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Show THE PROGRESSIVE OPINION , Cartels Hinder Trade And Stifle Competition Big Monopolies Regulate Commerce Be-tween Nations; Valuable Information Given Axis Under Business Pacts. By BAUKHAGE News Analyst and Commentator. .Srad WNTJ Service, Union Trust Building Washington, D. C. When the political smoke of the campaign dies away we are all go-ing to hear a lot more about cartels. Most people probably have a gen-eral idea of what they are but those of us who have followed the hear-ings of the Kilgore subcommittee on war mobilization learned a lot of things we didn't know. I think I heard about cartels first from Bill Shepherd, a news-paperman whom I was always meet-ing in different parts of the world. He had just come back from Ger-many shortly after the last war and was full of the subject on which he had written an article for Colliers'. But we didn't know the half of it then. I mention that because it seems Incredible that more was not done to break down the cartel system be-fore. The simplest definition of a cartel Is a monopoly and its most obvious effect is to gouge the consumer with monopolistic prices. A chemi-cal plastic which can be sold to com-mercial moulders at 85 cents a pound, costs dentists $45.00 a pound. Same stuff. Atabrine, a synthetic substitute for quinine, sold to the gov-ernment, presumably at a profit, at $4.50 for a thousand tablets, by a company with a cartel - controlled patent, under a contract that will The Kilgore committee makes this statement, for instance, in its re-port: "The Japanese were able to get technical know-ho- on some proc-esses for production of 100 per cent octane gasoline before they were generally available to American firms and in at least one case as late as June, 1941, to find out through commercial channels the amount of our oil and gasoline shipments to Pearl Harbor." Some Agreements Sanctioned by U. S. It must be said in frankness that in some cases American companies specifically the one which had the right to certain manufacturing proc-esses in high octane had permis-sion from the war department to ex-tend their use in foreign countries. The Universal Oil Products com-pany made special inquiry of the general staff regarding installing plants in Germany and Japan and they were told in July, 1938, "The war department has no objection for the exploitation of these proc-esses abroad." Other manufacturers were not so scrupulous. The Kilgore report re-veals an interesting letter written on April 17, 1940, three months after the President had announced a "morale embargo" against Japan. The letter was written by an official end six months after the war. Ata-brine costs you and me $12.00 per thousand tablets. Another feature of some cartels in-volved patent-leasin- g and this prac-tice has resulted in most of the furor today because, by means of inter-national cartels, both Germany and Japan got hold of secrets of value in the war. For example, the American Boscb corporation provided its German affiliate with information developed by the signal corps of the army which the German army used as the basis for radio communication be-tween tanks and ground and air forces. The Bosch company got the information in the form of specifi-cations in army contracts on which it was bidding. Government Moves To Smash System Naturally the government had to take action in cases like that. Re-cently the state department estab-lished an industries branch in the commodities division of the office of economic affairs and for some time the department of justice has been conducting investigations and in sev-eral cases has taken action. Cartels are one of the highly complicated matters which the peace nego-tiations will deal with. of a Texas oil company to a Mr. Darcy, representing the Mitsubishi Oil company of Japan. It was sent to Darcy' s home following up the conveying of "certain technical r in-formation" which Mr. Darcy sent to Tokyo. This is an excerpt from the letter: "For your confidential information enclosed herewith please find photo-static copy of Saybolt's analysis No. 1433 covering the supposedly 92 Octane gasoline for the Maritime Oil company. . . . You have con-clusive proof that our oil will run up to 93. . . . The attached report is sent you in complete confidence and be very careful to whom you dis-close it, as it would get me into a terrific jam if it ever leaked out that I sent you this data." . But the government of the United States seized the files of the Mitsu-bishi company and "it" has leaked all over the place and what is