The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-08
TAFT REVIEWS THE RELATIONS WITH
 FOREIGN NATIONS
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 CONTINUED FROM PAGE s.) ---------->------~>-->- should embrace within it's purview tte free list. which is not the case at the present time, in order that 1t might have reasonable significance to the gov ernments of those countries from which the importations into the United States are confined virtually to articles on the free list.
 Foreign Trade
 The fiscal year ended June 30, 1911, shows great progress in the develop ment of American trade. It was note worthy as marking the highest rec- ord of exports of American products to foreign countries, the valuation be- ing in excess of $2,000, 100000 These exports showed gain over the pre- ceding year of more than $30O,00O,O00.
 Facilities for Foreign Trade
 There is widespread appreciation ex- pressed by the business interests of the country as regards the practical value of the facilities now offered by the de- partment of state and the department Of commerce and labor for furtherance or American commerce. Conferences with their officers at Washington who have an expert Knowledge of trade condi- tions in foreign countries and with consular officers and commercial agents of the department of commerce ana labor who, while on leave of absence, visit the principal industrial centers Of the United States, have been found of great value. These trade conferences are regarded as a particularly prom ising method of governmental aid in foreign trade promotion The depart ment of commerce and labor has ar ranged to give publicity to the expected arrival and the itinerary of consular of ficers and commercial agents while on leave in the United States. in order that trade organizations may arrange for conferences with them
 As have indicated, it is increasingly clear that to obtain and maintain that equity and substantial equality of treat ment essential to the hourishing for eign trade, which becomes year by year more important to the industrial and commercial welfare of the United States. we should have a flexibility of tariff sufficient for the give and take of negotiation by the department of state on behalf of our commerce anu industry.
 Need for Merchant Marine
 I need hardly reiterate the convic- ton that there should speedily be built up an American merchant ma rine. This is necessary to assure fla vorable transportation facilities to our
 
 as to supplement the navy with an adequate reserve of ships and men. It would have the economic advantage of keeping at home part of the vast sums now paid foreign shipping for carry ing American goods. All the great commercial nations pay heavy subsidies to their merchant marine, so that it is obvious that without some wise aid from the Congress the United States must lag behind in the matter of mer- chant marine in it's present anomalous position.
 Legislation to facilitate the exten- sion of American banks to foreign coun- tries is another matter in which our foreign trade needs assistance.
 Foreign Commerce
 The interests of our foreign commerce are nonpartisan, and as a factor in prosperity are as broad as the land. In the dissemination of useful informa- ton and in the coordination of effort certain unofficial associations have done good work toward the promotion of foreign commerce. It is cause for regret, however, that the great num- Der of such associations and the com parative lack of cooperation between them fails to secure an efficiency com mensurate with the public interest Through the agency of the department of commerce and labor, and in some cases directly the department of state transmits to reputable business inter- ests information of commercial oppor- tunities, supplementing the regular pub lished consular reports. Some central organization in touch with associa- tions and chambers of commerce throughout the country and able to keep purely American interests in closer touch with different phases of commercial affairs would, I believe, be of great value. Such organization might be managed by a committee composed of small number of those now actively carrying on the work of some of the larger associations, and there might be added to the commit tee, as members ex officio, one or two officials of the department of state and one or two officials from the de- partment of commerce and labor and representatives of the appropriate com mittees of Congress. The authority and success of such an organization would evidently be enhanced if the Congress should see fit to prescribe its scope and organization through leg islation which would give to it some such official standing as that, for eX- ample, of the National Red Cross
 With these factors and the continu- ance of the foreign service establish ment departmental, diplomatic and consular) upon the h1gh plane where 1t has been placed by the recent reor- ganization this government would be abreast of the times in fostering the interests of its foreign trade, and the rest must be left to the energy and en- terprise of our business men.
 Improvement of Foreign Service
 The entire foreign service organization is being improved and developed with especial regard to the requirements of the commercial interests of the country. The rapid growth of our foreign trade makes it of the utmost importance that governmental agencies through which that trade is to be aided and protected should possess high degree of efficiency. Not only should the foreign representatives be maintained upon a generous scale In SO far as salaries and establishments are concerned, but the selection and ad- vancement of officers should be definite ly and permanently regulated by law so that the service shall not fail to attract men of high character and ability. The experience of the past few years with a partial application of civil service rules