The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-03-17

tuA4NOupLeNtyg the DEOaQeSl
fmarket for manufactured products
in the world For they are inhabited
/ by cultivated peoples who are cons
sumers of practically all the mater1-
ais of modern commerce and yet
manufacture practically nothing
themselves. Some of them, like
BraziI, are making determined efforts
Ito build manufacturing industries.
but have so far succeeded in produc-
!, ing lower grades Of goods.
| This does not mean, however, tina.
the Latin American market affords
an equal opportuntty to all sorts OF
American manufactured products.
Many Of the European nations have
obtained hold upon the market for
certain articles, which makes lit ex-
Lreme1y difficult for American manu-
ifacturers to compete with them. It
/ is OF the utmost imp that any
one who contemplates entering the
field should first carefully ascertain
whether he can compete with the
European exporters not only now
while they are handicapped with the
war. but permanently.
In the textile trade, for example,
England and Germany have long en-
joyed a great deal OF prestige in the
Latin-American field. And it has
been we'll earned, for the textile IN
dustries Of those countries have at
tanned the perfection which only ma
tturity and long standing can give
| to an industry. Despite their un-
Ideriiable proficiency in manufactur-
ing cloth, however. the English and
IGermans have never learned how to
make ready-made clothing SO that It
will fit. The result is an opportun-
lily for American manufacturers, who
undoubtedly make the best hand-me-
downs in the world. All Latin
Americans appreciate style and ffn-
Iish. In Mexico and Central Ameri-
ca readymade clothing from the Unit
ed States has done much to make
the native look natty and up-to-date,
and it is probable that the empire of
the stylish Yankee suit Will make its
way southwark.
Although Americans should con-
slider we'll the competition they will
meet in Latin America, in general.
what they need is more confidence in
their own goods. American goods
are noted for their cheapness, but
they are superior in quality and de-.
sign, and these things are appreciat-
ed in Latin America, if only they are
fairly presented.
81 An American manufacturer of cut,
lery who heard Of the wide use of
the machets in certain Latin-Amer-
lean countries, decided to manufac-
ture some of these big knives and
enter the field. He made his plans
in characteristic fashion. laying out
a route for flying trip that would
cover a great deal of territory in
very short time. He did not make
expenses and returned to the Unit
ed States With gloomy reports about
the opportunities in Latin America.
| But he had sold certain number
of knives and they were good knives.
and in due course the natives dis
covered that Iact They found thai
American knives lasted about twice
as long as the German make, and
held an edge such as they had new
ger dreamed of before. The name OF
I the American manufacturer became
1.-THE name for good lnachets. a Ger
| man firm made a lot OF money by
His campaign had really been 6
brilliant success, BUT through lack
| of confidence in his own goods he
failed to reap the#reward.
/ The story OF Latin American tree
certainly seems to show that the
American manufacturerfla lacks enter
prise in competing for foreign trades
although this may be due to the fact
that he still has a much larger mar
I ket at home than the manufacturer
tof almost any other nation.
A California manufacturer Of a
steam tractor plow was urged by a
Itriend who had been in the Argentine.
Ito establish an agency in that coun-
try. The pillow ma er at first regard
ed the idea as little short Of prepos-l
ferrous. He built up a good business:
in the far soucnw est was plan
ming that year to send one Of his ma
chimes TO an agricultural fair at Pc
oria. Ill, and he regarded this as a
most adventurous project. One Of
his sons. however, thought it would:
be nice to go to the Argentine on,
his honeymoon and take along a few
!plows; for there is nothing that tick
les the American business man more
than to combine business and pleas
Iure: Accordingly, the trip was
made, although with little Aexpecta-
Ition OF financial success. AT an ag-
|ricultural exhibit in Argentina. the
young Californian showed the native