El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-12-11
Give More Aid
To Exporters,
Says RedfeId
Secretary Of Commerce
Suggests Improvements
In Service.

Washington. D. c., Dec LEX
ipansion of the bureau of foreign and
domestic commerce TO enable it to give
effective aid to American manufac-
turers and merchants in taking full
advantage Of after the world trade
opportunities is the chief recommen-
dation of secretary Redfield in his an
nual report made public today
The secretary also reiterates his ap-
proval Of the proposed development OF
Ia government owned intracoastal wa
! terway link up the great cities Of the
east, from the lakes TO the coast and
down the Atlantic seabOard.
The balance Of trade in favor of the
Z United States for the fiscal year 1918
was $3.50. 226.23S; the total of the
merchandise export trade was S5,92S,-
2S5,641 and Of the import trade $685.
O59.403.
New attaches should be assigned
TO a number of important capitals,
especially Athens, Rome. Madrid, OF
tawa, Mexico City and Santiago. Chile.
We should also establish at the
earliest possible moment resident
trade commissioners in Sweden. Nor
way. Great Britain. France, Greece,
Switzerland, Russia Mexico. Bolivia,
Uruguay. Brazil. Colombia and Vene-
zuela. Dutch East Indies. China,
Philippine Islands, British India. ia
pan, Malay Peninsula, Egypt, South
Africa. Australia and New Zealand"
he said.
Amer lean concerns have a ire
mendous field for service to our allies
in helping them rebuild and for future
business. Too much emphasis can not
be placed on the desirability Of en-
ploying trained economists. statis-
ticians, and experts on banking. ship
49, 20
present force The instinct of com
mercial self preservation demands or
ganized action This is not the time
for short sighted thrift. Other coun-
tries are looking ahead and spending
money to organize for their CONNER
cial security"
To Certify Commodities.
Legislation 10 provide for the estab-
lishment Of standards for all lines Of
industry with the bureau as the deter
mining and classifying agent is sug-
gested by secretary Redfield- He
says
THE functions of the bureau of
standards should be so enlarged as TO
permit the maker of any standard
commodity. to submit a specimen of
his product for examination and TO
provide that the bureau. after such an
examination. should certify to the
facts that a buyer. domestic or for
eign, ought to know respecting the
nature Of the article. The manufac-
turer should be permitted to attach
a copy of the certificate TO all of his
production of the particular kind and
quality so certified.
Severe criminal penalties should I
be provided for willful violation of
the manufa agreement to at
tach the certificate of the bureau of
standards only to goods coming fully /
up to the certified sample"
Aid in War Work.
War work accomplished by the ]
bureau of standards is extensively re- [
viewed in the report Scientific prob /
lens in nearly all branches Of aero (
nautics have been investigated by the 4
bureau during the year and much as 4
sistance given on airplane motor I
problems. Munitions guages were .
standardized and methods of produc l
ing optical glass developed
The soldiers shoes are Investigated /
in the laboratory and in the field TO /
determine the most suitable leather.
The heat conductivity of the sol
Hers blanket has been studied The (
bureau also determined by careful I
.ests the most suitable trench oil
itove. taking account not only Of its
leating efficiency, but the danger OF
observation from the light radiated
N the ground It has standardized
he cages for making the service rifle,
las studied the problem OF gun ero-
ion, and the failure Of gun parts and
Material in service In short there Is
carcely a phase Of the soldiers needs
md activities in which the bureau
las not cooperated with the military
departments TO secure the most ef-
ective provision for his comfort, con-
-enience. and fighting power"