380 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TRADE.
From the wording of the question it follows that replies would be
received only from those who favor combinations. Of the total
number giving information in answer to this question, many simply
stated their opinions, without giving reasons.

A. ApvisaBLITY oF A ComBINATION Brine PerMrrTep To CONTROL
178s MEMBERSHIP AT WILL,

1. TYPICAL REPLIES IN FAVOR OF MEMBERSHIP OPEN TO Arr. —There
is a decided majority, especially of the publicists, economists, lawyers,
 bankers, engineers, contractors, etc., answering the general
schedule, who believe that membership in export combinations should
be open to all in their respective lines. They would have the members,
 however, meet certain business requirements which are deemed
necessary for the welfare and success of a business organization of
any kind. The majority of manufacturers, export commission
houses, domestic merchants, etc., in addition to the above requirements,
 would also exclude all firms controlled by foreign interests.
I'he reasons given are set out in the following typical replies:
Open membership subject to rules for the good of all.—The following
 statement, made by a large merchant of 30 years’ experience
with an extensive import and export trade, is typical of many other
answers received by the Commission. He says:
We believe that such export combinations and cooperative organizations
should be open to all manufacturers or producers in the United States, In their
respective lines, wherever such manufacturer or producer is ready and willing
to accept his pro rata share in the expense or risk taken by such combination
or organization and to abide by the rules and regulations as set by the majority
 in such combination.
The reply of an export merchant of 22 years’ experience is practically
 the same. ~
We think that export combinations should be open to all manufacturers in
the same lines and should not have the right to exclude any concern at pleasure,
 but we think that it would be highly desirable that rules should be
adopted for the purpose of allowing for the exclusion of any concern which
failed to live up to its agreement with the combination, or whose goods did not
come up to a proper standard, or who might be guilty of uncommercial conduct
at any time.

Liberty of action essential.—A manufacturer of medicinal chemicals,
 who states that his exports are one-third more than last year,
makes the following statement:

Such combinations should be open to all American-owned concerns, but should
exclude the foreign-owned. They should be allowed the very fullest liberty
and cover competing products. My chief reason for this is that, to capture
the foreign markets, we must have: the very greatest liberty of action, as the
foreign concerns are all very well established, and now operate under combinations
 and in large units.
Open to all limited by size of organization and reputation of members.—A
 member of a firm engaged in the wholesale importing business,
 with 41 years’ experience, says:
The combination should be open to all of the producers or exporters in the
trade up to a point where, from too large a number, it became unwieldly, in
which case other smaller combinations could be formed. It should not be open
to those whose methods are not honorable and straightforward. It should not
be open to those whose actions would, in any way, compromise the reputation or
name of the comhination. Many people have business methods that are honest