Evening star., 1930-06-28
LABOR Chief URGES
TRUST LAW REPEAL
Matthew WoII Contends New
Era Has Dawned in
American Industry.
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
Scrap the Sherman antitrust laws
and allow employers to exchange cost
and price data
Matthew Woll first vice president of
the American Federation of Labor, so
advised a textile convention as the best
means of estabilizing the textile industry.
Mr.. Woll contended that the restrictions
imposed today by law are a relic of a
business era long since gone. but that
these restrictions penalize every social
force "by the tremendous waste of un-
Intelligent production"
America has outlived the era of COM
pstitive philosophy" says this labor
leader. Limited manufacture and the
subsequent rivalry for business are
working to the detriment of all classes.
The only way We can improve the situ-
alton is by allowing manufacturers, in
cooperation with their employees, to ad-
just their output to consumer needs"
This labor leader believes that an in
crease in consuming power would re-
suit from repeal of these laws because
employers would be able to stabilize
their wage cost without the anarchiStic,
blind, cut-throat tactics used in pres
ent business conditions. Many of
Americas labor leaders today are taking
this position with regard to Sherman
antitrust legislation.
DR.. George w. Taylor of the Univer-
Sity of Pennsylvania discussed the ques-
ton from another angle in an address
before the American Federation of Full
Fashion Hosiery Workers.
"AS long as we have a 80 per cent
oyerproduction, as we have had during
the last year. We will have ruinous COM
petition. wage difficulties and trade
depression" he said. "The only road
to Inr iv,
of the manufacturers with intelligent
labor agencies in controlling produc-
ton by scientific research. And this
research cannot come about while we
are hampered by the restrictions of the
Sherman act"
Some years ago I was talking with
Mrs.-O P. Van Sweringen, the Cleveland
in business. Repeatedly during that
conversation he used the term bal
anced competition"
Perhaps that is what business needs
today above everything else.
Uncontrolled competition may some
Gay be outlawed as a relic of barbar-
isn-just as balanced competition in
many cases seems outlawed today by
the provisions of the Sherman anti
trust laws.
What effect will the untimely death
yesterday of L. A. Manchester, chief
counsel for the Youngstown Sheet &
Tube Co., have on the present suit of
the Youngstown minority to prevent
that company from joining with the
Bethlehem Steel?
:. The bitter fight continues. Piled
high with work during the last few
months with matters connected with
this vltally important case, Mr.. Man.
chester has spent many days and nights
at his office. It proved too much-the
overwork and strain was too great.
This youngstown lawyer was born in
Cansfeld, Ohio, AZ years ago and grad
uated from the law department of the
University of Michigan in 1905. At
first he opposed the merger, but since
a majority voted for it. he joined New
ton D. Baker, formerly Secretary of
War, in defending it.
Raw materials and foodstuffs are the
chief suherers-not manufactured prod
ucts-in the May decline of United
states imports and exports.
In May last year, American manu-
factured goods constituted So per cent
OF exports; this year. 81 per cent. I'm
ports last year in May constituted "a
per cent: this year but 20 per cent.
United States manufactured goods
SOLD abroad in this same month this
COCdICu 81 Slio,VUU,OUU, dS against
S2O2,OO0,OOO a year ago; partly manu-
featured goods $50, 600, 900, as against
S59,OO0,O00; raw foods. $4,000 900, as
against $2l,000000 and raw materials
used IN manufacture, $4,000 900, as
against S57,000,00O.
Manufactured goods imported into
the United States totaled S68 900 900
IN May this year, as against $83, ,00O. 900
Ior the previous May; partly manufac-
tured goods, $50, ,000. 900, as against S85,-
OOO;OOO; raw foods, $4,000, 900, as
against S46,000,000. and raw materials
used in manufacture, sS6 600 200. as
against Sl41, 900 900.
In a word-the manufacturers did
more business with Europe than the
farmer. Why?
The death of Representative Stephen
U. Porter, at the age of 81, chairman
OF the House of Representatives foreign
aHalrs committee, removes from world
!eacershlp strong champion against
habit-forming drugs
Leaving business 20 years ago, he en-
tered Congress, and later sat as chair
man OF the American delege ton, CO.
operating with the League of Nations
Opium Commission.
Just now, when the United States is
ngntlng strenuously for the limitation
OF the production of opium throughout
the world, the loss of Stephen G. Porter
is very severe one, not only for the
united States, but for the organized
FORCES against habit-forming drugs
throughout the Torld.
(Copyright, 1890. by North American Newx
paper Alliancel