-465- But recently there have been infringements, of its patents, and cheap imitations of its exclusive products, rhich have materially affected its business, and will most probabl-r be more disastrous in future pending delys and. difficulties of litigation lookin.-: to our protection. In view, of this situation losses sustained in the fall cannot be counter-balanced as heretofore by profits on scoring business, which is further evidence of the need of a lower wage scale for our industry, -hich wouldd not 7ork a hardship on our employees in view of the lower cost of living in the south. (e) There are man- expenses, including taxes, licenses, rent, pooer, light and. hept, which ate common to all industrial concerns in its locality; and yet the Virginia Art Goods Studios, Incorporated, is required under the Code for its lidustr'-, to -ay a hither minimum ware than any other industry in its locality, even under the respective Codes for such other industries, thus placing" said Company at a mrnlrked disadvantage with such other local industrial concerns. 6. There are very few", certainly not exceeding, half a dozen concerns or establishments engaged in the manufacture of ladies' handbags in all the southern states. Those few are striving to develop the industry in their respective territories and to provide employment for labor now unemoloyed. But unless accorded 'a proper differential as to wages to be paid their e'iloyees, they will be so seriously handicapped in their efforts that they will not be able to maintain themselves on a fairly profitable basis, in competition with movie fortur.Ftely situated competitors. 7. It is necessary, in the business of the Virginia Art Goods Studios, Incorporated, to em-oloy at all times a number of unskilled anu-entices or learners, who are inefficient and not profitably productive during such period of training, at this wage scale fixed by the Code. And this natoriall,. increases the disadvantn-ae of its situation, as a con- oetitor of concerns which are not compellci to use such untrained labor to a like extent. 8. This affidavit is made for the purpose of filing the sme with the Administrator in sun .,ort of the petition of the Vir;inia Art Goods Studios, -icoroorated, praying an exten- sion of the period during which it ma. be exempted from the labor provisions of the Code of F?.ir Comnoetition for the Ladies' Handbag Industry. 9. A coD'T of said petition with its accomranying documents, has