The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-12-11
WONDERFUL.
GROWTH Of
j. s. TRADE
SECRETARY REDFIELD SAYS THE
COMMERCIAL AOVAN T A G e S
WILL ACCRUE WITH PEACE
AND EXPORT TO BE HEAVIER.

Washington. Dec. ll.-Unprecedent-
ed growth of the country's foreign
trade, the commercial advantages
which will accrue from peace and the
opportunity presented for a heavier
export business and greater invest
ments abroad were set forth Friday
by Secretary Redfield. of the Depart
ment of Commerce. in his annual re-
port. The report gives figures show.
Ing the nations trade expansion of
two years and sums up the country's
commercial dominance as follows:
"Our foreign Indebtedness has been
reduced possibly three billions. We
have loaned abroad a total sum since
the war began on August !, 1914,
estimated at s1.j00,O0 00,OO0, and in
creasing. We are the wealthiest ma
ton in the world and the most pros
porous one. We have not wasted our
men and means in war. Relatively to
our fiscal power today our debts are
trifling. Nations less wealthy than
some of our individual states bear a
heavier burden of debt and interest
than we.
1--WE are the only one of the great
industrial peoples at peace. Nations
turn to us for goods and means with
which to pay us for the goods. None
of us. in our widest financial fancies
five years ago. would have dreamed
that things could be as now they are
"To protect our reserve of gold
which is the ultimate base on which
our domestic credits rest, We must
maintain our export trade and must
continue to increase loans and invest
ments abroad. The work of the Blu
reau of Foreign and Domestic Com
merce is devoted to these importani
duties. The report of the chief Of
that service shows its extraordinary
growth and effectiveness. In thous
ands of business offices its aid is ac
knowledged and welcomed. Never hai
our government put at the disposa
cf our business and industry th'
helpful activities that are now pro
vlded
1T is of national Importance tina
the great service which shows sucl
practical results should be given th'
men and money necessary to carr,
on its great work even more efficient
". The force of commercial attache
should be enlarged. Further sum
should be provided for the foreig
travelling service. The Department
acknowledges with keen appreciation
the aid which Congress has giyer
The funds for promoting the foreig
trade of the country are now fiy
times larger than they were fou
years ago. The results are man
times greater than the increase !
funds"
The Secretary urges larger appr'
priatiors for all the-bureaus of HI
department, and for enlarged buil'
ling facilities. Experts in many line
he saws are being employed cor
stantly at higher salaries by prNat
concerns, thus Gripping the depar
mcnt in its work. This is partlcI
larly true, he says, of the scientii
bureaus. Higher pay is asked iC
these experts.
> Never" says the report, "has II
demand for scientific and technical
trained men been so great as at pre-
ent. This has resulted in the los
of many well-trained men in Il
| bureau of Standards staff The tin
5 has come when some of the salari'
= paid such experts must he increase
l Of their services dispensed wit
e This can not be done without a loi
A in quality and the deterioration
+ the high standard of the bureau
work"
Experts in the Bureau of Foreil
5 and Domestic Commerce, the repo
declares, are paid much less th'
men similarly placed in other 20
ernment departments and in priva
employ.
The report tells of efforts duriI
$ the year to reduce industrial vast
a and Of its paper saving and 9th
IS campaigns and work in introducii
: new sea foods through the Bureau
= Fisheries.