list of "Century Houses" which the COOPERATION HAD Association collected in connection with MR. SMITH CHOSEN ever since. Mr. Smith's ability as an organizer and an executive has been amply demUnonstrated in the typewriter field. der his management, the Royal Typewriter has extended its sales system all over the world and there is no country where it does not maintain a selling force with suitable office equipment. In many foreign cities the company has built or purchased buildings of its own. Was Director of National Chamber Mr. Smith has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, and for two terms he was President of the American Manufacturers Export Association. During the war he acted on various boards charged with the execution of Government work in various fields with which he was familiar. LEGISLATIVE SERVICE WORK The Merchants' Association's Legislative Service Bureau during October responded to 134 requests for information. Of these eighty requests related to Federal legislation, eight to State legislation, ten to City ordinances and thirty-six to miscellaneous subjects. BLIGHTING EFFECT Path Society Turns Its Back on Its ITS SOLICITORS NOW OUT AGAIN Prepared by the Bureau of Advice and Organization Society The holiday season more than any other is the time for meeting or, at least, making contact with old friends and renewing the old ties. Acting upon this impulse and assuming that business men would be glad to see its solicitors, the Path Association revived itself to meet the emergency. By Way of Introduction The solicitors, by way of introduction, presented to the merchants duplicate copies of the receipts issued for contributions given several years ago. This was a wise precaution, of course, and served as a real prop to the memory of the merchants. Associations, like people, change with the years and are not always recognized at a glance, particularly when one is busy. And let it ever be said to the credit of the Path Association that this method of introduction was well planned. But what of the other activities of the Association? Well, in its youth it had a marked interest in cripples; tried to teach them useful trades, find them jobs, etc. These efforts never seemed PISTOL BEARERS MUST FILE to be very successful and on one or PHOTOGRAPHS two occasions certain responsible busiDepartment The Police ness men tried to play the part of a nounced that all pistol permits here- big brother, to advise and even to asafter granted must be accompanied by sume responsibility for the proper diof the Association. But a photograph of the bearer. Approxi- rection mately 30,000 persons are licensed in scarcely was this step taken before the New York City to carry revolvers. Chief men suddenly withdrew and manifestamong them are employees of banks ed a sudden coldness and lack of inand other financial institutions and per- terest, and the Association died! sons engaging in hazardous occupations. APPOINTED ON COMMITTEE Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Providence, Rhode Island, and Mr. Ernest W. Brown, Attorney and Manager of the New York Reciprocal Underwriters have been appointed by ANOTHER "CENTURY HOUSE" President Pierson a member of The The attention of The Merchants' As- Association's Committee on Fire Presociation has been called to another vention and Insurance of which Mr. name which should be added to the Alfred E. Marling is Chairman. Cripples Left in the Lurch The activities, therefore, so far as any benefit to cripples is concerned, have seemingly ceased. No school can be found, no placement bureau discovered. But the zeal of the solicitors is unremitting. It will not cease 80 long as business men give without knowing whether the cause presented is worthy or not, or whether indeed it really exists. Why not file "Greater New York"? R 66 'To Foster the Trade and Welfare of New York GREATER NEW VOL. XII Bulletin of The MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION of New York NEW YORK, MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1923 No. 2 Asks About New Commercial Treaty With Spain Responding to a Warning Sent by the American Chamber of Commerce in Spain, Which Points Out the Serious Situation Caused by the Termination of the Present Agreement on Nov. 5, 1923, This Association Asks Commerce Department What is Being Done Inquiry is being made by The Merchants' Association of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, as to what is being done to negotiate a new commercial treaty with Spain to. take the place of the present treaty, which will expire on November 5, 1923. The attention of The Merchants' Association was called to the matter by the American Chamber of Commerce in Spain, Mr. M. M. Smith, President. Appealed for Aid In a letter addressed to Mr. S. C. Mead, Secretary, last month, Mr. Smith said: "We earnestly request your active support and help in a matter which vitally affects not only the future of our organization and its members but also that of American trade with Spain and her possessions. "The official 'Gaceta de Madrid' published on the 10th of last November a measure of the Ministry of State (dated the 5th) denouncing the agreement of AMERICAN CHAMBER OF 233 Broadway, New York. Gentlemen: We take pleasure in acknowledging receipt of a copy of the 1922 Year Book issued by The Merchants' Association of New York. Already last year's copy was of great interest to our members and continually consulted by local importers and exporters but 1922nd issue is still more interesting showing at a glance the rapid development of your Association and the great assistance you are rendering to American pioneers abroad. I have been instructed by the Yours very truly, still further ment creates for all those interested in selling American goods to Spain. If a new commercial agreement is not signed between the two countries before November 5, 1923, American goods will lose all the privileges they at present provisionally enjoy and will have to pay customs