The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-12-17
From OBSTRUCTIVE Type of
Struggle and Unfair Com
petition"

American industries which may men
ace large markets heretofore con-
trolled abroad.
To prevent unfair competition" the
secretary suggested that the machinery
of the departments OF justice and
treasury be used and that Congress
supplement existing laws TO give the
federal government adequate means TO
protect American markets.
Against 'rarlfiS.
In my judgment" said the secre-
tary, the matter is one which may he
more wisely treated as an attempted
wrong to be forbidden than as an
economic matter which needs to be re-
strained. should prefer, therefore.
TO deal with II by method other than
tarifis, CHASING II as an offenso sim
liar to the unfair domestic competition
we now forbid II seems possible that
by using the existing machinery of
the treasury department and depart
ment OF Justice We may restrain this
foreign unfair competition on both
sides OF the sea.
II recommend. therefore, that such
legislation be enacted as will give to
the foreign representatives of the
above-named departments such added
powers and increased personnel as
they may need for this purpose, and
that 1t be enacted II possible that mer-
chandise sold in unfair competition
or under circumstances which tend to
create monopoly In behalf OF the for
eign producer in American markets
shall be forfeited.
Il also recommend that legislation
supplemental to The Clayton antitrust
act be enacted which shall make 1t un-
ucles OF foreign origin. or to fix n
foreign origin or manufacture where
the prices to be paid are materially
below the current rates for such ar
ticles in the country of production or
from which shipment Is made, in case
such prices substantially lessen COM
petition on the part OF the American
producers or tend to create a monop-
oily in American markets in favor of
the foreign producer, and that it be
made unlawful for any person to buy,
sell. or contract for the sale of ar
ticles OF foreign origin. or to fxe n
price for same or to make rebate
upon such price, conditioned upon the
purchaser thereof not using or dealing
in wares produced or sold by the COM
spetitors OF the manufacturer or seller.
where the effect is to substantially
lessen competition in tho production
in the United States of such articles,
or tends to create monopoly in the
sale OF such articles in American mar
kets in favor of foreign producer.
Unfair Competition.
Unfair competition is forbidden
by law in domestic trade, and the fed
eral trade commission exists TO de-
termine the facts and take steps to
abatc the evil wherever found. The
door, however, is still open to 'un-
fair competition from abroad which
may seriously affect American indus
tries for the worse. 1t is not normal
competition of which speak, but alb
normal 1t is destructive type OF the
Industrial struggle, intended to put
out of being the force opposed to 1t
that the victor may exploit the field
at Will. The methods used are not
those Of legitimate commerce. but
those Of commercial offense. They
aim not at development, but at con-
quest
when the war shall close, the pub
lie control OF railways in foreign lands.
the semi-otiicial chambers of COM
merce, the publicly fostered organiza-
items which control great industries
in some countries. will all exist and
will all be used in an effort to recover
lost commerce. The growth in the
United States of Industries which may
menace large markets heretofore con-
trolled from abroad will not be per-
mitted II public and semi-public forces
acting together In foreign countries
can prevent II. The outreach OF Amer
lean industries, nay their very exist
ence In our own land In some cases,
will be resisted to the full and every
strategem Of Industrial war will be
exerted against them. Expecting this,
we must prepare for 1t. If 1t shall
pass beyond fair competition and
exert or seek to exert monopolistic
power over any part Of our commerce.
we ought to prevent It."
Cooperation Of business concerns in
foreign trade os suggested to permit
admission of the smaller tradesmen
into that field of activity.
Small Men Shut Ont.
"The present law plays into the
hands of the larger concerns and shuts
out small ones from important mar
kets," the secretary said Provision
should be made whereby such con-
Germs may. with due safeguards
against monopoly, cooperate in the
foreign field. To refuse this for fear
of monopoly is to say that the large
concerns shall alone hold the lucra-
tive foreign markets and that the far
larger number Of smaller houses shall
be shut out. The whole matter should
be placed under the supervision Of the
federal trade commission and should
be subject to full publicity. 1t is not
intended that this cooperation shall
extend into the domestic field"
Mr.. Redfleld expressed the hope that
American banks be permitted to CO.
operate, under supervision of the fed
eral reserve board, in establishing
foreign branches, or in owning stocks
Of banks operating in foreign coun-
tries. &
"The present law" he said, "oper-
ates to make 1t possible only for large
banks Of great power to undertake. the
important work Of financing American
commerce in foreign fields. The law
works in sole favor of the great banks.