Pan-American Union
the official international organization of the 21 independent governments of the western hemisphere. It was originally organized as the Bureau of the American Republic, and was founded at the first Pan-American Conference held in Washington in 1889-1890, and was continued through the second, third and fourth conferences.
The name was changed to the Pan- American Union at the latter conference held in Buenos Aires in 1910. The organization is supported by the governments and is controlled by a governing board, composed of the Secretary of State of the United States, and the diplomatic representatives of the other American governments in Washington.
The Union has a handsome building in Washington. It publishes the Pan- American "Bulletin" and a number of other reports and papers. The chief of this organization was John Bassett, who acted as its president until 1920, when he was succeeded by Dr. Leo S. Rowe. The Union has charge of the Pan-American conferences which are held periodically and are attended by representatives from the American countries. See PAN- AMERICAN CONFERENCE.