FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 25 October 1912, Page 8

FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

\ THOUSAND DELEGATES IN ATTENDANCE. REPRESENTING FORTY-SIX NATIONALITIES. SPLENDID HOSPITALITY. PRESIDENT TAFT GREETS WANGANUFS DELEGATES. (Special to "Wanganui Chronicle.") BY L$N. E. BASSETT. BOSTON, Sept. 25. Wo are* now in full "swing. Boston is -a largo city, of half a million (including suburbs), and naturally has many interests; but notwithstanding is giving the great Congress great prominence. All the arrangements reflect the greatest credit on the public bodies and individuals responsible for such. As the crowds of delegates (between eight «nd nine hundred) poured into the city from all parts of the globe, representing forty-sis different nationalities, the Congress scouts —capable linguists— were busy seeking out the strangers and j -directing* them to their rooms, already j arranged; for them. 'Monday, 23rd, was spent in registering the arrivals, and in, j -the receiving and perusal of literatuve ( and instructions. Each delegate was presented with : a nice surprise packet. Contained therein were all the necessities for the Congress period. In addiction there, was a Boston City Guide, also a special International Congress medal, beautifully finished and contained in a case embossed with the delegate's -name. A special gift volume of Boston, well bound and finished in the best grade, with tho delegates' names printed in gold on the cover, was also included, while special free taxi-cab tickets were presented, providing free transit at any time. The evening was spent in attending tho reception function. The ! Wanganui party—Mr. A. Burnett and Miss Burnett, Mr. A. Robinson, Mrs. and Misses Robinson and myself—were soon together, and attended. The large and beautiful ballroom of the Hotel j Copley-Plaza (an immense, luxurious •structure) was used for the purpose. Our party were presented individually to the reception group, consisting of tho Hon. 'C. Nagel, Secretary of Commerce, Mayor j and Mrs. Fitzgerald, and about «i doz--en other important personages. It was a great gathering. Never, perhaps, in all history have so many men of so many nations, representing in them- ' -selves so much of the power which- makes nations great, met in either tho old -or the new world for a common pur- j pose. Tho splendid ballroom was ablaze j with light, and brilliant with the col- \ our of decorations. It -was a social oc- j casion such as few cities have ever had. ! "Tho guests, men and women of all nation,", and speaking a variety of languages, were received in the foyer of the ballroom by President and Mrs. Joseph B. Russell, of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, President ■ and Mme. Louis Canon-Legrand, of the International Congress; Governor and Mrs. . Eugene N. Foss. of Massachusettts. Mayor and Mrs. John F. Fitzgerald, of Boston, and Miss Rose "Fitzgerald, Chairman and, Mrs. George S. Smith, of the Boston Executive Committee of the International Congress, Secretary and 3fme.vEmilo-Jottni.iid of the Interaar. tional Congress.; ex-Presi3°nt. and Mrs. . James B. Sfeorraw, of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, and Vice-president Edward A. Filene, of .^be. ißterna-tjonftl Congress. The siieste" itfere e'stor.ted .to tho receiving line* by; members of jthe Boston Chamber. "'■'".'.■'•,■ *.•'■■• ... In tho great ballroom' the thousand men who-attended gathered; for an'-jplab- - orate buffet luncheon. From the .throng roso a iabel of languages.'. ;For. two hours they mingled and tipcame koqnaih- - ted' with-each other as a preliminary t to tho week. of buJlW^e sessions and %it;er- . tainments. English, French j "GermaiL.. Italian, Portuguese,,;, Spja»ishy phinese and broken attempts at alf 'these languages; were ..spoken. For, .tw-p hours., -"tfeey-Tningled and became acquainted.with each other. ; ; r .'■:'.,'. The ceremonial opening of- tho Con--gress took place on tbe following iiiorning, beginning at 10-30 o'clock^ in the •ballroom- where the receptiofh -was held. Nearly all of the delegates to the Con- - gress \rero in attendance.- The session wa,i opened by Chairman George S. Smith,of the Boston Executive Committee of the Congress.' Ho introduced the Hon. Charles S. JSagel, United States Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Labour, who extended to the •delegates a welcome in behalf of tho United States. Other welcomes followed. Governor Foss spoke for the Commonwealth «-»f Massachusetts, Mayor Fitzgerald for the City of Boston, President Harry A. Wheeler, of tho Chamber of Oommeroo of the United States, for the country's commercial organisations. Vice-Presid-ent Edward A. Filene, of tho Congress, and a Director of the Beaton Chamber, added his welcome, and introduced President Louis Canon-Legrand, who responded for the delegates. Then began the first official session of tho Congress. The opening report was presented by President Canon-Legrand, in French, the official .language of tho Congress. Hi. s topic was "The establishment of a fixed date for Easter, and tho reform of the calendar." Then followed discussion of the report, the speakers addressing the delegates in severol languages. During the morning session the visiting: women were entertained by a committeo of women of Boston and the Metropolitan District. They were taken on an automobile trip in motor cars of tho Royal Blue line, in the morning through the Boston Fens, through Cambridge, and by the Paul Revero route to Lexington and Concord. After the trip, the whole party were tho guests nf Mrs. Joseph B. Russell. wifo of the President of the Boston Chamber, at luncheon in her Cambridge home. Between the morning and afternoon sessions of the Congress the delegates wero taken in special cars, as guests of the Boston Elevated Railway, to Cambridgo by way of tho subway and viaduct. They were served with luncheon m tho repair shop at Cambridge and returned to Boston by way of the new tambridgo tunnel. Tho afternoon was given over to tho second session of the Congress. Tho discussion of President C'nnon-Lecrrand's report was concluded, and the delegates listened to tho second report, by Prof. Dr. Max Apt. of Borlin. whose subject m-".~ "Th« establishment of an Intornr.bonnl Court of Arbitral Justice for p-iitT botwe?n individuals and foreign SW-es." Tho discussion of +his rop<Trfc followed and wa<* concluded with tho ad:o!irnment of thh session. Tn the "vonino1. the delegates nn/i tneir w:ve.q and daughters assembler] in Svm--niionv Hall, aeain with the Boston Chanibp-r of Commerce as their host, + 1 listen to n. eofieert, by mombers of Boston's TTnt^h-beloved- Symphony Orchestrrt. led hyGustav StrnJvy J£ wn \ a social event even more brilliant than

