year. We also repeat its protest against the filling up of our rivers and harbors by sewage and urge the adoption of modern scientific methods for its disposal. XXXI. COASTWISE WATERWAYS. PHILADELPHIA BOARD OF TRADE, Resolved, That the coastwise waterways of the United States by their extent and ramifications rival in importance the interior riverine system and merit a similar attention on the part of the Government. XXXII. RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WHEREAS, The maximum development of American manufactures and commerce requires the utilization of the most economic and efficient means of freight transportation and WHEREAS, The great need of the development of our inland waterways and harbors has been fully demonstrated, and the approaching completion of the Panama Canal urgently suggests that measures for this development be instituted; it is therefore Resolved, That the National Board of Trade earnestly urges that liberal appropriations be made by Congress at an early date for improvements of our inland waterways and such harbors as may need preparation for enlarged trade. XXXIII. RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. PHILADELPHIA COMMERCIAL MUSEUM. Resolved, That the National Board of Trade favors the adoption by Congress of a systematic policy of waterway improvement which shall include those projects affording the greatest promise of future traffic, with reference to production and population, comprising both river systems and intracoastal waterways. XXXIV. RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT. PITTSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Resolved, That the National Board of Trade urges upon Congress the necessity of an annual appropriation of not less than $50,000,000 for a period of ten years by bond issue; if the current revenues are insufficient for waterway improvement, these appropriations to be applied in such manner as to permit of progressive, continuous and permanent work being done upon approved projects to provide for the proper development of the transportation facilities of the country; and Resolved, That Congress be urged to enact liberal rivers and harbors legislation, to the end that the work on our great waterway improvements may be quickly completed. XXXV. FLOOD PROTECTION. PITTSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WHEREAS, Danger and detriment to navigation and great destruction of life and property have been caused from time to time along the navigable streams of the whole country by reason of floods; and WHEREAS, The Flood Commission of the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburg, by surveys and study, involving the expenditure of a large sum of money, has clearly demonstrated that it is entirely possible to protect property that would otherwise be damaged and destroyed by floods, and also aid navigation by the deepening of the streams, straightening of the channels and the construction of storage reservoirs for the purpose of preventing destruction in flood time and supplying water for navigation during the dry seasons; therefore be it Resolved, That the National Board of Trade recommends that Congress take action towards providing means for the prevention of disastrous floods and aiding navigation on inland waterways. XXXVI. INLAND WATERWAYS. SCRANTON BOARD OF TRADE. Resolved, That the advancing freight rates on commodities yielding comparatively low rates of freight, and the delayed delivery of such freights by rail as compared with the delivery by water, make it desirable that important inland waterways be developed expeditiously in relief of existing conditions. Congress is urged to take prompt action looking to the relief of traffic in bulky commodities. XXXVII. RIVERS AND HARBORS. WASHINGTON BOARD OF TRADE. WHEREAS, The increasing productions of our country and its enlarged domestic and foreign commerce demand all possible facilities of transportation-the free natural lines of transportation are its rivers and harbors-all such available waters for water-borne commerce should be kept open and in condition for transportation; therefore Resolved, That the National Board of Trade urge upon Congress adequate yearly apropriations for that purpose. XXXVIII. RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT. WILMINGTON BOARD OF TRADE. WHEREAS, The National Board of Trade last year urged upon Congress the necessity for regular appropriations of not less than $50,000,000 per annum for inland waterway improvement; and WHEREAS, The Chief of Engineers has recommended to the Congress about to convene the appropriation for the next fiscal year of only $32,000,000 for such purposes; therefore be it Resolved, That the Wilmington Board of Trade again calls the urgent attention of the National Board of Trade to the necessity of obtaining from Congress a regular annual appropriation of not less than $50,000,000 for the improvement of inland waterways, such improvements to be made as has already been recommended by President Taft, not in a piecemeal and incoherent manner, but in such a manner as to make when completed a continuous system of waterways adequate to the increased demands of water-borne commerce. XXXIX. OWNERSHIP OF WATER TERMINAL FACILITIES. WILMINGTON BOARD OF TRADE. WHEREAS, The increase in our manufacturing, industrial and farming interests has grown to such proportions that the demand for improved waterways has