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GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

MR. CANNON for the same committee also presented the following preamble and resolution and moved their adoption :

Whereas, The continuance of the work of promoting economy and efficiency in the administration of the Federal Government, begun by a staff of experts appointed by the President of the United States under act of Congress, depends in no small measure upon an appropriation of $200,000 asked for from the present Congress; and

Whereas, It is of the utmost importance to maintain intact this expert service, commended in three special messages by the President, and generally approved by business experience, in order that facts already gathered may be made available for Congress, and in order that further investigations may be carried on by which great savings. may be effected and the efficiency of public service notably increased, so that at least an approach may be made toward that ideal indicated by a recent leader of the United States Senate who declared that with advanced efficiency a saving of $300,000,000 a year could be made in the cost of government; and

Whereas, The important economies already effected and others made possible by this expert commission are in direct line with that policy of retrenchment so strongly advocated by both the President and the Congress; and

Whereas, The expense of the Commission counts for little in comparison with what it is able to accomplish, for this work can be carried on most effectively by one continuing, central, technical, constructive body aiding the President and the Congress, because it can follow up, and make permanent results in actual administration with greater effect than a temporary commission of investigation; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York urges upon Congress the appropriation of $200,000 required to continue this efficiency commission, and directs that this preamble and resolution be communicated to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House, and that other important commercial organizations throughout the country be requested to take similar action.

The preamble and resolutions were adopted by an unanimous vote.

IN MEMORY OF TITANIC DEAD.

MR. CANNON, on behalf of the same committee then presented the following preamble and resolution and moved their adoption:

Whereas, Four members of the Chamber, ISIDOR STRAUS, long active in its affairs and from 1904 to 1908 a Vice-President, JOHN JACOB ASTOR, BENJAMIN GUGGENHEIM and JOHN B. THAYER, a Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, were lost at sea April 15th, by the sinking of the steamship Titanic, all four being numbered among those passengers who in a time of fearful disaster bore themselves with heroic fortitude; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York orders that their names be inscribed in its minutes with special reference to their usefulness in life and bravery in death; and that an expression of its sympathy be sent to their families with the hope that grief may be assuaged by the memory of their undaunted courage and self sacrifice.

REMARKS OF JACOB H. SCHIFF, ESQ.

MR. SCHIFF.-Mr. President and Fellow Members. The resolution which has just been presented, has made, as is but natural, a deep impression, for we can hardly realize even now that this terrible catastrophe has come upon us, since we have last met in monthly meeting.

Men whom it was our wont and privilege to meet in almost daily intercourse, have perished by shipwreck and have had to end their lives at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Among those who have perished, this Chamber has lost and mourns some whom it has counted among its most respected members, men whose very lives were an example and who, in the hour of their death, taught us, in their heroism and resignation, a lesson which in the midst of our busy daily life it is well for us not to forget!

We cannot but bow in humility before the inscrutable ways of that Higher Power which directs the destinies of all human beings; but beyond the wreck, and beyond the destruction, there remain to us the memory of the high characters, the good and honored names, the genial personalities of our friends who have perished. This should be our consolation as we miss our friends hereafter in their accustomed places.

It is a mournful privilege, Mr. President, to second, as I now do, the resolution presented by the Executive Committee, and move its adoption by a rising vote.

The resolution was unanimously adopted by a standing vote.

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I beg to inform you that at the Annual Meeting of the members of this Chamber held yesterday, the following resolution was moved by Lord DESBOROUGH (President), seconded by Major S. FLOODPAGE, and carried in sympathetic silence:

That this meeting of members of the London Chamber of Commerce desires to convey to the Chamber of Commerce of New York and to the people of the United States, their heartfelt sympathy in the appalling loss of life in connection with the unparalleled disaster to the "Titanic" by which the peoples of both countries have been thrown into mourning.

I shall be obliged if you will convey the terms of this resolution to your honourable Chamber at the first opportunity.

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The President announced that messages of sympathy had also been received from the British Chamber of Commerce of Nice, and from other organizations.

WELCOME TO FRENCH GUESTS.

