2d Session. No. 927. STATISTICS OF COASTWISE TRAFFIC THROUGH PANAMA CANAL. LETTER FROM THE ACTING SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, SUBMITTING DRAFT OF A BILL TO FACILITATE THE PROCUREMENT OF STATISTICS OF THE COASTWISE TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES PASSING THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL. APRIL 25, 1914.-Referred to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce and ordered to be printed. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, SIR: I have the honor to recommend that the necessary legislation be enacted to provide for the furnishing of detailed statistics of coastwise traffic that will pass through the Panama Canal with the completion of that new waterway. It is believed that there will be very great interest in the coastwise shipping which will use the canal. At the present time the Department of Commerce receives from collectors of customs of the various ports of the United States information showing in detail the quantities, kinds, and values of the various commodities shipped between the Atlantic and Pacific coast ports orts by way of the Isthmuses of Panama and Tehuantepec. Collectors are enabled to secure this information by reason of the fact that vessels carrying shipments via these routes clear for foreign ports, and are therefore required to file shippers' manifests, as provided in section 4200, Revised Statutes, which applies to vessels bound for foreign ports. Upon the opening of the Panama Canal, however, vessels sailing between Atlantic and Pacific coast ports will not clear for foreign ports, and such vessels, under existing law, will only be required to file ordinary coastwise manifests, which do not contain the detailed information needed for statistical purposes. Under existing law it will be impossible to obtain the necessary data. It is therefore recommended that amendment be made to sections 4197 to 4200, Revised Statutes, inclusive, similar to the act of April 29, 1902 (37 Stat., 172), which was enacted to facilitate the procurement of statistics of trade between the United States and its noncontiguous territory, in order to compel shippers using the canal to furnish the detailed information referred to. A draft of a proposed bill intended to accomplish this purpose is inclosed herewith. Respectfully, E. F. SWEET, Acting Secretary. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C. A BILL To facilitate the procurement of statistics of the coastwise trade of the United States passing through the Panama Canal. Be it enacted, That the provisions of sections four thousand one hundred and ninetyseven to four thousand two hundred, inclusive, of the Revised Statutes of the United States, requiring statements of quantity and value of goods carried by vessels clearing from the United States to foreign ports, shall be extended to and govern, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce shall prescribe, in the coastwise trade of the United States passing through the Panama Canal. 2d Session. No. 928. SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, BEING AN INVITATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC TO SEND DELEGATES TO THE SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, ETC. APRIL 25, 1914.-Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed. To the Senate and House of Representatives: In view of a provision contained in the deficiency act approved March 4, 1913, that "hereafter the Executive shall not extend or accept any invitation to participate in any international congress, conference, or like event without first having specific authority of law," I transmit herewith, for the consideration of the Congress and for its determination whether it will authorize the acceptance of the invitation and the appropriation necessary to defray the expenses incident thereto, a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers, being an invitation from the Government of the French Republic to that of the United States to send delegates to the Sixth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce and Commercial and Industrial Associations, to be held at Paris from the 8th to the 10th of June, 1914, and a letter from the Department of Commerce showing the favor with which that department views the proposed gathering and recommending an appropriation of not to exceed $2,000 to defray the expenses of participation by the United States. WOODROW WILSON. THE WHITE HOUSE, April 25, 1914. The PRESIDENT: On March 18, 1914, the ambassador of the French Republic at this capital, acting under instructions from his Government, conveyed to the Government of the United States an invitation to be represented by delegates at the Sixth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce and Commercial and Industrial Associations, to be held at Paris in June, 1914. This invitation with its accompanying program was communicated to the Secretary of Commerce, who, in a letter dated April 8, 1914, advised me that the congress is deemed of very considerable importance by the Department of Commerce, and that inasmuch as the Fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce was held at Boston in September, 1912, it would be