Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-11-12
use Of irregular steamers, the estab-


importance. At the outset 1t might be
found impracticable to develop enough
traffic to support regular lines with but
a single port Of call at each end Of the
voyage, but there are various combi-
nations that might be made. Vessels
might stop at two or more ports Of the
United States, discharging part of
their cargo and receiving part Of
return cargo from each. In the same
way, vessels engaged In the River Pla-
Ia trade might also call at Brazilian
ports. In some cases ports in the West
India Islands might advantageously
be included in a round trip voyage.
Thus. Cuba buys large quantities Of
sun-dried beef, known as "jerked beef"
from the River Plata countries. The
vessels carrying this beef to Cuba get
no return cargoes from that island, but
only short voyage would be required
to bring them to. south Atlantic or
gulf port for such a cargo.
II this trade Is to be developed to the
utmost and Is to be made of the great
est possible value to our southern peo-
pie, earnest efforts must be- made to
build 1t up. One thing that might be
suggested Is the establishment at our
southern ports Of houses devoted to
handling export business directly from
those ports. Such house handling
southern cotton goods, for instance,
would not only be Of assistance In de-
veloping the Latin-American trade,
but could make direct expectations
to the Orient and other ports
Of the world as well. Another thing Of
Importance Is direct representation In
the countries in which 1t Is sought to
sell goods and careful study OF the
wants Of each particular market. This
is particularly desirable in selling such
articles as cotton goods and furniture,
In which different markets require DIFF
ferent grades and styles. The import
ance Of this is shown by tn decline Of
the exports Of cotton goods from the
United States to Brazil. The Brazilian
market for these goods was formerly
one Of great promise. In 1906 It took
9,6SS,0555 yards Of American cotton
goods. Each year since has shown q
steady decline, until, in the last fiscal
year, the amount was only 2,453,460
yards, a decrease Of nearly rs per cent
in four years. This Is partially ex-
planned by the fact that Brazil, under
a high protective tariff, Is building up
a cotton manufacturing industry, us-
ing native cotton. But English mills,
In most Of the years Of this period, In
creased their shipments to Brazil by
having their expert representatives on
the ground to study the needs Of the
market and to supply those grades Of
goods not made by the Brazilian mills.
In the fiscal year ended June fos 1908,
Brazilian purchases Of American cotton
goods amounted to but S373,545, az
compared with purchases Of British
cotton goods for the calendar year 1908
to the value Of s8,357,766.
The total purchases Of American
cotton goods by all the South American
countries for the fiscal year 1908
amounted to but $2.760.231. In the call
endar year 1908 the values Of cotton
goods bought by these same countries
from the principal European countries
were as follows: United Kingdom,
ssS.sSO,2O5; Germany, 31s,ss2,ooo;
France. s5,702,0OO; Italy, $s.ss2.7s4. and
Spain, $2,030,2S3. In other words, the
United States sells to these countries
less than four per cent Of the total value
of the cotton goods they buy from the
six countries above mentioned. This
poor showing can not be improved
merely by supplying better steamship
service, important as that is. II a
larger share in the South American
trade is to be had 1t must be sought
earnestly and be won in the face Of
sharp competition. Otherwise 1t will
be impossible to develop sufficient traf-
fic to warrant any Improvement In the
present limited ocean transportation
service.
There is much practical information
Of great value as to foreign markets,
the tariff laws Of foreign countries,
etc., that can be obtained from the state
department, the bureau Of the Amerf-
can republics, the bureau Of manufac-
lures, and other government offices In
Washington. All this information Is
readily accessible to the Southern Rail-
way company. and with view Of be-
ing Of practical assistance to our man
ufacturers and merchants desiring to
develop export business. this company
will take pleasure in securing and sup
plying ally Of this information in that
may be desired.
Correspondence on this subject should
be addressed to the president Of this
company.
w. w. Finley, President.
Washington, D. c., November 8.
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.