384 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TRADE,

As a matter of fact, there is not a wide divergence between the
answers of those who believe combinations should be open to all and
those who believe that combinations should have the right to exclude
a concern from membership at pleasure. In the first instance the
answers are usually qualified by suggestions that membership shall
be controlled by regulations that will be for the good of all. In the
second instance while a number of respondents suggest that a concern
shall only be excluded for good cause, many strongly emphasize the
necessity of leaving business men free to choose those with whom they
will cooperate.

B. Snourp ComeinatioNs Have tue RieuT To ExcLupE CONCERNS
CoNTROLLED BY FOREIGN INTERESTS ?

1. TYPICAL REPLIES FAVORING THE EXCLUSION OF FOREIGN-CONTROLLED
iNTERESTS.—Of the total number answering this division of the
question, about two-thirds were in favor of excluding firms controlled
 by foreign interests. One of the reasons advanced by those
who favor excluding such foreign concerns is that the policy of such
firms might be to some extent detrimental to American interests.
It would be unwise, they think, to- allow other nationals to have
access to the information gathered for the benefit of American
industry. They contend also that to admit foreign interests might
give such firms the double advantage of membership in both American
 and foreign combinations, which might work to the disadvantage
 of American firms. Other reasons for excluding foreign interests
 are also given below.
Foreign concerns might play into the hands of other foreign interests.—It
 is the idea of a manufacturer of acetylene lighting plants
that the organization should-——

* * * he open to all American-owned concerns and exclude all controlled
hy foreign interests, because foreign-controlled concerns might be inclined to play
into the hands of other foreign interests with which they might be affiliated, to
the serious detriment of American concerns interested. The policy of Germany,
England, and other countries is to protect, foster, -and encourage their own
trade exclusively, and we should adopt the same policy.
A firm engaged for over half a century in exporting and importing
replies as follows:
Concerns controlled by fereign interests should be excluded. because their
policy may be subservient to foreign interests.
Would give foreign interests superior advantages, not reciprocal. —
The president of a railway-supply company answers:
Tt should be open to all American-owned concerns, having the right to
exclude any concerns that are controlled by foreign interests. The latter
would otherwise clearly have an advantage in having a knowledge of the
efforts of a United States export combination, while the corresponding privilege
 could not be enjoyed by an American-owned corporation in a foreign
combination.

Danger of foreign control.—A specialist in international law, who
is also a manufacturer of plows, contributes the following:
The privilege to exclude foreign owned or controlled concerns should be
granted if we are to avoid the possibility of foreign control of our export business.
 else it were better for the individual to proceed as at present,