The Comité des forges (Foundry Committee) was an organization of leaders of the French iron and steel industry from 1864 to 1940, when it was dissolved by the Vichy government.It typically took a protectionist attitude on trade issues, and was opposed to social legislation that would increase costs.At times it was influential, particularly during World War I (1914–18), and the Left often viewed it with justified suspicion.However the Comité des forges always suffered from divisions among its members, and the government often ignored its advice.