New-York tribune., 1907-01-31
MORE BAD TRADE METHODS

The admonitions against careless and incon-
siderate methods IN the export trade which
nave repeatedly been given in these columns
and which. indeed, were here first made widely
public. are emphasized again and again almost
daily In the reports Of government consular Of
ficials in almost all parts of the world. We first
called especial attention 10 the matter I'm CON
necf1on with Central and South American trade.
where there is indeed great need Of reform.
and where because Of the unsatisfactorn meth
ods or American merchants. our trade Iags far
behind that Of other countries Some time ago
We cited from consular report a noteworthy
example or the same evil i'm our European trade.
and we have observed similar complaints from
Africa. Now come some particularly cIrcumstan-
tial complaints and warnings from Asia. 10 wit.
from China the greatest OF all the partly lie.
veloped markets In the world and the very one
in which we should be most circumspect and ex-
act in our methods II we are to overcome at
once Chinese prejudice and European and Jap
aness competition.
American manufacturers, SAYS sperial agent
OF the Department OF Commerce and Labor. are
not as careful as the English i'm packing bales
of cotton goods. They use. for example narrow
iron ties unprotected. which often cut into the
bales through several thIcknesses of cloth.
while the English use wider ties and mt strns
Of wood under them AT the corners 10 Drevenr
damage 10 the contents OF the bales The Eng
lish also use more wrappings including water
proof wrapper. and seal many goods I'm tin
cases. When wooden packing boxes are used
those from America are Of very light boards
from three-eighths 70 half an inch thick while
those from England are OF three fourths or seven
eighths stuff with strong battens I'm addition.
The light American boxes cost less for lumber
and less for freight. but they do not reach their
destination with their contents IN anything like
good condition as the heavier English boxes.
These things are of the more Importance now.
since there is prejudice against American
boxes often treat those from this country with
studied roughness.
There are other complaints, not less serious
Shanghai merchants declare. with reason. that
American manufacturers too often cancel or de.
lay contracts and also ship goods which are
below standard quality. In China It is n seri-
Gus thing 10 have a contract cancelled because
of the fluctuations in the price Of the tael The
merchant there is paid in silver. but must paw
In gold. To avoid possible loss. therefore he
must purchase exchange i'm advance for the
month in which the goods are TO reach him. If
then the goods are not delivered he NAV have
10 resell exchange at loss. I'm addition 10 los
! ing face with his Chinese customers To avoid
such things the official quoted urges that Amer
leans should not make contracts for delivery Of
goods In China unless they are sure OF being
able 10 fulfil them exactly on time. There seems
TO be ground for the complaint also that even
some Of the foremost American mills sometimes
substitute low grade for high grade cotton and
ship goods that are under width and under
weight
I These matters. even The smallest Of them arn