Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-17
PROMOTING AMERICAN
TRADE ABROAD.
By Frederic ]. Haskin.

Each pulse beat in the worlds economic
life is accorded a part in a continuous
story of the commercial efforts and wei
fare of nations by the United States ou-
reau of foreign and domestic commerce
a remarkable clearing house of informa-
ton for the business men of this coun-
Try. 1t is, probably, the greatest eXlstlhe
organization for the promotion OF trace
and its ramifications reach to all parts
Of the earth, an intricate network OF COM
uunication, system sensitive to the
least oscillation in affairs OF business
life. The great object of this govern
ment bureau is the advancement OF
Americas foreign trade, though it also is
charged with the duty of aiding domes-
tic commercial development. 1t is
scientific sales Observation-Disclosures the
actual function of selling-operated upon
a scale and with a thoroughness impos-
sible for even the largest corporation to
approximate In its work the bureau has
the cooperation of all departments OF
the government. especially Of the state
Department and It's corps Of consuls.
Assistance in the development of Ameri-
can trade at home and abroad In prac-
teal, well organized manner was f1rst
undertaken by the government in i9S.
when congress, creating a department OF
commerce and labor, provided Tor Du-
reau of manufactures and defined the
duties of the bureau ito foster, promote
and develop the various manufacturing
industries of the United States, and mar
kets for the same at home and abroad.
This was to be done by gathering. compil-
ing, publishing and supplying all aVallaoie
and useful information concerning these
industries and their markets. The bu-
reau of statistics aided in this work by
compiling statements showing imports
into and exports from the United states
which statements included tables giving
imports and exports by principal articles,
imports and exports of gold and silver
the value of merchandise imported from
and exported to each of the principal
countries of the world, movements by
customs districts and the nationality of
the ships in which the goods were car
ried.
The bureau of manufactures and the
bureau of statistics were consolidated in
the bureau for for
Bureau to Gather eign and domestic
commerce by act of
Data for Tariff. Congress in August.
l.,l2 Besides its duties for the promotion
of commerce, one Of the most stupendous
tasks ard most vital Of any undertaken
by the general government, the new bu-
reau was instructed ito ascertain at as
early a date as possible and whenever
industrial changes shall make it essential
the cost of producing articles at the
time dutiable in the United States in lead
ing countries where such articles are pro-
duced." In other words, it is intrusted
with the work of the old tariff board.
\. II. Baldwin is chief of the bureau,
and f. A. Brand. with the bureau of
manufactures since its establishment is
the assistant chief. Through their
guidance of the rapidly expanding work
Of the bureau. both men have become au-
thOrities upon matters of world trade,
the complete history of the nations COM
inercial activities passing In review before
them each year.
The Information prepared and digested
by the bureau is drawn from many
sources. II is collected by the United
States consuls, who are the government 8
students of business resident at each of
the worlds trade and industrial centers.
American commercial organizations in
Europe and in the orient contribute their
observations. The trade and technical
papers OF the world are taken by the
bureau, and everything in them of inter-
est to American business Is made avail
able by corps OF translators.
corps of special agents of the bureau.
who qualify for their positions by expert
knowledge of matters under investiga-
ton. is continually employed III special
studies and commercial surveys The
field work of these commercial agents
Is carried on in this country, as well as