Federal Trade Commission
Received Documents
June 21, 1996
P894219
B18354900164


MANUFACTURING JEWELERS AND SILVERSMITHS OF AMERICA, INC.
Legislative Office: 1156 15th Street, N.W., Suite 510
Washington, DC 20005 Tel: (202) 639-0185 Fax: (202) 296-5333



         January 22, 1996


Office of the Secretary
Federal Trade Commission
Room 159
Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20580

Re:      "Made in  USA Workshop - Request to Participate 
         FTC File No. P894219

Dear Sir:

         This letter is being filed on behalf of the Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America, Inc.
("MJSA"), the leading national association of jewelry manufacturers in this country.  The organization has
developed a survey questionnaire on the subject matter of the Commission Is inquiry.  We regret, however,
that at this time we have not received a sufficient number of completed surveys to make a submission.  The
confluence of the busy Christmas season and the recent weather has taken its toll on member responses. 
Nonetheless, we would like to preserve our option to participate in the workshop beginning on March 26th.

         We believe that our experience with section 23.3 of the FTC Guides for the Jewelry Industry (1964)
related to misrepresentation, as to origin and disclosure of foreign origin, will be especially germane to your
proceedings.  Given the unique miniaturization of many jewelry parts, we believe it will be useful to have our
industry, s views prior to the possible publication of a generic rule on "Made in  USA" claims for all
products.

         If we are invited to participate, the representative of MJSA will be an industry expert, totally familiar
with those issues which the FTC has specifically referenced in its Federal Register Notice of October 18th,
1995.

         We shall endeavor to have a completed substantive submission within two weeks of confirmation by
the FTC of an invitation to MJSA to participate in the workshop.

                                  Sincerely yours,



         Sheldon I.  London
         Legislative Counsel
L3666/SIL
                   National Headquarters: One State Street, 6th Floor, Providence, RI 02908-5035
         Tel:(401) 274-3840 > Fax: (401) 274-0265