The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-07-02

the various custom houses. as each has
its little pecuIfaTities, a knowledge of
which is quite successful.
Brazilian authorities never request
passports. but it is most desirable that
everyone coming to this country should
have one. A passport would obviate
much unnecessary trouble.
The only commercial travellers tax is
the state tax Of 100 milreis 1929, TO be
paid but once during each year. It is
seldom paid. however. because most
travellers first appoint an agent here
and then claim to be simply showing
goods under direction Of that agent. and
under such conditions collection IS not
forced
How to Do Business.
In view Of the fact that a large num-
Der Of United States firms write the
consulate for information, it is surpTis-
ing how few avail themselves OF the oD-
portunities offered Many OF our houses
do net seem TO realize the excellent
chances in this market for their prGduc-
tons. and. in fact. make 40 attempt TO
find out the conditions existing here.
lied to furnish information in regard TO
foreign dealers. a list which pUrports
TO be correct. IN many instances, how
ever, such information is misleading
Either there are no such firms il exist
ence or they deal in a different line
from that given in the list. j number
OF such instances have occurred here,
and / cite one.
IL = To- IN Nh
tographic apparatus and supplies re-
duested me TO write to some large house
in the United States for catalogues and
prices. With a view to increasing our
trade relations, I did so, and received Q
rronaDt reply, In which the firm stated
that Il could not furnish the desired in
formation. as the exclusive agency had
been offered to Blank & Co, OF Bahia,
to whom they had sent extensive sam
pies and would have 20 await the latteT's
reply before it could act The firms TO
which the samples had been sent are jo5
printers. It has 10 knowledge of the
paoto-suppIy business, does not care to
enter it. and has no place at its dis
posaI for display. It had had samples
and letter for some time and had not
even replied 10 the latter, which. by the
way. was not properly addressed 10
them The samples were not n the
printers line. and the firm had not
bothered about the matter Meantime
the firm IN whose behalf I had written
has made connections with England.
1t seems most remarkable that z cred
table American house should offer its
exclusive agency and send fun line Of
1 samples to a firm to which It had never
before written and of which Il did not
even have the proper name, let aloEe
! any knowledge in regard to the nature
of its business OF its financial standing.
Exclusive Agencies.
am not in favor of giving exclusive
agencies either for BraziI or Bahia
Brazil is too large a country, and the
Forts are too independent Of each other
to remit that Il is necessary 10 take
cut State and federal export documents
for each shipment; TO wait until IA
tio1aI boat comes along which has cargo
Space to pay heavy coastwise freisht
and landing dues when goods finally
reach their destination, to pay custom
house brokerage ard numerous stamps,
as though the goods were entering from
/ abroad; and, finally, 20 sustain all the
/ exasPerating and Prejudicial delays
these conditions occasion. These facts
{ Out state anu LGQEE di export uDC4A&t-L&L5
I unless their territory is limited 20 their
/ respective business localities
Il Is important that our merchants
should pay strict attention 10 every de
/ tail. and that me consular invoice and
the bills CT Iading should give accurate
( descriptions OF goods covered by them
+ a point in instance is a shipment 81
f lumber from the United States. The
lumber had been measured and sold as
clear lumber, allowance being made for
split ends, detective pieces. etc. ard
/ tie invoice and other papers were OF
/ that basis; but the lumber when meas
ured by the custom house here was
tfaken at actual dimensions Ccnse-
/ quentIy. & fine was assessed on the
/ = hole which more than doubled the real
deity. not counting the duty and fine
/ assessed on worthless ends. If the ex-
/ Porter considered that the ends were
/ rot Of sufficient value TO be charged for,
/ he should also have considered that they
I were not OF sufficient value 10 pay
/ freight upon. ard should have studied
/ the interests Of his customer and have
discarded worthless pieces in advance Of
/ embarkation-
i a representative in the form CT q good.
live. wfde-awake commission house IS of
value Eext to the visits OF an equipped