Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-04
EXPANSION
OF TRADE
FORECAST
Commercial Agents Send
Encouraging Reports to
u. S. Government.

Washington. Feb. 4.-Encouragins
reports of Americas chances for in
creasing her share of the worlds
trade are being brought to the de-
partment Of by special
agents and commercial attaches after
Investigation in South America. the
Orient, Africa and Australia. Infor-
nation of commercial p~eculiarities
and suggestions for meeting the
wishes OF foreign purchasers have
been prepared for the use of Ameri-
can business men.
Robert S., Barrett, special agent Of
the bureau of foreign and domestic
commerce, reported today on his
study Of ,the paper trade in South
that continent and listed the equip
ment and requirements of $500
newspapers and printing offices. He
will undertake oon a trip through
this country to confer with paper
manufacturers and, exporters on how
they can enlarge their South Ameri-
can business.
"Compliance with South American
trade customs is all that is necessary
to make purchasers there permanent
customers of the United States" Mr..
Barrett said. Everywhere l went
I found the most cordial feeling to-
ward this country and Americans.
They realize down there that the Uni
ted States entered the war for altru-
istic reasons and at an sac
rifice of men and treasure. Having
fought for democratic government
themselves. they admire with all the
fervor of the Latin race a nation
which abandoned a war trade as
great as ours to fight for world free
dom.
No Moro misunderstanding.
The Mexican policy Of the United
States has removed whatever of mis-
understanding ma have existed re-
garding North American ambition in
South America. Those who asserted
the United States had territorial am
billions have been disarmed by our
withdrawal from Vera Cruz. Those
the United States nave been won over
by the participation of South Ameri-
al diplomats in affairs affecting
this hemisphere.
1.-THE only thing standing in the
way Of increasing our export trade
is unfamiliarity with conditions in
South America which call for a
handling of shipments that is differ
ent from u practices here"
Barrett is in the packing of goods
sent to the west coast of South Amer
ica- Because Of numerous transfers
of shipment and lighterase in the
shallow harbors, rolls Of paper mus
be protected by wooden shocks. Pa
per not so protected arrives damaged,
causing dissatisfaction and loss. Do
mestic, packing is adequate for east
coast shipments.
The use Of the metric system in
South America also imposes special
conditions on trade to insure con.
1ormity to sizes desired there. While
American publishers put their fla'
paper on the basis of 500 sheets
weighing 32 pounds the South Amer.
lean figures according to h number
of grams to the square meter.
Duty on Paper.
P~eculiarities of tariffs have to be
considered, large size paper. for in
stance. taking small duty in Uruguay
while. smaller sizes a heavy duty
because classed as writing paper
which is regarded as a luxury. II
cent or more Of ground pulp enter:
free.
There are styles Of paper desired
in South America which have to be
made especially for that trade. anc
which always heretofore have beer
supplied by European makers. Chief
Of these is the so-called stamped
paper, used for legal documents, il
which the government has {
monopoly for revenue purposes. i
is handmade and watermarked will
the coat of arms Of the republic
where it is sold.
Approval of trade acceptances b,
the federal reserve board has re