Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-03-13
HOOVER TO START
COMMERCE PROBE
Will Investigate Supply of
Rubber, Nitrates and Com
merciaI Fibers.
USING REGULAR STAFF
Object Is to Determine if Foreign
Combinations Control Prices
in United States.
USING REGULAR STAFF

investigation into the supply OF
three raw materials-rubber. nitrates
and commercial fibers-wilI be en-
barked. upon Immediately by Secre-
tary Hoover. under the authority
granted the Commerce Department by
the last Congress-.
Stans are being organized, Mr.
Hoover said today. from the regular
personnel Of the department. 1t was
suggested that inquiry might demon
strate the advisability Of investigat.
Ing also the production of other raw
commodities whose chief sources are
outside the United States.
VIII Look Into Prices.
The Secretary said it would be the
first object of the investigation to
determine whether foreign combina-
ttons controlling prices actually exist
Thereafter, legislative means may be
sought to put American buyers on an
equality with the controlling COM
binations and to develop alternative
sources for securing competitive pro-
duction.
In the rubber industry, Mr.. Hoover
said. II will likely be found that
tropical and subtropical areas under
the American flag can be made pro-
ducfng sources. AS to nftrates, which
now come chiefly from natural de-
posits in Chile, the investigation will
artificial production at hydroelectrfc
plants in the United States and else
where.
Sisal II Big Import.
One Of the chief fbers imported
into the United States is sisal, all OF
which comes from Yucatan and /.
controlled, SO far as price is con-
cerned, by mi-governmenta
Mexican commission. 1t is believed
however, that other areas may be
found in which the crop can be
grown successfully. A second fibeI
which the investigation will take ur
Is jute. produced chiefly in India
which will inquire into agricultural
export problems were named yester.
day by Secretary Hoover. They were
summoned to meet in Washington
March "a.
All the appointees are connected
with Agricultural organizations, OF
with allied industries, or scientific
work related thereto. They are: w
Ga Jamis9n: inai: La aa,,v vesa Col; J. G
Des Moines. Iowa, all three officers o,
the American Farm Bureau Fedora.
tion: T. c. Atkeson. Washington rep.
resentative Of the National Grange
Charles s: Barrett, president of the
Farmers Union; James F. Bell. floul
miller. Minneapolis; Julius Barnes
president Chamber of Commerce o.
the United States; George McFadden
Cotton exporter. Philadelphia; Car
Williams, president Oklahoma Cottor
Growers Associations: Ralph Merritt
president California Raisin and Ric,
Association; Alonzo E. Taylor. di
rector OF the Institute OF Food Re.
search, Stanford University; James A
Broderick, vice president Nationa
Bank of Commerce, New ork; Adolpf
Miller, member of the Federal Re.
serve Board; Thomas Wilson, presi
dent American Institute of Meat
Packers: II. c. Taylor. Department OF
Agriculture, and julius Klein, De.
partment Of Commerce.
DR.. Frank M. Surface, who directed
food surveys during the war for thu
food administration, will have charg.
Of the investigation. STATS of the De
partments OF Commerce and Agricul
ture will assist In the work.
The investigation was authorized
by the last Congress-. which appro
priated 100000 partially for its worl
and for the purpose of investigatine
conditions In tho rubber trade and il
other industries where 1t is con.
sidered foreign influences may hav,
influenced prices artifcially agains
American consumers. a.