The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-31
HUNTING MARKET
FOR COTTON GOODS
Two Experts VIII Go to Africa
and Orient
MUST CATER TO WISHES
American Manufacturers Have Hereto
fore Tried to Force On China
Cotton Goods They Did
Not Want.

Washington, July 30.-Speciak )-William
Whittam. Jro and ". A. Graham Clark
of North Carolina. who have been APP
pointed by the secretary of the depart
ment of commerce and labor to investi-
gate foreign markets for cotton products.
We're In Washington this week talking
over their duties with Mai John NJ. Car
son, schief of the bureau of manufacture
ers. They will be under his immediate
direction and their travels through for
eign countries will be guided by him
1t will be remembered that the legisla-
tive executive and judicial appropriation
BILL which was passed at the last SEES
sion of Congress, contained an appropria-
ton. $4,000 of which is to be devoted ex-
elusively to an investigation of the for
eign cotton market. 1t was in accord
ance with this direction that Messrs.
Whitman and Clark have been desig-
mated for the important work of going
to foreign countries. principally in the
Asatic and African continents, in quest
of information which will be of benefit to
the cotton manufacturers and the cotton
growers.
Chosen BY Manufacturers.
The two men who have been selected
for this work were chosen by the cot
ton manufacturers themselves. Mr.. Whit
man had the Endorsement of practically
every cotton manufacturer in the United
States and Mr.. Clark was also highly
recommended by the same source Major
Carson, and there is no more competent
official in the government service than
he, say at the beginning that 1t would not
do to appoint anyone who was not strong
~ supported by the very men who ex-
peet to profit by the results of the in
vestigation. He therefore left the matter
wholly with them, and II the results do
not come up to expectations 1t will not
be the fault of the department. However,
Major Carson after a conference with
Messrs. Whittam and Clark. is satisfied
that they are efficient men and will bring
home information which will be of great
value The two special agents will leave
the United States early next month. Their
itinerary is now the subject of consid-
cradle thought on the part of Major Car
son, but India and the northern African
countries will certainly be included. In
this connection. through the Cotton Jour-
nal, MAJOR tdTSDn Invites any Su6Bto-
lions from parties interested. not only
as to what sections should be visited. but
any detailed information which may be
desired.
Must Cater to Wishes.
During the past year the department
has had in China an agent who has sent
samples of the kinds of cotton goods with
reference to size, texture, pattern and
finish which the Chinese demand. 1t is
only by closely following these samples.
as well as those which will be forthcom-
ing from the W-hittam-Clark trip. that
any good can be accomplished. American
styles will not go In China, or any other
foreign country, and to meet with sue
cess It is absolutely necessary that the
cotton manufacturers cater to the likes
of the consuming country. Major Carson
points out that southern manufacturers
especially ought to profit through the
great demand for a coarser article, not
ably in China.
1t Is hoped by Major Carson that with
in the next year or two United States ex-
ports in cotton goods will be greatly on
the increase. Our manufacturers have
woefully neglected the foreign field, in
fact. have virtually thrown 1t away by
neglecting to avail themselves of it. 1t
is confidently predicted, however, that
before a great while Great Britain will be
driven from her place Of supremacy.
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