Federal Trade Commission
Received Document
[8/3/95]
B18354900311
Secretary

CRANSTON PRINT WORKS COMPANY
CORPORATE OFFICES                                      

     1381 CRANSTON STREET, CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND 02920-6789
                           401-943-4800
                         FAX 401-943-3971

                          August 1, 1995


Mr. Donald Clark
Secretary
Federal Trade Commission
Room H-159
Sixth and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Re:Textile Fiber Products Identification Act, 16 C.F.R., Part 303 Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc.
and New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.  Matter

Dear Mr. Clark:

We have recently read of the Federal Trade Commission's decision to postpone its scheduled trial
of New Balance Athletic Shoe before an administrative law judge and to renegotiate its settlement
with Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc.  In light of those facts, we felt it prudent and timely to contact
the FTC to re-iterate Cranston Print Works Company's position on the country of origin ("Made
in America7) issue of product labeling.  We continue to believe that the FTC's current "Made in
America" standard is far too stringent and does not begin to acknowledge the incredible value-added contributions of labor, creative skills, and technology which are provided domestically.

Naturally, we do not have specific information about or knowledge of the specific situations
facing either Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc. or New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. and, as such,
cannot comment on their particular cases.  We do, however, support a review and revision of the
FTC country of origin standards to better reflect today's realities; it appears clear that these
companies share our concerns.  In summary, Cranston Print Works Company strongly encourages
the FTC to revisit this issue and to re-write the regulations to reflect the enormous contributions
made domestically.  Our position is more fully and completely stated in our November 18, 1994
letter to you, a copy of which is enclosed.



AN EMPLOYEE-OWNED COMPANY

Mr. Donald Clark
August 1, 1995
Page Two


We hope to hear more about FTC's plans for public workshops, public comment, etc. through the
Federal Register and we will monitor this situation carefully.  We hope that our comments will be
included in any rulemaking docket that has been or will be established on this issue.

Sincerely,



George W. Shuster
President



Enclosure [11-18-94 enclosure not attached to original - See also Comment #38 by Cranston]