360 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TRADE.
An exporter mentions the elimination of the commission house:
Direct business dealing, eliminating the commission house and agent when
practicable, would only be possible in many cases through combination.

Economy in shipping is the theme of a railroad secretary, who
points out that a greater combination of capital would give—
«+ * = the ability to charter a ship for whole cargoes, which would mean a
lesser rate of expense than if individual shippers exported in smaller amounts.
Greater uniformity —A professor of commerce and finance believes
that—
The new concerns could standardize and adapt products to the needs of the
situation.
The publisher of a trade journal suggests—
* * * gdopting the metric system and standards of rules for general conduct
of business. |
Greater knowledge.—An accountant who has made a study of political
 economy says:

Foreign competition must be met by studies of the different markets by properly
 organized bureaus of research maintained by and at the expense of the
organized trades. A system of intercommunication among the different units
of business for all possible economy in details and the avoidance of all duplications
 and unnecessary handling of merchandise, ete. should be established
and under Government control.

A number of replies emphasized the importance of being better
informed on foreign conditions. The statement of a respondent, who
is a farmer, nurseryman, and banker, is typical on this point. He
suggests—
+ * * maintaining native United States representatives abroad who are
loyal to such organizations and loyal to this country, who will keep them posted
as to markets, prices, conditions, competition, and all other things of benefit to
such organization and its various lines of business.
Could employ men of greater competency and ability.—In this
recard an exporter writes:

A cooperative organization would be able to secure the services of men of
greater competency and ability, the cost being prorated among a large number
of manufacturers or producers.
Distribution of the burden of opening trade in new fields—An
assistant professor of economics writes:

An export association would be In a better position to develop a market than
competing producers would be. In the first place, such development is likely
to involve considerable expense, and this expense should be divided. If one of
them tries it alone it is likely that he will bear most of the expense, but will
reap only a portion of the benefit.

9. SUPERIOR ABILITY TO MEET THE METHODS OF FOREIGN COMPETITORS,
COMBINED OR INDIVIDUAL—ASssumption of risks—A teacher of history
 and social science points out:

Successful entrance into a foreign field involves considerable expense and
much risk. Many producers will not alone take such risk, while they would
be willing to take chances in a joint enterprise. Besides, fresh capital could be
attracted to such combination and the risk still further distributed.
Better knowledge of foreign competitors.—This advantage appealed
 to a number of respondents. An assistant professor of economics
 expresses it thus: