The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-02
OUR FOREIGN Trade.
Suggestions and Warning Prom n Careful
Observer In Foreign Lands.

To TIP EDIroR oPTBE SUN-Sir, During q re-
cent trip to Euro Pc. and in connection with my
work as editor OF the National Encyclopedia
OF Mechanics" visited many of the large man
uiActuring establishments In England, France.
Germany. Belgium and Austria. for the pur-
pose Of comparing the advances made in these
countries in manufacturing and machinery
with those made in this country. and covering
a period Of about twenty years, |. e, since the
publication OF 'AppIeton's CyclopTdia Of APP.
Piled Mechanics"
Ny in Investigation developed the fact that, so
far as the machine industries we're concerned,
very little Improvement could be credited to
European invention. In many OF the estab.
lishnents | found machinery in use OF the type
exhibited by American manufacturers at the
French Exposition in 1879. But the larger
mum Der of manufacturers | found were using
the latest types OF American machinery i'm.
ported from America. In some few factories
| found machin cry manufactured in Europe,
but copied from American machines OF the lat
est type.
SO far as relates 10 the development OF the
industries | was surprised 10 note the great
advance VIII ich had been made in twenty
years. and In conversing with manufacturers
! learned that American methods OF manufac-
ture we're rapidly superseding former Fu-
ropean methods. In many factories | found
men acting a. superintendent or foremen.
W no. while born in Europe. hal received their
mechanical education in America. In short. |
found that the majority OF the manufacturing
industries were as fully equipped, both as to
machinery and methods OF manufacture. as
the best Of similar manufacturing Industries
in this country,
In discussing the cost OF production I fur
Their found that II did not materially differ
from that Of this country, One manufacturer
IN Germany who had recently left America and
established works in Berlin Informed me that
the cost Of production for exactly similar
articles in Berlin was approximately the same
as in America; notwithstanding that the wage
paid for labor was one.thirl less, He eX-
planned this by stating that the cost Of raw
materials WINS greater in Germany than IN
Amsricn; md that owing TO the cnyironment
Of the workmen the American workman would
produce three times as much as q German
workman within q, given time While" ! was
not able 10 obtain the same detailed informa-
ton as 70 mnnufactlring cost in all countries.
what ] did learn led me- to believe that what
was true OF Germany. was true Of all European
countries.
The information thus acquired led ma to in
vnstigate tho steps taken by foreign nations
for the promotion o' export trade, and here
q ~ 49, 49, We Nh' 'AAhl ~ WV ~ L'I
that their Internal consumption OF mauufac-
turcd goods was less thnn their manufacturing
capacity. AMI consequently foreign markets
were necessary To Use MP their surplus, and to
promote then foreign markets very Intelligent
Efforts were directed Oward determining the
require mrnts NJ foreign consumption and dis
seminnting the in Information acquired TO manu-
facturors, Especially was This true Of Ger
many and England both of (which countries had
ORGANIZED buronuN Of the Government whose
sole business II was to promote foreign trade.
The effect fthc fGcts GbOv" stated upon tho
business ~ this country Is One ~ great practi-
cal importance. " is an undOuhtri fact that
III" manufacturing capacity Of this country ~
vastly in excess OF its internal rrlUirpmcnfS.
md VI thn evils OF 0verpfoductiOn are 10 he
avoided. II is necessary that very considerable
efforts must he ma % ON III" patt Of our man
ufacturors to devolop foreign markets. MANY
manufacturers NJ this country with whom I
have y discussed this subject Seem to ha pos.
srSsed Of TIP idea that they can compete sue
c~essfully In any market. and while believe this
in n sense 70 h. true. am satisfied tina: very
little trade will result unless the methods Of
European manufacturers for developing for
pign frnde and in finishing and packing their
goods arn adopted In other words. American
manufacturer will be obliged 10 recognize
tn NJ the competition all over tho world viii hr
severe and thar they must meet the foreign
manufacturer Mt every point II they expect to
cOmpptn successfully,
This subject * one that should receive the
serious consideration Of tho Government. "a
well as Of all manufacturers.
GEORGE n BENJAMIN..
NV YORK, Dec ~