fellowmen. Out of the sense of reciprocal obligation thus created flow those noble benefactions which are so common in our history. Art, scholarship and philanthropy are residuan,- heirs of the labors and accumulations of the captains of industry. Franklin, Lowell, Perkins, Carney, Arnold, McKay, Brigham, Parkman, Wentworth — these men of the world cherished to the end something unworldly and saw through the murk and confusion of the daily struggle the better day that is approach- ing. They grasped the broad conception that wealth is a trust of which all mankind and not merely a narrow circle should be the beneficiaries. Hospitals, schools, museums and parks, free to all, perpetuate their names and offer to future generations examples of a wise liberality. As becomes a city of merchants, the people of Boston are not easily held in subjection. The first settlers were of the English middle class, industrious, self-sustaining and aggres- sive. From the beginning they displayed a free, indomitable spirit, which awakened alarm, and at the same time excited admiration among the British statesmen. In the War of Amer- ican Independence orators of Boston took the lead, and the first pitched battle — the Battle of Bunker Hill — was fought within the confines of the present city. In the War of 1812 our sailors did not hesitate to challenge the greatest sea power in the world. A tratlition of sympathy with sufferers and freedom lovers everj'where grew out of these early conflicts and has continued to the present day. Whether the appeal comes from vic- tims of natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods, or refugees from political t>Tanny, or apostles of social amelioration, our response has ever been quick and generous. The movement to abolish American slaver>', for example, may be said to have had its birth in Boston, and we are about to erect a monument to its foremost orator, Wendell Phillips, the son of our first Mayor. Fancuil Hall, which some of you may have seen, is affectionately known all over this countrj- as "The Cradle of Liberty," from the meetings which have been held there in behalf of patriotic and humanitarian causes. A high sense of civic obligation is characteristic of the citizens of Boston. Ever>' class re.sponds with fervor to the call of public duty. During our Civil War fully half the adult males served as soldiers. Harvard University alone sent over fifteen hundred volunteers, a large percentage of its graduates and students. In times of peace the city drafts into its ser- vice on the various boards of government able men who labor without compensation for the good of their fellow citizens. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 297 Our appreciation of human values finds no more significant expression than in the sacri- fices made for public education. We realize that our chief asset in New England is not the sea or the water power in our tumbling rivers, and assuredly not the fertility of the somewhat niggardly soil, but our own manhood anil womanhood, the quality of which we strive to main- tain by careful training given to the minds and bodies of the young. Our school children, an army more than one hundred thovisand strong, are the objects of our tenderest solicitude, which is revealed not only by lavish public exiu'nditures, but through the participation of all classes of citizens in the problems of juvenile education. Only u week ago the Central Labor Union, a body rej)resenting tlie allied trade unions of the city, passed resolutions in favor of a different form of organization for the school committee. That culture in the higher pha.ses flourishes among us needs no demonstration before a gathering wliich, itself, represents the culture as well as the commercial enterjjrise and in- tegrity of forty nations. The chief literary school of America had its seat in Boston in the middle of the last centurj'. Such names as Hawthorne, Emerson, Longfellow, Lowell, Whittier and Holmes suggest to readers of English literature a certain refined beauty and serene iileal- ism as well as moral ardor. We are proud of this poetic group; of our statesmen, jurists, ar- tists and divines; and of the universities and technological institutes, famous far bej'ond the borders of this countrj', which complete the educational structure. The government of Boston ministers to the wants of the citizens more assiduously per- haps than that of any other American municipahty. The benefits of our libraries, parks, baths, gj-mnasiums and concerts are open to all. In the treatment of tuberculosis we have pointed the path in which others are following. A pension system provides for teacher, la- borers, militarj' veterans, firemen and policemen, who, from advanced age or other causes, are unable to continue at work. City labor is well paid on the theory that the government as an employer should set a conspicuous example of humanity and justice. Foreign cities which pride themselves on their spirit of progress find that Boston has anticipated them in many of their beneficent undertakings. Such are the fruits of civic policy in an industrial democracy led by captains promoted from its own ranks. In reviewing thus briefly some of its aspects I do not feel that I am di- gressing. I merely expand my agreeable theme of community and resemblance between visitors and ourselves. You, too, gentlemen, are in the main residents of cities, striving, as we are, to make these centers of productions, which are more and more gathering the popula- tion within their precincts, worthy places of habitation, for the generations which are to follow us. Let us, then, forget all differences to-night, if any differences exist beyond the super- ficial distinctions of language and custom, and pay tribute to the spirit of human brotherhood. There are many islands but only one ocean, and that is the heritage of all the sons of Adam. This common posse.ssion, this liquid emerald without price, unites us all — north, south, east and west — in