The Ely miner., 1930-02-21
(By National Industries News Service.)
Trade Conferences.

Trade Commission in Washington.
About two years ago the commission
decided than instead of settling many
of the rows between different COM
panies in the same line of business
that they would try the plan of calling
in representative leaders in some of the
industries for the purpose of concil-
iating their grievances. The scheme
worked like a charm, and as most Of
the industries have their trade associ-
ations, many of the complaints are
sounded out through these regular
commercial organizations, and when
the prospect looks good the combat
ants of the industries are asked to
come to Washington to talk it over.
1t is just like holding peace con-
ference before war or a naval con-
ference before a fight at sea-
Sound Mergers Benefit Public.
Preliminary approval of corporation
combinations, it is understood, will no
longer be given by the Attorney Cen
eral. In the previous administration
his department indicated it's approval
or disapproval of specific merger pro-
posals submitted prior to actual con-
solidation.
Will this change in attitude toward
the enforcement of the antitrust laws
bring a general slackening in the con-
solidation among large corporations?
Some leading bankers and corporation
lawyers believe it will and that this
shift in governmental policy, and the
present condition of the stock market,
must be considered in forecasting fut-
ure merger trends.
Speculation as to future merger
progress must, of course, be purely
academic. The sound merger, however
need have little fear of Congress or of
the Federal Trade Commission This
point is Interestingly developed in the
book Millions of Mergers" by H. A.
Toulmin, Jr., just published and which
makes its appearance at a propitious
time. Government officials and those
bodies which the public has set up for
it's own protection, and the courts
which administer their enactments, do
not disturb mergers which render a
public service through reduced costs,
manufacturing economies, improved
products and better distribution.
Banking Investigation.
It seems likely that the lower House
Of Congress will undertake an inves-
tigation of chain and branch banking,
with view to reporting, if possible,
to the present session of Congress,
Representative McFadden of Penn
sylvania, Chairman Of the House Com
mittee on Banking and Currency, des-
cribes "as an alarming situation re-
garding vast banking sums held by a
small number of banks, and of the re-
lation of country banks to this Sit
uation."
Other designations Looked For.
Washington regards it as very prob
able that there will be other resig-
nations following that of Chief JUS
tice Taft from the Supreme bench.
Many of its members are growing very
old, and some of them realize that new
blood and younger men are needed for
exacting duties of the bench. It is
quite probable that President Hoover
will have several appointments to make
during his term of office.
The Star Spangled Banner.
Strange as it may seem the United
States has no national anthem and
Congress is now wrestling with the
question of giving the Star Spangled
Banner official status. A petition
signed by 100000 people has reached
Washington. Perhaps the reason no
one gets very much wrought up over the
matter may be found in the fact that
a legislative decree will likely have no
effect upon the situation. The Star
Spangled Banner is, in fact, the Nat
ional Anthem. This is one thing that
Americans can agree upon without any
law upon the subject to persuade them.
Mail Boxes Become GhOstly. :.
Fantastic rural mail boxes are now
taboo. Besides, the United States Post
Office Department has said, in effect,
that boxes may be painted any color,
just so long as it is white. In other
words, Uncle Sam says the mail boxes
that stud rural highways and roads
must be white and nbthing but white.
That's that! While, of course, unifor-
nifty is a primary purpose sought, it
seems likely that greater visibility,
both by day and by night, is also of
consideration. The postal authorities
having spoken, the prospect is for
plenty of exercise for paint brushes.
Hard Times For The Birds
Feed the birds in winter" says the
United States Biological survey, in
calling attention to the fact that thous-
ands of birds die during the winter
season for the want of food. The Sur
vey recommends that feeding places
for game birds may be provided by
making low hutches or wigwamlike
shocks Of corn or grain sheaves under
which food may be scattered. Make
the opening to the south and inspect
it occasionally to see that it is not
blocked with snow. When pruning
trees, food may be supplied for some of
the seed-feeding birds Alders and
birches bear in their cones supply
of seeds eagerly sought for by redpolls,
siskins and goldfinches in winter. The
winged fruits of ashes and boxelders
are opened and the seeds eaten by pine
and evening grosbeaks. Larches, pines,
and other conifers attract crossbills
Florida Is Prosperous
y Reports from Florida show that the
state is having a prosperous winter
because it is devoting itself to the
hotel and resort business, instead of
losing its head over real estate spec
ulation.
Skins of Rabbits.
More than 100000 rabbit skins were
sold and brought $4,000 last year,
according to a Government report.
Fireman, Save My Barn!
The flremen of a number of Penn
sylvania towns have told the farmers
of the surrounding districts that if they
want their barns or homes saved from
flames, there must be adequate water
supply. Rural property owners are
being advised to dam small streams
or blast ponds to hold water for use
in quenching possible fires. Lacking
the required water, only such property
as may be protected by chemical ap-
paratus may be saved. AS result of
the warning, numbers of farmers are
using dynamite to deepen streams at
spots or are using the explosive to
create small reservoirs. It is further
pointed out that the artificial ponds
should be as near as possible to farm