The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-10-23
D PRATT HAS
QUEER SCHEME

discount to cover selling expenses
which are carried by the American
importer. Finally. and perhaps this
| IL the most important fact, It does
i not mean lower prices to the Amer
Iican consumer. On the contrary 1t
means higher prices, monopoly prices
In the long run.
The thing We have to guard
against is persistent. determined.
unfair competition in its most vfru-
ilent form under the gpise Of dump
ling.
1T will be a kind Of unfair COM
petition which is prohibited In the
United States under the recently en-.
acted antitrust laws. The Clayton
act. so-called, expresses the mat.
ter in mo uncertain terms, that IT
shall be unlawful for any person en-
gagged in commerce. either directly
of indirectly, to discriminate in price
between different purchasers Of com
modittes.' This provision, however,
probably applies only to the United
States, but 1t expresses clearly what
NE in this country are inclined to
call unfair competition
Careful Study.
In Washl rter tn; matter has
had serious attention because its i'm.
portance n.eriss the most careful and
painstaking study. Action should
not be based on impulse or senti-
ment, but on hard facts and exper-
fence wherever we can get them. Ac.
ton should then be fast and certain.
This matter has been thoroughly dis
cussed by the officers OF the depart
ment Of commerce and the fedora,
trade commission. and they have
agreed substantially on these points
That what we call unfair com.
petition shall not be permitted any
more to foreign concerns than to
domestic concerns:
That this or any new industry.
which aims to place us in an inde-
pendent position industrially among
the nations Of the world shall be-
given fair chance.
Recommendation will be made
by the department Of commerce that
Congress, in whose hands this mat
ter ultimately rests. shall pass such
legislation as will. beyond the perad-
venture OF doubt, accomplish these
objects.
Important Features.
Legislation to attain the desired
result should certainly comprehend
certain important features, and !
outline them to you in order to get
your advice and suggestions either
now or later.
Unfair competition should be SO
defined as to comprehend the prac.
tice of sending goods into the United
States at prices lower than those cur
rent at the point Of production for
similar qualities, quantities. and I'M
der similar conditions of sale.
THE market price in the country
of production should serve as a
guide and standard of price.
A small leeway of say five per
cent should be permitted in order
to cover difference in the conditions
which are always present IN the
commerce between two countries.
The sporadic sale Of certain goods
during a brief period when clea rlv
not intended to undermine American
industry should be excluded from the
operation of the law.
Refuse to Certify.
The law might me made enforce
able in several ways
"tal A consul may refuse to GER
ttfy the invoices of wares sold in
contraventfon Of the law.
"tb) The difference between sale
price and actual market value may
be assessed as fine.
"(c) The wares from foreign con
Germs which refuse to show their
books for authorized inspection may
be denied entry into the United
States.
"(d) Any American importer or
merchant who becomes party to a
proceeding OF the character in ques-