INVESTIGATES AND REPORTS ON 547 CASES During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1933, the special board of investigation investigated 547 cases. Questionnaires were sent to 297 advertisers, resulting in applications for complaint being docketed and complaints ordered in 87 cases in which the preparation and issuance of the complaints was deferred and the cases referred to the special board. Two hundred and six stipulations were negotiated and reported to the Commission for approval. One hundred and thirty of these were with publishers, 74 with advertisers, and 2 with advertising agents. Thirty-five cases were recommended for dismissal without prejudice. Ninety-six cases are pending in which the Commission has ordered complaints and referred them to the board for further investigation, notice, hearings, and report. PART VI. FOREIGN TRADE WORK PROVISIONS OF THE EXPORT TRADE ACT WEBB LAW EXPORTS IN 1932 EFFECT OF N.I.R.A. ON WEBB LAW GROUPS INFORMAL FOREIGN TRADE COMPLAINTS TRUST LAWS AND UNFAIR COMPETITION ABROAD 129 PART VI. FOREIGN TRADE WORK Foreign trade work of the Commission includes (1) administration of the export trade act commonly known as the Webb-Pomerene law, which permits the formation and operation of combinations in export trade; and (2) inquiries as to "trade conditions in and with foreign countries where associations, combinations, or practices of manufacturers, merchants, or traders, or other conditions, may affect the foreign trade of the United States", under section 6 (h) of the Federal Trade Commission Act. This work is conducted by the Commission's export trade section under direction of the chief counsel. PROVISIONS OF THE EXPORT TRADE ACT Under this act, effective since April 1918, exemption is granted from the Sherman antitrust law and the Clayton Act to "an association entered into for the sole purpose of engaging in export trade and actually engaged solely in such export trade, or an agreement made or act done in the course of export trade by such association." The law requires such a group to file with the Commission copies of its organization papers and a first report with certain detailed information; thereafter annual reports are filed and such other information as the Commission may require as to its organization, business, conduct, practices, management, and relation to other associations, corporations, partnerships, and individuals. The law provides that an export association shall not restrain the trade of a domestic competitor, artifically or intentionally enhance or depress prices within the United States of commodities of the class exported by the association, substantially lessen competition, or otherwise restrain trade within the United States. Should the Commission have reason to believe that these provisions of the law have been violated, it may investigate and make recommendations for the readjustment of the association's business in order that it may thereafter maintain its organization and management and conduct its business in accordance with law. In case of failure to comply with the Commission's recommendations, the matter may be referred to the Attorney General of the United States for such action as he may deem proper. 131 |