The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-27
Where We Win.

A London letter to the New York
Sun regarding Mr. Chamberlains Blue
Book states definitely that English
goods are being displaced by those of
foreign manufacture in the colonial
markets. The reasons assigned are
varied and interesting. As regards
the trade in American tools and GER
tain other articles the following eX-
PLANTATION is given
American tools are conspicuous for
their finish; the English are not. 1t
is generally admitted that the foreign
or possesses greater enterprise than
his British rival. The former takes
trouble to find out what is wanted,
but the latter makes what he chooses,
and if his colonial customers reject it,
takes no further pains. The English
manufacturers will insist on know
ing so much better than their custom
crs what they require or what they
ought to require.
This works out in all kinds of ways:
Some time ago English manufactured
ers monopolized the trade of miners
picks But they sent in a clumsy ar
ticle far too heavy for the miners to
WELD. The Americans sent in a short
neat, easily handled pick, which at
once drove the British tool out of the
market. The English lost the trade
of Victoria in tacks by failing to pack
them in cardboard boxes instead Of
paper packages. In the same way
they were cut out in the market for
cartridges. The Victorian, for some
reason, good or bad, prefers to get his
cartridges in packets of twenty-five.
This may show shockingly bad taste on
his part but there it is, and the obvi-
Gus thing to the lay mind would be
that while ritying his preference we
should humor him by letting him have
lis twenty-five package. Not a bi. of
il. The British plan is to have a hunl-
red cartridges in a packet, and if the
Victorian does not like the plan, well
he ought to. The Britisher argues:
What can it matter, so long as give
him good cartridge?" In the m can
time the level-headed American manu-
factu.er steps in, gives the co,onist
what he wants, and takes the trade
In very many cases the shape Of Brit
ish articles is unsuitable to Victoria.
The Cammer, for instance is not in
the opinion of Victorian carpenters,
nearly so well shaped as the American
hammer"p the British pattern seems
unalterable." As the Newfoundland
nh
along in the old rut." The Britisher
probably thinks he can get other GUS
tonars. but this is unsatisfactory when
competition begins to outstrip the
growth of the markets of the world
According to the report from Trinidad,
the Canadians are as bad as the Eng
lsh in their indifference to customers
demands"
But here comes in the point which
Is a source of encouragement to Ameri-
cans. From the returns shown in the
Blue Book it appears that the main
advantages of our manufacturers lies
in that they are the greatest adver-
tisers in the world. They know when
they make "A good thing and see to it
that everybody else is informed of the
fact Their catalogues are often fine
specimens of art and their press and
magazine advertisements are such as
to sell the goods on sight. AS an in
stance in examining the catalogues OF
bicycles it was seen that the United
States sent out much the best. Ger
many came next England was worst
of all. Advertising pays.