duties under the first column of the tariff, which, generally speaking, are more than double those of the second column. Thus Americans not only will be at a disadvantage as regards those nations paying duties under the second column but at a still greater disadvantage as regards the British, French, Swiss, Norwegians and others who have recently signed special commercial agreements with Spain. These agreements give those countries such a reduction in duty on their principal exports that they may be said to pay at the present time from 20 to 30 per cent less than the duties of the second column. No Time To Be Lost "The question of a commercial treaty August 1, 1906, which regulated com- column of the tariff, in addition to ad- between Spain and the United States mercial relations between Spain and vantages accorded by which will obtain for American prodthe United States. This agreement was special agreements of recent date to ucts imported into this country the drawn up in such terms that either of merchandise of British, French, Swiss, same rights as are granted to those of the parties to it, before denouncing it, Norwegian and other origins. France, England, Switzerland, Norway, must give a year's notice to the other. A Grave Situation etc., is of such vital importance to Therefore, it remains in effect until "These advantages are, for us, but American exporters and manufacturers November 5, 1923, and meantime our temporary, however, and we think it not a minute should be lost in having merchandise introduced into Spain will needless to emphasize the enormous our Government take action regarding enjoy the advantage of paying customs gravity of the situation which the de- it. Our Chamber, in special meetings duties under the second, or preferential, nouncement of our commercial agree- held to discuss a plan of procedure, de MUST MAKE NEW TREATY Industry and Trade Four Group Sessions for detailed discussion of mand to further the treaty's immediate negotiation, appointing committees to work with the Spanish Government, also with our Ambassador and Com- cided that the writer endeavor to se- cure the active aid of the most import- ant commercial bodies in the United States, beginning, of course, with the "We shall indeed be grateful for everything you can do to second our efforts in this matter, bringing its grav- ity home to your members so that they, individually, may bring pressure to bear upon our Government, and we beg the National Chamber as a whole to make The high price of $3.50 per bushel In cotton (Middling Uplands) the 1869. CONSUMPTION OF PLATINUM More than half the imports of plati- American delegates will depart from New York on the Steamship Caronia for a cruise of the Mediterranean Sea. The following ports and cities, etc., will be visited: Funchal, Madeira, Gibraltar, Algiers, Monaco, Genoa, Naples (first call), Athens, Constantinople, Alexandria, Cairo, Haifa, Jerusalem, Dead Sea, River Jordan, Jericho, Bethlehem, Naples (second call), arriving in Rome The Board of Directors of the International Chamber will meet in Rome. The Organization Committee will meet in Rome to draft proposed amendments to the Constitution, MONDAY TO SATURDAY, MARCH 19-24 The program will be divided into General Ses- Group Committee meetings will be held morn ing and afternoon on Monday, March 19. Wednes- day, March 21, and Friday, March 23. General Sessions will be held morning and afternoon on Tuesday, March 20, Thursday, March 22, and The Resolutions Committee will meet on the day preceding each General Session to consider the resolutions from the Group Committee Meetings. A. Equitable Treatment of Trade as regards Customs Formalities and Analogous Questions. B. Measures to prevent new Import Duties in- troduced by the Different Governments from Af- the Date of Application of Such Duties. C. Removal of Export Taxes on Raw Materials. D. Protection of Industrial Property-Unfair Two Group Sessions for detailed discussion of difficulties in the way of international transporta- tion and two General Sessions for final decisions A. National Restrictions on Maritime Trans- B. Coordination of the Air Services of the Dif- ferent Countries and Facilities for International All delegates will be permitted to take part in the deliberations of the Group Committee Meet- ings and to participate in the discussions at the during September, 1922, was the small- NEW BRONZE TRAFFIC TOWERS FOR FIFTH AVENUE Fifth Avenue Association Presents Seven Towers Constructed After a Design Resulting from a Competition-Bells Strike Noon and Midnight Seven bronze traf fic towers have been presented to New York City by the Fifth Avenue Association for erection in Fifth Avenue. They will be placed at congested points, taking the place of the towers already in position. They will be occupied by policemen for the control of the movement of traffic. The first of these towers has been erected at Fortysecond Street. Each tower has two clocks, one facing north and one facing south and each is equipped with a bronze bell weighing three hundred and fifty pounds, which will strike twice a day, at noon and at midnight. The accompanying photograph shows one of the towers. They are constructed almost entirely of bronze, with a granite base four feet square and three feet high. They are twentythree feet in height. The base of each tower has granite "striking blocks" at each corner to fend off traffic and protect the tower. The lower part of the structure is open so as to permit an unobstructed view up and down the Avenue. The space at the top where the traffic policeman stands is enclosed in glass windows. The towers are heated by electric stoves. con of the designs came from as far west as Chicago. The present system of traffic regulation by means of signal towers was adopted upon the recommendation of Special Deputy Police Commissioner John A. Harriss. It has worked SO well in Fifth Avenue that the Board of Estimate appropriated $250,000 for extending it in Broadway, Varick