The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-08-14
Says Americans Are in Danger
Of Relying on Conditions
War Has Brought.

W ANEoe,ArVn FRUsH
NEW YORK, Aug. l4-Tho commit
tee on cooperation in foreign trade
of the national foreign trade council
which has been investigating The eG-
feet OF the European war on Ameri-
can oversee commerce and the neCcs-
slty of permitting American export
ers the same rights to combine that
are enjoyed by their competitors, has
just made public Its report, Analysing
"Fortuitous Elements in Present For
elgn Commerce, 1t says in part;
"In 1913 the per capita foreign trade
OF England was $l49, OF Germany S79.
and OF the United States only $44. For
1916 1t is estimated that that Of the
United States will be $63 or $5S with
out ammunition and firearms.
This excess OF export trade over
the normal rests largely upon the fol-
lowing circumstances:
Abnormal war demand and prices
for munitions. foodstuffs and raw ma
terials.
elimination of normal European
competition through occupation Of
European factories in munitions pro-
duction.
Loss OF labor through enlistment
or conscriplon and bclligCrent re-
striction Of normal expectation.
"Curtailmcnt OF investment Of Eu-
ropean capital in neutral markets,
normally a stimulus to European eX-
port trade.
Danger Ahead.
"These abnormal conditions having
prevailed in the export trade for
nearly two years, many Americans
are in danger OF relying upon them
as permanent. No greater iallacy ls
possible than to neglect 10 expect,
after the war, The following develop
ments:
Cessation or war-demand and
prices for munitions. reduction Of pre-
vailing high prices for exported food
stuffs and raw materials by reason Of
restored European competition, nor
NAL transportation and International
movement Of raw materials.
Presumption OF normal European
competition in home and neutral
markets by reason of return Of sol-
diers to industry and the lifting Of
military embargoes from oSportation.
Renewed activity of European ex-
port and import combinations with
increased governmental support and
possibly preferential tariff and navl-
CATION arrangements under economic
alliances.
Renewal, as rapidly as business
conditions and national, or even in
ternational, fiscal policy will permit,
OF European investment In neutral
markets, the most effective method Of
creating a foreign preference for mer-
chandlse OF leading nations, Euro
pean war finance has been moulded
to protect underwriting foreign in
vestments; their nourishment will not
be neglected with peace.
Against the foregoing adverse ele-
ment must bc set the demands Of re-
newed peace activities, return Of con-
fldence, demand for materials for i'm
mediate reconstruction Of devastated
districts and revival OF Development
enterprises.
"Europe's accustomed Instrument
for these activities will be cooper
ative effort beginning with cartels and
trade associations Of producers, manu-
facturers, exporters and bankers REIN
forced by the backing Of the state
and, unless the discussions with which
industrial Europe now vibrates shall
fail, supplemented by economic al
liances succeeding the war alliances
now in force Continuation Of the
present condition spells European in
dustrial and governmental co-opera-
ton versus American compelled COM
petition"
Webb Bill Endorsed,
The principal OF the pending Webb
bill authorizing cooperation by ex-
porters, with adequate safeguards
against restriction of domestic COM
merce, is strongly indorsed by the
council committee consisting Of:
Chairman John D. Ryan, ]. A. G. Car
son, James A. Farrell, H. c. Lewis
manager, William H, Russo, Theodore
B. Wilcox and Robert H. PatChin.
In addition to preventing leagues
Of foreign buyers from purchasing
American natural products at less
than the domestic prices and increas-
ing the facilities of manufacturers and
merchants Of moderate size for ex-
port trade, the council declares that
cooperation In exporting will permit
the following advantages:
Maintenance Of highly organized
export service at minimum cost to
participants, employment Of American
advantages In advertising, technical
demonstration and 'folloy-up' meth
DDS.
Improved credit information and
financing OF foreign sales. more adj