The evening times., 1899-04-03
AMERICAN WAGONS
In GERMAN MARKETS
Consul Deiderich's Report to
the State Department.
All Kinds of Agricultural Machin-
cry in Demand.
More Attention Should Be Paid to
the Wants of the Inn
More Attention Should Be Paid t.
the Wants of the Inn
porter.


Machines in Germany is the subject of
an interesting report made TO the State
Department by H. W. Diederich, Consul
at Magdeburg
In commenting on the possibilities in
Germany, the consul says:
1T is beyond doubt that American deal
ers in agricultural implements and wagons
of all kinds could. with proper effort and
understanding of existing conditions, have
far more business in this section of the
German Empire than at present. True,
our present trade with this country is not
inconsiderable; but it is my conviction
that in many instances the American goods
sell themselves. in spite of the American
merchant and manufacturer.
The province of Saxony, of which Mag
deburg is the capital and centre, forms one
of the most important and extensive agri-
cultural districts of the German Empire,
and therefore affords splendid field for
the American manufacturer of agricultural
implements. But the chief difficulty met
by the German importers in introducing
American machinery of this kind is their
entry in the German custom house. 1t is
not generally known that there are no
national administrative laws for the Ger
man custom houses, but that each state or
province is governed by laws OF its own;
and it might be well for American manu-
facturers and exporters TO always make
sure of their ground in this respect, be-
fore undertaking to make shipments"
The consul advises manufacturers 10 give
more attention TO the wants of the i'm
porter and in pointing out the obstacles to
be overcome by American machinery says:
Considerable difficulty in importing
American machinery is encountered, be-
cause, as yet, not sufficient attention has
been given TO the wants OF the German
market 1t is absolutely necessary that
American manufacturers should study the
needs of the people here. and then, / feel
confident they will. in most instances, be
able 10 enter into competition with con-
Germs in Europe. Not long ago, | saw in
a warehouse a large stock of mills for
grinding feed. Upon closer inspection,
found all the machines 10 be OF English
make. and when l inquired whether or not
American mills were being imported, an
object all begrimed and dusty in remote
corner was pointed out TO me, which l
found TO be an American mill When
asked what this meant, was simply told
that the American work Is mucn 100 hght
for this country
American farm wagons and other vehi-
cles might also find more extensive sales
in the markets Of Germany, If more atten-
tion were given to the matter. In order TO
protect the highways, the laws demand
that the tires of wheels be much wider than
they are in the United States. American
manufacturers, until now, have shown no
inclination TO consider this fact. ] know
of an instance where a German importer
ordered from an American house few
wagons with broad wheels, such as the
laws Of this country require, but the reply
sent TO him was that if he would order a
thousand wagons the width of the tires
would be made as requested or course,
the order was not given. This can hardly
be called an effective way of introducing
American goods. For Germany and for
most countries of Europe, the wheels of
carts. buggies, and other light vehicles
should be from 2 to 1-2 inches wide,
while the tires of farm wagons and trucks
should be from TO inches in width.
The manner of shipping goods is OF the
greatest Importance, as it very materially
affects the entrance duty charged by the
government The following information
is given in the report:
IN shipping wagons of all kinds. ii must
be borne in mind that every vehicle which
| is entered at the custom house must pay
| $50 marks ($35.70) duty when put together
and all complete; but when knocked down
and Grated much lower rate is demand
ed, viz, 10 marks (s2.3S) per 100 Kilograms.
| However, the lower rate can only be Sc
cured when no leather is 10 be found on
| or about the vehicle. Nor should the
( leather parts OF any vehicle be shipped in
the same case, for, even if separate bill
| of lading be presented the presence OF the
/ leather parts in the same cargo will have
| the effect of changing the classification
| of the vehicle
In regard to the mistakes made by Amer
| lean manufacturers in their system of ex-
tending trade the consul says:
Another mistake made by many Ameri-
! can manufacturers and dealers is that they
attempt to extend their business in for
eign countries by flooding them with print
ed, illustrated, and descriptive catalogues
| and circulars, and, of course. in the Eng
| lish language. That money so spent is
worse than wasted, goes without saying.
A great deal more could be accomplished
| by sending abroad commercial agents and
| travelling men fully familiar with the Ian
| guage and business customs of the people
| of this country. In my judgment the
! most effective way to sell American tools
| and implements and wagons and machin-
! cry of all kinds would be TO exhibit them
| here in public, and TO have their uses
practically demonstrated by live agents. -
The report concludes with the following
! encouraging information:
Because of the great and ever-increas-
| ing scarcity of farm laborers in Germany,
there is growing demand for substantial,
practical farming tools, and machinery:
and American manufacturers now have an
excellent opportunity for an increased sale
of their goods in this line. if they will but
make thorough, systematic, and business
! like effort
Sentenced by C1urt-Nartial.
Annannlis Md Anril 2-Seaman Wha-