B2 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TIRADE.

The International Zinc Syndicate—As early as 1908 efforts were
made to form an international zinc syndicate. On July 15, 1908,
the American works, with a production of 226,000 metric tons,
reached an understanding with the German-Belgian combination,
having a production of 209,000 tons and 115,000 tons, respectively,
and the English and French (including Spanish) works, with each
a production of 56,000 tons. The German firm of Giesche’s Erben
did not enter the German Union, but declared to the international
combination that it was prepared to limit its production and to observe
 the agreed prices of the combination. Difficulties occurred: between
 the German firms, particularly with the Frankfort Metal Co.
(Metall-Gesellschaft, Frankfort). The German firms succeeded in
Sing thar difficulties in 1909, and since the only important outsider,
 Von Giesche’s Erben, was conciliated an international cartel
was formed which was to last until April 30, 1914. The producers
in Belgium, France, and other European countries entered this
agreement. The German Union was more or less dependent upon
the international combination; i. e., if the international combination
dissolved it was thought that the German Union would also be dissolved.
 An effort was made in 1909 by the American interests to
form a copper combination, but an international agreement in copper
 never materialized. An international tin-plate union was also
spoken of between American and English interests. It is not known
exactly how thoroughly this combination was organized before the
outbreak of the European war.
I'he International Aluminum Syndicate—In October, 1912, an international
 aluminum syndicate was formed, in which all the prominent
 producers in Europe were members (especially those in France,
Switzerland, and England). This combination is regarded as being
a well-organized monopoly. The international combination effected
an arrangement with the Canadian producers. Several years before
an international zinc syndicate was attempted, but was destroyed
because so many outsiders developed who flourished upon the high
prices fixed by the combination. The report is current in Germany
(based upon an official investigation at Washington in January,
1913) to the effect that the Aluminum Co. of America controls the
Canadian company, which has agreements with six or seven foreign
aluminum companies. The agreements with the foreign companies
were not contrary to law because the actual operations were in other
countries than the United States.
Efforts to form an international combination in the textile industry.—Since
 the pricey of cotton and other raw materials were
high in 1909, and the selling prices of finished products could not
be raised in proportion, an effort was made throughout the whole
year to reach an international understanding. Previous to this time
international agreements had been established successfully in other
special lines, such as the Handkerchief Union between Germany and
Switzerland, and the understanding between the German and French
velvet and plush manufacturers. An International Union of Silk
Dyers had also been previously arranged. During the progress of
the efforts toward an international agreement in the textile industry
the International Union of Cotton Spinners and Weavers sought,
with a degree of success, to limit the production of textile materials.
In England. France, Austria, Italy, Belgium, and Germany, during