unfortunate if appropriate official recognition should not be made by the United States of the meeting to be held at Paris in June next. In recommending that an application be made to Congress for the necessary authority to accept the invitation extended by the Government of the French Republic, the Secretary of Commerce states that it is believed that at least three delegates, to be designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Postmaster General, and the Secretary of Commerce, should attend the meeting, and he suggests that an appropriation of not to exceed $2,000 would be necessary to pay the expenses of these official representatives. The Executive being prohibited by a provision of the deficiency act approved March 4, 1913, from accepting an invitation of this nature without specific authority of law, I have the honor to submit the papers herewith to the end that, should you approve, they may be transmitted to Congress for that body to determine whether it will authorize the acceptance of the invitation and will provide the appropriation which the Secretary of Commerce thinks will be required for United States representation in this international congress. Respectfully submitted. Inclosures: W. J. BRYAN. From the French ambassador, March 18, 1914, with inclosures. From the Secretary of Commerce, April 8, 1914. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, April 22, 1914. [Translation.] EMBASSY OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, Washington, March 18, 1914. Mr. SECRETARY OF STATE: I have the honor to inform your excellency that the Sixth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce and Commercial and Industrial Associations is to be held this year at Paris from the 8th to the 10th of June. The meeting is placed under the high patronage of the President of the Republic and the presidency of members of the Government. The president of the council, minister of foreign affairs, wishes me to ask the Federal Government to be represented at the congress by official delegates. If, as is my Government's hope, the invitation should be favorably received, I should be much obliged to your excellency if you would let me know as soon as possible the names and addresses of the delegates designated by the United States Government. Your excellency will find herewith several copies of the program of the congresses under consideration. Be pleased to accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurances of my high consideration. His Excellency the Hon. W. J. BRYAN, JUSSERAND. Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C. ORDRE DU JOUR DU CONGRÈS INTERNATIONAL DES CHAMBRES DE COMMERCE ET DES ASSOCIATIONS COMMERCIALES ET INDUSTRIELLES, QUI DOIT SE TENIR À PARIS EN JUIN 1914. Cet ordre du jour a été provisoirement fixé comme suit: 1. Rapport du Bureau sur la suite donnée aux résolutions des précédents Congrès, notamment dans les questions de la date de Pâques, de la fixité du calendrier et des statistiques douanières. 2. De l'utilité d'une action internationale contre la concurrence déloyale, dans le sens des législations existantes. 3. De l'unification des législations relatives à la procédure d'arbitrage pour régler les litiges entre citoyens de pays différents. 4. De l'unification des lois sur les warrants en vue de faciliter, d'étendre et de mieux garantir le crédit sur marchandises. 5. Projet d'étude comparative des polices d'assurances en trafic international (à titre documentaire et en vue d'améliorer leur rédaction). 6. Projet de type uniforme de connaissement, quant aux conditions générales, pour les lignes concédées ou régulières de navigation à vapeur, afin d'empêcher des contradictions, des surprises ou des incertitudes. 7. Chèques postaux et virements postaux internationaux. 8. Unification des législations sur le chèque (pour rapport du Comité de Londres) 9. Modifications et additions au réglement des Congrès internationaux des Chambres de Commerce, voté à Milan en 1906. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, the SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 4th instant, inclosing an invitation from French Republic to the Government of the United States to be represented by delegates at the Sixth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce and Commercial and Industrial Associations, to be held at Paris from the 8th to the 10th of June, 1914, and requesting to be informed whether the Department of Commerce considers this congress of sufficient interest to warrant an application being made to Congress for authority to accept the invitation and also to appropriate the amount necessary for such representation. The congress in question is deemed of very considerable importance by this department, and it is earnestly recommended that application be made by the Department of State to Congress for the necessary authority to accept the invitation of the French Republic. It is believed that at least three delegates should be sent to the meeting, and it is further suggested that the Treasury Department, the Post Office Department, and the Department of Commerce should designate delegates. It is further suggested that an appropriation of not to exceed $2,000 would be necessary to pay |