The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-08-26
Americans Simply Meeting the
Trade Obligations Conflict I'm
poses, Says Warren
PRESIDES AT MEETING
OF BOARD OF COMMERCE
w. A. Reid Tells Of Opportuni-
ties For Commerce With
South America

uaoe meeting nelu Dy tne board,
Tuesday noon. dwelt especially on the
question or credit facilities and the
universal necessity for them In all
modern business, In that which 10
done on an international scale as we'll
a. that which Is conducted within the
country. The purpose OF the meeting
was not. he said, to discuss the beat
way OF taking advantage of the unfor-
tunate European peoples who are now
at war, but to endeavor to learn how
best to perform the duties which the
unusual situation has thrust upon the
American people
Mr.. Warren told briefly OF the steps
that have been taken by the United
States government to provide ships
to carry on trade with South America,
and referred to the necessity of ex.
porting now some $3.50. 000, 900 worth
Of cotton In the form OF finished prod
uct. which formerly went out as raw
product. fa
He declared that the new Federal
Reserve Banking act win do much to
aid In expectation by its provision OF
greater market for bills Of foreign
exchange.
He described how the Board OF Com
merce had come to bring William A.
Reid TO Detroit. where he will be at
the service OF members Of the board
and other manufacturers. He compii-
mented Mr.-Reid on his readiness and
ability to undertake the work and ex-
pressed appreciation of the co-opera-
tioa extended to the Board Of Com
merce by the federal government
Illustrating his points by pictures
flashed upon the screen. Mr.. Reid,
who followed President Warren. pre-
dicted a great future for American
trade in South America, and greatly
interested the big crowd present.
st Is not our Intention to capitalize
our foreign neighbors' misfortunes,"
said Mr.. Reid. But, as conditions
to as, shipping Is at standstill and.
although our own interests are as
healthy as ever, we are confronted
with the problem OF over-production.
South America is also cut of from It's
source Of supply and II has become
our duty, not only to take care of our
wn overproduction. but to supply the
necessities of our neighbors of the
south. II Is, therefore, simply le-
climate end which we seek and which
we win attempt TO fulfill.
Yankee ingenuity and pluck.
money and brains. aided by labor rep
resenting so nations, have divided the
continent that II might better connect
its component parts Heretofore, the
Saxon and the Latin have not known
each other well. but. with better Ia
cilities for communication, the wire
less, faster ships and new trade.
routes. we will not long be under this
handicap.
"There are three factors which
have hindered the development of the
Latin-American peoples They are
lack of capital, lack of means Of com
muHieatteH and greatest of ALI lack
Of people. The average number of
persons to the square mile In South
America ranges In the different ma
tons from three to 10. In the United
States there are 33 persons to the
square mile"
Mr.. Reid, later in his address, paid
special attention to the development
Of new trade routes. Railway COM
munication. thanks to capital from
the United States, has made wonder
ful strides, he said
Henry w. Ford, chairman Of the
export committee of the Board Of
NOluiICICCs 0&VioinCu klc DuIPObCb Va
the export bureau, saying:
"The export bureau OF the Detroit
Board OF Commerce has been operat
ed as such for nearly three years.
During that period it's function has
been to furnish information to De-
troit manufacturers regarding oppor-
tunities for developing their export
business.
"Its information has been secured
principally through government chan
nels and by direct inquiries and ad-
vertising which the Board OF Com
merce has been carrying In the Amer
lean Exporter In exchange for adver
Using In the Detroiter.
"This information has been distrib-
uted by means of an export bulletin,
published monthly; also by letter
and conference to interested manufac-
turers whenever any special oppor-
brought TO the boards attention.
Last February, the board secured
promise from the secretary Of the
department of commerce, William G.
4 Redfleld, that q branch ofice of the
bureau of foreign and domestic com
merce will be established In De-
tIOlt, III bumClcuL luHub SnOtiu bc
made available by congress for this
purpose. The appropriation granted
was less than asked. but Mr.. Redfield
4 has stated that he will take UP the
matter of establishing q permanent
ONCE In Detroit within the next two
| or three months.
"At the outbreak OF hostilities In
4 Europe, the Board Of Commerce rec
/ ognized the extent to which the busi-
\ ness Of the Detroit manufacturers
4 with foreign countries would be dis
\ turbed In Europe and the opportuni-
ties that would be presented In South
American and other markets. At its
request. Secretary Redfeld has ap-
pointed william A. Reid special
\ agent Of the bureau Of foreign and
4 domestic commerce, to be located in
\ Detroit for the purpose Of advising
\ Detroit and Michigan manufacturers
I tn reference to developing their ex-
(; port business, particularly with the
tremendous markets that have opened
up to the American industries 10
South America.
within the past week q special
bulletin has been sent to al the mem
bern containing detailed and specific
informatipn up to the date Of its pub
llication, concerning the rapidly chang
ling oun1lfAnns win which Detroit