The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-07
.ODELL SPEAKS ON
EXPORT MARKETS
Says Orient and East Africa
Are Great Fields
MANY HEAR ADDRESS
Cotton Goods Manufacturers of South,
He Says, Can Work Up Trade.
American Made Goods Are
Preferred by Natives

That cotton goods manufacturers in the
United States can by intelligent and we'll
directed efforts increase their exports
into Asiatic countries and throughout
the east coast of Africa was the gist of
an address on TRADE Conditions in the
Orient of Africa" delivered by Ralph NJ
OGell, commercial agent of the depart
ment of labor, in the directors room of
the Chamber OF Commerce yesterday aft
ornoon. The address was we'll received
by an audience composed largely OF cot
ton goods manufacturers in Alabama. ex-
porters, agents and wholesalers.
Preliminary to he address of Mr..
Odel the visitors mingled freely in the
directors room surveying with interest
the samples of cotton cloths, sheetinss,
prints, drilling and blankets in large de-
man din Turkey, Syria, Bagdad, Saloniki,
Smyrna, Egypt, Eden, and other Red
sea markets; and all the norts of entry
or the east coast of Africa. There was
much interest displayed and Mr.. Odell
was frequently ask I'd for detailed infor-
n aIion regarding these foreign markets
anu NOW 10 tHbdSt III tHiS tAHoil
Has Toured East
Mr. Odell, who mas only recently re-
turned from extensive tour in Tur-
key, Egypt and East Africa, Is an expert
working under the direction of the bu-
reau Of foreign and domestic relations,
which was created by an act of Congress-
ahc approved on August 26. 1912 His
f,, ts..te
seeking first hand Information on how
the American manufacturer and exporter
can increase his exports and compete
with great success against the goods of
European agents.
The information of these experts is
eathered solely for the benefit of Amer
lean manufacturers. and is printed from
time to time in pamphlets, which are
mailed free on request from Washington.
manufacturers besides that contained in
the pamphlets the bureau cf foreign and
domestic relations details ITS experts to
lecture in various important cities of the
United States on their travels and eXpe-
ricnces in foreign markets. The idea is
to render all possible service and infor-
nation to American manufacturers and
exporters and stimulate If possible export
trade In all lines.
Mr.. odell outlined briefly the pro-
gramme and intentions of the bureau of
foreign and domestic relations. He en-
pha sized that manufacturers should with
freedom avail themselves OF the reports
issued periodically by thIs branch of gov
eminent service. He urged ON the manu-.
facturers to study tho possibilities of
foreign trade and told the necessary
things to be accomplished by manufac-
tllrers and exporters before they could
cope with the Europeans. He praised
some of the methods of packing and stem
Cling goods by the American exporter.
Exports Increase Without Interest
His talk was largely statistical, and II
was shown that despite the fact that
no concerted effort had been made hy
American manufacturers and exporters to
increase this exports to the orient and
Africa and increase Of over 80 per cent
in american made cotton goods had been
noted In the last five years That, ac-
co, ding to Mr.. Odell, revealed the won
derful trade possibilities of the future to
the American manufacturers and export
cry
european and Asiatic Turkey" said
Mr.. Odell, with an area OF 100000
square miles and an estimated popu1a-
tion of 25,O00,000, offers splendid
field for the development of American
trade The radical changes wrought
since the establishment OF the consti-
tuition and the Inauguration of the new
re egime in 1908 have been of far reach
ing Importance in the progress and
development of Turkey. The develop
ment of the rich natural resources Of
the Empire is increasing the buying
mower of the people and causing
substantial commercial expansion. Ev
cry reform advocated in Turkey augurs
well for the prosperity and general
welfare of the nation.
"Our export trade with Turkey is
only exceeded by that of the United
Kingdom, Austria Hungary and France
and IL amounted to nearly $4,000 900
during 1911, an increase of over a mil
lion and half from the year before.
The cotton goods exports to Turkey
from the United States amount to
nearly $350.000 and are on the In
crease American cotton goods man
ufacturers by careful study of the
needs and desires of the people can la
time more than compete with the cot
ton goods OF continental competitors
who are at present strongly en-
trenched In the field.
Prefer American Made Goods
"The splendid reputation of Amer
lean goods as regards quality has
reached Turkey, Egypt and the Red sea
district and Alden, which Is the port
there Is not too great difference IN
Abysynnia In every instance where
there is not too grea difference In
price the native buys American cloth.
This Is done to such an extent that
Italian manufacturers seek to initiate
American brands and thus deceive the
natives.
"Mombasa Is the most important port
of entry on the east African coast.
1t - here that noticed the superior