260 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TRADE.

Two plans of coordinating on a large scale the different branches
oi the German textile industry have been widely discussed in recent
years, and may be realized in the near future. One relates to the
formation of a central national organization for the whole German
textile industry, including trade associations as well as cartels. The
sther purposes the organization of a special credit institution for the
textile industry similar to the German agricultural credit banks.'

FRANCE,

Textiles are normally one of the principal exports of France, their
value in 1913 equaling $250,000,000. Some of the more important
~ombinations in the industry are described below.
The cotton twist combination.—The cotton twist combination,
called the Comité Francais de la Filature de Coton, was established
in 1899 to cover the three principal cotton-spinning centers, the Departments
 of Vosges, Normandie, and Nord, to the end, according to
the statutes of the organization, “of promoting proper measures to
safeguard the common interests of this industry,” and more specifically,
 of diminishing stocks on hand by (1) reduction of production
and (2) by exportation.
Spinners making use of some two and a half million spindles which
spin American cotton became members, 1,100,000 spindles being in
Normandie, 900,000 in Nord, and 600,000 in Vosges. While the agreement,
 which was of the simple cartel form, sought to coordinate
the work of these three departments, it was provided that “each
group maintain its own autonomy in such a way that it may be organized
 and may operate according to its peculiar views.” The spinners
»f Nord, exercising this prerogative, imposed upon themselves not
only the means of diminishing stocks, above mentioned, but made a
price agreement whereby a minimum price was established. Provisions
 were adopted to prevent violation of the tariffs established, such
as disguised price cutting and indirect commissions to purchasers.
But no fines were established for infractions, and in spite of precautions
 the members began to break away from the agreement in 1901,
and in 1902 it was abandoned. It was, however, revived in 1905
with improved provisions, including a certain form of exporting
hureau, and at last accounts (1907) was still in existence.
In order to carry out the purposes of the cartel, a monthly statistical
bulletin was issued which summarized the information submitted by
members relative to stocks, total production, deliveries made, orders
received, etc., and by this means the situation of the market was kept
clearly before the members.?

| Kartell-Rundachsu, 1909, p. 775; 1915, p. 6,
Revie Economique Internationale, January, 1008, vol. §, pp. 117-118, 123-130, 143, 144.