The Cordova daily times., 1921-04-22
MUST PROTECT
 DYE INDUSTRY
 FROM GERMANY
BY COL. WINFIELD JONES


 Before the great war Germany pro- duced much of the chemicals and nearly all of the dyes used by the world. The English and American chemical manufacturers could not compete with the German manufacturers, because the Germans not only produced a greater variety of chemicals of a better grade, but were able to sell their products at a cheaper price, and in addition manu- factured some chemicals that were produced nowhere except in Germany. The British chemical manufa cturers were practically driven out of the world markets before the war by the Germans, and except for chemicals for local consumption the United States was largely dependent on Ger many. AS far as dyes were con cerned Germany practically had a monopoly of the worlds trade.
 The war began and German com merce was swept from the seas. The German chemical and ye trade disap- peared. England was forced to be- gin development of her chemical in dustry and so was the United States. Manufacturers in America were par ticularly active in promoting a new dye business The end of the war found America with a well developed dye business and a highly developed chemical industry
 But the Germans, being cut off from the markets for chemicals and dyes, turned all their factories into other explosives, and particularly poison gas, with which they nearly won the war on the western front in France. Now that the war has ended the Germans are turning their fac tories back to manufacture of chemi- calls and dyes, and with their long eX- perience and cheaper labor in all probability will again be able to sell most of the worlds chemicals and dyes-unless stopped. The only way to prevent another German dye monopoly in the United States is a stiff tariff to protect the infant American industry. Such a tariff bill failed in the last congress, though it should have been passed. Great Britain has already in operation such Ia special protective tariff for her chemical and dye makers. Some how, our congress seems to go to sleep on the job when there is press ing need of such matters as pfotec- ton of American industries from for eign competition, and this accusation, made by our business men, applies to both parties.
 There is another way to hamper or destroy the German dye and chem ical industry As the German factor ies during the war were turned into munitions production plants and poi son gas producers, under the terms of the Versailles treaty the allies have the right to require that the number of these German factories be reduced, on the ground, that they are nothing less than most powerful war auxiliary in possession of the German government, which subsidize them, and in the next war would undoubtedly be put to the same uses that they were in the last war, to pro- duce vast quantities of poison gas and high explosives.
 Whether or not the allies will take such steps remains to be seen. It is reported that the matter is now being agitated in England. Nothing so far has been heard about it in this county.
 It would seem hard on the Germans if the allies should require the leu tons to curtaiI one of their principal industries, but the allies might reply that in doing so they were only carrying out the disarmament terms of the Versailles pact.
 President Harding in all probabili- ty will call a great council of the na- tions to consider disarmament. One of the very first things that will come up, after discussion of limitation of armies and navies, will be limitation of chemical and dye plants that can be turned into munitions and poison gas factories The nation that pos sessed great numbers of these plants, such as Germany now controls, even if there was partial disarmament and war should occur again, would have great advantage over it's enemy.
 Another thing that probably will be considered will be limitation of com mercial aeroplanes, for these ma