110 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TRADE,
with a capital stock of 1,600,000 francs ($308,300), established at 18
Place Marceau, Marseille. This company is affiliated with an Italian
concern at Modane, but no definite information could be obtained
concerning this trade combination. The Marseille rice exports averaged
 about 21,000 metric tons in recent years, chiefly to Senegal and
Algeria. There is no evidence of dumping in this trade.
Foreign combinations—Prior to the war there were several combinations
 of German manufacturers doing business in this district,
but this business has completely ceased since the outbreak of hostilities
 between France and Germany. The Russian petroleum interests
have also been unable to transact business for over a year for the
game reason.
Among the other important trade combinations may be mentioned
the Italian Sulphur is, of Sicily, which is under Government
 control, and sells the greater part of the crude sulphur consnmed
 in France. The Union Sulphur Co., of New Jersey, which
owng the Louisiana sulphur mines, is, however, a strong competitor
of the Consorzio, and shipped to this market last year approximately
25,000 tons of sulphur, or about one-fourth of the French con.
sumption.
There are no combinations of buyers of American goods in this
district. The only important handicap of American exporters, so
far as this district is concerned, is the discrimination against their
products in the French customs tariff, the majority of which are subject
 to the maximum rates of duty.

Special report of Consul Kenneth Stuart Patton, La Rochelle district, France,
November 5-6, 1915.

The Association Centrale des Laiteries Coopératives des Charentes
et du Poitou (Central Association of the Cooperative Creameries of
Charentes and Poitou) and its selling office, the Union des Caséineries
 (Casein Producers’ Union).—This organization, founded in
1893, is composed of 130 dairies and 78,000 stockholders. Its president
 is Senator Th. Girard, Melle, Deux-Sévres. The head offices
are at No. 1 Bis, Rue du Musée, Niort, Deux-Sévres. Dairies of the
following departments are admitted to membership in the Association:
 Charente, Charente-Inférieure, Deux-Sévres, Vendée, Vienne,
Indre-et-Loire, Indre, Loire-Inférieure, and Maine-et-Loire. The
duration of the association is fixed at 99 years, formed of successive
 periods of 20 years. Any affiliated dairy may withdraw from
membership on giving notice a year before the expiration of the
current period.
The objects of the association are:
The defense of the general and special interests of the affiliated
concerns.
The creation and extension of central services which may contribute
 to their prosperity and economic betterment.
The study and perfecting of processes of manufacture, the utilization,
 exploitation, and sale of the products of the milk industry.
The creation and operation of institutions for the protection and
mutual insurance of the personnel and of the associated dairies.
The association maintains an office which arranges for the rapid
transportation of milk, cream, butter, and cheese in refrigerated
cars 1n summer, and in heated cars, if necessary, in winter. The