I do not think that present wages can be maintained indefinitely. There will undoubtedly be a reaction with a certain reduction in the cost of living and labor will have to share in the reduction. What do you think of the important legislation passed in 1916 affecting business, including the eight hour day, increase in income tax, the shipping bill, retaliation against foreign trade interference, etc.? The eight hour a day law was an abnormal affair undoubtedly forced through for political purposes, and never should have been passed and should be promptly repealed. The increase in the income tax is all right. The shipping bill will be valuable if the right kind of men are put on the Commission. Some of these under consideration are wholly incapable. I believe this answers all your questions. Very truly yours, J. G. BUTLER, Jr. * * * When the special report I had prepared and published reached France I was favored with a number of letters from prominent people in that country, containing comments on the same. There were probably one hundred of these letters, from among which I have selected the following as of sufficient interest, either because of their comments or the prominence of the writers, to make them worthy of reproduction here: * * * French Republic. Mr. J. G. Butler, Jr., Youngstown, O. Dear Sir:-- I thank you for the interesting data which you kindly sent me on the development of the French Steel Industry during the war. My compatriots cannot be otherwise than sensible of the praise which you have given them. They will find in your report an authorized opinion of the efforts which they have made to make secure the National defense. Yours very truly, A. MIRMAN, Minister of Commerce and Industry. * * * Consulate-General of the United States of America. 1, Rue Des Italians (28, Boulevard Des Italiens) Paris, December 6, 1916. Joseph G. Butler, Jr., Esquire, Youngstown, Ohio, United States of America. My dear Mr. Butler:-- I am in receipt of your good favor of November 9, 1916, enclosing a reprint of your report on the French Steel Industry, for which you have my best thanks. I have read it with a great deal of interest and must congratulate you upon getting a great many solid facts into a very small compass. In my opinion you have covered the situation very intelligently and the information you give ought to be of great value to our manufacturers in the United States. I cannot tell you how glad I was to see you over here and I only wish that more of our people would come abroad to study conditions at first hand. I have also received a letter from your friend, Mr. Warren, and from Mr. Douglass saying all sorts of nice things about me which, I hope, were merited. Very sincerely yours, A. M. THACKARA. * * * Republican Committee of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. Paris, November 30th, 1916. Mr. J. G. Butler, Jr., Member of the Industrial Commission of France. Youngstown, Ohio. Dear Sir:--