The Washington times., 1902-06-23
Large Increase Despite
Certain Preiudices
Against Goods.
THROUGH MERIT AND COST
Constantly Growing Demand for Amer
lean Made Articles That Could Be
Increased Through Making Proper
Effort-Some Suggestions.


Most noticeable, perhaps. of all pre-
vailing trade conditions in England"
says Consul S. C. Mcfarland, of Not
tingham. "is the nervous antagonism
against foreign goods which has sprung
up among the British people. There
has long been prejudice against German
products, but the recent enormous
growth of American trade in all
branches has forced itself upon the at
tention of British newspapers, manu-
facturers and the public generally.
THE British people are nothing if
rot loyal; and they inherit the belief
that British trademark is a guarantee
OF quality-for which they have some
reason. There is a disinclination to
purchase American or German wares,
unless by reason of novelty of design
or economy, the latter appealing ire
sistibly.
THE retailer, therefore, is chary in
his offerings. and many lines of goods
are now sold without comment which
as of American make, or American
style The Diamond Match Company
parades its goods under the old Eng
lish name of Bryant & May; the Ameri-
can tobacco trust calls itself the Eng
lish Tobacco Company, and advertises
its goods as made in England by British
workmen; the proprietary medicines
which fret int Aypa
can discoveries now blot from their ad-
vertisements everything except method
which might identify them as importa-
tions from the United States. With ev-
cry internal ailment, from the appar-
ent effects of the South African war to
the idleness of labor in certain local
tiles, attributed to American competi-
tion, the prevailing prejudice can be
understood.
Continues to Develop.
"But despite all prejudice continues
the consul, 'and solely because of merit
and cheapness, American trade in every
line continues to develop. That it might
double or quadruple at a bound, If our
exporters would only study and con-
form to the peculiarities of British de-
mand, still goes without repeating. In
shoe, hosiery, farm, and general ma
chinery, shelf hardware, oil stoves. coal
ranges, furniture of all classes, shoes,
dress novelties, canned fruits, vegeta-
bles, meats. etc, the volume of trade
grows gradually and surely.
Leicester, which a few years ago ex-
ported shoes to a considerable extent.
now not only does not export, but uses
a great deal of American finished leather.
while three-fourths of the shoe machin-
cry in use is either of American make
or from American patterns, and Ameri-
can shoes are successfully retailed
throughout the district; the demand
which is confined almost exclusively to
high grade articles for men and wo-
men-is continually growing.
Certain American underwear, hosiery.
and ladies' specialties are also finding
sale in Nottingham, the home of the
British industry in this line. Our soda
fountains have made their appearance
this year and in almost every store, of
gradually and surely finding place"
Confirmed by Other Consuls.
These facts are confirmed by the re-
ports of other consular representatives
in England.
"A list OF the American products sold
in Devon and Cornwall" says Consul ].
G.. Stephens, of Plymouth, would COM
prise all varieties of commodities from
street cars from Pittsburg and Phila-
delphia to apples and beef from Michi-
gan and Chicago Three American beef
companies are located in Plymouth; the
sale CT our office furniture is constantly
growing, and American merchants are
missing but few opportunities of advanc-
ing their sales in southern England"
The consul notes, however, the danger
of United States firms trusting too much
to their head Offices in London.
American goods" he says. can al
ways be best sold by Americans, and an
American traveller will secure twice as
many orders as an Englishman in the
same district The simple fact that he
is from the United States will often
gain him an interview with the head of
a firm when a native of England would
fail"
The principal OF large American firm
in Hamburg recently told the consul
that he had only two travellers who were
not Americans, and that those two
would soon have TO give place to
coupie of men from Ohio. The untiring
energy of the American means extra
cost TO the firm, but splendid profit
In the end.
Increase In Canned Fruits.
Consul James Boyle. of Liverpool, re-
ports large increases in the imports OF
canned fruits from the United States.
The packing Of green fruit has improved
notably. to the general satisfaction of
the trade in England. Since the pro-
cess of chilling" beef has been adopted.
there is practically no competition from
other countries in this trade. Efforts
have been made 10 send chilled beef
from Argentina, but they have not been
successful. the beef being frozen, not
chilled
Consul W. H. Bradley, of Tunstall.
reports that our carpet sweepers, coffee
mills, lawn mowers, and other light ma
chinery are seen on every hand. The
Duke of Sutherland has an automobile
made by an American firm.
Our agricultural implements" says
Consul W W. Touvelle. of Belfast. take
the lead in Ireland, and American bicy
eioe choes wire nails and steel mates