more "it" is a comparatively harmless sample of other things which will come out later on. One of the interesting cartels deals in a product that few people not in the leather business know anything about. It is the quebracho, a sub-stance used to tan and preserve leather and it comes from the bark of a tree grown chiefly in Ar-gentina. Assistant Attorney Gen. Wendell Berge, who has charge of investi-gations now going on, said: "It seems abundantly clear that Ameri-ca can never have a foreign policy based on the principles of democ-racy and international goodwill so long as international trade is domi-nated by cartels." Berge believes the principle in-volved in the operation of the inter-nal pools and monopolies is the greatest threat to full employment and therefore in many respects is one of the central issues of our time. This type of organization, he believes, restricts rather than pro-motes trade because it hot only drives out competition but also en-ters into agreements to limit pro-duction. That came out in the war and wherever there was a serious short-age, rubber, aluminum, magnesium, drugs, a cartel was discovered in the woodpile. These combinations tend to become little governments of their own and their effect on foreign relations is clearly evidenced in the case of South America where the Germans obtained exclusive rights in many trade fields through these trade agreements and used these rights to build up their Nazi propa-ganda machine. Before the United States entered the war Germany was able to pre-vent firms in this country from sup-plying certain types of explosives to Britian because the American manu-facturers had an agreement with the German affiliate not to do so. The same applied to optical goods. There are other examples which make your hair curl. The cartel is controlled by a com-pany owned and managed by the British. It has an exceedingly tight monopoly and to an extent can there.fore control leather prices. Since it has been in operation que-bracho prices have shot up and pro-duction has gone down. The figures disclosed by the investigation show that before the cartel was formed quebracho was selling at just about one-ha- lf what it costs today. Six price-boos- were made in seven years and the firm is said to be now making 3314 per cent profit. All but 10 per cent of the que-bracho production is controlled by the cartel and many methods are used to hamstring the independents, the chief of which is to make secret arrangements with shippers not to, allow cargo space to the competi-tors, and the cooperation which the cartel enjoys in high places is re-vealed in the course of indictment proceedings by the department of justice. The two firms involved were represented by no less than an of--, ficial envoy of the Argentine gov-ernment. The quebracho pool sent vital supplies to Japan up to the last few years and did it at s absorb-ing the loss by boosting the price toj this country. It has recently been predicted that if this pool continues in operation there will be a serious leather shortage after the war. But substitutes are no solution of the cartel problem. A world in which one man has to use ersatz-sauc- e for his goose while another gets the gravy for his gander, isn't exactly according to the American idea of' fair play. IBUOUSEHOLD homemakers serve raw Some turnips in strips to be eaten with salt, like celery. . Wax the metal wastepaper bas-ket inside and out to prevent rust-ing. A medium-size- d gold fish bowl is excellent for use in whipping cream. Does away with splatter-ing. The bottom part of a funnel may be used as an apple corer in a pinch. If you have difficulty In get-ting sonny boy to wash his neck and behind the ears, try giving him an old shaving brush and let him apply the soap. To reheat bread, place in a pa-per sack, fasten tightly and warm for five minutes in a moderate oven. If the sound sleeper has diffi-culty in hearing the alarm clock sound the awakening hour, place the clock upon a china plate. easy way to UNCORK STUFF NOSTRILS j , j-- ! Nostrils clogged, mem bra nes fj$ swollen ? Quick, V spread cooling V Men tbolatum I i in nostrils. Snuff well back. Speed- - j ilyitstarts4vital i actions: Helps 1) Thin out thick mucus; 2) I Soothe irritated membranes; rasy 8) Reduce swollen passages; rT 4) Stimulate local blood f supply to"sick"area.Eperj K-- breath brings quick, tcei- - come reiie. Jars, tubes 30 u Get Your War Bonds To Help Ax the Axis FREE BOOKLET on ARTHRITIS AM RIlEnn If you suffer from Arthritis, Neurltti Sciatica, Lumbago or any form of Rheiw matism ask your druggist lor