Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-13

Americans: It has como upon us sud-
denly; II has risen out OF the shock
or war. 1t Is the more necessary there
fore to make It plain that If wo would
prosper to the full we can no longer
think the thoughts of former days Of
relative isolation. We arc In tho family
OF financial and commercial world.
and IL VIC would keep our place and
influence therein We must play our due
part as one OF the family
ESTABLISHMENT FREE FORTS
POTENT FACTOR IN SCHEME
The establishment OF free ports at
strategic points on our coast would be
potent factor in maintaining and cS-
tending our foreign trade. Properly
placed. constructed. equipped. organ
lied. and operated. they would add TO
the employment OF labor and to the
returns OF capital. BY industries and
warehouses located in the free-port
areas. the cost of duty on materials
used in the manufacture Of articles cx-
ported from these ports would be re-
duced. the cost of carriage might be
substantially eliminated, the expense of
railway transportation could be
iessened. The opportunity for use OF
our inland waterways transportation
could be improved. and goods could
thus be manufactured for export on the
water front In such way as to save
much expense. Any who may fear that
there Will be difficulty in readJustine
our costs TO meet foreign competition
after the war should become advocates
or free ports. because through the cs-
adjustment OF industries in such ports
IL will be possible to save economic
wastes. which weigh heavily aEuins,
us. but which under our present sya-
ten are unavoidable. The processes OF
manufacturing for export would be
greatly sinplitied when they involved
the use of foreign dutiablc materials
and the procedure under the customs
law could be made more easily not ONLY
without risk OF losing revenue. but win
possible gain to the taxable values or
tho country
Testimony offered b. American bus
mess mon at home and abroad and by
our diplomatic representatives gives
assurance mat the commercial attachc
service is amply fulfilling its mission.
THE results attained during INC
threc years since the commercial at
tachc service was established call for
It's extension. AT present certain large
ana important markets for American
products arc scantily covered. Some
sections are not covered at all purin,,
me iast year urgent requests FOR the
establishment OF new commercial at
tachc posts have been received from
our ambassadors to Italy, Japan. Spain,
aud leXico. and from the consul-gen-
erat At Calcutta. India. tho rcuucs,
from Japan having already been ac-
coded 20. In addition. VIC should have
these representatives in Central Amer
lea. South Africa. the East Indies
Venezuela. Colombia and the West
Indies and. when events snail permi.
In scandinavia and the eastern
Mediicrraneaa. Otherwise. our touch
with the economic conditions now In
process OF world wide readjustmen, will
be Inadequate for our national necds
American business men who have
como IN contact with the commercial
attaches In the course OF their travels
express their high valuation OF The
assistance given by the attaches. Manu-
to::2e!a a"1 ax:oI.o-7 Ha:, ..,r
una nimous In expressing their graft
tud. OF the heneft derived by the re-
ports and the other adviccs through
this service.