The evening times., 1900-09-11
AMERICAN TOOLS IN FRANCE.
A Good Market for Metric Neasur-
ing ImpEemeufs.

In response to enquiries by New York
firm, forwarded through the State De-
partment, A NJ Tbackara Consul of ths
United States at Hsvre has made a report
as to the market in France for measuring
tools. Mr.. Thackara writes:
The market III France for the sale OF
scales is an open one-that is to say. it IS
not controlled or regulated by any particu-
lar house or syndicate. There is. in my
opinion, a good opportunity for the intro
duction into France of this class OF Ameri-
canTnade tools; and the Americans, with
their extensive and practical knowledge
and the improved methods they use In
manufacturing their goods. should be able
to command the lions share OF the trade.
The only competitors worthy of notice
are the Germans. who. by their geographi-
cal position, their imitation of American
patterns, and their ready adaptation to
French requirements, have gained an
important position in the French
tool market. Americans. however
with their much greater mechanical
ability, not to mention their up-to-dato
machinery and the cheapness of raw ma
terIal In the United States-if they would
show an equal readiness to comply with
foreign requirements, would have very lit
tie difficulty in outdistancing their German
rivals.
'Of course the scales must. in every
case, be metricai. as no other system OF
measurement is used in France. In this
respect. at least. the French lead the way:
and ii is to he hoped that America viii
rot be long in following suit, as nc one
can dispute the fact that the metric sy5-
tenn Cxceis all others in simplicity ana
practical usefulness It's general adoption
by all countries is &c be greatly desired by
those who wish to foster and extend the
commercial and industrial intercourse be-
tween the various nations
Il am informed by the customs authori-
ties in Havre that gauges, calipers, etc,
are classed under the head of scientific in
struments, upon which there is no duty
when imported direct from the country of
origin. If imported from America into
France via one of the European countries,
there is a surtax Of 29.5 cents per 220.64
pounds.
ITO successfully create foreign outlet
for the sale of American goods. the field
must be carefully exploited. Our manu-
faCturers cannot expect to make satisfac-
Tory arrangements for opening up d trade
by sending to the different consulates
catalogues, price lists, circulars, etc.g
printed in English, with a request to the
consuls to deliver the same to some OF
the principal local dealers. This only
takes up the time of the consular officers
and seldom does any good as the books
are generally thrown aside or go into the
Waste-paper basket.
IF our manufacturers want to open UP
a foreign trade. they should send abroad
intelligent representatives Cthose speak
ing the language of the country would
have more chance of getting satisfactory
results TO investigate the economic and
industrial conditions of the market with
a view of either establishing agencies
managed and run by their own people
twhiah is by far the bestl or of selecting
local agents whose financial condition and
moral character have been ascertained to
be good.
1T is a great pleasure TO note that dur
ing the past year, there have been more
visits received at this consulate from
American manufacturers or their repre-
sentatiyes than during the preceding
years of the incumbency of the present
consular officer