The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-26

In a communication to the Department OF
State, James Boyle. Consul to Liverpool
says OF the superiority OF American manu-
features the following:
There have recently Eeen a number Of
communications and articles in the Liver
pool papers drawing attention TO the fact
that American manufactures. particularly
in specialties. had been accepted by Eng
lish purchasers in preference TO those Of
home production the reason given being
that the American goods were better made
and handler than the homie goods and were
fully as cheap. OF late there has been a
tendency on the part OF English critics TO
claim that American manufactures were
preferred simply because they. were cheap
and it was often added they we're nasty
as well as cheap.
The statements referred to at the com
mencement Of this report refute this crit
icism, and American manufactures can now
find plenty Of champions in England who
base their support on the ground Of actual
superiority. both Of workmanship and
adaptability- This concession has Just
been Significantly emphasized by the pub
LEGATION in semi-official form Of the follow
ing letter received by the Liverpool Cham
her Of Commerce from a well known bust
ness man:
d" 4 desire 10 submit for your cGnsidera-
ton a summary % the observations which
/ have made during my close association
with cOlOnidls for period Of seven years
spent in Africa, Australia and Canada. and
during a brief visit TO the states.
t' I have found fhaf american aUT Coz
man manufacturers are gradually ousting
us from all these markets This truth ir-
REPUTABLE from statistics. is scarcely ap-
preciated at a time % world wide prosper
ity. bur il VIII make itself uHpIeasantIy
obvious when the Inevitable reaction sets
In. ! find that throughout the countries
] have named there Is a universal com
plaint-"You English will not make your
goods 10 suit our markets. Iou send your
samples and tell MS 10 take them or leave
them-yCJ don't care which. II we ask
you 10 alter things. you either refuse TO
DO 10 OF else YOU demand pr0hiSitive prices
Germans and Americans on the other
hand care for and ascertain our require
ments. and then supply our needs AZ rea-
souabIe prices Furthermore. We are in
closer touch with the actual producers OF
America and German goods. English goods
go through TOO many hands"
90 In every case I have made much care
ful enquiry and comparison, and I find that
the German and American goods actually
bring better prices than English goods sup
piled for similar purposes. The reason is
that the former are generally either better
or more tastefully finished. and are often
more appropriate Tor the purpose for which
they are made
90 ! find that even near home similar con-
GitiOns obtain Only last week 7 went into
commercial sample room in Stoke-on-
Trent and saw d display % American and
German Birmingham ware The traveller
answered my enquiries in words almost
Identical with the above. Further gentle
men. would impress upon you that the
relative influence OF the fOreiR On element in
our markets has most perceptibly increas-
ed with each year during the last seven
years; but be % noted. We are not under
sold. but only Outclassed. FROM a careful
study OF the position, 7 am confident that
nothing but prompt measures will prevent
irreparable damage. And, on the other
hand. I am equally confident that by judi
sious and immediate action not only may
the iEsidious progress OF our competitors
be stayed. but the lost ground may even
be regsined. That this Is feasible needs
no proof II nv hypothesis b. accepted
What is chiefly needful is q wise intimate
acquaintance with the needs % our custo-
mers and an absolute knowledge OF the tao
ties OF our competitors.
The present rs a fitting moment to
make thorough Investigation OF the condi-
uon Of our trade and / venture 20 submit
for your consideration a method Of enquiry.
Let suitable persons be appointed 10 travel
. throughout not only the Empire but the
world Equip the men So chosen with am
/ pie discretionary powers and with funds
with which 10 purchase samples OF every
f class Of goods OF foreign manufacture. Let
them trace each article TO its source and
make a concise report under the following
heads: Cd Retail price. 90 wholesale
price AZ distributing centre; 80 wholesale
price al place OF manufacture; "a import
duty, 90 cost Of shipment and expenses Of
transit, 90 number Of Intermediates OF
middlcmen, % suggestions as 10 suit
ability or otherwise for the purpose in
tended. and general remarks.
Let them also purchase similar articles
/ OF English manufacture aud report like
/ wise. The two samples should then be
. sent for exhibition to the centre OF the in
/ dustries affected. 4 shrewd man. too.
might make most valuable suggestions as
( to future trade and local requirements
/ One OF the many causes operating TO
| our disadvantage is that English mer-
chants frequently overlook the immense
distances from railway communication OF
many Of our colonial markets-so great are
/ they that often the freight exceeds the
( cans study this and make their goods light
/ err but equally suitable, ard consequently
/ more salable-'