NAMES OF MANUFACTURERS UPON PRODUCTS.

CHARLES L. BERNHEIMER moved that H. R. bill 16844 which provides that it shall be unlawful to place upon the market any product without the name of the manufacturer printed or stamped thereon, be referred to the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws with power to act.

REMARKS OF CHARLES L. BERNHEIMER, ESQ.

MR. BERNHEIMER.-It is evident that this proposed legislation is not practical. Very often it is impossible to tell who the real manufacturer of an article is. In fact, in most instances of manufacturing in this and other countries it is a matter of compiling the manufacture produced by others, and the result is the final article that is placed on the market.

Of course, the intent of this bill is to safeguard the ultimate consumer, which is all very well; but the bill as it now reads is loosely drawn, its intent is even vicious, and its execution should it become a law would be impossible.

THE PRESIDENT.-Do I understand, MR. BERNHEIMER, that your motion provides that the matter be committed to the committee with power to act, or that the committee was to report back to the Chamber?

MR. BERNHEIMER.-That it be committed to the committee with power to act, because it may be necessary to act promptly before the October meeting.

THE PRESIDENT.-Is it the wish of the Chamber that the committee be given that power? The Chair hearing no objection, it is so considered, and the matter is referred to the committee with power to

act.

ACTION BY THE COMMITTEE.

In pursuance of the authority thus given, the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws on June 13th adopted the following, sending an engrossed copy to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce of the House of Representatives:

At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New

York held Thursday, June 6, 1912, H. R. Bill 16844 was referred to the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws with instructions to inquire into its effect, and with power to express the opinion of the Chamber thereon.

The Bill reads as follows:

'H. R. 16844

In the House of Representatives
January 4, 1912.

1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That section one of an act entitled 'an Act to Regulate Commerce,' approved February fourth eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, be amended so as to read as follows:

SECTION 1. The provisions of this Act shall apply to any person, firm, company or corporation engaged in the production or manufacture of any article or commodity that enters into interstate or foreign commerce.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, company or corporation to place upon the market for interstate or foreign commerce any product of manufacture without printing, embossing or stenciling the name and address of the manufacturer upon such article or commodity.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, company or corporation to erase or change the name of the manufacturer or manufacturers of any article entering into interstate and foreign commerce mentioned in this Act.

Any person or persons, firm, company or corporation offering for sale or rent, or otherwise disposing of any property intended for interstate or foreign commerce shall furnish therewith the name and address of the manufacturer or manufacturers of said commodity or article: Provided, that nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to prohibit such manufacturing firms placing any other name, as dealers, upon articles of manufacture in addition to the name of the manufacturer.

Any person, firm, company or corporation violating the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined in the sum of not exceeding one thousand dollars, or imprisoned for a period of not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment, as the court may direct.

SECTION 2. That this Act shall be in effect from and after its passage."

The Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws of the Chamber of Commerce acting under the authority thus given to

it by the Chamber earnestly opposes and protests against the enactment of this bill into law for the following reasons:

1st. It is impractical to imprint, emboss or stencil the name and address of the manufacturer on every article produced, as in very many cases it would seriously damage or injure the article, making it unattractive and unsaleable. All such articles as linen or cotton goods, handkerchiefs, underwear and clothing would not be acceptable or satisfactory to general buyers.

2d. Buyers not only in the United States, but particularly in foreign markets, often want special brands or designs of their own and give rigid instructions that no other names or marks of any kind appear on the goods or packages, that would enable competitors, to ascertain the source of manufacture. These terms have to be com

plied with, or orders will not be given. For reasons stated the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York earnestly opposes the bill, and urges that it be not enacted into law by Congress.

CALVIN TOMKINS, moved the adoption of the following resolution:

Resolved, That the interests of the port demand that the Board of Estimate and Apportionment should give consideration to the plans of the Dock Department for the organization and improvement of the west Manhattan and South Brooklyn water fronts terminals before the summer vacation.

REMARKS OF DOCK COMMISSIONER TOMKINS.

MR. TOMKINS.-I move the adoption of this resolution. You will observe that it does not ask for any special action, but for consideration. Ever since the second of November the West side plans have been before a committee of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, and for even a longer period, the South Brooklyn plans have been before the board. The dock plans are the accredited plans of

the city, not adopted, but under consideration,-and the vital importance of giving attention to these plans at the present time is so great that some action should be taken during the summer months, so that we may not lose all that time. The city's interests have already suffered for lack of port facilities, which loss might have been prevented if action had been promptly taken. With the opening of the Panama Canal and the completion of the Erie ship canal the injury will be still greater. I think the board is likely to act if there is sufficient public opinion demanding it. The Mayor has been insistent, as have I, to secure action, and I think an expression of opinion by the Chamber at this time in this direction will help to facilitate the object sought to be accomplished by the committee's report.

The resolution being seconded by G. WALDO SMITH, was unanimously adopted.

BANQUET COMMITTEE.

The President announced the appointment of the following committee to arrange for the next annual banquet: AUGUSTUS D. JUILLIARD, Chairman; GEORGE B. CORTELYOU, CLEVELAND H. DODGE, ISAAC N. SELIGMAN, and R. A. C. SMITH.

MISSISSIPPI FLOOD RELIEF.

THE PRESIDENT.-I wish to announce that a request has been received from MR. JAMES SPEYER that the Chamber appoint a committee to co-operate with the Mayor's committee to receive subscriptions for the sufferers by the Mississippi floods. It has seemed, however, to the Executive Committte, that as MR. SPEYER was himself a member of that committee and a prominent member of it, it would be better, inasmuch as the matter was not brought before this Chamber as early as it was brought before some of the other commercial bodies, that the Chamber now simply recognize that committee as the official recipient of any funds that members may wish to donate to this worthy cause. I am advised by MR. SPEYER that subscriptions have not come in as freely as had been hoped, and he is particularly desirous that the members of the Chamber may make such subscriptions as seem to them wise at the earliest possible moment.

REMARKS OF JACOB H. SCHIFF, ESQ.

MR. SCHIFF.-As Treasurer of the Red Cross Committee, I wish to add that the subscriptions are coming in very slowly indeed. I think

it is a reflection upon the people of our city that, while they are always ready to help those whom misfortune overtakes in far away lands, the terrible suffering that exists in the flooded districts of our own country seems to have been somewhat overlooked. This Chamber is just the body that is peculiarly situated to appeal to its own members and to the people of the City of New York to open their pockets a little wider. These sufferers are our own kith and kin. I therefore move that the Chamber make a special appeal and send it out to the members asking for more liberal subscriptions to this fund.

This motion being seconded by ISAAC N. SELIGMAN was unanimously carried.

SURRENDER OF BUILDING FUND CERTIFICATES. The President announced that including the surrender by MR. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER of his certificate for $50,000, the total Building Fund Certificates of the Chamber thus far surrendered to it, amounted to $353,700.

THE SUMMER VACATION.

THE PRESIDENT.-I would call attention to the fact that this is last regular meeting that the Chamber will hold until October. I hope that you all, gentlemen, will enjoy a very pleasant summer, and that every one of us will return in the fall to find conditions favorable-financial, commercial and political. [Applause.]

The Chamber then adjourned.

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, October 3, 1912.

A regular monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held in the Hall of the Chamber on Thursday, October 3, 1912, at halfpast twelve o'clock, P. M.

And two hundred and fifty-one other members.