THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
which in the aggregate now exceed those of the Federal government.
There is imperative necessity for economy in all government activi-
ties,—federal, state and local,—in order to preserve and foster the
spirit of free business enterprise and thrift. (Resolution, Twelfth
Annual Meeting, 1924.)
LocAr TaxATION AND BUDGETS
The Chamber of Commerce of the United States has recognized
the desirability of improved budget procedure on the part of state
and local governments and the development of an informed public
opinion which can be focused effectively on all budget proposals
made by spending officers. Chambers of commerce in every part
of the country are vitally interested in the burdens of taxation.
They are in an advantageous position to assume leadership in
making critical examinations of all proposed public expenditures in
their localities, and thus promote thrift and economy, locally and
nationally. The organizations in the membership are asked to
assume this leadership and are assured that the interest of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United States will continue unabated.
(Resolution, Fourteenth Annual Meeting, 1926.)
BUSINESS PRACTICES
LecistaTioN REGULATING BUSINESS PRACTICES
There should be no attempt by statute to forbid discriminations
in prices of commodities.
A proposal to compel persons controlling the product of mines
to sell to all applicants “who may be responsible” is wrong in
principle and unworkable in practice.
There should not be statutory prohibition of conditions accom-
panying sales and leases to the effect that buyers or lessees cannot
handle or use the products of competitors.
The final decree in an equity suit brought by the Government
which establishes the existence or the nonexistence of a restraint of
trade or of a monopoly should be conclusive evidence as to the
same general fact in private actions brought against the same
defendants under the antitrust laws.
Interlocking of directors among competitive business corpora-
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