Further business was suspended in order that a fitting welcome could be paid to the distinguished Frenchmen composing the delegation bringing to this country the bas relief by RODIN for the CHAMPLAIN monument. American and French flags had been draped behind the President's chair in their honor.

ADDRESS OF A. BARTON HEPBURN, ESQ.

THE PRESIDENT.-When this country was struggling to win a place in the sisterhood of nations, without facilities for manufacturing

the necessary means for defense, or money to purchase the same, at war with one of the most powerful nations of Europe, supplemented by the inspired hostility of the then powerful tribes of surrounding Indians, poor in purse, rich only in patriotic resolve to win their freedom, with credit shrouded by the gloom of possible, if not probable failure at this critical juncture France came to our support, with soldiers and ships of war, and rendered the greatest aid in winning our independence. [Applause.]

In addition, France loaned us money. The amount was not large, indeed it was small, compared with present day loans or transactions, but the loan was made at a time when our continental currency was so depreciated, that it has given to our language an expression of worthlessness," not worth a continental."

It was real, metallic money, and the ring of that money resounded throughout the colonies; it strengthened credit and renewed confidence. It was tangible evidence that a great nation believed in us-believed in our future.

At the Battle of Yorktown, which was the crowning victory that assured our independence, France furnished thirty-six ships of the line-the colonies none; of the land forces engaged, France furnished 7,000 veterans-the colonies 5,500 regulars and 3,500 militia. The French fleet, under DE GRASSE, had previously defeated the British. fleet and driven them from the Chesapeake, thereby depriving CORNWALLIS of all hope of reinforcements from New York, and also cutting off all hope of escape.

We won our independence, but in our self-gratulation, let us not forget the magnitude of the service, and the extent of our obligation to France. Hostility to England, as well as love for America, may have inspired her action, but even so, it does not lessen the service rendered to us.

This powerful alliance kindled anew the fires of patriotism, and roused a country-wide feeling of gratitude and love for France, which has ever since continued. May this feeling grow in intensity with succeeding years! [Applause.]

God grant that these two great commercial nations may find prosperity and happiness in the paths of peace, and side by side, shoulder to shoulder, may their joint influence make for peace and happiness throughout the world. [Applause.]

I have read that the figure upon the coins of France-a woman sowing-symbolizes the idea that France sows while others reap. That is eminently true of the United States and eminently true of

North America. When we recall that Canada, the Ohio territory and Louisiana once belonged to France, and recall how relatively small the Spanish province of Florida and the British colonies along the Atlantic Coast were, we realize what an empire on this continent, extending from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, was once the territory of France.

Her intrepid explorers, her patient priests and devoted missionaries sowed the seeds of civilization in this great territory, and the harvest of their labors we are reaping year by year.

The magnificent Statue of Liberty, that ornaments and dignifies our harbor-the creation of a great French artist and sculptor-BARTHOLDI--was a gift from France.

Our guests visit this country at the present time to place a bas relief, "La France"-the creation of another great French artist and sculptor-RODIN-upon a monument erected by the States of New York and Vermont, at Ticonderoga, in memory of the great explorers in this western world, chief among whom ranks CHAMPLAIN. [Applause.]

Our country was born amid the martial airs and chivalric heroism of the arms of France, and consecrated with the blood of her soldiers and sailors, and ever since she has given continuing proof of her friendship, both actual and sentimental-witness the presence of this distinguished delegation. [Applause.]

Surely our hearts ought to go out to France, as they do, in reciprocal goodwill, and our prayers be offered, as they are, for her peace, prosperity and happiness.

It is a pleasure and privilege for the commercial representatives of this state to receive and welcome you gentlemen, and I appeal to your kindly imagination to conceive the cordial greetings which we all feel, but which my language fails to express. [Applause.]

The President then introduced His Excellency M. JUSSERAND, the French Ambassador to the United States who was received with prolonged applause and who spoke as follows:

ADDRESS OF AMBASSADOR JUSSERAND.

MR. PRESIDENT, GENTLEMEN OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.– The delegation which has come over from France and has received such a flattering welcome, is composed of many various elements all of them representative of the old country. In the delegation you will find historians, men of letters, eloquent speakers, members of our Parliament, men who have won fame by fighting for

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