New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-29
Chairman Davies Says the
Sherman Act Does Not
Bar Cooperation.
DOLLAR CONDEMNS
SHIPPING BILL
But Assistant Secretary Sweet
Defends Military Necessity
Of Measure.
ID. r...r.nh y n. rr-su-.

g., Telegraph - TIE rrburs
New Orleans, Jan. p. Ways - sid
ink the small manufacturer 20 engage
probably in foreign trade. the mer-
chan, marine and foreign selling were
the subjects discussed before the Va
tional Foreign TRADE Council in It's sss-
sion here to-day
Joseph T.. Davies. chairman Of fhe
Federal Trade Commission. Captain
Robert Dollar. Of Sar Francisco. and
Edwin r Sweet Assistant Secretary o.
the Department. Of Commerce. were the
principal speakers.
"Eighty-fve per cent % tho thou
sands % replies 'ha. 20 have received
from The business men % ne United
states" said Nr Davies. ID 'ciose q
demand for permission 90 cooperate 'n
foreign trade T. re- 81 serious End
great interest 20 note that q very sub
stantial part OF those who declare that
such cooperation should not only be
permitted. but should be encouraged.
are equally emphatic that this situation
should develop under Federal reguis-
ton.
"Equa,ly important With domestic
considerations IN connection with FOR
egn trade perhaps even more impor-
tan, to its successful projection is the
kind and character Of competition that
American trade will be required 20
meet I'm foreign fields Typical Illus
trations Of the effectiveness and com
prehcnsive character Of foreign meth
DDS might be Illuminating
Cooperation Examples Abroad
"A combination Of uon-competing
manufacturing plants o. Great Britain.
for instance. are equipped 20 establish
and have established joint selling agen-
cies. with branch Offices and ware
houses. and with such effective organ.-
zation that they are equipped 10 handle
any kind Of service within their lines
from the sale o. a handsaw 20 the
building o. railroad
much Of the Oriental business 81
GERMANY j. alleged 20 have been
acquired through so-called rings
which include representatives. OF every
kind Of industry whose goods or ser
vices might be required TIE markets
are scientifically studied and assidu-
ously cultivated. In one OF these rings
forty-eight different German manu-
lacturers participated.
There is much misapprehension a.
10 the application OF the antitrust laws
20 foreign commerce OF course. there
is no greater restriction upon American
business in the foreign FIELDS than the
law imposes as 70 domestic. Nor does
the law forbid cooperation IN either
domestic or foreign commerce except
where II amounts 10 a restraint Of trade
or monopoly or a tendency 20 create
monopoly. II is fair statement
Of the fact that our Investigations dis
close that doubt as 20 the legality OF
such enterprise IN the foreign fields
amounted in many instances 20 pro
hibitiou of any action in the foreign
market This belief u undoubtedly one
Of the factors In The situation which
hinder the development OF foreign
trade al this time.
The danger which is most imminent
TO the Development OF our foreign trade
at this moment does not lie within any
limitation Of law. IL comes from busi-
ness itself and the imminence Of uu-
precedented domestic prosperity. The
conquest Of the foreign market Is a
slow. laborious and painstakng project
The convenience Of the home market,
its greater demand and the large profits
Of great domestic prosperity may seri-
ously imIeie the development. Of the
foreign field
Lack OF a definite national shipping
policy. Captain Dollar said. prevented
business men from building up an
American mercantile marine.
Shipping Bill unsound
ut Is proposed" he continued, that
the government embarK in a business
owning and leasing ships which nor
mally costs % 10 80 per cent more 90
conduc, under the American flag than
under foreign flags. Unless the gov
eminent can perform the service
cheaper than foreign enterprises -
must incur deficits 10 be met out OF the
public treasury. The vessels cannot be-
leased unless the leasing price is low
enough 70 permit the companies leas-
ing them 70 operate az a profit"
Captain Dollar advocated the crea-
ton by Congress Of a shipping board
20 recommend means for upbuilding an
American merchant marine.
Edwin F. Sweet. Assistant Secretary
Of Commerce, led the discussion m
favor Of government ownership OF
merchant feet. advocating leasing o.
vessels in the auxiliary feet n times Of
peace 20 private concerns for foreign
trade.
Others who spoke were Gilbert II.
Montague, a New York lawyer, T.. S..
Smith. of Cincinnati. and ". A. Oldin.
manager Of the foreign department OF
the General Electric Company.
The convention Will adjourn to
morrow.