The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
May Support Legislation
 That Will Permit Greater
 Co-Operation Among Mer- ! cantile Concerns
TO PROTECT HOME INDUSTRY AT END OF
 THE EUROPEAN WAR
Contemplates Giving Great CT Opportunities to Ameri- can Industry While War Continues

Washington. October e7.-Legisla tion to aid American merchants tt take advantage of opportunities grow. ing out of the European war and te foreign competition upon the restora- ton cf peace. was considered today by President Wilson. In conference witl Secretary Redfield of the department of commerce and Chairman Davies oI the federal trade commission, the President favorably received sugges- tions as to legislation that would put limits on foreign competition and en- able exporters to cooperate In the es- tablishment of foreign sales agencies
 As result of the conference the commerce secretary will recommend the enactment of a law making sell ing by foreign firms at less than the cost of production here unfair compe- tition." punishable under the antitrust laws A similar recommendation will be made by the federal trade commis- sion in it's annual report to Congress, which also is expected to propose an amendment to the Clayton antitrust law to legalize combinations for the opertion of cooperative selling agencies abroad.
 Thorough Investigation
 Both of these subjects have been ex- haustively investigated by the depart mcnt of commerce and by the federal trade commission. It is probable that they will be dealt with by the Presi- dent In his opening message to Con gross.
 Che federal trade commission has held hearings throughout the country to develop information as to the need for cooperative selling agencies and while no report has yet been made it Is understood that the commission is unanimous in favoring an to permit their establish nent
 In considering proposals for legisla- lion to prevent foreign manufacturers eoodlng the American market with products at prices below the cost of production at the close of the Euro bean war. commerce officials have re- ected plans calling for tariff law Dr. E. E. Pratt, chief of -he bureau of foreign and domestic commerce., who has been in charge of Lhe investigation of this subject by the apartment of commerce.. said today.
 Tariff Question
 ''The question of the tariff has been 'aised in connection with the building lp of new industries. The tariff ques- ion can be left out of the discussion. We are not likelyl to reach any con ,lusion in such discussion"
 Secretary Redheld made it apparent hat he believed the 'anti-dumping' problem could best be met through hanges in the Clayton antitrust act. Suggesting a tentative plan for an amend nent that would cover the evil he said:
 Tt would seem possible that egisla- ion supplemental to the Clayton anti rust act of 1915 might render difficult or impossible international trade or com nercial transactions which involve un- air restriction of domestic trade through oreign transactions. For example it night be enacted substantially as fol- oWs.
 .fa) It shall be unlawful for any per on engaged in interstate or foreign com nerce or industry to sell or purchase ar icles of foreign origin or manufacture II the sale of which, in the country of rigin. or elsewhere, discrimination as to rices is made between different pur- hasers. where the prices to be paid for uch articles by any American buyer, ser, consumer or dealer, after deduction f all charges incident to transportation, andling and entry. are materially below he current market rates for such article n the country of production, or from which shipment Is made to the United tates, in case such prices substantially estrict competition on the part of Amer can producers of similar or allied ar icles, or tend to create a monopoly in he sale of such articles in American markets.
 "tb) It shall be unlawful for any person ngaged in interstate commerce or indus ry to buy, sell or contract for the sale f articles of foreign origin or manufac- ure, or to fix a price charged therefor. r rebate upon such price. conditioned pon the purchaser thereof not using or ealing in wares produced or sold by com etitors of the manufacture or seller. ,here the effect may be to substantially essen competition in the production In the Tnited States of such articles. or tend to reats monopoly in the sale of such rtices in American markets.
 'The appropriate penalties are pre- rribed in the Clayton antitrust law
 
 EnU1ish t.arerals promnto~I