will not give us facts which you might say may be satisfactory to one element of the Chamber, and unsatisfactory to another. [Applause.] THE PRESIDENT.-While it might have made some difference in the minds of a very few if the discussion had proceeded here to day, it is perfectly evident that the publication of an extract from MR. ROOT'S speech in the Bulletin would have no final influence on any court that might consider this matter, because it is our invariable practice to publish in full the proceedings and the speeches at the dinner. I am free to say that in view of the possible discussion I should have preferred that that extract had not appeared in this number of the Bulletin; and yet any one using ordinary discretion would naturally have put it in. I am thankful, however, that there is to be no discussion of the main question, that we have solved it in a way that seems to be the best way, and that consequently, we may congratulate ourselves on being able to go away in peace. I know MR. CARNEGIE is a distinguished advocate of peace and I am sure he will approve these sentiments. [Laughter and applause.] RAILROAD LABOR ARBITRATION. A. BARTON HEPBURN Ex-President of the Chamber offered the following preamble and resolution: Whereas, In April, 1912, the representatives of fifty-two railroads known as the Eastern district, and the engineers employed thereon, failed to agree upon a proposed wage scale resulting in a threatened strike involving 47.3 per cent. of the ton miles, and 42.8 per cent. of the passenger miles of all the railroads of the United States : Whereas, The proposed strike involved a probable loss of life, much suffering and immense loss of property, and was finally averted by consenting to arbitration by a commission: Whereas, The Chief Justice of the United States, the Presiding Judge of the Commerce Court, the U. S. Commissioner of Labor, on April 30, 1912, selected and appointed a Board composed of the following distinguished citizens: HON. OSCAR S. STRAUS of New York, DR. CHARLES R. VAN HISE of Madison, Wisconsin, MR. FREDERICK N. JUDSON of St. Louis, DR. ALBERT SHAW of New York, and MR. OTTO M. EIDLITZ of New York; and the Commission thus constituted held its first meeting July 12, 1912, and continued the work until its findings were made public early in November, 1912; Whereas, This commission at serious personal inconvenience rendered a great public service when urgently needed, declining any compensation, and whereas their conclusions and recommendations are the most important that have been suggested for the continued peace of the transportation service, which is essential to the welfare of the nation, and the prosperity and comfort of all its citizens; and Whereas, Such arbitrators, in their formal decision, recommend the appointment of a Commission by Act of Congress, with authority to adjust industrial disputes between employers and employees engag ed in Interstate Commerce, to the end that Interstate Commerce may not be interfered with by either lockouts or strikes, and the report of the said arbitrators is the result of careful investigation and entitled to serious consideration; therefore, be it Resolved, That this Chamber expresses the hope that Congress will give due consideration to the recommendations of said Commission and enact laws which will make its recommendations effective; and be it further Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York appreciating the public benefit conferred by the distinguished members of the Commission, hereby indicate their appreciation of it by tendering them a vote of thanks for their magnificent service to the people directly affected, as well as to the citizens of this great nation. REMARKS OF A. BARTON HEPBURN, ESQ. MR. HEPBURN.-I desire to accompany that resolution with the report of these arbitrators therein referred to, and to state that I had a good deal of difficulty and expense in getting a copy of that report. The newspapers published a considerable portion of it, but only a portion of it. The gentlemen constituting the Commission are very able and experienced. The President of the University of Wisconsin, Dr. VAN HISE, is one of the best economists we have in the country. They have gone into this question thoroughly, and they have formulated basic principles which they think ought to control and be a guide on controversies of this kind. Now, my thought is not only to approve their request to Congress, but also to have the Executive Committee report back to this Chamber the essential features of their report in order that it may be published in the Bulletin and be accessible to the members of this Chamber. The Chamber is entitled to know what so distinguished a body of men as they are have had to say upon a subject of this kind, after the study they have made of it. I hope it will be referred to the Executive Committee with the understanding that they have that object in mind. [Applause.] THE PRESIDENT.