Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-28
AMERICAN TRADE IN GERMANY.

tiary.
AMERICAN TRADE IN GERMANY.
Consul Weilep Makes Few Suggestions
in His Report.
Correspondence Globe Democrat
WASHINGTON. June 24.-Hon. Edward
G. Weilep, of Galena, Ran, at present the
American consul at Sonneberg, Germany.
has submitted report to the state depart
ment, in which he makes several sugges-
tions concerning the development OF Amer
lean trade in Germany.
1.-The business of the Sonneberg consular
district with the United States may
be called satisfactory to the manu-
least" says Consul Weilep "be-
cause the increase of the year 1888 over the
previous year amounted to S239.750 The
prices have been the same, and the manu-
! tacturers here have not been able to fill all
orders which they received during the year.
This increase is large one when we con-
slider the bulk Of the goods from this dis
trict to be dolls, toys and chinaware.
| ut is is of greater Importance, however,
to the people of the United States to know
what goods of American manufacture and
production will find market here, and,
therefore, 1 will briefly state what goods
from the United States l find here, and
what goods, in my opinion, could be sold
here with profit.
"Under the first head find oil, patent
dried apples and canned beef In the
hardware line l find few inferior locks,
hay, grain and manure forks, and grind
stone fixture. l also found American
chairs in all the larger postotiices | have
visited in Germany, ana upon inquiry. l
learned that they were bought by the
German government from New York
firm through a sole agency located at
Berlin. In the machinery line found an
American job printing press here at
Sonneberg, and the firm using the same
tell me that they could have bought u
similar German press for less money, but
are satisfied with their investment be-
cause the American press is much more
| practical, not so clumsy, and runs with
less power than its competitor
'Brooms manufactured OF broom-corn
imported from the United States are sold
everywhere, but they are far inferior to
American made brooms, nothing but
Irvine being used to bind them, and the
prices are high, selling here from 43c to
4Sc american money apiece.
The following goods could be sold with
profit if introduced: Mechanical tools of
all descriptions and many of our agricul-
tural implements; American timber and
articles manufactured from American tim
Der. because the American timber is su-
perior to the German on account Of its
growing in drier atmosphere, and there
fore much tougher and not SO brittle.
"a piano factory in Welmar, whose pro-
prietor was a number Of years in the
United States and worked there at his
trade, realizes the value of American wood
and uses no other in the construction of
his pianos, and this is one reason that his
~
exported to such dry countries as South
America and Australia. The same factory
exports to the United States, Mexico ana
Canada. In this factory l found none but
American tools, for the proprietor in
formed me that his workmen could not &C
complish the same amount of work with
German tools.
the super 'ity of American hard
ware, agricultural implements, me-
many classes of Americans use
full and ornamental fancy goods, and free
ly acknowledge their perfect finish and
durability. Their ingenuity and their
practical character are some of the quail
ties which commend them, and place them
in favorable contrast to the production of
other lands.
The question is how to introduce
them. l would recommend to the Ameri-
can trade TO adopt. with the view Of sue
ceSsfully introducing their wares, special
ties and novelties into Germany, the plan
of agencies through well-establish bust
ness houses having the requisite energy
and facilities for putting into the market
anything and everything which is likely to
| be sold after its merits are made known.
That there are business houses of this sort
in every large German city will
not to be questioned. Such houses, with
a II machinery of q their
command, are always ready to use their
power in furtherance of any business plan
which promises ultimate success.
"The experiment of introducing new
goods and novelties of any kind to peo-
pie whose national characteristic seems to
| be to prefer old things (such as their faith
er's used) to new ones is beset with diff
culties, and a glance at some of the
impediments which meet at the thresh-
old any attempt to put a new thing
upon the market may not be amiss.
The American manufacturer makes the
first step by asking well established
commission or jobbing house in Germany
TO take the agency OF given article of
merchandise of undoubted merit. A salts
factory arrangement IS entered upon and
the whole machinery OF the German bust
ness firm is put in motion for the purpose
of introducing the new article to the trade.
1t often happens that the manufacturer
fying the form Of his production in order
to meet the wants and tastes of foreign
people. Generally a good deal of prejudice
against the introduction Of new thing
has to be overcome, particularly when
something old has seemed to answer every
purpose; samples must be freely and
gratuitously distributed; incidental ex-
penses for labor and freight must
be incurred, and frequently long time
passes before any visible return for outlay
Is made But at this stage great care must
be exercised in not overstocking the mar
ket; nor should the manufacturer sell to
Others than his agents, because it would
be discouraging to paiustaking and hon
est commission merchant 70 find that just
as profitable return for his long months
of jealous endeavor Was TO beexpected, the
very article, the merits Of which be had
been mainly instrumental IN bringing 10
the notice OF the trade, IS sold By the i'm
patient manufacturer directly into the
hands OF petty dealers He thus loses a
powerful and effective ally, and by over
competition OF the smaller dealers ruins
the trade"