The Republican journal., 1910-10-20
SHOE TRADE ABROAD.

SHOE TRADE ABROAD.
Consul Cumming Says That Leather and
Footwear Can Be Pushed to Advantage II
Foreign Markets.
The great possibilities open to manu-
| facturers Of the United States, and par
| ticularlv those of leather and footwear
in the foreign field, was the subject of
recent IMMIGRANT address by James E.
Dunning. Secretary of State Knox's
special trade commissioner, at the rooms
of the New England shoe and leather
association, 166 Essex street, Boston.
Mr.. Dunning, whose regular station ir
the foreign service is in charge of the
American consulate at Havre, France
was detached from that Office early in
the summer and ordered home by the
State department for the purpose Of
| getting in touch with the business or
CARNATIONS of the country in connection
with the foreign trade campaign:
His special purpose is to stimulate oul
exports from every great commercial
center, to investigate special conditions
affecting the balance of trade between
American and other nations, and to ex-
| plain the policy of the government in aid
of American enterprises abroad. He was
sent to Boston by Secretary Knox at the
request of the New England shoe and
leather association.
President Charles C. Hoyt of the asso-
citation introduced Consul Dunning, who
said in part:
''The foreign market for American
boots and shoes could probably be extend
ed several times over by the use OF the
direct methods characteristic of our chief
commercial rivals. That is to say, If we
would organize for larger foreign sales
of boots and shoes upon such sclentinc
basis of preparation and exploitation
as, for instance, is common among
the Germans and Italians, our exports OF
this class of manufactures would I'M
doubtedly be much more than the $l2,
600, 900, which constituted their value IN
1909.
1.-THE great factor favorable to very
great enlargement of our foreign trade
in boots and shoes is the absolute SUPERB
GRITTY of our goods. This is a most I'M
usual condition. In practically every
thing which we manufacture we nave
worldwide reputation for high quality.
The name American remains synonym
for quality in every market, and IN hum
dreds of cases is used by limitations which
resemble our own output in no other
way. And it is because Of this exception
al quality and the unbroken reputation
with regard to it which we have enjoyed,
that can best answer the objection that
our boots, and shoes are made to demand
too high price abroad, either on account
of a higher cost of production in the
A for q
on importation into foreign countries, or
both. The truth. is that we can sell our
boo is and shoes upon their qualities with
very little regard, under ordinary condl-
lions, to their price.
mo European nation can equal us in
the quality of our footwear. In spite of
the fact that they have invested millions
of dollars in the industry and they have
trained thousands of work people and
that they make extensive use of the
most highly developed shoe machinery
the goods which they turn out and sell at
81 or SIS per pair cannot compare in any
way to the ordinary American shoe at So.
This is not a theory, but fact which
can be proved by any one with very little
effort. European tariffs are in no way
severe against US. Even at the utmost,
they will not run above so cents per pair,
while the whole great Italian market,
one of the finest in the world, and as yet
practically untouched by US, is protected
by only 20 cents per pair.
Gin Paris and in Berlin our retail trade
in shoes has grown tremendously in the
last few years by simply establishing
stores and giving the trade an opportun-
ity to see our goods in direct comparison
with their own. There is not one large
city in Europe where such an enterprise
could not be worked on similar lines for a
reasonable expenditure of money and a
reasonable expenditure of effort.
European mems shoes are of fair ap-
pearance and wearing quality. The best
of them is about as GOO as the American
shoe which sells from $3.50 to So. The
women's footwear is Of very inferior ap-
pearance, gives the foot and ankle an ex
ceedingly awkward shape, distorts the
gait, and breaks down quickly. Chill
dren's shoes are entirely beyond com
parison in quality with anything produc-
ed by us. Yet all of these sell in Europe
at prices fully as high as our ordinary
factory made footwear will cost deliver
ed to the customer with duty added.
''Now, what l want to emphasize is
that the European shoe market is not
made up of peasants. The Continental
peasantry will never wear anything but
the wooden sandal. In placing your
goods in Europe, you should remember
that you are going before retail trade
of the very highest class, not only in
Germany, France and Austria, but very
particularly in Italy the men and women
who will buy your shoes are perfectly
able to pay for goods of the highest
grade, and will do so in almost any rea-
sonable number and up to almost any
reasonable price the moment your SUI
perior quality and style are brought to
their attention"
Mr.. Dunning is to pursue his investi-
cations in other parts of New England.
Harsh physics react, weaken the bowels,
cause chronic constipation. Doan's Regulets
operate easily, tone the stomach. cure consti-
patton. 25c. Ask your druggist for them.
MIGRATION.