The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-04-29
HOOVER TO A|O
/ OF j. S. TRADE
Confers With big Business"
Spokesman to Stop Dumping"
Here Of Cheap Imports.

Big business united with the Gov
eminent today In q broad national
program to foster and protect
American industry against runous
competition from abroad.
Industrial leaders called here by
Secretary Hoover to bring about
unified action by American inter-
ests, voiced the support Of billions
Of invested capital in constructive
measures proposed by the Govern
ment for greater domestic and for
eign trade development.
COVERS BROAD SCOPE
The meeting. arranged originally t.
aid reorganixation Of the Department
Of Commerce and to make II q more
powerful agency to further American
interests. developed q much broader
scope
Foreign priee-cutuns and the
dumping" of cheaply priced goods In
domestic markets called forth express
sions that business must present a
united front and follow a course of
closer cooperation with the Govern
ment In defensive trade methods al
ready projected.
The spokesmen for industry, WITH
out exception. expressed fears over
the results of the "militancy" OF for
eign commerce bodies now launching
out with the financial BACKING of their
governments to make inroads upon
American trade fields. A grave dan
ger recognized by many was the prac-
tice of foreign governments In sub
| Sliding Industries, thus making II
possible for foreign exporters to sell
goods below cost Of manufacture.
Another danger discussed was the
existence of foreign import and ex-
port trade combinations, now operat-
Ing In . manner to control prices Of
American products.
IMMEDIATB REMEDY URGENT.
Secretary Hoover contended this
phase Of the situation calls for an
immediate remedy, through interna-
tjonal agreement or by other ef-
fective means. to assure American
industry adequate protection. Bust
ness spokesman were emphatic in
declarations that joint action by
American Industry cooperating with
Governmental agencies must be ek-
erted to Offset tho competitive meth
DDS now in evidence.
otToHs buppoIb WhU W
suggestion for special legislation.
possibly supplementing tho Webb
Pomerene law. legalizing the COM
bination OF American concerns to
regulate import movements from
abroad. This was called forth by
reports describing foreign combina-
tions among buyers of Americas
goods by methods which amount
practically to control of prices on
exports of American commodities in
many leading lines.
Representatives Of the interests At
TIE conference were: James s.
Hammett. cotton manufacturers; #.
S. Clark. wool manufacturers:
Joseph s. DeFrees. chambers of
commerce.; Stephen c. Mason, Ma
tional Manufacturers' Association
James A Farrell. National Foreign
tt ade Council; william r. Morgan,
New York Merchants Association
Homer L. Ferguson, shipbuilders;
Alexander Legge, farm implements;
John J. Raskob, motor manufactur-
ers; w. H. Nichols, chemicals: c. r.
Kelly. copper mining; Irving T. Bush.
public utilities; A c. Bedford. pc
troleum: Charles H. Mcdowell. fer
tilizer manufacturers; r. s. Huddle-
ston. lumber exporters; J. r. Nc
Elwain, boot and shoe manufactur-
ers; Harry L Thayer. tanning indus
try; walter s. Dickey, clay products
industry.