Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-27
American Overseas Corpora
ton Completes Organization
and Discusses Policy.
WILL FOLLOW METHODS
OF HOLLAND MERCHANTS
Maintenance Of American Trade
With Neutral Countries One OBJ
ject to Be Sought.

NEW YORK, October 27.-The Ameri-
can Overseas Corporation, formed to
facilitate American trade with neutral ma
tons. somewhat after the manner adopted
by the merchants of Holland in the
Netherlands Oversee Trust. met here to-
day to complete its organization and dis
cuss details of its policy. The idea Of
the corporation is to give assurances to
belligerents that its shipments are nom
contraband and will not reach enemy
countries. Indications were that the meet
ing would be a lengthy one. and that any
announcement Of progress would not be
forthcoming until late today. 1t was con-
s:dered possible that todays discussion
might not crystalline upon any program
and that it would be continued at a later
meeting.
Secretary Redfeld to Aid.
A letter from Secretary Redfeld of
the Department of Commerce, express
Ing his interest in the project and CO.
operation along certain lines, was
placed before the meeting.
Another matter which it was expect
ed to discuss was the detailed methods
pursued by the Netherlands Oversee
Trust, which virtually controls the en-
"
incoming and export.
In the case of Holland the Oversee
organlzation's methods are simple. Ev-
cry importer or exporter must first APP
ply to the trust. which inquiries into
the genuineness of the business and
demands bank guarantee and proof
that goods to be exported are not for
the account of any person or firm be-
longing to nation at war. In the
case of imports the Oversee trust de-
nd no
the goods are intended purely for con-
sumption within the country.
Breaches Quickly Revealed.
Should the trader not keep his word
the bank guarantee is confiscated. A
breach of trust is quickly revealed by
examinations Of the books of mem
bers, which are made frequently. The
cost is one-eighth of l per cent Of the
goods handled. No profit is made by
the trust, any surplus going to the ma.
tional relief funds.
The object sought by the American
overseas Corporation is threefold:
Maintenance of American commerce
with neutral countries: the prevention
OF unnecessary detention of American
shipments to neutrals and the conse-
ouent reduction in insurance on car
goes, and ultimate re-esta blishment of
Discussed With the President.
Administration plans for legislation
to protect American manufacturers
from foreign competition after the Eu-
ropean war were discussed with Presi-
dent Wilson today by Secretary Red
held and Chairman Davies of the fed
eral trade commission. They submitted
tentative proposals for legislation to
make underselling by foreigners "un--
fair competition punishable under the
ANTITRUST laws.
Exhaustive investigations into the
question have been conducted both by
the federal trade commission and by
the foreign and domestic commerce
bureau. Efforts to build up an Ameri-
can dyestuff and chemical industry to
compete with the German monopoly in
those lines have been hampered by fear
that German manufacturers would cut
prices here Immediately after the war
To prevent that, officials have decided
that some legislation to protect Ameri-
can manufacturers is imperative.
Numerous suggestions OF tariff legis-
latien, with an added duty on goods
to be sold at less than the cost of
production, have been generally re-
iected. Administration officials have
been opposed to ''anti-dumping' laws
which contemplate tariff changes
Secretary Redfield has made 1t clear
that he will urge legislation making
dumping" unfair competition under
the antitrust laws. He has formulated
tentative drafts OF amendments to the
would cover the evil. These suEEes-
tons, with others formulated by the
federal trade commissions, were laid be-
fore the President today.