ever increasing facility of intercourse and ever strengthening bonds of friend- ship. Grant that variety has its value and individuality must be preserved at any cost, yet the blood in our veins is of one color and the world will be better when all men can meet, as we have met this week, in the spirit of full-souled unity and mutual concession. Such gather- ings forecast the golden age when peace and law shall reign over a world too long tonnented by unprofitable di.s.sensions. This, gentlemen, is the fairest fruit of your Congress, which has brought honor to our city, our state and our country'. (Applause.) President Russell. Boston Chamber of Commerce It is now my pleasant privilege to present to you one who, probably more than any other, is responsible for the inception of the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, and who through his earnest zeal and great ability has done much to bring to it the commanding position of influence which it to-day holds. He was its first President, and is now its Presi- 298 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF dent. The highest honor within the gift of the commercial bodies of the world has been ten- dered to him year after year. Well known by his work in all civilized countries, his influence has permeated to the furthermost comers of the earth. I present to you Mr. Louis Canon-Legrand. ADDRESS OF MONSIEUR LOUIS CANON-LEGRAND President of the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce; President of the Permanent Committee of the International Congress Mon.<»ieur le President de la Chambre de commerce de Boston, Monsieur le Pn'-sident des fitats-Unis: C'est un grand honncur pour moi, au nom de tous les d(516gu6s <5trangers, de prendre la parole dans une assembl6c aussi importante que celle-ci, i\ la fin des travaux du Cinquidme Congr^s International des Chambres de Commerce et des Associations Comraerciales et Indus- trielles du monde entier Comme orateurs devant repondre ;i vos aimables discours, trois d'entre nous ont 6t6 d6- signds, et, dans I'ordre des congres tenus pr<5c<^demment , il se fait qu'en parlont fran^ais, je repr(5sente la region moyenne de I'Europe; que M. Salmoiraghi, parlant en italien, personni- fiera le midi, et que M. FaithfuU Begg, en anglais, parlera pour les pays du nord. II va sans dire que si Ton n'avait dd se bomer, c'est dans toutes les autres langues de la terre qu'il se serait <^lev^' un concert d'61oges et de remerciement. Notre oeuvre des congrds a toujours 6t.6 accueillie avec faveur par les gouvemements, les ministres, les princes et les monarques d'Europe, mais cette fois la reception dont nous eommes gratifi<^s est k la taille de ceux qui nous resolvent: c'est une grandiose reception am6- ricaine. Aux autoritds de ce beau pays de Massachusetts et de Boston, a bien voulu se joindre le premier citoyen des fitats-Unis, M. le President Taft. Je tiens, au nom de toutes les nations du monde ici pr6sentes, h lui adresser, avec notre salut respectueux, I'expression de notre vive et bien sincere gratitude. {Translation) Mr. President of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, Mr. President of the United States: It is a great honor for me, on behalf of all the foreign delegates, to raise my voice in an assembly as important as the present one, at the close of the work of the Fifth In- ternational Congress of the Chambers of Commerce and of the Commercial and Industrial Associations of the entire world. Three among our number have been selected as speakers to respond to your kind re- marks and, following the order in the Congresses previously held, it appears that, in addressing you in French, I represent the central part of Euroi^e; that Mr. Salmoiraghi, speaking in Italian, will represent the South, and Mr. Faithful! Begg, in English, will speak for the countries of the North. It goes without saying that if we were not limited, a concert of praise and thanksgiving would have been raised in all the lan- guages of the earth. The work of our congresses has always been greeted with favor by the govern- ments, ministers, princes and monarchs of Europe, but this time the reception with which we are honored equals the greatness of those who received us; it is a magnificent yVmerican reception. The first citizen of the United States, Mr. Taft, the President, has graciously united with the dignitaries of this beautiful land of Ma.-^sachusetts and of Boston. On behalf of all the nations of the world here present I wish to present to him, together with our respectful greetings, the assurance of our heartfelt and most sincere gratitude. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE 299 {Continuing in English) The work of our International Congress of Chambers of Commerce is one of peace and concord. It brings into contact men of the same mentality and of equal abilities, who are not slow to agree on all practical questions that can be realized. It is also in our assemblies that propositions of hunianitarianism and arbitration are seen to arise; it is in the contact of mer- chants and men of industr>' that one becomes the more easily convinced of the absurdity of wars, and the necessity of amiable settlement in business conflicts, thus avoiding the delaj' and the costs of old legal formalities. I am happy to state here, before you all, that we have no purer objectives in our labors, and that in the future sittings of our congresses we will endeavor to aim at the realization of those wishes. (Continuing in French) Vous dirai-je, messieurs, Timpre-ssion profonde que les gens du vieux monde, au nom desquels je parle plus sp(5cialement, eprouvent en debarquant aux Etats-Unis? L'ampleur et la grandeur de tout ce qui frappe les yeux n'ont d'(5gales que I'activite et I'^nergie des hommes qui ont cr66 ces merveilles. Quand, aprds New-York, carrefour de I'Univers, avec ses gigantesque constructions et sa dt5vorante allure de cite commergante et grouillante de vie, on arrive h Boston, on c^prouve en outre un intense