CONDITIONS IN PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES. 285

Cooperation of American electrical manufacturers would permit
the joint financing of many foreign enterprises in which such financing
must be done to secure the business. Moreover, it would permit the
extension of credits, where necessary, to compete with the credits
offered by foreign manufacturers. At present the smaller American
companies can not handle such business.
In seeking the removal of restrictions or obstacles to freer trade
in American goods, in propaganda favoring the adoption of American
standards and designs by governments and others, and in education
abroad touching the merits of American electrical products, the
prestige and advantage of united action would be invaluable.
In this connection the president of an American wire and cable
company stated that European engineering ideals dominate South
America to such an extent that some form of organization among the
wire manufacturers is necessary in order to overcome the prejudice
against American goods, although it is simply a question of design
and not of quality. While he did not think it would be possible to
combine all the 35 or 40 manufacturers making such goods, still a
number could be expected to cooperate in order to work out standard
 specifications and to apportion the expenses incidental to such a
campaign in South America. Non-members of the association would
also be benefited since the selling of American goods would be more
easily accomplished because of such educational work.

SECTION 5. CHEMICALS.

The present war has emphasized the importance of chemicals
in industry and has brought home the realization of this country’s
dependence upon foreign manufacturers for many chemicals. The
development of a healthy chemical manufacturing industry is,
therefore, a matter of general concern. This development is intimately
 connected with the export trade policies and the industrial
organization of foreign chemical manufacturers, first, because these
concerns are important sellers here and have made it their business
for years to hinder the growth of a similar industry in the United
States; and, second, because American producers must compete with
foreign manufacturers in export business.
In 1913 exports of chemicals from the United States were valued
at $26,787,207 and imports at approximately $96,000,000. As a
result of the war the exports in 1915 rose to $80,395,321 in value
and the imports declined to about $83,000,000. The principal chemicals
 exported are given in the table following.!

! Monthly summary of the foreign commerce of the United States, December, 1915 Figures do not in.
clude exports of foreign products.