New-York tribune., 1919-11-22
War Trade Board
Blamed for Vat
Dye Shortage
Shirt Manufacturers AssO-
citation Charges Dilatory
Tactics Have Caused High
Prices and Speculation

Dilatory aactics on the part of the
War Trade Board and its advisory com
mittcc in facilitating the importation
of vat dyes of German origin into this
country, according to "A statement issued
last night by the National Association
of Shirt Manufacturers, have brought
about a situation leading to higher
prices for dyed cotton SHIRTS. specula-
ton in the shirtng material market
and huge importations of British
fabr cs.
The statement was issued at the con-
clusion Of a three-day conference under
Tho auspices of the vat dyes committee
of the association During the conf"r-
ence DR.. Charles Herty, who was sent
alncaI by the War Trade iior,d 20
secure the needed vat dyes, was pres
cnt.
Call Delay "Needless'
DR.. IIerty advised the shirt manL-
features and textiles interests, also
present, that he had obtained about 80
per cent of the needed six months sup
ply through the Allied Reparations
Committee in Paris and had arranged
or the remaining 70 per cent through
options obtained directly from DR.. Van
Weinberg, head Of the German Chemi
Cal Cartel. The orders for these dyes.
however, were not cablcd by the War
Trade Board until November Is and the
dyes will not reach here until next
year. The committee praised DR..
Herty's efforts, but condemned the War
Trade Board for its lack of co0pera-
ton and cooodlnation with DR.. Hertg.
causing needless delay at a most
critical time"
The report of the committees con-
ference, being sent to shirt manufac-
.urers throughout the country, reads
in part:
. by the failure of the War Trade
Board TO obtain or allow to be obtained
the needed dyes a shortage has been
brought narrowing the textile market,
allowing speculation and the inevitable
price advances, which have created ic-
t,tlous values on American shirtings,
thereby forcing the shirt manufactur-
ers to turn to the British textile mar
Ret for part of their necessary SUP
plies. not only on account of price
but Tor the reason that desirable cutor
effects could be obtained abroad
The business done with English
manufacturers during the last two
months Will run into millions of dol
lars. This means that we are being
forced to help build up an English war
asset by the consumption Of the Eng
llsh dye manufacturers product to the
detrlment of our own. These Enelish
products, once introduced, viii be hard
to disp!ace.
License Feature Of Bill Discussed
The license feature of the Lono-
worth bill was discussed and President
Tyson instructed the vat DIVES commit
tee to continue its activities as an in
vestigation body to determine if the
present lack of vat dyes in this coun-
try is due to conditions which viii be
perpetuated under the provisions of
the Longworth bill for licensing, tbo
dye stufs importation
Report final and complete on this IN
VcstIgatlon, stating conclusions formed
by the committee, shall be made
TO the shirt industry Of the unloed
states. through the executive board OF
the National Association of Shirt Man
ufacturers at its meeting early in De
cembcr. 1910"
Hunter Of Hail. HarXs Xas Xtsipea 6S Sy Tr5% Jpn
\. l. chairman of TIE vat dves com
ii u Allison socretarv of
the shirt manufacturers association.
- - .nc enactment was beng pre-
pared report was received stating
mat one dye concern in this country
was producing vat dyes in one or two
co ofs, but IN an extremely limited