SINCLAIR, JOHN J., Appointed member of Banquet Committee, page 33. SLOANE, WILLIAM, Appointed special member of Finance and Currency Committee, SMITH, HOWARD C., Presents reports on Height of Buildings, pages 84, 205. Presents resolution on Panama Canal Tolls, page 186. Remarks of, on Anti-Trust Legislation, pages 157, 176, 178, 181. SMITH, G. WALDO, Tribute to, on death of, page 54. SPRING-RICE, SIR CECIL, Toast to, page 94. STOCKHOLDERS, Motion proposing organization of, page 125. SULZER, GOVERNOR WILLIAM, Letters from, pages 18, 39. SUPPLIES, Proposed Central Purchase of City, page 2. SWORDS, HENRY C., Appointed on National Guard Committee, page 160. TALCOTT, JAMES, Appointed special member of Finance and Currency Committee, page 58. Presides at January Meeting, page 127. TAXATION, Report on Methods of Income Tax Collection, page 4. Report on Taxable Transfers, page 183. Three Important Measures of, page xxxiii. Verbal report from Taxation Committee, page 12. TAYLOR, WILLIAM H, Remarks of, on Anti-Trust Legislation, page 180. TERRY, JOHN T., Action on death of, page 23. TOMKINS, CALVIN, Remarks of, on Harbor Improvements, page 215. TRACY, MARCUS H., Election of, as Pilot Commissioner, page 52. TRADE COMMISSION, Action in regard to proposed, pages 176, 185, 196. TRANSPORTATION, RAILROAD, Action in regard to proposed advance in rates, pages 130, 209. ULMAN, J. STEVENS, Moves resolution in regard to spotting of cars, page 209. VANDERBILT, CORNELIUS, Moves resolution in regard to ter-centenary of commerce, page 212. VANDERLIP, FRANK A., Remarks of concerning banking legislation, pages 64, 72, Reports in regard to Income Tax Collection, page 4. WARD, GEORGE GRAY, Serves as teller at annual election, page 21. WATER SUPPLY, Report on MAIER Bill controlling, page 207. WHEELER, SCHUYLER S., Remarks of, on Anti-Trust Legislation, page 158. WHITMAN, CLARENCE, Appointed special member of Finance and Currency Committee, WHITNEY, JR., ALFRED R. Appointed on National Guard Committee, page 160. WILLS, CHARLES T., Appointed on National Guard Committee, page 160. WILSON, GEORGE T., Appointed delegate to International Congress of Chambers of Com- merce, page 185. WILSON, PRESIDENT WOODROW, Letter from, page 209. WINDMULLER, LOUIS, Presents report on Height of Buildings, page 32. Tribute to, on death of, page 54. WITHERBEE, FRANK S., Appointed on Committee on Workmen's Compensation, page 208. WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION, Reports and Action on, pages 122, 144, 208. YEAR IN BUSINESS, Page xxxix. 2* REVIEW OF THE YEAR. THE FIFTY-SIXTH This Annual Report is the fifty-sixth issued by the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York since 1858. The fifty-six volumes make a successive exhibit of the commerce and trade of New York such as cannot be obtained, in such convenient and consecutive a form, in any other way. They also make what amounts to a commercial history of New York, because they contain the complete minutes of the Chamber for more than half a century. The present volume bears complete evidence of the continued growth of New York, and the continued activity of the Chamber. Although this is the oldest commercial organization in the United States, and one of the oldest in the world, its age has not diminished its vitality or checked its progressive spirit. 1913-1914. Important questions-all of them intimately related to business-have come before the American people during the past year; and necessarily the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, as the premier commercial organization in Greater New York, has taken. influential part in their consideration. The year witnessed a change of administration in the Government at Washington, and with that change, a further extension of the field of governmental oversight of interstate business. A revision of the tariff; the enactment of an income tax; the passage of the Federal Reserve Act, creating a new banking system for the country; proposed legislation for the establishment of a Federal Trade Commission with powers over interstate trade and industry analogous to that of the Interstate Commerce Commission over the railroads; the consideration of the application of the Eastern railroads for a horizontal advance in freight rates; and a crisis in our relations with Mexico involving the occupation of Vera Cruz by the United States, and some loss of life-these were among the great developments of the year which had a profound influence on the markets at home and abroad. The business men of the country were stirred to an earnest consideration of all the problems involved,—problems which profoundly concerned commercial enterprise and national prosperity. The year was fruitful also of many other questions of less importance, perhaps, than those referred to, but which nevertheless demanded the careful investigation and thought of the business community. The following brief recapitulation of the work of the Chamber from May, 1913 to May, 1914 reveals the breadth of its activities during that eventful period: Adoption of report protesting against action by California, or any other state, tending to dishonor the United States by impairing treaty. obligations. Approval of legislation for a Department of Purchases in the City Government as devised by the Comptroller. Adoption of report urging Congress to strike out of that part of the Tariff Act relating to an income tax, the clauses providing for deduction of the tax "at the source," and to substitute therefor a system of collection directly from individuals. Adoption of report urging the reconsideration of the Municipal appropriation for acquiring lands in and around Jamaica Bay, inasmuch as there was no demand from commerce for important harbor improvements at that point. Action favoring the legislation, subsequently enacted by the State Legislature, which transferred the Nautical School from the City to the State of New York. The new law provided for a Board of Governors, one of whom should be a member of the New York Chamber. Commodore JACOB W. MILLER was selected as the representative of the Chamber in the Board, and of this he was elected Chairman. |