308 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TRADE.

international convention for export has been effected. The convention
 running for 12 years deals with foreign export markets and
regulates the selling prices, but not the quantities to be sold.”

COOPERATION AMONG AMERICAN PRODUCERS.

Without doubt, cooperation among American cement producers
‘for export business could largely increase the foreign trade in this
sommodity, particularly with South America.
The producers of the great Lehigh district in eastern Pennsylvania
and New Jersey, those of the Hudson district in New York, and
those in Maryland are all near enough to the seaboard to be able to
angage in export business. At present there are but three companies
large enough to undertake foreign business directly. In addition,
however, there are several smaller producers in these districts who
are exporting some cement through export commission houses and
who desire to increase this business by having it handled by their
ywn representatives.
To enable these concerns to have their own exporting organization,
a joint sales agency has been proposed for export business. This
would be organized as a cement exporting company, the capital
stock of which would be owned by the producing companies on a pro
rata basis determined by each company’s total shipments for the
past three years. The management of the company would be in the
hands of a board of directors composed of one representative from
sach company, and an executive committee to be elected from the
yoard.
The subscribing companies would according to this plan enter into
an agreement to sell to the exporting company their pro rata share
of cement for export as required at whatever price might be agreed
apon, and would extend to the exporting company 90 days’ credit,
when necessary, on such shipments. Thus the capital of the company
would be supplemented without additional cash being paid in. In
ase any company was not prepared to furnish its proportion of
cement, provision would be made to enable the export company to
purchase from the other member companies.
As most of the cement exported is packed in barrels and many of
the companies have no cooperage facilities of their own, the plan
contemplates an arrangement that would enable the subscribing
sompanies to obtain a superior package at a minimum cost.
To insure uniformity of quality all cement sold to the exporting
company would be tested by laboratories, or experts of international
reputation engaged for this purpose, and certificates issued covering
the quality and packages. All the cement would be sold under one
brand, each mill, however, having its own number and private mark
on the package for identification purposes.