The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-10-24

What more convincing argument can be
needed to prove that American-made goods are
the equal II not the superior of foreign-made
products than the fact that export more
than any other nation in the world. except the
United Kingdom? In other words in the
markets OF the world American made products
are more highly esteemed than those OF any
other nation, except Great Britain, and this
despite the fact that American-made goods al
most invariably command higher prices
Now, II the world at large finds American.
made goods desirable, why should Amerl
cans themselves show a preference for foreign
goods?
The figures for 1912 showed the list of ex
ports TO be as follows:
United Kingdom ....... SO .371 .073. 900
United states ........... 2.204,322.4O'
germany ................ 2,131,71S.00.
France ......-........... 1,295,52SO00
Netherlands ............. 1.251.472.000
1t is true that in the matter OF labor the rest
q the world has some advantage over the
United States We pay employees higher
wages
But this one disadvantage. great a. II NAV
be in manufactures in which labor constitutes
the principal item OF cost. is largely Offset BY
our unsurpassed mechanical skill.
]. one has any doubt to the ability OF
American manufacturers to excel the world IN
any industry which they take up seriously Il Is
only necessary to refer to the history OF one o,
the newest Of them all-the automobile In
dustry
when automobiles first made their appear.
a
the business. Thus. in 1906, we imported
N.9iO.2OS worth and exported 81, fO9. 1856 Within
the next few years American manufacturers
took up the industry in earnest and IT. 1911 our
imports had dwindled 20 $2.ffs.2As and our
ports had jumped 10 S21 .636.66l. In the follow
ing year the imports went down to S2.00O.OO0
and our exports rose TO S26.012.934
Last year we imported just 800 automobiles.
worth S52O.493. and exported some 10000. worth
s26.574.57A
Here is an example OF the development Of an
industry which might be duplicated In almost
any field II the American consumer would only
realize that just as Americans can build auto
mobiles which excel those OF any other nation.
so they can weave superior fabrics. make finer
clothes. manufacture better food-stuffs. and. In
short. produce a more desirable example Of al
most every other commodity for which 80 many
Americans now look 70 foreign countries.
or course. the responsibility rests upon
the manufacturers themselves 20 large ex-
tent They must improve products which
a. present inferior . those Of foreign nations
and develop industries which have hitherto
allowed other nations 10 monopolize.
We cannot expect Americans to favor Amer.
ican.madc products from patriotic stand
point merely. AmorlCan-made goods must be
superior TO foreign -inade or American manu-
tacturers cannot expect 20 control American
patronage
Take. for instance the chemical and drug
industry. IN which Germany has developed a
practical monopoly. TO such an extent AZ Tar
az We are concerned. that we are dependent
upon her Tor a. least 90 per cent Of the dye
rtAHs We require RI thia country. IN TINS very
Important Industry upon which many other
Industries are dependent We have been shock
ingly deficient
50 good an Authority az A. ~ Cosden prest
dent Of the Riker. HeEemau Company. pointed
out ln THIS paper n week or two ago that there
is no reason at AT why should allow TIT,
situation TO continue. I'm number Of case,
which be sIecl1ed he showed hat America car
produce drugs. chemicals and food stuns OF
Grade superior Co those nov imported. but bal
neglected ne opportunities I'm this respect soiell
because Of the desire on The part Of manl
Americans for Imported" articles