Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-12
DYE

Most OF the dye manufacturers in this country
are in favor of some sort of embargo on foreign
dyes. Many of the manufacturer Of cloth and 9th
er goods requiring treatment with dyes oppose it.
The secretary of war and the secretary of the navy
favor an embargo. Some members of congress see
in the proposal for an embargo a diabolical attempt
of saying so.
Before the war most of the dyes in this coun-
try were. manufactured in Germany. The industry
in that country was of long standing, and it had
been brought to a high degree Of perfection. Amer
leans had not manufactured dyes on any consider
able scale, not because they could not, but because
their capital and their efforts had been adequately
employed in other directions, and they were salts
fed that the foreigners should continue to supply a
class of commodities in the manufacture of which
they had developed great efficiency. Just as the
specialist in any field developes methods and pro-
cesses with which others are not familiar, the Ger
man dye. manufacturers had valuable knowledge
concerning the minutae of their industry which 9TH
ers did not possess.
The war came, and our trade with Germany
ceased. Moreover, the German dye industry failed,
for it became necessary for the Germans, in making
their supreme effort, to transform their dye indus
try into a munitions, industry, a purpose which had
been kept steadily in mind during the entire build
ing of that industry.
Dyes were needed here, and American firms be-
gan to make them. They had much to learn. Their
first attempts were crude and unsatisfactory, as all
had occasion to know who handled any sort of COL
ored goods. America needed munitions, and it was
necessary to create facilities for perfecting the
deadly compounds required in the tragic business
of war. In plant, equipment, and in chemical
knowledge the two industries made similar demands
which Were met in substantially like manner. Diff
culties encountered at the outset we're overcome one
by one, until as good dyes and as forceful explosives
were made in this country as could be made any
where. A great industry was built up, and when
the need for the vast supplies of munitions had pass
ed, the munitions branch of the industry was ready
to turn its attention to the production of dyes.
America was in a position to be self-sustainihg in
the matter OF dyes and in the production of chemical
war supplies.
Germany is seeking to restore her lost trade.
Because of deprecated exchange, lower labor costs,
government subsidies, and willingness to make a
present sacrifice in order to drive out a rival, Ger
man dyes are now offered in the American market
at prices far below the American cost of production.
If matters are>allowed to take their course American
our source of supply.
If our dye industry is DESTROYED, it cannot be
re-created in a day. The physical equipment must
be turned to other uses, and the scientific knowledge
must be directed into other channels. Then the
foreigner, with a practical monopoly again, can adj
low enough not to be too tempting to enterprising
Americans. That part of the German ambition will
have been realized. :
If this should be brought about, if another war
should involve the United States, we should be as
badly h%ampered in our chemical activities as we
were at the beg inning OF the late war. That branch
of our preparedness is inseparably associated with
the dye industry.
1t seems clear that for the preservation of a
beneficial industry, and for the maintenance of facil-
tiles which are absolutely essential in time of war,
the American dye manufacturer should be secure in
his home market SO long as he serves the public
need without extortion.