sentiment de repo.sant bi«i-etre intellcctuel, car cette ville de Boston, A part ses industries et son port, possede des <5tablissements d'instruction de premier ordre; c'est la perle des £tats-Unis; et ce fut pour nous tous une satisfaction raffinee d'y avoir le ei^ge de notre cinqui^me congres des Chambres de commerce. C'est k la sante de cette admirable ville que je vais vous convier ii vider vos verres; mais je veux y joindre, et je le ferai dans votre belle langue, la sant«5 de la puissante Chambre de commerce de Boston, de ses 5000 membres et de son distingu6 President, M. Russell: (Translation) Shall I describe to you, gentlemen, the profound impression that the people of the old world, on behalf of whom I am especially speaking, feel when landing in the United States? The amplitude and grandeur of all that strikes the eye are only equalled by the activity and energy of the men who have created these wonderful things. When, after New York, the cross-roads of the Universe, with its gigantic structures and that fascinating allurement which is characteristic of a commercial city stirring with life, Boston is reached, one experiences an intense feeling of quieting, intellectual com- fort, for this City of Boston, aside from its industries, its water front and harbor, possesses educational institutions of the first order. It is the pearl of the United States; and it was to us a keen sati.<:faction to hold there our Fifth Congress of the Chambers of Commerce. To the prosperity of this admirable city I invite you to empty your glasses; but I wish to join therewith — and I shall do it in your beautiful language — the prosperity of the mighty Chamber of Commerce of Boston, of its 5000 members, and of its distin- guished President, Mr. Russell. {Continuing in English) This Chamber of Commerce of Boston spends more than $150,000 a year not only on commerce and trade, but on such things as education, the prevention of disea.se and acci- dent, city planning and many social things that are inseparably connected with business in the city, state or nation. We have been welcomed with such a courtesy, such a kindness, even in the slightest details our hosts have striven to render our stay .so agreeable, that I find no words to thank appropriately the Boston Chamber of Commerce, its President and all its members. The lovely ladies who have .so kindly attended to the feminine portion of the congress- ists, are entitled to a specially gracious mention of gratitude which I am delighted to address to them. 300 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF Of the few days we have spent together, a profound souvenir will linger in our hearts. Our discussions among ourselves will bear fruit, we shall earn,- with us the memory of your methotls and ways of doing, and the result will be beneficial and will make for progress. Peace, honor and good will amongst men is the motto to remember. I proi>o.'se the health of the City of Boston, coupled with that of the Chamber of Com- merce and of Prc.-itlont Rus.sell. (Applause.) President Russell, Boston Chamber of Commerce .\niong our many distinguished guests is one from Italy, a Senator of that kingdom, Pre.>;iortance of these Congresses has more than justified the faith of those who a few years ago formulated the idea upon which they are foimded. The root, or fundamoTital idea, was to form a federation of conmiercial men throughout the countries of the world, having for its object to induce or even compel governments to de- vote their attention les.s to the arts of war and more to the arts of peace. In this ambition the organization ha.s met with a considerable mca.sure of succe.s.s, but much remains to be done. Governments have not yet accepted the thcor>' that embji^sies ami chancelleries should concern themselves less than they have done with the organization of national re- sources for the purposes of destruction, and that commerce is not carried on merely to pro- vide a treasure fund destined chiefly to provide means for the carrj'ing on of war. We desire that governments should regard commerce as an end and not merelj- as a means. To our hosts on this occa.sion may I say that whilst here on this vast continent you have had, more or less in the past, little to concern yourselves with except the development of your wonderful resources, even you are not now free from the compUcations of a foreign policy or 302 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS from questions of difficulty which tend to increase in number and must so increase as time goes on. You are meeting these questions with characteristic skill. To this end you have even been able to add wcajxins to the already well-stocked armor)' of diplomatists. There i.s, for example, that famous doctrine specially applicable to this continent, which, from the name of it.-i author, I take to have been evolved by a countrjTnan of my own possessing that special talent for metaphysics that characterizes the Scottish race. (Laughter.) But if you will turn your eyes from this hemisphere to the Continent of Europe what will you find? You will find the nations massed in armed camps, ever}' ner\e being strained for the increase of arniainrnts on land and ruinous expenditure being incurred on an ever in- creasing scale in preparation for warfare at sea. We read in the pages of hist on.