The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-28
CHANDLER TALKSOF
 PLANS FOR FUTURE
South American Export
 Agent of Southern Here
A BIG OPPORTUNITY
Will Try to Place Boys From Latin America in Industrial Plants of Birmingham-Wants Spanish
 Taught in Schools

C. l.. Chandler formerly of the Ameri- can diplomatic service in South American countries, recently appointed South Amer iean export agent for the Southern rail- way and allied lines. was in Birmingham yesterday on his initial visit to this dis trict He will be engaged in a practical effort to build up the trade in that coun- try. Mir Chandler was the guest of L. Sevier. general agent for the Southern railway. at the press club yesterday for luncheon. There he discussed with news paper men the great work which he says must be done if the south is to reap her just reward from the opening of the Panama canal.
 He said that he would return here in May and deliver an address before the Chamber of Commerce and perhaps the High school on the opportunities the southern business men.
 Why, there Is at this time about SaS,- 00o,0o0 in dividends going to Germany and other European countries that should come to the south.'' said MT. Chandler What l want to do is to interest the bankers of the south in establishing bank ing branches in that country The recent currency legislation which Is undoubtedly the greatest legislative achievement in recent years has aroused extreme fears in European banking circles. It enables American banks to establish foreign branches which has never been done be- fore. As it is now, the European coun- tries control the branches in South Amer ica and they are tremendously profitable and successful. There is no reason why the merchants of the south should not do that.
 Business Bound to Grow
 "fhe great cities of Argentina depend upon Alabama and Louisiana for lumber as there Is none near enough, except in the south for profitable utilization. That will never grow less.
 The time is now ripe for the mer- chants and manufacturers of this section to see the opportunities there and take advantage of them. Recently there was Peruvian youth who came to Lehigh then worked for the Baldwin locomotive works. who is now agent for that com pany in his home country and for the first time locomotives are used there to a great advantage.
 The upbuidlng of this business. how ever. and the great things which will come through the Panama canal to south ern and American merchants is not to be handled off-hand It must be a matter or education. l intend to ask the local school authorities to teach Spanish so our boys growing up will be familiar with that h. pared to do their work in South American countries. Again, why is it that large business men have recently made sub stantial donations to large eastern col leges for the study of South American economies. It means something for those business men are not accustomed to spending money for nothing. It means that by education we can go down into those vastly rich countries and take away the export business that has been seized upon by the astute German, English and French merchants With this canal we will have big advantage of the other countries
 South American Boys Here
 T hope to obtain places for South American boys in local plants and around local industries so they will know what Is being done in the south and will go home with a perfect understanding of the country and what we have to offer.
 Tt will require sometime and work to accomplish this. but know the situation so well that l sometimes get wrought up when l see the lethargy of our American business men in reference to that fertile field of work"
 MT. Chandler will be at the service of any manufacturer in this district or sec tion in advising them in regard to expan- sion of trade in South America. His work is free of cost to the people of the south and he was acquired by the Southern railway to help this section on its on- ward march of progress.
 Personally MT Chandler is of pleasing address and thoroughly master of his work. He was, as stated, for some years in the diplomatic service and made a particular study of statistics in the mat ter of exports and imports of the South American countries. He has visited every city of any consequence in that section MT. Chandler Is a graduate of Harvard and speaks several languages.
 In passing he said that his first trip to Birmingham was very impressive. but that he had an insufficient amount of time to see all of Birmingham on this trip. but that on his return here in May he would take advantage of the oppor- tunity of visiting the industrial operations of the district.