The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-26
AMERICAN MANUFACTURES.
Expeditions to he Held I'm Central and
South American Republics.

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
l bespeak the influence and good offices
of your paper in the interests of a broader
market for the output Of the machine shops
and manufacturing establishments of the
United States. The severe conditions under
which our manufacturers have labored for
the past twelve months would have been
heightened to a considerable extent had they
in the past taken the pains that European
manufacturers have taken to establish
trade relations with Mexico, Central and
South America. The Europeans have de-
voted every energy to ingratiate them
selves with the buyers in these countries.
while our manufacturers have been salts
fed with very Indifferent efforts.
The ]. A Fay & Egan Company, wood
working machinery makers, the Lodge &
Davis Machine Tool Company, ironworking
machinery makers, and several other Of
the leading manufacturers of Cincinnati, O.,
have been sending Spanish-speaking repre-
sentatives for the past three years to these
countries. They have invariably secured
large and remunerative orders, proving
conclusively. that the business is there and
can be obtained.
1t is true that the rapid development of
our own country has heretofore called for
nearly the entire output of our manufacture
ing establishments, but the recent past,
and, in fact. the present. condition of the
machinery trade, prove that our foUndries
and machine shops have a greater capacity
than domestic demands, and
our manufacturers are on an active outlook
for new trade fields. 1t has not been a lack
of enterprise, but a lack Of necessity, that
has until now deferred their efforts to
win the trade of our sister republics.
European machinery and equipment Of a
very inferior grade is being sold in large
quantities to the miners, manufacturers and
developers of the Spanish-American repub-
lies. Europeans are getting good prices for
this machinery, prices that our manu-
facturers would jump at; but. as matters
stand, we have no means of getting at
this trade.
1t has been suggested that the conditions
now deterring our commercial intercourse
lieved by a series Of international exposi-
tons. beginning. say. with an exposition to
be held in the City of Mexico. and followed
by others in THE South American republics.
This, however, TO be preceded by the restor-
aton Of our reciprocity treaties. ~rescinded
business can be done unless there treaties
are restored. The plan upon winch these
expositions could be held to mutual ao-
these different countries would make an
elaborate display. of their mineral and
exhibit of all interesting features Of their
country, the manufacturers of the United
States to cooperate with the different gov
play of machinery and other manufactured
products adaptable to the needs of the diff
i IeTenC countries.
These suggestions have met with un-
qualified Endorsement from all interested
parties. Hundreds of the largest manu-
featuring concerns In the United States
have expressed their Willingness to CO.
operate, and President Diaz has written his
hearty approval of the plan. A movement
Is now on foot to organize all interested
manufacturers in order that they may work
In unison. thus guaranteeing the very best
results. To this end ii has been suggest
ed that the manufacturers meet in some
convenient city for the purpose OF perfect
ing. such organization. From present ;n1i-
| cations 1t is evident that this meeting of
manufacturers will take place at an early
day, and that it will be an important con
%vention. 1t seems to me that Cincinnati is
pre-eminently the proper place for this
meeting. Our city is the center of the
PRINCIPAL manufacturing district Of the
United States, and. besides this, there IS
no other city that could be so easily
reached by delegates from the South.
therefore suggest that the convention be
( held in Cincinnati. and that our manu-
facturers take suitable steos to accom-
plish this end. It. p. EGAN.
President of j. "A. Fay & Egan Company.
Cincinnati, O., Oct. 20.