BEPLIES TO CARD AND SCHEDULE INQUIRIES. 411
MeTALS OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL (EUROPE).

Prior to the outbreak of the present war we had for a number of years exported
 oxide of zinc. We were able to do so largely because one of the ore
Jeposits owned by the company enabled it to produce an oxide of zinc of a
quality different from that produced by the foreign manufacturers. On account
of the character of this ore we were also able to export some of the concentrates.
 Metallic zinc or spelter could not be exported to any considerable
pxtent on account of a European convention called the International Spelter
Convention that existed and covered the plants in all the principal European
pountries. Zinc is most largely produced in the Silesian and Rheinland districts
of Germany, and in the Valley of the Meuse in Belgium, all of which have been
in the hands of the Germans since early in August, 1914, and naturally, therefore,
 not available to a considerable portion of their regular trade, which has
had to turn to this country for its supply. The facilities for production in
this country have been largely increased, and after the war is over, the probabilities
 are that we will be confronted by a strong European convention, with
the result that our foreign markets will entirely disappear, unless we are
able to meet the competition with a strong organization. (From a manufacturer
 of zinc ore, spelter, ete.)

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

We find that by the cartel system the manufacturers are able to present their
goods through the combination of interests at the least possible expense in
selling, freight, finance, and in practically every conceivable direction. (From a
manufacturer of musical instruments.)
O11.8. MINERAL.

The Royal Dutch Shell Combine has an estimated Investment of $25,000,000 in
American oil properties in California and, through the Roxana Petroleum Co., in
Oklahoma and Texas. The California Oil Fields, Ltd., a subsidiary, is an
English concern and owns 7,040 acres, of which 4,960 are oil bearing. Production
 in 1912 was 4,248,849 barrels, and profits were $659.000. (From a
business statistician.)
Speaking of oil, had the present European war not arrived, Germany undoubtedly
 would have had official monopoly, operated by the Government on
burning oil. This was ostensibly directed against the Standard Oil Co. During
he preliminary work in bringing about this combination, Germany was cultivating
 the independent oil interests of this country, and many thought. that on
the culmination of the monopoly by the Government, Germany would give
enough business to the independents in order to keep them as a club against
the Standard Oil Co., although, at the same time, the German Government would
not lose sight of any advantage in point of price which the Standard might be
willing to give. Had this monopoly gone into effect, all burning oil sold in
Germany would have been handled by the Government.
There are only two interests of great importance in oil abroad. One is that
controlled by. the Standard Oil Co. and the other is the so-called Shell-Royal
Dutch-Asiatic-Rothschild interests, which is a peculiar and ingenious combination
 of large financial interests at London, Paris, Berlin, Russia, Austria,
apd heavens knows where else. This combination Is brought about by an
sxchange of directors, of stock interests of oil, and various other matters,
perhaps some pertaining to oil and some pertaining to other matters of finance.
(From an editor of a petroleum journal.)
OPTICAL Goops (GERMANY AND ENGLAND).

The only foreign competition which we have experienced has been German,
Our manufacturing is restricted to the metal end of the business, and we have
found that in order to supply foreign markets, it is not sufficient to ship them
the frames and mountings and allow them to insert such lenses as may be
necessary, but that we must ship them the frames and mountings already
supplied with lenses. The Geman manufacturers have formed combinations,
sither between different manufacturers or as single concerns, so that foreign
rade could be supplied with the frames and lenses complete. Some of the