that of the opening night. The stage where the orchestra played was.massed with palms and canopied with the colours of the Boston Chamber. In electric lights gleamed tho toast, ° A Votro Sante"—"To your health." The balconies wero draped with American flags.

The guests were seated at tables on the floor of the hall, and were served with light refreshments during the evening. In tho__galleries were members of tho Boston Cnamber and members of their families.

Hosts and guests, of whatever nationality, understood the language of the evening—music. All could translate and enjoy in common the strains of Strauss' ""_The Beautiful Blue Danube," of Wagner's "Tannhauser" overture, of Rossini's "Overture from William Tell." It goes without saying that it was the greatest orchestral treat of our experience. Tho hall presented a magnificent scene, and as the last item was rendered (selections from National Anthems), the various sections responded with enthusiasm, making a great climax to a great function. To-day (Wednesday) the delegates wero in session all day, and at mid-day a full group photograph was taken on a stand erected for the purpose. Friday, October 27.—Just a, few words to supplement letter posted yesterday. Conference is over, and we now commenco the Boston Industry trip. Last night was the great function, presided over by President Taffc. Messrs. Burnett, Robinson, and I were specially presented by the ex-President of the .Boston Chamber of Commerce, with whom wo are friendly. I was some few minutes ahead of the other two, and tho ex-President of the Boston Chaml>er called me and said ho wpuld like to personally present us three. President Taft^a man of medium hejght and huge proportions, shook hands strenuously, and, holding on in the American fashion, said: "So you come from the land of successful experimental legislation?" I agreed, whereupon the President added,' " And I suppose the Chambers of Commerce have a say in matters, too. notwithstanding Labour unions." Ho was genial., and did t^ show much effect of his Presidential campaign. Later Mr. Burnett, and Mr. Robinson were specially sought out by our kind friend, and met the American King. The ladies of the party were also presented at a later period. Tho dinner was a huge affair, and must havo fost miny thousands of dollars. We heard Mr. Taft speak ably and to the point. To-day Governor Woodrow W Tilsou speaks in Boston, so wo three Wanganuite3. sought out his committee and got entrance tickets and are missing a Congress boot-factory trip (as we have others to visit later), to enable us to hear the mnn many Americans seem to regard as the coming President.