New-York tribune., 1919-03-06
BUSINESS NEWS BUREAU,
Tribune Building
154 Nassau Street
Button Makers
Organized for
Industry's Good
Early Legislation for Pro-
lection Against Foreign
Competition To Be Sought
-COlver Discusses Laws

new organization, having for its
object the advancement of the entire
button manufacture of this country
and primarily looking toward an early
movement to influence tariff legislation
for the protection of the industry, was
launched yesterday afternoon at
meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
1t was decided to call the new asso-
citation the National Federation of But
ton Manufacturers. About forty of the
manufacturers present signed up as
charter members. The federation will
include manufacturers of all kinds of
buttons, pearl. vegetable, ivory, metal,
bone, horn, celluloid, crocheted, cloth
covered, etc
An executive committee was ap-
pointed to draft constitution and by
laws and to take steps to establish all
regular organization machinery. The
members of this committee are l.. r.
Carley, of the Patent Button Company,
Westbury, Conn, chairman; Arthur
Chalmers. of Harvey Chalmers & Son,
amsterdam, n. Y; T. G.. Robinson, of
j. T. Robinson e. Son, New York; NJ.
Is. Nhittemore, of the Morley Button
Company, Boston. and ". p Pickett,
New York, who will act as secretary
treasurer of the committee Mr.. Carlev
presided at the meeting yesterday,
which was followed by dinner.
Government Officials Present
Before active steps toward forming
RI organization were taken, John Cat
ter, of the Industrial Cooperative
Service of the Department of Com
merce, explained the relation the In
dustrial Service bears to industry and
invited the button manufacturers 30
bring their problems = that organiza-
ion. William B. Colvcr chief of the
Federal Trade Commission, gave
short talk on antitrust legislation n
which he said there was a distinct
trend in governmental circles toward
scme plan whereby individual business
concerns. groups of businessmen Or
entire industries might be licensed TO
proceed with business operations
which are now held ir allegiance by
antitrust laws.
81 don't think there is chance for
the repeal of the antitrust laws" said
Mr.. Colver. "but l think relief is com
ing through the licensing idea" lie
also said that the work of the Federal
Trade Commission with various in
dustries during the war had developed
the fact that there is an urgent need
in every line of industry for more deh-
mite and accurate cost accounting.
"Our commercial bookkeeping is
1otten,' he said.
Adopt Trade Mark.
The button makers were informed by
several speakers that the labor stu
alton and the low tariff, which is per-
mitting undersellng competition, par
ticularly on the part of Japan in the
pearl button industry, are two features
which render the position Of the in
dustry most crucial now. They will
receive carly attention from the new
organization. 1t was also intimated
that the new body will establish q
credit bureau for the entire industry,
will take up the question of shorter
selling terms and establish a seal or
trade mark TO be used by all members.
II was said at the meeting that the
button industry of the country en-
ploys about 100000 persons, between
$4,000 and 10000 people being en-
poyed as clam diggers in the pearl
button industry alone along the Mis-
sissippi River.