Volume 14 , Issue 50

1912 News - Conference Begins On Panama Canal

One hundred years ago December 9, 1912, in the Richmond, Virginia, The Times Dispatch, we find a small front page headline, "Conference Begins Today," concerning the effect of panama Canal on South, that would be discussed.

Atlanta, GA, December 9 (1912) -- Sessions of the Panama Canal Conference, called to consider the influence the completion of the big waterway would have on the industry of the South. Speakers at the meeting, which would continued through Wednesday, included diplomatic representatives from Central and South American nations, officials of Southern railroad and steamship companies, and prominent leaders in the industries of the South.

Members of the arrangements committee for the conference said that while no definite plan for a permanent organization had been made, it was not unlikely that some form of permanent organization would result from the conference, the purpose of which would be to look after the interests of the South in the matter of foreign trade expansion which was expected to result from the canal opening.

John Barrett, director of the Pan American Union, would be the first speaker at the conference following speeches of welcome by representatives of the city and replies from visiting members of the conference. Mr. Barrett was expected to outline in a general way the changed commercial relations that would ensue with the completion of the waterway. Eight diplomatic representatives from Central and South american republics would arrive there the next day, as will most of the steamship and railroad company officials who have accepted invitations to the conference.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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