Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-08

| Gun fepuDllGS, inc new plans trade
and through the consular service the De-
partment Of state, are now engaged His
| article COY ering the governments work for
trade expansion, is presented herewith.
The Department of Commerce Is for
tunately able to deal with existing condl-
tions in our export trade with a better
organization and with larger funds than
hitherto in connection with Batin-Amer-
lea it has ready on call a large volume of
specialized information, the result Of
studies that have extended over some
years made by trained observers on the,
spot.
Its new organizatlon for the promotion
of American commerce in Latin-America,
which applies in n similar way all over
the foreign world, is as follows:
| 1t will place this fall at Buenos Aires
| Santiago, Rio de Janero and Lima trained
| commercial attaches familiar with the
| language and the customs of the coun-
| tries to which they are accredited, who
| will furnish through the Department of
| Commerce q general outlook over the com-
merce and industries of the nation in
which they reside. The work of these
officers is not intended to supplant in any
way the efficient labors of the consular
service. on the contrary, the two services
work not only in harmony but in mutual
helpfulness, one supplementing the other.
The consul has many duties other than
commercial ones which he must perform.
The commercial attache will have none
but commercial duties.
Furthermore, the consular service af-
fords the local and intensive commercial
outlook and the attache furnishes the
general and extensive viewpoint in the
countries in which both serve.
NAME COMMERCIAL AGENTS.
Tothis force is added that of the COM
cial agents, who are travelling specialists.
There thus exists a thrpefold force in the
foreign field, tine general, the local and
the mobile force. This is now supple
mented by the creation this year of a
special organization at home to make
efficient the use Of the information coll
lected abroad. To the central office in
Washington there have now been added
offices in seven important American
cities. 1t is hoped to extend this service
funds permit. To these offices all tho
information available in the bureau itself
is sent, and through them the trained
representatives of the bureau meet per-
sonally the commercial interests of the !
centres in which these offices are To- |
casSd. To these offices the consuls and |
commercial agents and attaches go when |
ever they visit this country, There they |
can meet by appointment anyone inter- |
ested in the commerce of the country |
from which they come. Using these |
offices as centre they can call upon the |
commercial houses which shall have ind-
Gated their interest in the commerce of |
the country in question.
In short, this puts the service of the |
department as nearly as possible at the
door Of every commercial house interested |
in our foreign trade. It Is recognized
that this organization, both at home and
abroad, Is not as large as the commercial
of country rpIuirA hIt IL |
is ut least a definite beginning in the
right direction. The Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce is the centre of
vast system for the collection and dis
tribution of useful trade information from
all parts Of the world. In the emergency
caused by the present European war it
has been found that this system is of
unusual value with the commercial in
terests of the United States.
CONGRESS APPORTIONs FUND.
Congress has granted a special fund |
Of $4,000 to be used to promote our COM
mercial relations with Central and South |
America, and this fund will be applied
promptly to service, partly in Washing
on, but mainly through dispatch to
-atn-American countries of a number
IF special agents who will investigate
rade conditions in connection with spe-
'ific Industries. Already four such agents
nave been appointed. each with special
for the investigation which ;
ne Is to make
Another fund of $4,000 is being used in
)art for the employment OF commercial
lgents of the Bureau Of Foreign and
Domestic Commerce, who are stationed In {
even important trade centres In the | =
United States, These agents are In charge S
# branch offices at Boston. New York, y
'hcaso. Seattle San Francisco, New
JrlePns and Atlanta, and are engaged
n tha efficient distribution of trade in
which reaches the department n
n such volume.
While tho department Is making every L
pecial effort to aid the American com q
nercial public to take ADVANTAGE OF the
ituation In fair and reasonable way, a
nd while II fully realizes that at the
resent time entry into those markets It
nay be made moro readily than ever be- al
ore, it has felt It necessary to warn
exporters that careful pre- d
study should be made of condi-
ions and thar fun appreciation of the
resent tnaacial depression I'm that part
the world should be a part of any IL
lans which are made. a
Undoubtedly sales can be effected. but sI
he department has strongly advised
gainst a temporary and hasty invasion
/ those markets. believing that the ~
resent opportunity Is one rather OF
elpfulness and service, which may be a
awarded at the end OF perhaps n con-
derable period by the establishment OF ~
loser relations with Latfn-American ! he
ountries and the development finally OF
very important commerce O'
SOUTH AMERICA AND THE WAR
II must not be forgotten that the mr. 10
lasing power of South American conn iii
lies has been seriously affected by war
1nditons and II must be remembered
nat their Industries are, In large mart.
djusted TO European standards OF meas
and methods, which cannot r 90
astlly altered. This Is not so much a DG
me to look FOR n great boom In south 81
merican trade as It is an occasion for 55
thoughtful study of the conditions there an
listing with n view to their development IL
\ lines Of permanent growth The con an
tions there are hardly propitl0us to the lal
nding out of statesmen with the expec-
tion Of their coming speedily home with
led order books Time and patience ana
oney and much study are all needed N Pb
.e best is 70 be made of the situation Ne
Latin America. DO
The Department welcomes Therefore OH
% steps that are being taken by bank six
Is, by manufacturers familiar with cx
'rt trade ana by trained exporters
ward thoughtful study ana careful
vclopment Of commercial relations q
tween the United States and Latin SSi.
merica What Is needed among our M
lends TO the southward now more than yel
ything else IS credit and a ready means -
direct exchange with New York What ~