34(0 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TRADE,

interested in foreign trade, as well as many who were not then, but
who it was believed would later be interested in the subject. A Jarge
number of trade associations were requested to supply the Commission
with the names of such of their members as were or might be interested.
 The Commission took particular pains not to confine its list
to classes or groups of concerns whose interests might incline them
to favor combinations. It also sought diligently to obtain the views
of classes of concerns or individuals who might be opposed to combinations
 for export trade, because it wished to have all sides of the
matter adequately represented.
In its final form the list included the following:
(I) 1,775 export commission houses, manufacturers’ export agents, export
merchants, ete.
(II) 1,260 domestic merchants, importers, etc.
(LL 5,000 publicists, economists, lawyers, bankers, engineers, contractors,
etc.
(IV) 18,165 manufacturers and producers or selling companies maintained
by them.
Replies were received from a total of 9,628, the number from each
class being as follows: Class I, 526; class II, 388: class ITI, 1.996;
and class IV, 6,715.
The answers to the questions and the percentages of those giving
the respective opinions indicated are discussed below. In each case,
the answers of those who were noncommittal or failed to answer
at all were not taken into consideration in computing the percentages.
 In answer to question one, 7,463 were unqualifiedly in
favor of export combinations, while 261 favored combinations under
certain restrictions. Hence, a total of 7,724, representing 87 per
cent, were in favor of cooperation in export trade. On the other
hand, 1,050 were absolutely opposed to the idea, and 51 more returned
qualified negative answers. In addition, 489 made poncommittal
answers and 314 did not answer this question at all.
Replies to the second question show the same general proportions
as the answers to the first.
In reply to the third question, only 822, or less than 11 per cent,
reported that they were unwilling or unable to assist the Commission.
The great majority expressed their willingness to help.
Of the first class mentioned above, export commission houses, etc.,
313, or 64 per cent, expressed an opinion favorable to the formation
of combinations for export business and approximately the same
number believed that such organizations were in the public interest.
Domestic merchants and importers indicated a stronger sentiment
in favor of export combinations, more than 85 per cent of those
making specific answers being recorded as favoring them. Replies
to question No. 2 were in the affirmative by practically the same
percentage.
Publicists. economists, lawyers, etc., to the number of 1,808, or 98
per cent, answered No. 1 affirmatively. On question No. 2 practically
the same belief was expressed. less than 5 per cent answering in the
negative.
Finally, seven-eighths of the manufacturers and producers in favor
of cooperation for export trade, also answered the second question
affirmatively. Thus, in each of the four classes, a large majority
favored the general idea of export combinations, the percentages
ranging from 64 to 95 per cent.