The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30
To the Editor of The Age-Herald.

| Are the business men of Alabama asleep at the switch?" Do they realize the magnificent opportunities for trade expansion that are even now theirs and which the opening of the Panama canal which is almost upon us-wll almost thrust into their hands? These are the questions which presented themselves 10 the writer when occasion recently arose to investigate the wonderful work of the Pan American union, while on 6 visit to Washington, D. c.
 The Pan American union? What's that?" I can hear the average business man, interested in the sale of coal, iron. | lumber and cotton products inutter 10 himself Well, give me ten minutes of your time and think I can awaken you l to few commercial facts which may in- terest you and put you in touch with an institution which may prove of inestima- ble value to your pocketbook, and that's where most of us live, isn't it?
 | The Pan American union is an organiza- ton and office, maintained voluntarily ny the 21 American republics, controlled py | q governing board composed Df the diplo- matic representatives in Washington Of the other American nations and the Sec ietary of State of the United States as chairman (ex-officio), administered by n | director general and an assistant director chosen by this board and assisted by a staff of editors, statisticians, compiler., trade experts, translaters, librarians, clerks and stenogra phers, and devoted tc the development and conservation of commerce, friendly intercourse and good understanding among all the American re- publics'
 That is quoted and it is all true. Did you know that this organization has been l in existence fer 20 years-brought into being by the action of the first Pan American conference held in Washington fin 1889 and called together and presided over by James G. Blaine? Did you know that it has been reorganized, the scope of its work enlarged, its practical uses null tiplied from time to time by successive l conferences, until in January, 1907, tha governing board injected into it about the l.vest proposition in the way of hustle, energy, brains and nerve to be found in this country, by unanimously ejecting as Tits director general the Hon. John Bar rett, erstwhile United States minister to Slam to Argentina, to Panama, to Col ombia etc.? Well, these are facts. And since Barrett took a grip on the insti- tuition it has grown in It's practical use fulness until it has now become one of the greatest factors in the social and commercial world of the Western Hem isphere.
 How? Briefly: l. By acting as an in- lternational exchange, disseminating prac- tical information in each country about the others and providing citizens of each, In response to requests, with accurate ann reliable data concerning commercial fea- lures, etc.
 ?. By establishing close relations with chambers of commerce and other com mercial organizations In both North and South America giving them information Iabout trade conditions, etc.
 8. By keeping in touch. through a cor respondence of over 5000 letters per month, with (a) diplomatic representa- lives, executive officials and other off, cers of all the American republics reia- tive to governmental action on such in.- Iportant subjects as customs, duties. tariffs. etc, affecting commerce; (b) Tith manufacturers, exporters and importers, not only in the United States and Latin America, but in every part of the world relative to trade opportunities in tha Western Hemisphere; Co with travellers and tourists concerning rates, facilities and conditions of travel throughout the
 Americas; (d) with capitalists and in- vestors. concerning opportunities for de- lveloping resources, building railroads ard starting new industries, etc.
 4. By publishing a monthly magazine, lcalled the Bulletin, of 200 pages, full pf Hive, up-to-date ormation-commcrcio l, social and educational-relative to tho American republics, we'll illustrated ana lettractiye and artistic in form and mo- lterial. It is published in two language
 editions--one in English, for circulation
 in the United States. and one with Span ish, Portuguese and French sections for
 Latin America and Europe. It is edited
 by Franklin Adams. one of the brainiesr.
 brightest and best informed writers to be
 found in this country today, who has spent years in travel in Latin America.
 D. By compiling and publishing a . B lr!es of monograms on the American re- , lpublics, containing the latest statistical land descriptive data sought by travellers Investors and merchants interested iI Pan American trade.
 : Now. why all this about the Pan Amer ican union? Simply to tell you where tc , get accurate and reliable information GOV. } ering every detail of trade with Latjr American countries-if you wake IT : enough to go after it. Now, is it worth while to TO after it? If SO, what are ths lGifficulties to overcome?
 The first question involves severa' others-such as, what do these countrie, Ituy that we have to sell? What is the :. volume of foreign trade of these coun tries now? What is their present ropu lation? What are the future prospect. ' as to increase in this foreign commerce. incident to the development and exploita :, ton of these countries? It is to awaker n lyour interest in these questions and t' . stimulate this interest by stating fev : facts rel-tive to the Latin America, h countries that this article has been writ
 The % independent nations compr!sini