The Raymer enterprise., 1916-07-27

Many interesting stories are told Of
the work that is being done by Uncle
Sans "drummers," whose territories"
cover the greater part of the civilized
world. Uncle Sans "drummers" are
the members Of the new corps of COM
mercial attaches Of the department Of
commerce. These statesmen In gen.
eral for the United States In general
not only do" the biggest cities in the
largest nations Of the world, but the
greatest personages in foreign capl-
tals-kings, princes, dukes, prime min
listers, ETC., down to the mere barons
oe oversea trade and industry-are
their particular meat.
Don't forget 1t. though-they are
drummers. They are more than that,
but such is the essential nature Of
their occupation. Their task Is to
rustic up trade for. the U. s. A. II
they go about 1t In silk hat, frock coat
and white vest, It's merely because the
unwritten rules Of the game In which
nation jostles nation involve punctlli-
ous regard for appearances. II it's
"May 1t please your august hlghness,"
or Il humbly beg to state, your excel.
lency,' instead Of Hello Bill; how's
the wife and kiddiesf'-the language
Of ofiicialdom and courts instead of the
language Of the road" In the United
States-that's merely q matter of ge-
ography and environment and part
Of the days work.
In fine, the commercial attaches are
both drummer and diplomats. You
find their names upon the state depart
ment roster, where they are ranked
well up as persons authorized to 20
abroad as the personal representatives
OF Uncle Sam. Without this especial
status. In many countries they could
not get closer than the curb during
a parade to the authorities and trade
nabobs whose influence goes far to
control the course and dispense the
profits Of International commerce.
Given this especial position, the com
mercial attaches are enabled to enter
the charmed circles and work from the
inside.
Ten Attaches Now.
There are now ten commercial at
taches. with Offices at London, Paris,
Berlin. Petrograd. Lima. Peking, San
tiago, Rio de Janeiro, Melbourne and
Buenos Aires.
Prior to the organization Of the at.
tache service the bureau Of foreign
and domestic commerce depended
wholly upon the consular service, COM
prising about three hundred consuls
and travelling special agents, never ex-
ceeding ten In number. The bulk of
the information collected for the bu-
reau and distributed by 1t has been
furnished by American consuls.
But the consuls and special agents
cannot cover the whole field, 1t was
found. A third type of representatives
was needed-one who would be q resi-
dent business diplomat; one who
could keep In touch with what was
really developing In important busi-
ness, either In front Of or behind the
scenes; one who could go right after
something big on moments notice
and stay with 1t to the finish. These
are the commercial attaches, the drum
mer-diplomats.
For about year and half the new
stan Of statesmen In general for the
U. s. A. has been steadily plugging
away. Judging from bulky files of cor
respondence with hundreds Of Ameri-
can business houses, which are in the
possession Of Secretary Redfeld and
DIR. Edward E. Pratt, chief Of the bu-
reau Of foreign and domestic COM
merce, under whom the commercial at
taches are placed, the results have
earned unstinted approval In the
American business world.
There are distinctly notable achieve
ments' to the credit Of the drummer
diplomat. One of the most interesting
is the recent case Of Commercial At
tache C. W. A. yeditz. King Alfonso,
and Spain's Transportation tax
against American coal.
Runs Down to See King.
The transportation tax" amounted
to $40 per ton. which. added to the
cost Of the long water haul. gave
Welsh coal practically a monopoly Of
the Spanish market. In Spain the
king has power to alter such tariffs.
Mr.. vedltz is accredited to France,
but Spain Is included in his terri.
tory" 1t looked like a bully good
chance for drummer-diplomacy. 20 Mr..
yeditz was directed to run down 70
Madrid and zee the king about II.
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