We would favor the President's proposal for faster action to provide relief after proper investigation has disclosed "peril point" justification as provided under the law. Provided it be sure, justice should be fast.

In this latter connection we would, however, point out that the very existence of concepts such as "peril points" and "escape clauses" operates to inhibit or deter foreign business from attempting to enter the American market. In effect, these provisions place a limit upon the foreigner's enterprise, for if he should succeed in competing effectively with domestic products-to the point where the domestic producer has grounds for protective relief-then he may expect to have his success curtailed by an upward revision of the applicable import duties. e. g.. Swiss watches, British bicycles.

We recognize, of course, that imports may and do operate to curtail domestic production in certain industries and localities. It is not, however, unusual for action taken in the greater national interest to produce hardship on individuals or business concerns. The most obvious illustrations of this occur in time of national emergency, and we now seem to be obliged to live in a permanent state of cold-war emergency. Business is not as usual. The times have changed, and we all must make the necessary adaptations required for survival and success under conditions as they are not as we would like them to be.

The world is no longer as it was 3 years ago; and it will never be the same again. Our country then needed and was given extension of the Trade Agreements Act. Today, the need is far greater-in fact, it is imperative; and the existence of a temporary downturn in our economy must not be allowed to obscure that vital fact. Anything less than a wholly effective extension of the reciprocal trade program would be to play into the hands of our enemies-to the detriment of ourselves and our friends.

This is much more than a dispute between freetraders and protectionists. It is not a case of one vested interest against another; or of Democrat versus Republican. Nor is it a matter of watches, bicycles, cheese or clothespins, oil, lead or zinc, or tractors. It transcends all these and ranks with military preparedness in this day of the intercontinental ballistic missile. We must complement the weapons of war with the weapons of peace and the greatest of these is international trade honorably conducted among free peoples. Respectfully submitted.

WILLIAM BLACKIE, Executive Vice President.

PEORIA, ILL., June 19, 1958.

STATEMENT OF H. HARVEY PIKE, PRESIDENT OF H. H. PIKE & CO., INC.,

NEW YORK, N. Y.

My name is H. Harvey Pike. I am an American citizen, president of H. H. Pike & Co., Inc., a New York corporation, founded by my father in 1890. I joined the company in 1911, since which time except for 2 years in the Army I have been continuously identified with the field of foreign commerce.

I would like to urge upon you the desirability of a renewal of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act expiring on June 30 and a strengthening of that piece of legislation. It is of the greatest importance that as the leading exponent of a free economy the United States have a consistent and helpful policy toward trade among the free nations of the world.

As a great creditor country, it is difficult to understand the wisdom of any policy which tends to restrict the ability of our debtors to pay us and settle their unfavorable dollar balances.

When there are hardship cases of foreign competition in some particular industry, it may be desirable to help those in that industry. This might be done in some other way than trade barriers. Surely, however, it is not to the interest of the country as a whole to injure our world leadership to help some relatively small segment of our economy.

I strongly urge your favorable consideration of the administration's proposals for the extension of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act, and for a period of not less than 5 years. It is good business for the United States of America. It is necessary for our standing and leadership abroad.

JUNE 23, 1958.

STATEMENT REGARDING THE TRADE AGREEMENTS PROGRAM BY WILLIAM S. SWINGLE, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL FOREIGN TRADE COUNCIL, INC., NEW YORK, N. Y.

The National Foreign Trade Council believes that a large and expanding volume of international trade provides an effective and major contribution to the building up of that economic strength necessary for our continued security and freedom.

The United States today is more dependent than ever upon the maintenance of a high and rising level of international trade. This dependence on international trade has become intensified since inauguration of the trade agreements program in 1934, as our population and our economy have expanded. Now and in the future we must increasingly rely on exports, and reciprocally on expanded imports especially of strategic and other raw materials, if we are to have a prosperous and balanced agricultural and industrial economy.

Exports are of vital importance for a prosperous America. They provide broader outlets for American agricultural and industrial products. As our economy expands, we will need to expand foreign markets. For many commodities and products, exports today comprise a highly important part of total output, ranging up to 25 percent in many instances and to 50 percent and beyond in others. To many American producers, exports are not merely important, they are indispensable. And the time will come when exports will be as vital to our economy as a whole as they are now to many producers.

The present excess in exports may well be a temporary and passing phenomenon. As other industrial nations improve their production and distribution techniques, and as the European Coal and Steel Community and Common Market and similar arrangements become more and more effective, American exports will become increasingly vulnerable to more intensive competition occasioned by improvements in foreign product, price, and availability-the tripod upon which all successful marketing depends. We should, then, look to the long run as well as the short run, and be prepared to meet increased competition to our exports. As regards imports, the United States today depends on foreign sources for a large part of the strategic and other raw-material supplies necessary to meet the needs of a high-level peacetime economy and the requirements of national defense. In the case of many such commodities, United States production accounts for only a small proportion of requirements. Furthermore, our own resources of some of the most essential raw materials are rapidly being depleted. There are other products for which we are entirely dependent upon foreign sources. In addition, this country obtains from abroad a substantial volume of semimanufactures and finished products required by the American economy. Today, more than 41⁄2 million American families gain their living in activities directly concerned with export and import trade. There is scarcely an individual in the country who is not dependent in some degree upon our international commercial activities. All regions and all segments of our economy have a stake in the exportation and importation of goods and services.

