Evening star., 1919-05-04

4
Millions for efficient foreign trade
development, but not one cent for bu-
reaucratic self-perpe-
Attitude of tuity and aggrandize-
r ment, is the attitude and
disposition of the new
Congress as frankly expressed by the
real leaders.
Here are some illustrations Of how
the foreign trade fever has swept the
federal establishments:
The Department OF Agriculture has
sent commissioners to study the world
markets as regards agricultural prod
ucts. and is making an intensive study
OF marketing and transportation prob
lens as directly concerning the man
who tills the soil and how his crops
can best be handled. This new activ-
ity has been inaugurated by the bu-
reau of markets. which publishes
weekly reports from all parts Of the
world showing the agricultural oppor-
tunities.
The War Department and the De-
partment of the Interior now have
commissions in Europe studying vari-
Gus phases Of after-war work. includ-
ing the methods of fixation of atmos-
pherlc nitrogen, with a view to de-
Gliding how to most advantageously
use the great plants at Muscles
Shoals and Sheffield, Ala, for the re-
covery of nitrogen to be made into
fertilizers
The shipping board has a force Of
experts at work charting off the
tro
routes and studying a system to tell
Just how much tonnage is required
to serve each and every important
trade route in the world.
Some OF the distinctly wartime
agencies are suspected by the men
who will handle the
Wartime pursestrings in the next
Congress of trying to
o6seS' find sufficiently impor-
tant place in the foreign trade work
SO that Congress may be persuaded
to carry them along with sizable
appropriation. Grosvenor B. Clark
son, director of the Council of Ma
tional Defense. recently announced
that the council was prepared to give
to business concerns valuable in
forma ton respecting the reconstruct
tion work in almost all countries, in
cluding valuable foreign trade in
formation.
In spite Of the fact that Congress
appropriation, the State Department
is establishing an office, with an in
creasing personnel, which it is hoped
to develop into foreign trade bu-
reau. Here have been found places
for several foreign trade advisers
whom the war diSlodged from their
former berths-Julius G. Lay, former
William Coffin, consul general at
Budapest, and Wesley Frost, consul
at Queenstown.
These are the more obvious branches
OF the government now keenly alive
to chance to participate in foreign
trade activities. There are many
others-for example:
The Treasury Department Is con-
cerned with customs and with foreign
loans and with foreign agencies of
American financial institutions estab-
lished to facilitate exchange.
The Federal Trade Commission Is
charged with administration of the
Webb-Pomerene law, which permits
combinations for export trade.
The United States Tariff Commits
sion is now studying foreign tariffs
and other related subjects, including
reciprocity.
The Post once Department has
program through the commercial
ca ables, and also through the parcel
post exchange with various nations.
Men Of vision and of commercial
experience can readily see the multi
tude Of entangle-
Entanglements m e n t $ that are
likely to occur un-
ordination and cooperation Of all
these governmental agencies estab-
lished. Some definite foreign policy
with the authority squarely placed
is a prime essential, and that the in
coming republican Congress pledges
itself to consider at the earliest pos
sible date after the President has
called the extra session.
The business interests which al
lowed their Individual establishments
to be converted and entire industries
pooled to give maximum support to
the government in winning the war
are now seriously handicapped by the
absence of definite foreign trade
policy. This is especially a hardship
when England, France and Germany
under well defined programs for de-
yeloping world commerce.
1t is because of this situation and
this urgent need that the war service
committees for the various industries
which, during the war, co-operated
through the Chamber OF Commerce
of the United States in all the war
projects of the government are now
exerting their united influence to
have a definite foreign policy adopted
and an economic coordination of the
government foreign trade activities
erected. so as to avoid duplication
of effort and consequent waste of
funds.
During the interregnum between
the two Congresses a number of the
members have gone overseas to make
a personal inspection Of conditions
and some of those who went are
business men and manufacturers who
will give f1rst-hand information when
Congress assemblies.
In the meantime there is no reason
for alarm over the prospects of this
country or over its
M Reason preparations for world
trade. This nation
1OF dldIA. will be leader in
practically all the big markets of the
world within a few years because the
spirit Of the American people Wills 1t.
In the meantime there are ships to be
built in which to transport the agri-
,,1t,,r,1 ,nd manufactured goods The