. . . keeps down w elding cost.
J o h n
A .
R o e b l i n g ’ s S o n sCo.,
T r e n t o n ,N .J.
B ra n ch e s in P r in c ip a l C itie s
W A S H I N G T O N
P
RESSURE is being brought to bear on Secretary o f State Hull by domestic manganese producers to restore full duty on man
ganese ore—but indications are the decision, expected soon, will be ad
verse to these interests.
A recent report compiled by a
Domestic manganese producers believe the delay will be good for their cause. They point out daily developments show increasing need for the further development of man
ganese in the United States for pur
poses o f national defense. For this reason, they think, favorable gov
ernment action on their plea neces chrome. For this congress authorized an appropriation o f $3,500,000 to the navy department) with which to make purchases o f these commodi
ties during the 1937-1938 fiscal year.
Well informed circles here report substantial investments are ready to be made in domestic manganese de
velopments and increased production can be had but the domestic pro development or nondevelopment of domestic manganese at this time rests squarely on the shoulders of the state department.
BIGGERS’ METHODS PLEASE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
ington whether the President could not find a Democrat good enough government official, fairly high up the ladder, who has sat in with Biggers and others at some of the conferences, expressed considerable surprise at his methods and activi
ties. This particular official gained an idea perhaps all “ economic roy success, whereas when congress ad
journed, he felt very gloom y about a compliment because the President is on the spot here and was called upon to put someone at head o f the commission who would be able to stop internal wrangling.
Biggers declined the communica
tions commission job but he was practically drafted for the unem
ployment census job— and as a dol- office department through question
naires. Probably the tabulating work will be done by the census government were given an opportu
nity to make suggestions.
UNDISTRIBUTED CORPORATE TAX ASSAILED IN SURVEY
A survey has been made o f the business tax situation by the United States chamber o f commerce which shows specific handicaps arising from application o f the surtax on undistributed corporate earnings. Of course, this information is avail
able to treasury department ex indicate clearly the surtax is serious
ly hampering national business ex
pansion, adversely affecting employ
ment and inflicting numerous finan
cial difficulties on business and in
dustry. Reports were requested and answers received from representa
tive corporations enumerating e f
fects o f the surtax. It is stated demonstrated validity o f objections made by business interests when the
October 4, 1937 33
tax was under consideration by con
ployment, because it restricts nor
mal business development at the same time it produces great uneasi
ness in taxation. If the tax is to be retained, the next congress should give attention to alleviating the out
standing hardships and inequalities which have been shown to exist.”
PRESIDENT NOT COMMITTED TO TRADE PRACTICE BILL
Someone in Washington is trying to throw a scare into business and industrial leaders. An inspired story went out from here a couple of weeks ago to the effect the ad
ministration was sponsoring a pro
gram which would include trade the present antitrust laws.
Of course, correcting the Sherman law, which will be prominent in next winter’s congressional program, can
not be done overnight. Considerable whispering has been heard around Washington by trade association ex
ecutives and others that Don Rich- announced employers subject to tax- under title 7 o f the social security federal old age benefits program.
Under this ruling instead o f requir
ing a return fo r the current quarter
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS ARE AW ARDED CERTIFICATES
The Institute o f Scrap Iron and Steel and the Drop Forging asso
ciation have been awarded certif
icates o f recognition in the annual awards made by the American Trade association executives.
The association executives in ad
dition to making a general award and certificates o f honor this year added this new classification and in announcing awards to the steel or
ganizations explained that “ the great interest shown by other trade associations in the annual award competition, prompted the A.T.A.E.
to offer certificates o f recognition.”
JAPANESE IMPORTING LESS UNITED STATES SCRAP
Government officials, who for ob
vious reasons are not willing to be
CHANGES ANNOUNCED IN FOREIGN COMMERCE SERVICE
A number o f changes were an
nounced last week by the depart
ment o f com merce in personnel o f the foreign service department, both at home and abroad.
H. Lawrence Groves, a career man, has been appointed chief o f foreign commerce service. Groves went into his new job from that of assistant to the director o f the bu
reau o f foreign and domestic com merce. Prior to that, Groves was commercial attache at several Eu
ropean posts, the last being Berlin.
The administration really is be
ing hard put to find a suitable
It seems impossible of fulfillment, but it may be done. It is reported
jo r industrial disturbances at pres
ent and the administration can take COST $150,000,000 Y EARLY
M. J. Gormlev, executive assistant which would increase operation costs $150,000,000 a year.
In connection with the question o f safety, Gormley said “ the very great increase in safety on the rail
roads since 1920 in every feature o f operation, including passenger han
dling, has been little less than as approximately 46 per cent.”
GERMANY CONTINUES DUTY EXEM PTION ON ALUMINUM
The expiring German import duty