Evening journal., 1921-10-20
METZ FINDS GERMAN
DYE PLANTS NOT
FL0URNHING
Gets Data to Show There is No
Menace to American
Industry


FRANKFORT, Germany. Sep. 8.
Herman A. Metz, OF New York,
who came abroad early this month.
is completing a study of conditions
in the dye industry in Germany. He
has secured a great deal Of data at
the big dye manufacturing plants
here. and on his return to America
viii lay before the United States SEN
ate Finance Committee a detailed
comparison OF the costs of produc-
ton OF colors in Germany and the
United states.
Mr.. Metz viii sail for New York
early next month with statistics in
support OF his argument that the ex-
isting United States tariff of 80 per
cent. less plus cents a pound, pro-
vides ample protection for rs per
cent. OF the dyes now produced in
the United States. He agrees, how
ever, that for the time being it is
necessary to consider Germany's de-
preciated currency. but he empha-
sizes that permanent tarifr should
be framed 10 meet normal, or nearly
normal. conditions The present
tariff. he holds. is an absolute pro-
lection against competition from
dyes made in Switzerland. whose
currency is not far from par.
The German dye factories. Mr..
Metz estimates. are operating "a .ess
than so per cent. OF their capacity,
and he asserts they are experiencing
much difficulty in obtaining raw ma
terials, and with their labor.
America" Mr.. Metz said. ''is now
in position to sell 20 Germany sui
phur and direct blacks. They are
down to pre-war prices at home. but
in Germany they are far above their
1914 levels. We are selling to Ger
many various raw materials. and
several OF the large German plants
are shifting from the production OF
colors to the making OF synthetic
shellac. synthetic rubber, chemical.
and particularly fertilizers, becaus,
Of the increasing costs to the Ger.
mans in the manufacture OF uyes
our raw materials. with the devel
opments at home. are not costing u
any more than what the same ra,
materials now cost the German.
These advanced costs made neces
sary the capital increases Of the Ger
man companies
The German plants arc pot turn
ing out anything new in the colo
line. and they have not done so fl
several years. They have neither IN
money nor the facilities to conduc
the essential experiments. The onl.
temporary advantage they possess
II Il can be so considered. is the de
preciated value OF their mark, bu
from the general viewpoint the Ge'
imam color factories are for from
being in the fourishing condition
pictured by some OF odr high tarii
advocates. who want Uncle Sam q
hold a mammoth umbrella ovs
them"
Mr.. Metz insists that natural losso
20 deprecated inventory values sine
the armistice. and the general bust
ness depression. have been capital
lied by those he says are clamorin
for higher tariffs. embargoes an
American valuation plans.
They have generaiized the com
plant that their losses are due {
German competition" he said. "W
cannot frame a scientific tariff o
general statements We need facti
and / believe the figures I intend {
submit to the Senate will be convinc
ing in this regard.
! In the last three years one OF m
dye companies in America whic
always made money before, ha
shown a loss. This was due 10 a nal
ural depreciation Of values. couple
p with desire to maintain the organ
ization personnel which the compan
must have 70 operate again at
profit The loss cannot be attribute
TO German competition. and the pal
ticular corporation to which / ref,
/ will show a profit in the currei
, year.
> England stocked up with Germa
dyes Immediately following the al
mistlce. and then yelled for an en-
4 bargo-to keep the prices up. The
= are certain German dyes which al
/, excellent for the American text
/, trade and which the British ali
Z acknowledge are superior. but to 81
that We cannot compete with ,sv
many without a higher tariff
q merely an effort TO gain a monopo
!, for a few.
4 You can make up your mind
\ this. II German dyes do not con
4 10 US in the package or keg, tn
will come In on the fiber"