- of great world-movements by which the nations of antiquity were shaken to their foundation and in many ca.ses perished utterly by the operations of war. Nothing remains of many of these nations but moldering relics of departed greatness, vast mounds of crumbling dust marking where great cities once stood, now surrounded by desolation. Are we sure that we have not questions to solve in the future, and it may be in the im- mediate future, of magnitude as great, or even greater, than those which convulsed the em- pires of the past? We are men of business whose interests lie in the solution of such questions without resort to war. Should we not see to it that our influence should ever be brought to bear upon governments of whatever description to secure by every means in our power a Iieaceful solution in ever)' ca.se, and may we not hope that our influence properly exerted may be sufficient to secure tliat end? (Applause.) In conclusion, I trust that I shall not be regarded as greatly daring if I refer to a question which is much in the minds of commercial men at the present time. The great nation whose guests we are is engaged at the present moment in the completion of a work of une.xampled magnitude and destined to revolutionize the trade routes of the world. The necessity for that great work has long been evident, but it has been left to the United States of America to undertake its completion. We must all accord the highest honor to this country for the magnificent si)irit in which the task has been undertaken anil the scientific skill which has been displayed in carr)'ing it out. Inciilentally there has arisen in connection with this matter a question of high politics in regard to which the country to which I have the honor to belong, and the great Republic whose guests we are, do not at the moment see eye to eye. Far be it from me to say a single word on this occasion on the merits of that difference of opinion, but I do desire to say this (and I speak with full concurrence of all my associates from London here present), that I have confidence that the great common-sense and well-known capacity for adjusting difficult problems which characterizes both nations will find a solution by peaceful means which will be honorable to both parties concerned. (Ap])l(iuse.) We are now ai)proaching the date when one hundred years of unbroken peace will have existed between the two countries. Our past struggles are long ago forgiven and forgotten. W'c no longer remember the Boston Tea Party with resentment and Bunker Hill has become a historic memory. That these harmonious relations will continue I confidently believe and it is my earnest prayer and hope that nothing may ever occur to disturb them. (Applause.) Adjourned. iaules( The rules governing the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce are as follows: 1. The International Congress of Chambers of Commerce and Commercial and Indus- trial Associations shall meet at intervals which, generally speaking, shall not exceed two years. 2. The following shall be admitted to the Congress — Delegates of any corporation legally representing commercial and industrial interests, and of voluntarj' industrial and commercial associations; also, delegates of federations of such corporations and commercial and industrial unions. Individuals not being nominated delegates, but who are members of any such corpora- tion or union, shall also be admitted. 3. The subscription shall be 20 francs for individuals, and 50 francs for corporations or unions. The latter shall, on payment of the 50 francs, be entitled to nominate three dele- gates; for each additional delegate 20 francs shall be payable. 4. The Congress itself shall decide questions of internal organization. The Congress may, besides, vote on any question which it discusses, if the majority so desire. Participants admitted in accordance with Rule 2 (Paragraph 2) shall not be entitled to vote; those nominated in accordance with Rule 2 (Paragraph 1) shall each have a vote. The decision shall be made by a majority vote. At the request of not less than ten members, who must in addition represent three different countries, the vote shall be taken by countries; such request must be made before the commencement of the voting. Should a vote be taken by countries, the decision shall be arrived at by a majority of voters present, in addition to the majority by countries, and other^visc the vote shall be declared void; a detail of the vote record by each country- shall be included in the Minutes. 5. The Congress itself shall elect its executive oflBcers for the duration of its meetings. 6. A Permanent Committee shall be formed for the purpose of making arrangements for the meetings and carrying out the decisions of the Congress. Each countrj- shall be represented on this Committee by at most three delegates. To this effect, three regular members and three alternates (suppUants) shall be nominated by each countr>-. 7. The regular members and alternates shall be nominated by the delegates to the Con- gress of the different countries; delegates of countries having a national federation of Chambers of Commerce or of industrial and commercial as.sociations may abandon the right of nomi- nating representatives on the Permanent Committee in favor of such federation; members of the Permanent Committee shall exercise the authority thus conferred upon them until the succeeding Congress. 303 304 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS 8. Ever>' member of the Permanent Committee, unless absent, shall have a vote, and fjuestion-s shall be tlecitled by a majority of votes, provided that half of the countries are n-presento*! at the sitting. 9. The IVnnanent Committee shall elect from amongst its own members a President and Vice-President and, in addition, an administrator, who may be the General Secretarj*, but need not be a member of the Committee. Such appointments shall remain in force dur- ing the intcr^•al separating two Congresses. The Permanent Committee shall decide upon the place at which the next Congress shall be held in the event of the previous Congress not having done so. Pending any further decision on the matter, the headquarters of the Permanent Committee shall be in Hru.«.scls. 10. The Permanent Committee shall be convened by the President. The latter must call the Committee together if so requested by at least a fourth of its members. 11. The expenses shall be defrayed by means of the subscriptions referred to in Rule 3, and by contributions which may eventually be made by States, corporations, unions or in- dividuals. 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