Streeet, Seventh Avenue, Sixth Avenue, Fourth Avenue. Park Avenue, Lafayette Street and 125th Street in the Borough of Manhattan, in Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, and the Grand Concourse in The Bronx. STATE MONEY NESS New York State did a larger postal money order business last year than In the center of the tower on the any other State in the country. It is north and south sides the City seal is sued postal money orders amounting to $145,313,841 and cashed postal orders amounting to $215,901,094. The State of Pennsylvania ranked secona. TERMINAL BRANCH Protest Against Suspension of Busy Restoration would be the best policy for the Gov- MUSEUM SHOW TO COME THIS MONTH ernment to build one. Station G in West Fifty-first Street near Broadway, Manhattan, upon which the lease has expired, is also too small. Annual Exhibition Showing Study Stations A and W, in Brooklyn, at PROVISION FOR MAIL TUBES 661 Broadway and at Broadway and NOW ATTRACTS MANY VISITORS The Post Office Department, respond ing to protests made by The Merchants' Association and by business men in the lower part of Manhattan, has decided to reopen the Hudson Terminal Station. Suspension Injured Service This station handled an average of 800,000 pieces of mail a day during most of the fourteen years of its existence. It was closed last May and its suspension was followed by an immediate protest. A Committee, headed by Mr. Cornelius S. Loder, was formed to bring about its restoration and The Merchants' Association made effective representations on the subject to the Post Office Department calling attention to the decline in efficiency in handling the mails. in the preceding By Mr. Richard F. Bach Metropolitan Museum of Art The Exhibition of Work by Manufacturers and Designers Showing Study of the Museum Collections will take place this year from January 15 to February 28. The Seventh Exhibition This will be the seventh in the annual series of these collections of current work by firms and individual producers engaged in the industrial arts who regularly come to the Museum for suggestions, motives, ideas, colors or aids of many other kinds in the pro This total compares with $7,959,- duction of home furnishings, costumes, 111,400 twelve scenery, jewelry, and other objects in months. some forty trades represented in and Closely associated with the increase near New York. In fact, many designin the figures shown over 1921 was the ers and maufacturers now come to us An investigation showed that more improvement that took place in a great from afar, Chicago, Minneapolis, and than 100,000 persons were dependent upon the Hudson Terminal branch for many lines of trade or industry. More- Grand Rapids being well represented. A representative collection of materitheir mail and that the service was in- over, the outlook for the launching of new enterprises is considered encour- al will again be available, illustrating adequate. Consequently, a report was aging by bankers who express the be- the primary truth that Museum remade to the Postmaster General recomlief that a great many mergers will be sources do not offer a panacea for the mending the reopening of the office, and witnessed during 1923, particularly incompetent designer or an easy salesthis report has been accepted. The Deamong the oil, iron and steel, sugar, getter for the commercially minded partment has arranged for adding leather, copper, textile and other in- manufacturer or tradesman, but rather 60,000 feet of floor space to the office. dustries, as well as in the railroad a varied and tested fund of information The Mail Tubes An appropriation of $513,911 for the pneumatic mail tube service in New York City has been approved by the House of Representatives. chants' Association took an active interest in the restoration of this service. new concerns world. Wall Street also believes that which will aid in producing better denumerous banking mergers will take sign and, by virtue of quality and atplace. Financial support is being of- tractiveness combined, contribute tofered rather freely to new business and ward the solid foundation of the trades industrial undertakings that The Merare as- concerned with industrial arts. The insured competent management. fluence of the Museum as manifseted in From the returns received from the interest and actual output of an invarious States it appears that 9,442 creasing number of factories, shops, were chartered during and workrooms is now an established the past twelve months, as against factor in American industrial art. 9,527 during 1921. These figures cover Some of the results of this study will only enterprises with an individual au- be shown in the exhibition now in thorized capital of $100,000 or more. preparation, which, as heretofore, will Attention should be called to the fact bring together, not the sum total of in this connection that the compilation the year's work, nor necessarily the embraces a great variety of industries best that the year has produced, but a suggesting increased competitive condi- group of objects in many fields considtions. ered thoroughly representative in their The Postmaster General has recommended to the Congressional Joint Commission on Postal Service that two new branch post office buildings be erected in the Borough of Manhattan and one in the Borough of Brooklyn. He believes that an emergency exists which makes the construction of these buildings necessary. Would Erect Three Buildings In the case of Station J at 309 West New oil and gas flotations have respective trades; objects, furthermore, 125th Street, Manhattan, it has been played a prominent part in the showing the majority of which are produced outgrown. As there will always be a for the year, while new shipping and several at a time. It is, of course in need for a station in that vicinity the chemical concerns were also well rep- the direction of quantity production Postmaster General believes that it resented. that our greatest service lies. |