Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-12-06
PLAN TO MAKE AMERICAN
COTTON MARKET IN INDIA
If We Can Meet Wants and Prices
Big Opportunity Con-
fronts Us.

In report just published dealing
with the cotton goods trade of the
Madras presidency of British India,
Special Agent Ralph NJ. Odell of the
bureau of foreign and domestic COM
merce, department of commerce,
states that the United States contrib
utes nothing toward the total of $685.
OOO, 900 worth of cotton goods im-
ported into that district This is at
trbuted to the fact that only 10 per
cent Of the goods imported even ap-
pi oNimate IN construction and quality
The lines that are produced in the
United states. This country exports
annually about $1,000,000 worth on
cotton cloth to the whole of India
ard this is practically all gray drills
which are shipped to Bombay ana
karachi. There is no demand at all
for these goods in Madras
In spite of this unfavorable situa-
tion, it is believed that changing con-
curing goods and the rising cost OF
production in England, which supplies
about SO per cent Of the demand, make
it highly advisable that American
manufacturers should undertake l..
carcfUl study OF the market with q
view TO the possible production of the
cloths desired. Such action on the
part CT the manufacturers Is all tnu
more urgent because the goods that
are in demand in Madras, such as gray
and white shoddies and shirtings and
printed saris, are practically the same
as those in general demand thruout
India, which is the largest market In
the world for cotton piece goods
Samples Are Provided.
To give American manufacturers
1aft ftltt Il 90 hn tnl -
goods demanded in the Madras mar
ket Mr.. Cdell has forwarded an eX-
tensive collection of samples. These
are described fully in the new report
and the samples themselves will be
placed on exhibition in The prin ,ipal
cotton goods manufacturing centers.
Their final resting place will be tho
permanent collection OF samples main
tained at the district office of the
bureau in the New York customhouse.
There are 10 samples in the Madras
collection, some of which contain sew
eral patterns.
The failure Of American manufac-
turers to secure a share Of the cotton-
goods trade of Madras has been due
partly to manufacturing difficulties
and partly to INADEQUATE selling facili-
ties. There Is no American general
importing firm in Madras, and such
business as Americans obtain would
have to be handled by British firms
that have long established connections
in England. Several of them are
quite willing to purchase in the United
States. If we can furnish the goods re-
aured at competitive prices and pro-
vide the same facilities. by quoting C.
/. f. Madras. accepting small initial or
ders. and supplying wide assortments
Of prints. which they obtain from Eus-
land. 1t Is apparent. however. that
the wisest course for Americans, par
ticularly at the present time. would be
to bring about the establishment,
under cooperative plan, Of an
American importing firm. To intro
duce goods properly. statesmen should
be sent to the district with full line
of samples prepared after a careful
study OF the samples Mr.. Odell has for
war,led.
1t should be remembered that India
Is the largest market In the world for