—I am very glad MR. HEPBURN has offered this resolution and has made these suggestions. I myself had an opportunity to look over the report for about an hour, and I found it one of the most interesting and instructive reports that I have ever glanced over. I hope to read it carefully when I get an opportunity. I trust the motion that MR. HEPBURN has made will prevail and that the matter will be referred to the Executive Committee so that it may prepare an abstract which will be more readily perused by the members of the Chamber, the report itself being somewhat voluminous. The preamble and resolution were by vote referred to the Executive Committee with this recommendation. FRANCE HONORS MR. HEPBURN AND THE CHAMBER. THE PRESIDENT-It is very pleasant to note the fact that the French Government has expressed its appreciation of the reception given to its delegates last May, by making MR. HEPBURN an Officer of the Legion of Honor. [Applause.] MR. HEPBURN'S splendid activity in this connection made the occasion a great success; and I am sure we are all delighted that the honor has come to him, and that this compliment has been paid to the Chamber. [Applause.] The Chamber then adjourned. Monthly Meeting, Thursday, January 2, 1913. A regular monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held in the Hall of the Chamber on Thursday, January 2, 1913, at half past twelve o'clock, P. M. And two hundred and seventy-seven other members. The minutes of the last regular meeting held December 5, 1912, were read and approved. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. SAMUEL W. FAIRCHILD, on behalf of the Executive Committee reported the following named candidates for membership and recom mended their election: FOR RESIDENT MEMBERS. LOUIS ANNIN AMES, G. CLINTON BATCHELLER, CORNELIUS A. PUGSLEY. GEORGE F. BAKER, ROBERT M. GALLAWAY, FRANCIS L. HINE. NOAH C. ROGERS. HENRY HENTZ. G. CLINTON BATCHELLER, J. WALDO SMITH. HOWARD C. SMITH, WELDING RING, EUSTIS L. HOPKINS, VERNON H. BROWN, CHARLES HATHAWAY. FREDERIC W. LINCOLN. STEVENSON TAYLOR. ROBERT H. MONTGOMERY, JACOB C. KLINCK. CHARLES L. BERNHEIMER, RICHARD H. EWART. WILLLAM WILLIS MERRILL and CHARLES T. GWYNNE being appointed tellers, a ballot was taken resulting in the election of these candidates. The President announced that the resident membership limit had now been reached. DEATH OF WHITELAW REID. THE PRESIDENT.-Since the last meeting of the Chamber, a distinguished honorary member, WHITELAW REID, has passed away. MR. REID's brilliant career added to the dignity and lustre of American citizenship and won for him international distinction. The Executive Committee will present a minute for the adoption of the Chamber. MR. FAIRCHILD from the Executive Committee presented the following minute and moved its adoption: WHITELAW REID, distinguished for many years in journalism and diplomacy, and since 1905 the American Ambassador to Great Britain. has died while in the performance of the duties of that high position. Great honors have been given to his memory by the government and people of Great Britain, and his body is now being brought to this country in a British warship. At home as abroad, the most notable tributes have been paid to his manifold attainments, his high character and his great public services. MR. REID was elected an honorary member of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York on April 7, 1892; and for many years his relations with the Chamber have been most cordial and friendly. The Executive Committee, therefore, recommends the adoption by a standing vote of the following resolution: Resolved, That as a mark of respect to the memory of our honorary member WHITELAW REID, the President shall appoint a committee of seven to represent the Chamber of Commerce at his funeral; and that a copy of this minute be sent to his family and that it shall be inscribed on our records. The minute and accompanying resolution were unanimously adopted by a standing vote. The President appointed the following to represent the Chamber at MR. REID's funeral: JOSEPH H. CHOATE, J. PIERPONT MORGAN, ANDREW CARNEGIE, HORACE PORTER, SETH LOW, JACOB H. SCHIFF and NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER. By direction of the President the Secretary read the following cablegrams: |