A large volume of international trade enlarges opportunities for the less developed countries to sell increased quantities of the raw materials, foodstuffs, and other goods which they can currently produce. It thus makes it possible for these countries to obtain from the industrially more advanced nations the capital goods and other products needed to further develop their economies, raise living standards, and achieve the diversification essential to economic stability and growing prosperity. International trade is a proven means for the fulfillment of the aspirations of free peoples for economic and social advancement and so contributes to the peace and security of all the free world, including the United States.

It would be extremely unfortunate for the United States to discontinue a program for expanded international trade relations which means so much, both to the industrially advanced and less developed nations of the free world-a program in which this country has played such an active and leading part for nearly a quarter of a century.

The National Foreign Trade Council considers the United States trade-agreements program the best mechanism, thus far devised, for maintaining a high and rising level of international trade and for preservation and enhancement of the world trading relationships required for our expanding prosperity.

The council urges the enactment of legislation to carry forward the tradeagreements program. It recommends that the extension be for a duration sufficient to stimulate confidence in the stability of our foreign-trade policy.

If the United States is to maintain a vigorous and thriving economy and if it is to fulfill its responsibilities in helping to strengthen and preserve the freedom and security of this country and other free nations, we must remain strong. There should, therefore, be continued authority under the trade-agreements program to safeguard vital interests of American producers.

The council believes that failure of the United States to support the tradeagreements program at this time would have a bad psychological effect and would be a serious blow to world confidence and to the trade relationships between free nations upon which rests to a very great extent the ability of free peoples to advance their well-being and, at the same time, remain free.

RESOLUTION TO CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF WORLD TRADE CLUB OF DENVER, DENVER, COLO.

The members of the World Trade Club of Denver have approved a resolution favoring the passage of the Trade Agreements Act of 1958, H. R. 10368, as recommended by the Administration.

The World Trade Club of Denver, which was founded in 1941, has a membership of 154 representatives of Denver exporters, importers, and service industries. During the past several years the importance of world trade to the Denver area has grown substantially and now is responsible for the employment of an estimated 4,500 people, and a dollar volume of business in excess of $50 million a year in exports alone.

Some of the reasons our world-trade group favor this program are as follows: (1) We are convinced that we cannot expect to export goods and services in the volume we have in the past unless we as a Nation are willing to import foreign goods. In the event duties are increased on either exports or imports, it will tend to reduce two-day trade. We are convinced that the industries we represent are in favor of low tariff on imports to the United States and, in turn, low tariffs by other countries on our exports abroad. We are further convinced that this can only be accomplished through an extension of the tradeagreements program.

(2) A 5-year extension of the reciprocal trade program would be of material assistance to those who negotiate for the United States in the conferences of GATT and should aid them in securing more liberal treatment for our exports. (3) When the European Economic Community is in full operation, our GATT negotiators will need all the assistance available to them in maintaining our position in this new common market. The reciprocal trade agreement program will provide them with an important tool in accomplishing this task. It is estimated that over 42 million people throughout the United States depend on world trade for a livelihood. An important number of these people are located in the Denver area where some unemployment would result should our world trade volume decrease. Rather, we are in favor of increasing world trade and its resultant employment, both locally and throughout the United States.

(4) It seems quite obvious to us that Russia's announced intentions to penetrate world markets and economies make the current extension of the act imperative. We should make it clear to our friends that we intend to continue trading with them, and to buy from them as well as to sell.

It is our recommendation that the Trade Agreements Act, H. R. 10368, be approved with the following provisions :

(1) An extension of the act for a minimum of 5 years.

(2) That there be no crippling amendments which would limit the freedom of the administration to negotiate trade agreements and to accept or reject Tariff Commission findings after appeals to it have been properly investigated. (3) That quota restrictions be eliminated except in cases where the peril point has been reached and serious injury threatens an industry. Should import restrictions be approved by the Tariff Commission and administration, it is our recommendation that they be removed at the earliest practicable date. (4) That crippling amendments not part of the previous act be eliminated. REBECCA F. SABIN, President.

FOREIGN TRADERS ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA, INC.,

Hon. HARRY FLOOD BYRD,
Chairman Finance Committee,

Philadelphia, Pa., June 25, 1958.

United States Senate, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR SENATOR BYRD: As your committee continues consideration of the Trade Agreements Act (H. R. 12591), our association requests the privilege of informing you of its stand on this legislation.

OUR MEMBERSHIP

Established in 1931, our association now comprises 254 firms with 439 individual members. They extend from New York to Wilmington, Del.; and from Reading, Pa., to Camden, N. J. They are engaged in exporting, importing, and allied service activities such as banking, shipping, transportation, forwarding, advertising, publications, credit work, etc.

