New SOCMA President Berates ITO Charter A STAFF REPORT
the meetings at London, Geneva, and Havana. As to the second objection, chaos is what we have now, and it is so recognized by the charter. In urging Congress to reject the Havana charter and outline an acceptable pattern, he felt that this could be an act of constructive leadership on our part. The nations would be clearly informed of the direction in which we were able to cooperate with them; still, it would not mean that we were trying to force our system upon them. Taking up the various provisions of the ITO document, Dr. Killheffer said that the heart of the charter was Chapter IV devoted to commercial policy. I t stems directly, he said, from Cordell Hull's belief that reducing United States tariffs was a panacea for the world's ills. 'One of the great purposes of the trade agreement obsession was to expand our foreign markets. But apparently two important points were overlooked : first, the fact that exports have value only to the extent they pay for imports and that exports beyond the value of imports are gifts instead of trade; and second, the fact that the United States can easily produce and export a much greater value than it has capacity to import without displacing its own manufactures. "We can only import commodities or services. Increasing imports of the latter would help to balance the accounts. Curiously, it is the purveyors of services that seem to shout the loudest for low or no tariffs on commodities." August Merz, honorary governor and past president, read a tribute to Ralph Erskine Dorland, SOCMA president who died suddenly in New York City on May 14. Ralph Dorland, he said, was broad-
M.HE International Trade Charter as negotiated by the nations at Havana recently is unacceptable to the United States and should be rejected by Congress and renegotiation demanded, said Elvin K. JCillheffer in an address before the meeting and outing of the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association at; Shawnee-on-Delaware on May 26. Anew group of negotiators also may be necessary, for there is at present far too much .acceptance of the philosophy of government-planned economy and controls by the state, Killheffer added. Yet, he felt it would be well if Congress, in rejecting the Havana charter, would at the same time declare the pattern of what it would accept. Dr. Killheffer, of the Du Pont Co.'s development department, the day before had been elected president of the organic chemieal groups, filling the unexpired terra o f the late Ralph E. Dorland. The new association president only recently returnee! from the ITO conference at Havana, which he attended as a member and advise>r of the United States delegation. Major criticisms and suggestions made of the earlier Geneva ITO draft were largely ignored at Havana, the speaker contended. Further deterioration far outweighed the few improvements obtained. Language susceptible of several interpreta.tioiLS is continued. Certain principles binding upon the United States are not applicable at present to many other nations. Dr. Killheffer said there were two objections to renegotiation for a better charter: CI) that the group of countries could not be brought together again; (2) that failure) to agree now would result in chaotic conditions in world trade and finance. The first, he said, was not valid in view of
minded and always expressed his opinion cogently, openly, and frankly. "He never showed rancor when his suggestions failed of acceptance. His outstanding ability brought him high office and honor, in recognition of his civic and industrial services. . . . A truly outstanding member of our industry leaves us a lasting legacy, the fine influence lie always exerted." The statement was made part of the association's official record and will be transmitted to Mr. Dorland's company, Dow Chemical, and his family· The spring outing of the SOCMA was featured by an all-day golf tournament, a putting contest, and varied unorganized sports. Low gross winner at golf was Henry K. Pryor, Advance Solvents & Chemical Corp. Others who won honors were Arthur Mullaly, Advance Solvents; Thomas Savage, Interchemical Corp.; William GraefT, Resinous Products & Chemical Co.; Pete Reilly, Reilly Tar & Chemical Corp.; Wally Merrill, Crown Chemical Co.; L. Finnan, Hercules Powder Co.; W. F . Whitcscarver, American Cyanamid Co.; and Ray Whitman, Hoppers Co. Winners in the golf putting contest were Neil Connolly, Calco Chemical; Fred Baumann, Interchemical; and H. K. Pryor. Fred Zinsser of F. G. Zinsser and Co. was given a double picture frame by Dr. Merz for "grand and glorious work" conducted in the past for the association. Wyly Billing, Hercules Powder Co., was elected vice president of the SOCMA to fill the vacancy created by Dr. Killhefifer's election to the presidency. Two vacancies on the board of directors were filled by J. P. Remensnyder, Heyden Chemical Corp., and by V. E. Williams, Monsanto Chemical Co.
E. //. Miillheffer9Du Pont Ca., new president of SOCMA, Carl Friedberg, Friedberg Agency; a,nù\W. iV. Billing, Hercules Pouoder Co., vice president; Chemical Corp.; and Peter Reilly,
VOLUME
2 6,
NO.
24
»
.
»
JUNE
14,1948
Heyden John Remensnyder, Reilly Tar & Chemical Corp,
1769
