Evening star., 1919-04-27
To Profit by
War Lessons,

ana seif-supplying along all lines. and
lnat "ar-,mpelled domestic industries
tnust oe protected to prevent this
country from ever again becoming de-
pendent upon Germany or any other ma
tIon, as. ior example. the domestic dye
industry and the production OF Amers-
can potash. The war has also shown
70 those who were behind the scenes
ana 70 the technical students and in
vestigators. that Anerica must pro
vide for future supplies of raw ma
terials by locating reserves in for
elsn lands. the importations from
winch VIII help to staye of the de-
pletion Of the domestic resources. This
ssnies TO OIL reserves. for which Great
orltaln 10 today searching the world
table example
with government officials and war
time administrators warning that
such foreign
Establish Reserves supplies must
in Other Lands. am.r,e.n es aHse.1pea osny Ds
ital. 1t is obvious that a new system
Of import legislation must be approv-
ed by Congress to adequately protect
the American capital in these foreign
fields. and the American importers who
handle the incoming raw materials,
and the American manufacturers who
have been told that they must use
these foreign raw materials. Congress
didn't know before about these i'm
portant foreign trade complications
because even the best informed men
IN the industries didn't know about
them. They came as war lessons that
mean a great deal to the future of
American business, and 80 Congress is
preparing to give them earnest, SYM
pathetic study and to invite the testi-
mony and advice Of those who have
Investigated the situation most close
ly, especially from a practical, busi-
ness viewpoint.
AS was emphasized at the export
trade convention. during the war the
leading commercial nations did not
coincident with the outbreak Of hos
ulittea there began a world wide
campaign for domestic Industrial ex-
pansion AZ we'll as for extension Of
trade to new markets in foreign coun-
tries. While the foreign trade Of the
United States assumed unprecedented
dimensions. it came largely unsolicit.
ed. ana after the United States en-
tered the war Americans bent every
enort to ending 1t victoriously and
quickly. So when the armistice was
sizned American commercial and in
dustriAl life was atuned to q war
pitch. Now that business is begin
ming to now back to normal, and to
4 large extent new channels; the i'm
portance Of the Webb-Pomerene act
- potent ana constructive means
ior read5usting American trade-even
though lop-sided, a. explained above
has become apparent
~
The prime incentive for the Webb
law was to aid American exporters to
H- meet competitors
Frees Exporters in foreign coun-
From Handicap. n r'ses ssr," ON sousi mus1
terms. 1t has now been in operation
for year. About eighty concerns
have flled statements with the Fed
eral Trade Commission as required by
the law. Exporting associations have
been formed for silks, chemicals, cop
per. textiles, hardware, lumber and
other industries. These associations
comprise small rs we'll as large con-
include: Greater ediciency in merchan-
dising goods, and freer opportu-
nifty for small manufacturers jointly
to build up an export business.
A special export trade division has
been set up by the Federal Trade
economists and lawyers to attend to
inquiries from all over the country
regarding the act. and advising with
representatives Of export associations
and others interested in the law. I
New developments in international
view to ascertaining their possible
bearing on the foreign trade Of the
United States. The worldwide dis
location Of trade and industry
brought about by the war, and the /!
rapidly changing economic conditions |
foreign markets where American
business relations have been estab- |
lished. are likely at any time to af- !
feet competitive trade conditions |
generally. The interests Of Americas
export trade and Of export trade as
law may be vitality affected. There
fore. the enemy trade division is !!
in touch with current de-,
along these lines In for /!
eign markets. The organic act of |
the commission directs that it shall |
investigate from time to time trade |
in and with foreign coun-
tries where associations. combina-
tons or practices Of manufacturers. |
or traders or other con-
ditions may affect the foreign trade |
Of the United States, and to report |
to Congress thereon, with such rec
omm mendations as 1t deems advisable"
X
Attention Of the business interests
Is called to the fact that the Webb
act is a new
Would Revise the law. To facili-
Antitrust Laws. sdm,nistration m ]
and to make 1t Of real value and
bervice to American enterprise
rank and sympathetic cooperation
Is necessary between business men
and the commission. This legis-
Iation for Industrial associations
10 engage In foreign trade is
!. most important and I,.sd signitieant atsant
policy which has
always been committed to indus
trial competition. Congress is keep
ing q close watch on how it works.
Ind even considering changes in the
antitrust laws to allow collective
in domestic trade-even
results authorized and utilized in
iustrial combinations. The Chamber
IF Commerce Of the United States,
which served during the war in or
yanizing these Industrial combina-
lions to get efficiency foY the gov
is now advocating a revi-
zion Of the antitrust laws.
For the hrst time in legislative and
history, the Federal
Trade Commission. in sympathettcal-
y administering the Webb law, in
stead Of imposing a penalty for vio-