The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-20
SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE.
Hints Which American Manufacturers
Can Study with Profit.
To the Editor Of the indianapolis journal:

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
An editorial in your issue of July
J. 1897, referred to a proposition sug-
gested by Director Joseph P. Smith of the
Bureau of American Republics, regarding
the appointment in each State of a commits
sioner whose duty would be to correspond
with the American republics, tending
towards the development of our resources.
Such a plan, or united work by said de-
partment, is the only way whereby our
trade can be increased. Intelligent and
persistent effort would certainly open up
this trade. Our consuls have been trying
to do al within their power. for years
past, to instruct our manufacturers. But
how are we to reach the manufacturer?
How many read our consular reports? Why
has Germany the control of South Amerl-
can trade to-day? Many similar questions
can be asked manufacturers, and they are
at loss for reply. If our merchants will
not devote time in studying our consular
reports, then education must begin at home.
The manufacturer and merchant must be
taught how to pack goods, first of all. They
must learn that the bulk of exports, to
reach the consumer in the rural districts.
must at some point on the route be packed
upon bronchos and mules and transported
over mountain and canyon, who're trails
are dignifed with the name of road and
where wheels are unknown. They must
learn that q merchant will not buy a case
large and unwieldy, necessitating unpack-
ing and consequent risk, when the same
goods, or just as good. can be had in small
waterproof packages of convenient weight
and shape. They should know that goods
of one class only should be put in pack
age. If dutiable article, no matter how
small, is put into package of goods on
which there is no duty the whole package
would become dutiable at the rate of duty
on said small article. Different classes or
goods have different rates. The average
packing from this country is decidedly bad.
1t is positively amusing to see pox
marked in English Handle with care,
when the language there Is spanish. ne
laborers on the railroads ana %l M hs, ~. III
Central or South America are no better
educated than they are anywhere Use
Half of them cannot even speak spanish
How to foster and build Up tins traue Is
a vexed question and has received Tor sew
eral years past the earnest ana contluuous
attention of Congress and the Frssie GEM,
without any definite or satisfactory solu-
tjon / consider that the most important
factor in the case of increase IN trade iies
a elr si's Tn no other way save through per-
sonal and direct work can the trdde bS So
cured. Circulars and catalogues are or lit
tie value For example, the agents or
travellers who come from Europe-ahu Ftry
many do come-are invariably intelligent
counts TO a great extent for existing TRACE
relations on the other hand, the very Few
sent from this country, and these mostly
from California. are Tor the most R sii,,
Youngsters, who speak EnSnsn Shply
enough but there ii ends. These drummers
find themselves, for the first time, perhaps.
encountering obstacles such as they never
before encountered, get discouraged ana re-
turn home to find fault with a people they
did not understand-with people VINO ulu
not understand them. The foreign Traveller
in the meantime progresses s'ea ia a ~ srs
frequently amounting to &O0OOO. IN every
project for the expansion or our trane with
the republics of Central and south amer.
lea improved water communication Iust
stand first among the recognized essentlals
to this great end, and the one most de.eiN-
ing of rrompt and generous aid ana IN
creased interest on the part or the manu-
facturers will bring out the desired condi-
ton. When Europe undertook TO secure lhe
trade OF these countries cheap transporla-
ton was at once recognized as an esseilttlal
condition. and to that end direct steamship
lines were established TO both coasts. me
most sanguine expectations or the pro-
moters of these lines were more than real
lied; line after line was added, until 10 day
there are five competing European lines on
the west coast and more than thirty on the
east coast The United States has ahcut
seven on the east coast, nve u which are
owned and operated by English Companies,
while we have only two on the west coast.
Under these conditions transportation IS
against us. As soon as our Americnn man
ufacturer learns what is wanted and is pre-
pared to cater 10 their wishes and ts willing
to follow the instructions Of our coneus,
then will he learn how eagerly orr products
and larger shipments will soon bring forth
increased shipping facilities Tie trade is
there and we want il. II Is ready 10 come
10 us as soon as we get within reach. Man
on the subject. GEORGE A. ALLEN.
Chicago. Sept. Is.