The Detroit times., 1914-08-24
TRADE EXPERT
IS BUSY WITH
MANUFACTURERS
w. A. Reed Starts Right in To
Give Advice on Exporting
to South America
SEES OPPORTUNITIES
FOR HEAVY COMMERCE
Says Prejudice Against 5.
Will Vanish If Good Pro-
ducts Are Sent

Immediately upon his arrival for
business In an ONCE In the Board
OF Commerce building. Saturday
morning. William A. Reed, special
representative or the United States
department OF commerce, found his
time fully occupied by those who. had
called to consult him. Mr.. Reed
came to Detroit from Washington,
Friday afternoon, TO confer with
business men who wish to extend
their export trade to South America.
Most OF the men who came to see
him, Saturday, remained only for a
short friendly chat and gave way
to others after making appointments
for future conferences. Several APP
tpointments we're made with him over
the telephone.
A new phase of the situation which
may have an important bearing on
the question of bringing American
producers and South American con-
, sumers together impressed Itself
/ upon Mr.. Reed during the morning
through the visits Of several sales
men who formerly have been the
agents OF European firms.
Three men have come to me this
morning" said Mr.. Reed. who have
been In the employ Of European
firms. They have been thrown out
of job by the war and are looking
for employment by American houses.
The man who left just minute ago
has been representing European ex-
porters In the upper Amazon district
The merchants and traders of South
America are waiting anxiously for our
products, our manufacturers are
ready to sell, so that these men and
others like them will have the op-
portunity OF bringing buyer and seller
together"
Thus, as Mr. Reed sees the situa-
tion, the war hos not only opened the
doors Of continent-wide market to
the manufacturers OF the United
States, but has at the same time
provided them with a supply OF ex-
pert representatives to draw from in
presenting their products. MIR. Reed
does not, however. look upon the
problem Of selling goods from this
country as very difficult one.
You must send those countries
what they want, OF course he said.
They may have been somewhat
prejudiced against us In the past, but
they are wide-awake,s able men, who
will quickly judge as to the quality
OF goods coffered them. All that will
be necessary win be to deal with
them in good faith In the things for
which they have need.
a.. N ,hxrt 81
not been more products from the
United States sold there In the past.
Take single instance from d port in
Eucador to which IS statesmen came
In the course Of three months. Only
five Of them we're from the United
States. That tells the whole story.
1T is too early yet for me to say
what products may best be exported
from Detroit, that is outside of auto
mobiles. or can we tell yet without
more careful study of freight rates
what routes of trade are likely to be
established from here. Mobile and
New Orleans are bound to be import
ant exporting centers. Already steam
ship lines from both Chile and Peru
are making preparations to establish
lines running to the gulf ports by
way Of the Panama canal. Investiga-
ton Is also being made by them as
to the advisability Of sending ships
to the California ports. These actions
on their part show how much they
have been affected by the war.
One thing that occurs to me Just
now, is the large opportunity for sell
ing electrical appliances In inland
tn b. tx. ~ xts.
towns are being reached by railroad
construction and some OF them are
just putting In modern improve
ments in the way of electric street
railway systems and other public
utilities.
Argentina Is q great market for
wind-mills at the present time and
In eac hof the countries are many
demands which are insistent. In
Brazil, for instance, they are building
many roads. One that I know OF is
to be road exclusively for automo-
biles between two cities GO miles
apart. Communities of that sort are
In the market for road building ma
chinery.
The merchants of South American
cities are widely travelled. They
know good business proposition
when they see 1t. In the past they
have been directed principally to
Europe, partly because OF the good
transportation facilities. They could
go to Europe In few days whereas
1t took not less than "a days to reach
ew York. That condition has been
remedied somewhat by the opening
of new lines from New York to
Buenos Aires"
Mr.. Reed tells OF having seen hand
power sewing machines and grain
mills In the far interior sections Of
the country, which are now being
opened up to modern wares.
Mr.. Reed will be in Detroit indefi-
nitely, and while here will be at the
disposal Of any manufactures who
wishes to consult him.
He will be one OF the chief speak
ers before a special trade meeting OF
the Board OF Commerce, Tuesday.
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