a fre booklet on NUE-OV- or write to Not. Ovo, Inc., 412 8. Wells St., Cfcicaro 7 I1L for SOUR FREE COPX. Successfully used for over 19 yean "ascinating Designs For Flower Boxes Patt FIVE baby animals peep beguil-ingly over shoulders and e fascinating designs for in-door flower boxes. Outlines for the fronts and backs of the pup, citten, rabbit, lamb and duck are on Pattern No.. .Z9.298. Trace these outlines to plywood or thin rumber and cut out with jig, coping or ceyhole saw. Then 'nail the fronts and oacks to small troughs and paint in nat-jra- l colors. Put cacti, succulents or other .mail plants in these boxes. Due to an unusually large demand and jurrent war conditions, slightly more time is required in filling orders for a few of the most popular pattern numbers. Send your name, address, pattern num-De- r and 15 cents, the price of the pattern, to: AUNT MARTHA Westport Station, Kansas City 2, Mo. Enclose IS cents for each pattern desired. Pattern No Name Address SEWING CIRCLE PATTERNS pint for the Matronly Woman Crisp, Practical House Dress jj ' Ever a' Favorite iff If f !yl-""- V TTHE sort of house dress which I : 1 1 fsf I VrffrlTiths. 5 a Perennial favorite it's so I m$4i f'frh crisp looking, so easy to get into, LiltSfii &$fmffjm 80 easy to launder! Make tt of say JjftmfflMl) flowered percales or seersucker 1224 and trim it with three rows of ,7?? Wtlh'M'jr bright ric-ra- c on the notched col- - gr.MllH lar and pocket top. fMPfll!! ... lmiJ Barbara Bell Pattern No. 1205 is de signed for sizes 14, 16, 18, 20: 40, V, I and 44. Size 16, short sleeves, requires 35i yards of material; 2Y2 yards ric C rr I rac trim. Due t0 an unusually large demand ant LXJK the Older Or more matronly current war conditions, slightly mon L Woman who wants a neat jump- - time is required in filling orders for 1 er jacket suit which will be slimlv ew of tte most PPular pattern numbers ftr So Crisp "Th Grains ir. Great Foods- "- Jl&l&jfi Zh ' Kellogg's Rice Krispies equal the tj . rf I ; whole ripe grain in nearly all the hi I f j j protective food elements declared J I L h ii l essential to human nutrition. L I I flattering, comfortable to wear Send your order to: and can be made rip in almost I I any sort of material. SEWING CIRCLE pattern dept. 149 New Montgomery St. San Francisco, Calif. Barbara Bell Pattern No. 1224 Is de-- . signed for sizes 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 Enclose 25 cents In coins for each and 48. Size 36, jumper, requires 3i yards pattern desired. of material; jacket. Pattern No Size l'a yards. Name For this pattern, send 25 cents, in coins, your name, address, pattern number and Address size wanted. How to Remove Partition Between Rooms, Yet Have Separate Units By Rath Wyeth Spears - : 0 Curtain mpybe window .xvdrawn while tabll curtains is being set match yjirTWO RODS FfRA LONG WlaVC HAVE you ever thought of the partition between your living and dining room but feared the ceiling would sag if sup-ports were removed? Or, perhaps you have considered the idea and decided that after all it might not always be convenient to have the two rooms in one? Here is an an-swer to both of these questions. The sketch shows the partition removed to give a greater feeling of space but the main supports have been left in. A balustrade between the two rooms makes a division without spoiling the light airy effect and a draw curtain matching the living room dra-peries make it possible to shut the dining room off when desired. By the clever use of curtaining throughout the two rooms are drawn together though they are still separate units. NOTE Here is news for homemakers. This sketch is from a new booklet by Mrs. Spears called MAKE YOUR OWN CURTAINS. This book is full of smart new curtain and drapery ideas with uluuolcu directions for measuring, cutting, making and hanging all types from the simplest sash curtain to the most complicated lined oi stiffened valance. Whatever your curtain problem here is the answer Order book by name and enclose 15 cents Address: MRS. RUTH WYETH SPEARS Bedford Hills New York Drawer 10 Enclose 15 cents for book "Maka Your Own Curtains." Name Address T 'm the guy who looked at you from a U.S.O. poster A some time ago. Tm the guy for whom you and millions of others gave and gave so generously. Td like to tell you what was done with your money. The money you gave last year helped give the boys the tonic of entertainment ... a personal appearance by Jack Benny in Africa ... by Gary Cooper in the South Seas . . . and by lovely women stars in remote places where just the sight of a feminine face is enough to make up for weeks and months of loneliness and isolatioa Your dollars made possible the U.S.O.