The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-08-25

New York, August 19-lol6.
Competitive conditions in foreign
export should at this time be under |
going important revisions in order to
prepare for the international trade |
conflict which will Immediately follow
the conflict of arms on continental
Europe. The National Foreign Trade
Council which has just issued an
elaborate report based upon its study
of this subject has reached the logical
conclusion that only through combina-
ton and national organization will
American exporters be permitted to
hold their own in the markets Of the
world. This Council is non-partisan
and even non-politcal, and is con-
cerned only with the extension OF
American commerce in foreign coun-
tries. 1t is now urging the co-opera-
ton of business men in order to pre-
vail upon Congress to take such action
as will facilitate the development OF
American export trade. This can
best be done by thorough revision
of the antitrust laws insofar as they
apply to foreign trade, SO that Ameri-
can exporters. in competition with
those of other countries, may be per-
~ dllu SO-OPCldtS "
fight the combinations of foreign
rivals, which are not over-scrupulous
in the methods which they employ
to extend the sale of their own COM
modities. There is now before con-
gress the Webb bill which promises
freedom of American export trade,
opportunity to smaller American
manufacturers and stimulus to our
entire American commercial and in
dustrial life" 1t must mot be for
gotten that competition in the worlds
markets at the close of the war will
be on most gigantic scale, and will
pass from the scale of individuals and
firms to that of big organizations and
nations, even to groups OF nations;
and therefore the relation of govern
ment to commerce should be that of
helpful stimulus instead of detrimen-
tai regulation"
Statistics compiled by the Depart
ment of Commerce show that, exclu-
sive of munitions of war, American
exporters have increased their foreign
sales by fifty per cent since 1918.
This vast increase In exports OF peace
products is in part due to the war it
self, and in part to the choking Off OF
European competition. AS soon as
peace is restored, European merchants
will strive to win back part of their
lost trade by the use of cartels and
trade associations with the hearty
support Of their respective govern
ments. Americans will enjoy initial
advantages in the possession of ample
capital and credit and we'll organized
industries. They will need well or
ganized export service, intelligent ad-
vertisng, improved credit informa
ton and the abolition of that loca
cut-throat competition which is the
peculiar delight of foreign exporters
Another important point in consid
Grafton is that of price-fixing. For
eigners fix their prices through co
operative departments based upon the
supply and price of materials and eco
nomic conditions generally. The re
suit is a scientific rate scale which i
reasonably profitable, and not subjec
to the ruthless price cutting which
has proven so injurious to American
commerce. Were the same method
employed by United States merchant
they would be in danger of indictmen
for violation of our antitrust regula
tons. One authority claims that spe
cific instances of this have beer
proved in the case of sales of expor
for copper.
In consequence of this artificial han
dicap, Americans must buy at the tol
and sell at the bottom in foreign trade
In Germany the cartels fostered b.
the government often fix one price TO
the United States and other quotation
for other countries. This was tn
fixed rule of the Kali Syndicate. TIL
head of which is the German emperor
American business men and legisla
tors have some important lessons t
learn from those who have heretofor
occupied the position of leadership i
international commerce; and the day
when Golfers are full are not inapprc
pirate for the initial sessions.
Investment and Speculation.
A distinct Improvement is to b
noted in the speculative markets, an
in the case of two important stocks
United States Steel common and lr
ternational Mercantile Marine con
mon-the highest prices since til
outbreak of the war have bee
reached The week has also bee
notable for the release of many infll
ences that have hung like clou