)99 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TRADE.

in essence a consolidation plan or pooling of production, the sosalled
 “ paying-in and taking-out pool.” Each firm was allotted a
-ertain percentage of the production of the country; for any excess
of this quota the firm paid a prescribed amount into the common
fund, while for any underproduction it was allowed to draw from
the fund. The syndicate includes 95 per cent of all the works of
importance.
Combinations in marked and unmarked malleable-iron bars.—-The
 oldest and most successful combination in the malleable-iron
trade is an informal ring or combination of some half-dozen old,
astablished concerns known as “ marked-bar houses.” These concerns
command a special market, have old, established trade connections,
are in convenient proximity to one another, and are practically unaffected
 by foreign competition. Because of the quality of their
product and the small number of firms engaged, they have been able
to maintain prices for long periods without fluctuation. This branch
»f the industry is combined in the Midland Marked Bar Iron Assosation.”

While these few firms were free from competition in marked bar
iron, this special product was subject to the competition of second
quality, or unmarked bars, which ‘were also made by most of the
marked bar houses. To control such competition the Unmarked Bar
Association was formed in 1895, composed of the makers in seven
counties. The most important rule of this association provided for
the quarterly compilation and adoption of a minimum price list,
with standard rates of discount. Exported iron was specifically excepted
 from the agreed prices. The Lancashire makers formed a
separate organization in 1898, and in 1900 the National ‘Consultative
 Council of the Iron Trade of Great Britain was organized for
the purpose of harmonizing the policy of the various bar-iron
associations. It attempted to fix prices several times but was rather
unsuccessful owing to unfavorable market conditions. The Unmarked
 Bar Association became dormant for a time, but was rerived
 in 1904.2
Other bar associations, the South Yorkshire Bar Iron Association
and the Scotch Bar Association, are active and exert an influence
ver prices.*
The iron and steel bar manufacturers of England have had to contend
 with a great deal of dumping in both home and foreign markets,
particularly by the German and Belgian competitors.’

1 Kartell-Rundschau, Nos. 1-2, 1915, p. 73.
1 Carter, op. cit., pp. 201, 209 ; Macrosty, op. cit, pp. 60-62.
8 Macrosty, op. cit., pp. 60-62,
$Tron &amp; Coal Trades Review (London), Jan. 2, 1914, p. 13; Jan. 1, 1915, p. 11; and
Dec. 81, 1915, pp. 808, 809.
s Chamber of Commerce Journal, Trade Review (London), January, 1910, p. 16; and
January, 1914, pp. 23, 50.