become irresistible; and WHEREAS, The various municipalities situated along these waterways cannot properly avail themselves of the advantages of transportation by water without the ownership of proper terminal facilities for all vessels engaged in such commerce; therefore be it Resolved, That the Wilmington Board of Trade calls to the attention of the National Board of Trade the imperative need of all municipalities capable of using the improved waterways of the country, acquiring the immediate ownership of adequate terminal facilities, whether such ownership can be secured by purchase or shall have to be secured by condemnation proceedings, and of maintaining said terminal facilities open for the accommodation of all incoming and outgoing vessels. XL. THE TARIFF. BALTIMORE BOARD OF TRADE. Believing that a revision of the tariff presents a question which cannot be fairly settled by a political body, such as Congress, without the guidance of expert investigation; be it Resolved, That the Board of Trade of Baltimore favors the suggestion that the subject be referred to a non-partisan, uninterested and competent commission for its elucidation; be it further Resolved, That we approve of considering individual schedules when making changes and of not considering all the items on the tariff list at one time. XLI. TARIFF. BALTIMORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Resolved, The National Board of Trade again places itself on record as favoring a revision of the tariff so as to readjust the duties to the great changes which have taken place in the economic condition of the nation. While recognizing that all interests, industrial, commercial and agricultural, should be considered, we think the burden of supporting the expenses of the Government is not at present equitably distributed, and urge Congress to respond to any measures which may be proposed by the Tariff Board or otherwise that will reform the present condition. XLII. TARIFF BOARD. BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WHEREAS, The growing variety and complexity of our industrial and commercial activities has made the question of changes in the tariff a highly involved and technical one; and WHEREAS, The wise handling of this great question which is of such vital concern to the business interests of the whole country, clearly demands continuous careful study and investigation by experts of well-known ability and training, in order that ample and reliable information as to the manifold aspects of the problem may be available when needed; and WHEREAS, Scientific study and investigation of this kind must be provided for and maintained if the tariff is to be treated not as a political issue, but as a great economic problem which it has admittedly become; therefore be it Resolved, That the National Board of Trade urge upon Congress the necessity of enacting such further legislation and providing such appropriations as will insure the continuance of a permanent Tariff Board. XLIII. TARIFF ACT. ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WHEREAS, The present minimum rates of Payne's tariff are the highest that have ever been enacted, and in order to demonstrate to the international commerce a healthy leaning toward reciprocity (as in the case of Canada); be it therefore Resolved, That the Italian Chamber of Commerce recommend to the National Board of Trade to urge upon the Permanent Tariff Committee to the effect of proposing the abolition of said maximum tariff pending further legislation. XLIV. TARIFF ACT. ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WHEREAS, The law, by assessing duty on wines and liquors whichowing to leakage or breakage-have not actually, entered into the United States, taxes imaginary goods on presumed, but not effectuated importation; and furthermore WHEREAS, Such action affects importers in a discriminatory way, as among them some pay duty on what they really get, and others on what they expected to, but did not get, and therefore did not enter for consumption; be it therefore Resolved, That the Italian Chamber of Commerce recommend to the National Board of Trade to urge upon the Permanent Tariff Committee for proposing to Congress to amend the Tariff Act, which openly contradicts with the fundamental principle of the law (the taxing of imported goods) and discriminates between consignees receiving their shipments in good order and condition, and those who receive them more or less damaged, caused by breakage or leakage. XLV. RECIPROCITY WITH CANADA. NEW YORK PRODUCE EXCHANGE. Wise statesmanship always leads to the cultivation of friendly, neighborly relations, and as the Dominion of Canada is one of our best customers and a large supply of many products needed in the United States; therefore be it Resolved, That the National Board of Trade is in favor of a treaty of reciprocity with Canada and an exchange of products on basis of equality of tariff rates. XLVI. TARIFF COMMISSION. PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WHEREAS, Our recent experience has confirmed all previous experience, that the business interests of this country should not be subjected to the disruption and loss consequent upon the wholesale or drastic change of the tariff, at any one time; therefore be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the National Board of Trade that Congress should promptly create a Tariff Commission, to be com |