"The Moroccan protectorate is now of great interest to France with its agricultural and grazing potentialities, in spite of recent progress still greatly underdeveloped, and its mineral resources not only poorly exploited but even in large part still unexplored. The percentage of increase in Moroccan trade between 1913 and 1928, in fact, is greater than that of any other portion of the French Empire (except St. Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean which have developed a very active trade in recent years). The gold value of Moroccan exports and imports combined was more than three times as great in 1928 as in 1913. "The French possessions in tropical Africa, however, comprising the two colonies, French West Africa and French Equatorial Africa, and the two mandated territories, Cameroons and French Togo, are perhaps more than any other portion of the colonial empire the present object of French solicitude. The area of this territory is about two-thirds as large as the whole of the continental United States, with widely varied climate and soil, forests of valuable cabinet woods, and unlimited potentialities as a feeder to the industries of the mother country. Little astonishment can, therefore, be occasioned by the willingness of France to spend considerable sums to build roads, railways, and bridges, establish and conduct agricultural experiment stations, combat tropical diseases, and otherwise prepare the area for a more important rôle in French economy. "Of the other possessions of France, French Indo-China has the greatest possibilities with its suitability for producing rubber and foodstuffs, especially rice, and its resources of tin and other minerals, but it is an older land, with a civilization and development of its own, and consequently lends itself less readily to exploitation and development by France than do the African territories. "The importance of colonial developments to France is easily realized but their relation to the United States is less immediately clear. A glance at our trade statistics, however, shows that the French colonies, especially the African colonies, are steadily gaining ground and if they continue at the same rate of development will, in the course of a relatively small number of years, attain a position of real importance in our foreign trade. "In 1913 our exports to the French colonies amounted to only about $7,000,000, of which over $4,000,000 went to African territories. By 1929 the total export figure had risen to over $28,000,000, of which over $21,000,000 were attributable to French Africa. Imports have risen correspondingly but the total has always been considerably lower than that for exports. The import figure of some $1,950,000 in 1913 had increased to $11,000,000 by 1929; imports from French Africa increased from less than $800,000 in 1913 to $9,000,000 in 1929, showing an even more striking relative growth than the export trade with the same territories. Business organizations in France are evidencing intense interest in the exposition. Mr. William N. Taylor, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in France, has cabled as follows: Hon. SOL BLOOM, House of Representatives, Washington: PARIS, April 11, 1930. American Chamber of Commerce in France in full sympathy your resolution and hopes United States Government will accept invitation French Government to participate colonial exposition Paris 1931. We believe participation this exposition exceedingly helpful to American business in France. TAYLOR, President. The French Government has participated officially in a number of international expositions held in the United States-at Philadelphia in 1876, at Chicago in 1893, at St. Louis in 1904, and at San Francisco in 1915. At the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876 the French Government's expenditures amounted to 590,000 francs, at Chicago 4.079,700 francs, at St. Louis 1,450,000 francs, and at San Francisco 2,000,000 francs. On the other hand, the United States Government has taken part in important celebrations in France. At the Paris Universal Exposition of 1878 this Government's participation amounted to $160,000 and at the Universal Exposition of 1889 to $250,000. According to the international colonial exposition authorities, national palaces are being constructed for Italy, Belguim, Holland, Denmark, and Portugal, which countries will also be represented in the city of information. Great Britain and certain South and Central American Republics will be represented exclusively in the city of information. Spain will at least be represented in the city of information, and the exposition hopes that Canada will build a pavilion. The committee believes, then, in view of the intense interest of the United States Government in the social and economic development of its noncontiguous territories (Philippine Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico, etc.), and in the welfare of the peoples in these outlying territories, that the Government should be adequately represented at this exposition. The ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE, Washington, D. C. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I am replying to your letter of March 31 concerning the colonial exposition and exposition of overseas countries to be held in Paris 1931. (Your file W E: 851.607 AN/.) The suggestions in my letter of March 13 related to commercial good will and the strengthening of international commercial relations. The first commercial treaty made by the United States was negotiated in the early years of the Republic with France. My intention was to emphasize these trade factors, not the political elements. The trend of trade between France and the United States has been singularly steady in its relative importance. The value of this commerce with France and the French colonies for the past decade is shown in the inclosed tables and its relation to the total world trade of the United States is indicated. Commercial groups in France and the United States, as well as the French Government, are placing considerable significance upon participation by the United States at this colonial exposition. The French have invariably taken part in the great international expositions held in the United States. In consideration of the commercial bonds between the two nations, I feel that acceptance of the invitation and participation by the United States would be justifiable and would present a further indication of the cordial French-American relations that have existed for years. Very sincerely, R. P. LAMONT, Secretary of Commerce. O 71ST CONGRESS 2d Session } SENATE { REPORT No. 931 PROVIDING FOR TERMS OF DISTRICT COURT AT JUNE 17, 1930.