-- in addition to many, other great services at home and abroad-3,0- 00 U.S.O. clubs and U.S.O. Camp Shows. The job is bigger this year . . . much bigger. Won't you be bigger than ever this year, top, and give generously? Give generously to YOUR COMMUNITY WAR FUND Representing the NATIONAL WAR FUND' WTisnYourlnnards" crs Crying the Dlues WHEN CONSTIPATION makes yon feel punk sb the dickens, brings on stomach upset, sour taste, gassy discomfort, tako Dr. Caldwell's famous medicine to quickly pull the trigger on lazy "innards", and help you feel bright and chipper again. DR. CALDWELL'S is the wonderful senna laxative contained in good old Syrup Pep-sin to make it so easy to take. MANY DOCTORS use pepsin preparations in prescriptions to make the medicine more palatable and agreeable to take. So be sure your laxative is contained in Syrup Pepsin. INSIST ON DR. CALDWELL'S the favorite of millions for 50 years, and feel that whole-some relief from constipation. Even finicky children love it. CAUTION: Use only as directed. SENNA IAXAT1VE .CONTAINED IN SYRUP PEPSM Buy U. S. SAVINGS BONDS f3 KM IV fnW(iW J"S!aCutterVa& Serums control those disease, L r ) I 1 I I I I --"""v aCe WCre mSt COmmoQ and dei"llv to human, I LZZU UZS U U J M I W now use Cutter Veterinary Products to protect your livestock against T"165 and senuns for a e --y aeaaiy rlicpaco witn , e s'? them for yourvuegeto,0ncurter Never J CUTTER VACCINES & SERUMS ""--". : I UnclePhllQ, A SPECIALIST tells us that suc- - cess depends to a great extent upon the way the glands function. Particularly the sweat glands. Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does. A friend in need may be a friend indeed, but he is seldom popular. Don't listen to the knocker, un-less it be Opportunity. It is much easier to spend allow-ances than to make them. Want a reputation as a good con-versationalist? Learn how to lis-ten. Genius is the gold mine, talent is the miner who works and brings it out. Freak Accidents Many freak accidents occurred in the year 1943, but the following are the prize ones for that period, as announced by the National Safety Council: First Prize: To soldier who was welded in his sleeping bag when a bolt of lightning struck his zipper, Second Prize: To soldier whose left leg was broken by a coconut which was felled by a stray bullet. 1 Third Prize: To Washington rancher who was tossed in the air and stripped of all clothing except shoes and eyeglasses by the spin-ning reel of a combine. He Stopped That Mrs. Spendmore I had men running after me long before I married you. Mr. Spendmore Yes, and. they would be running after you now if I didn't pay your bills. A Bit Curious A negro hooked such a big fish one day that it pulled him overboard. As hecruwled back into the boat, he sighed philosophically : "Whut ah wants to know is, is dis niggah fishin' or is dat fish niggahin?" Those Girls! Ann Do you know what makes the tower of Pisa lean? Joan No, if I did, I'd take some myself. "You must be more polite to people," said the shopkeeper to his new assistant. "That lady who has just gone out is one of our most faithful askers." An Asset "You have elected Williams to your club? But he's such a bore!" "I know; we wanted someone to grumble about." No Two Diamonds Alike; Differ in Fluorescence Diamonds are so individual that no two can be expected to react alike to radiation, says Collier's For example, under and ultraviolet light, their fluorescence ranges lrom a faint to a brilliant intensity and may be in any one of various shades of blue, green or-ange or yellow. Heat also causes different reactions in these gems. There are two, one colorless and one pink, in which heat produces an opposite effect, the colorless one turning and remaining pink and the pink one becoming and remaining colorless as long as they are kept at a certain tempera- -' P B R I E F S . . . by Baukhage There is a rumor of a tie-u- p be-tween the Farmers' union and the CIO. At the Quebec conference, Fala, who chased a cat Churchill adopted at the previous conference, turned over and went to sleep in the midst of the Prime Minister's most dra-matic remarks at the final press (nference. i The Germans tried to boost mor-ale of troops in Normandy by broad-casting the sound of approaching tanks. Hundreds of soldiers, believ-ing tanks were supporting them, ad-vanced and were killed. Nearly four hundred million tire-mile-s are saved yearly under a pro-gram being carried out by the dairy industry. |