OUR RECORD ON RECIPROCAL TRADE AGREEMENTS

Ever since the establishment of the RTA program in 1934, our association has consisently supported it.

WHY DO WE SUPPORT RTA?

You might say that we are self-seeking, in that the business of our members benefits from the RTA. If we admit such a charge, are we any different from those who seek personal privilege of protection for a specific line of production? But our reasons go much further. We are a regional group; not an individual industry. Sure, some of our members dislike effective foreign competition in their respective lines of production. But the association went on record at a regular meeting held on November 20, 1957, in support of President Eisenhower's world trade policies.

Our exporting members know only too well that obstacles to the exportation of their products are not infrequently in retaliation for obstacles imposed in the United States to imports of the products of other countries.

Retaliation hurts every country that becomes involved in the act.

IMPORTS EXCEED EXPORTS IN THE PHILADELPHIA METROPOLITAN

AREA

This area is essentially an importing center-petroleum, ores, sugar, woodpulp, etc. Industries in our area presently depend upon imported raw materials for economical operation.

Economical operation of industries nurtured by imported raw materials provides jobs and payrolls.

We appreciate that you have a difficult choice to make. In the name of commonsense, what justification exists for keeping a high-cost, noncompetitive industry going at the expense of a low-cost, successfully competitive industry? It would be grand if we could have both, but the choice must be made between them.

Your consideration of these views is requested.
Respectfully,

ROLAND L. KRAMER,
Executive Secretary.

RESOLUTION OF THE BISCUIT & CRACKER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ON THE RECIPROCAL TRADE AGREEMENTS ACT EXTENSION, SUBMITTED BY JOSEPH M. CREED, COUNSEL, CHICAGO, ILL.

Whereas foreign trade is vital and necessary to the economy of the United States; and

Whereas the encouragement of expanded foreign trade should be a fundamental policy of our Government; and

Wheras commerce among nations is most successfully achieved where trade barriers are kept at a minimum ; and

Whereas it is desirable that the executive department of our Government have adequate authority to negotiate reciprocal trade agreements with other nations: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Biscuit & Cracker Manufacturers Association support the renewal and extension of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act for 5 years with ample authority vested in the President to lower tariffs on a gradual and selective basis in return for trade benefits from other countries, and further that such legislation provide for prompt and effective consideration of serious injury cases; be it further

Resolved, That these views be communicated to the proper congressional committees signifying our endorsement of this program. Approved May 14, 1958.

DALZELL TOWING CO., INC., AGENT,
New York, N. Y., June 24, 1958.

Hon. HARRY F. BYRD,

Chairman, Senate Finance Committee,

Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR SENATOR: I am enclosing herewith several copies of a statement I made before the House Ways and Means Committee in reference to the Trade Agreements Extension Act, H. R. 12591, with the request that this statement be filed with your Senate Finance Committee.

I am, of course, primarily concerned with having this legislation passed, in the first instance, but, also, deeply concerned about the 5-year extension provision. Indeed, my experience in foreign trade convinces me that the 5-year extension is most necessary.

Very truly yours,

LLOYD H. DALZELL.

Mr. DALZELL. I am grateful for the opportunity to appear before you gentlemen in support of the Trade Agreements Act extension.

As I have said, I am chairman of the board of Dalzell Towing Co. of New York, a business enterprise begun in 1851 by my great-grandfather, which was then and is now primarily engaged in assisting ships of all sizes and all flags in and out of New York, the world's major port.

I am also a director and the secretary of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York, a member of the board of commissioners of pilots of New York, and a member of the shipping and harbors committee of the New York Chamber of Commerce.

So much for my obvious self-interest in the legislation before you.

However, I hope my interest is broader than mere selfishness. I recently had the honor to serve as national president of the Young Presidents' Organization. This group of one thousand two hundred-odd men who became presidents of their company before they were 40, today control annual gross business activities totaling over $8 billion. They employ in the neighborhood of 500,000 people. They come from every one of the 48 States and the Territories.

With this personal background before you, let me say that I am here to urge you in your wisdom to extend the Trade Agreements Act for at least a minimum of 5 years, and to urge that you provide the tariff-reducing authority to be certainly not less than the 25 percent proposed. Of course, I would further like to urge that you place the absolute minimum of restrictive authority in the legislation, restrictions, that is, which are designed to weaken the liberal trade policy that I hope this will represent.

As a New York businessman, I am, of course, vitally interested in the tremendous volume of foreign trade moving through my port in both directions, trade which amounted to over $9 billion in 1957. I can only guess as to the number of people in the United States who depend on this volume of freight traffic for their livelihood, but it is certainly millions.

We in the port of New York district carefully estimate that there are 13 million people living and working here. The importance of trade is emphasized by the fact that 1 out of every 4 of these people gain their livelihood directly or indirectly from the port's activities. I know that more than 12,000 ships entered and left New York in 1957. Add to this the number of ships that clear the ports of New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston, and add the number of people involved and you will begin to have a slight idea of the impact of foreign trade on one group of American citizens.