Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-07
COMMERCE, Observation-Disclosures

be aroused through the publication
of recipes it must be remembereo
that under present conditions bread
made Of mixed flours is in general
use. The use of white bread Is very
exceptional. being restricted prac-
tically to invalids. This situation
however. is abnormal, and 1t IS as.
sumed that the use of pure wheat
-four will become general again as
soon as the present restrictions on
wheat are removed.
The third fundamental foreign trace
this is emphasized in report to the
United States Shipping Board and the
Department of Commerce from b. w
Ward. supercargo on the S. S. Toilara'
which shows how American trace
with Piraeus (Greece). Algiers. Malta
all the Mediterranean ports may oe
foStered. Acting on the ADVICE OF
various business men and on his own
personal observations. Mr.. ward says
it would seem important that reg
ular steamship service should be es-
and these ports, as the competition
is quite keen.
For homeward cargoes, under or
binary circumstances. the exports
would be white stone
Homeward chrome, emery stone
dried fruits. hides. bay
IaISoes. leaves. olive oil. olives
marble. tobacco. opium, carpets. iic-
orice root, sponges and sulphur OIL
Vessels could complete loading with
fresh grapes from Almeria. Spain, IN
September and October, and oranges
and lemons from Sicily in other
months.
Essential to the success of secur-
ing trade for American ships would
be the appointment of qualified
agents for these Mediterranean ports.
Where the local steamship companies
are agents for American steamship
firms they are. invariably. also agents
for steamship companies of other ma
lions, and cannot be expected to give
preference to American ships in every
instance. There is much work In
these ports that an American repre-
sentative could do toward promoting
as shipping in American bottoms.
Great stress, Mr.. Ward insists.
should be laid on the proper packing
Of goods for export There Ia mark
ed difference, he has observed, be.
tween American packing and that OF
other countries. which is generally,
although not in every instance. SUI
perior to the American and better In.
sures the safe and intact arrival OF
goods. This naturally tends to dis
whose goods do not arrive in as good
condition as do those Of their foreign
competitors. Mr.. Ward considers 1t OF
the most extreme importance to the
future of American trade that snip
pers use every possible precautlon 70
insure the arrival of their products
intact.
Evidence of the need for close at
tention to the sales agency phase of
foreign trade in many Of
A Market the world markets comes
in series of reports
IN Ata1y. from consular agents and
trade representatives in all parts OF
the world. To give one example, Con-
sui F. T. F. Dumont reporting from
Florence on an analysis Of Italian
trade emphasizes that there is a big
opportunity for American metal ana
machinery. but that agents must cover
the field and be able to show their
goods. He says: 1.-THE Italian market
for iron and steel products and ma
chinery, as well as for manufactures
of other metals, is an important one.
One reason for the minor position held
by the United States in this trade in
the pre-war period was that American
concerns tried to sell to the Italian
market from London and Paris instead
al 70 in q "
He warns that If an American concern
is not in a position to have its own
agent in Italy it should combine with
American concerns UNI
der the Webb-Pomerene act. BY form
ing a foreign trade association with
other firms or companies interested in
the metal and machinery trade it could
maintain an agent and see that stock
of goods was on hand. Italians do not
buy without seeing goods. This agent
must be in a position to extend credit
or to make arrangements with banks
to do SO. A certain amount Of infor-
nation can always be obtained from
local banks and II Bolletino PROTEST.
Cambiali, which contains a list of all
protested notes within the kingdom of
Italy. is always available and will give
an idea Of the honesty of prospective
customers.
If American concerns do not intend to
locate agents In Italy, their present pre-
dominant position in the metal and ma
chinery trade. due solely to the ext
gencies Of the war. will bA lost and the
business will go to countries where man
ufacturers are willing to pay closer at
tention to the requirements Of the
Italian market. Once Italian import re-
strictions are relaxed there will be great
opportunity for the sale Of metals and
machinery. There is a demand for pip
ing, ename1ed ware for household use,
tools Of all kinds, sewing machines,
small tubing, electrical
bulbs, pins and needles, agricultural,
milling and electrical machinery.
+ <
Secretary Redfield of the Department
of Commerce, who for many months has
been preaching the
Reports Indicate gospel Of good
Friendliness. , will, .! in -. foreign .,,s.s9
foundation on which to build stable and
enduring commerce. is much gratifisd at
the reports that are coming from every
direction showing the extreme friendli-
ness to Americans and American goods
that is shown in the principal markets
of the world. For example. he has just
received from Trade Commissioner Axel
nxhalro oopu Of tot O;1,o n