New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-17
TOO BUSY FOR
EXPORT ORDERS
Pittsburgh WithhOlds Bids
on Steel Products Want
ed in Neutral Countries.
Pittsburgh, September 10.

Pittsburgh, September lG.
A special agent OF the Federal gov
eminent. Frank Rhea, has been in the
city this week interviewing manufac-
turers Of railroad equipment Of all
kinds for the purpose of securing data
in his investigation Of these commodi-
ties needed in New Zealand, Australia,
China and Japan. William W. Ewing,
also government representative, has
been here making inquiry concerning
all kinds of building materials needed
in the West Indies and South Ameri-
can countries. They made their head
quarters in the Offices Of the Pittsburgh
Foreign Trade Commission. The lat
ter owing to existing abnormal trade
conditions, has been unable to accom-
plish much real work of late because
the interests which it serves have been
overwhelmed with business freely Of
fered.
"Our greatest difficulty" said Secre-
tary Jerome J. Workman to-day, "is in
securing quotations on enormous in
quiries received from all parts of the
world. This is particularly true in
relation to rails. steel rounds, plates,
pipe ard .inplate.
within the last few months inqui-
ries have been received Of such volume
that in many cases. particularly IN the
commodities mentioned. manufacturers
have been unable 10 quote delivery for
nearly a year They have refused to
make quotations for longer term be
cause Of uncertainty as to costs Of raw
material beyond 1917. Inquiries for
important tonnages Of rails plates and
pipe have received scant attention, and
many thousands of boxes of tinplate
have been sought for delivery within
the next six months, with none Of our
manufacturers prepared to quote
Unique Trade Organization.
The Pittsburgh Foreign Trade Com
mission is unique organization. II
was created and financed by the mu-
nicipality on behalf of some 1900 di-
versifcd manufacturers Of this district.
It's services are entirely gratuitous to
both BUYER and seller, and it has estab-
iishcd international affiliations, which
bring TO the Pittsburgh Offices inquiries
fer all manner of commodities from all
parts Of the world These inquiries are
relayed Immediately to all producers IN
the district manufacturing the desired
commodity, thus giving the inquirer
the benefit of competitive quotations as
we'll as competition in the matter of
delivery and other factors. 1t insures
the inquirer the manufacturers first
prices. as against brokerage premiums.
Many Inquiries Received.
"Since the inception Of this commits
sion. two years ago" said Secretary
Nordman. "wc have received inquiries
totalling $l2OOOO,OO0 worth of bust
ness. OF this amount approximately
30 pcr cent did not receive serious at
tention because Of differences IN time
Of delivery, prices, specifications and
other conditions. About 20 per cent
related to certain chemicals and to
unusual metals, such as manganese,
forro tungsten, etc. and TO commodities
which were already so scarce in this
country as 10 make consideration OF
export business impossible At least 80
per cent Of the inquiries, gagged by a
monetary basis, have been for such sta
pie articles as were already taxing the
capacity Of domestic mills, and included.
besides those mentioned, barbed wire,
bllets, etc
approximately SlO,OOO,OOO worth of
business has actually been placed
through the endeavors Of the commits
sion, which, considering the abnormal
conditions Of the past year, is accepted
as fully justifying its campaign"