-Ordered to be printed Mr. OVERMAN, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 7926] The Committee on the Judiciary, having considered the bill (H. R. 7926) to provide for terms of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to be held at Easton, Pa., reports the same favorably to the Senate without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass. The effect and the desirability of this legislation is set out in the following excerpt from House Report No. 1349, Seventy-first Congress, second session: This bill provides for two terms of the United States District Court for the Eastern Judicial District of Pennsylvania to be held at Easton, Pa. The Attorney General has written that he has no objection to the passage of the bill, and his letter, together with the inclosures sent to the committee, is printed herewith and made a part of this report, as follows: Hon. GEORGE S. GRAHAM, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Washington, D. C., February 14, 1930. Chairman Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I refer to your letter of the 20th ultimo, referring for my consideration and recommendation a bill (H. R. 7926) which would provide for terms of the United States district court to be held at Easton, in the eastern district of Pennsylvania. The department's records show that a considerable amount of Federal court business originates in and about Easton, which is about 70 miles from Philadelphia. United States District Judge J. Whitaker Thompson writes, under date of the 4th instant (copy of his letter inclosed herewith), that in his opinion favorable action on the bill is desirable in order to relieve such of the litigants in civil cases and defendants in criminal cases from being obliged to go to Philadelphia to have their cases heard; also that provision for terms at Easton would enable Judge Kirkpatrick, who resides at that place, to dispose of a considerable part of the local business without leaving his place of residence. However, it appears from an office memorandum, dated the 11th instant (a copy of which is also inclosed), that there are no facilities for holding court at Easton, and that, therefore, if terms of court are to be held there, it will be necessary either to rent suitable quarters or have the bill provide, as such bills frequently do, that space shall be furnished without expense to the Government. This memorandum also invites attention to the fact that if a stated term is provided for at Easton, that place would become the headquarters of Judge Kirkpatrick, and he would be entitled to his traveling expenses and maintenance, not exceeding $10 per day, when holding court in Philadelphia, and that such expenses would probably amount to a considerable sum in the course of each year. It is problematical whether, but possible that, this increased cost to the Government would be fully offset by such amounts as the Government and private litigants would save by the proposed new term. In consideration of all the above, while not disposed to urge the enactment of the bill, the department would offer no objection to it, provided it shall be amended to include a provision that the holding of court at Easton shall be conditioned on the furnishing of suitable facilities therefor without expense to the United States. Respectfully, WILLIAM D. MITCHELL, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, Hon. WILLIAM D. MITCHELL, Attorney General, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of January 30 (39 E 13-DDC), requesting an expression of my views as to the need or desirability of provision for terms of this court at Easton, as prescribed by the inclosed bill, H. R. 7926. My opinion is that favorable action on this bill is desirable in order to relieve such of the litigants in the civil cases or defendants in criminal cases from being obliged to come to Philadelphia to have their cases heard. Further, its passage would enable Judge Kirkpatrick, who resides at Easton, to dispose of a considerable part of the local business without leaving his place of residence. In addition to the reasons stated above, its passage would enable Judge Kirkpatrick, whenever he holds court in Philadelphia, to be reimbursed for his expenses of travel and maintenance, as provided in section 259, Judicial Code, U. S. C. A., section 374. Respectfully, J. WHITAKER THOMPSON, United States District Judge. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Memorandum for Assistant Attorney General Sisson. Referring to the attached copy of H. R. 7926, a bill to provide for terms of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to be held at Easton, Pa., I respectfully submit the following: Terms of court for the eastern district of Pennsylvania are now held only at Philadelphia. Easton is located in the northern part of the eastern district, 70 miles from Philadelphia, and an examination of the marshal's accounts shows that a considerable amount of business originates in that locality. It is probable that a considerable saving would be effected to the Government and also to private litigants by the holding of terms of court at Easton. I accordingly recommend that the department approve the bill. Respectfully, J. W. GARDNER, General Agent. Easton is about 70 miles from Philadelphia and, as the general agent of the Department of Justice points out, an examination of the marshal's accounts shows that a considerable amount of business originates in that locality. It is believed that a considerable saving will be effected to the Government and also to private litigants by the holding of terms of court at Easton. The bill also has the approval of the district judges for the eastern district of Pennsylvania. O |