The sun., 1919-03-17
SHIP BOARD AIDS
OUR TRADE WITH
SOUTH AMERICA.
Chairman Hurley Advises
Pan-American Union of
% New Vessels.
EXPERTS OFFER VIEWS
Mutually of Relations Is Ad-
vocated-Banks Giving
Help to Movement.
EXPERTS OFFER VIEWS

impetus under the plan of the United
States Shipping Board announced at
conference of the n-American Union.
Chairman Edward N. Hurley in speech
before tho conference gave out the de-
tails OF this plan. the principal feature
of which is the placing in service of
twenty-five 10000 ton combined pas
senger and cargo vessels for service be-
tween the ports of the United States
and Central and South America, these
vessels to be equipped as completely as
the transatlantic boats OF modern type.
The conference was called by Director
General John Barrett of the Pan-Ameri-
can Union for the purpose of providing
an opportunity for q free exchange of
views on topics Of interest to the union.
Experts both inside and outside of the
Government were invited to be present
and the meeting was made Informal with
view TO giving a freer rein to discus
sion Of the problems to be considered.
Tor many years." Mr.. Hurley said.
1--WE have been talking about our neigh
+ bors to the south and what We would
like to do for them. We have an oppor-
tunity to-day. and that is to establish
direct passenger and freight routes to
the principal cities of the west and east
coasts of Central and South America.
New Ships Being Built.
I'VE all know the many advantages of
the wonderful ports that have been built
In number of South American coun-
tries, many of them far superior to our
own port facilities. Direct communica-
ton by both freight and passenger
steamships must be established at the
earliest possible moment with Buena
Ventura, Guayaquil. Callao. Iquique,
Valparaiso. Buenos Ayres. Montevideo,
Rio and La Guayra. We are now build
ing twenty-five IL, 900 ton passenger and
cargo ships for this trade, and the ac-
commodations on these steamships will
be as fine as any transatlantic liner.
They must be made 50 in order to invite
travel between North and South Amer
Sea.
ION these vessels every room will be
equipped with two beds and a bath, go
that our Latin American neighbors and
our own people may make the voyage
north and south with rs much comfort
as has been heretofore afforded in trans
atlantic travel. These steamships will
make weekly trips to the ports of Cen
trail and South America and they will fly
the American flag
I'VE must visit the countries OF Cen
trail and South America In order to APP
preciate the wonderful possibilities there
presented for investing our money in
their many enterprises. We must also
purchase everything that We possibly
can purchase from them. Many OF their
products we need badly and It is with
this thought in mind that we are plan
ming fast merchant ships that will bring
North America and South America
within easy access of each other
You gentlemen know about the new
plans for the cables and the wireless
stations that are being figured out. and
would not be surprised II within a few
years We may place orders in these
IL q.
phone"
Opportunities for Trade.
Among the other speakers at the con-
ference was DR.. L. S. Rowe, Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury and a MEM
Der OF the Pan-American Conference He
placed considerable emphasis on the OPP
portunities OF the United States in the
South American field and declared that
this country has the first chance to ac-
quire the trade for the reason that
Britain's rehabilitation will extend
over far longer period and she will
not be ready TO enter the conflict of
trade again as quickly as will this ma
ton.
One of the chief disappointments to
this country, DR.. Rowe declared, has
been the failure of South American trade
to increase materially since the signing
OF the armistice. but the reason could
be laid to conditions in the South Ameri-
can market, which are exactly the same
AZ those at home. namely. every pur-
chaser Is awaiting a readjustment Of
the market. This should prove no great
drawback. however. according to Dr.
Rowe. for even at present high prices
Argentina. Chile. Colombia and Vene-
suela can buy advantageously because OF
the condition Of exchange. which Is very
favorable to those countries. the dollar
being at a discount
w. p. G. Harding. governor of the
Federal Reserve Board, was another
speaker. He touched on the authorize
ton by the board under which banks
with a capitalization of more than
sI,0o0,000 might establish branches in
South America He mentioned the First
National Bank OF Boston as having been
exceptionally prosperous in Buenos
Ayres. and spoke Of the National City
Bank OF New York as having branches
all over South America.
Burwell S. Cutler. chief of the bureau
of foreign and domestic commerce of the
Department Of Commerce. declared that
America is not out for orders from South
America primarily. but that the pro-
motion OF mutual trade relations and a
better understanding in all respects was
the chief objective of this country. He
said that there are these four primary
/. Better transportation service.
2. Better, port and wharf facilities
3. The need OF more liberal banks. In
this connection Mr.. Cutler said that
banks must do more than merely act as
exchanges; they must also collect and
distribute information. or. in other words
must constitute the common meeting
ground for the men of the north coun-
tries and those of the nations in the
south.
4. American investments In South
America. England, he said. has invested
about $500. 000.0 900 In Argentina while the
United States has put In approximately
800, 900. In Chile the United States
has invested about s225 900 900, OF which
considerably more than half Is In mining
\ properties. In Brazil the United States
has invested n the nelghborhood OF
$50, 900. 900. Investments. he said, bring
about American buying of raw materials
from and the sale OF commodities to the
nations in which the money Is invested.
DR.. Julius Klein, chief of the Latin
American division OF the bureau OF
foreign and domestic commerce. ampli-
fed Mr.. Cutters remarks
Julius c. Lay. foreign trade adviser OF
tho State Department, spoke OF the work
which that department has done in main.
taining trade relations between the coun.
tries OF Central and South America and
the United States.
Other speakers were Commissioner OF
Patents Newton and c.. J. Brand. CHIEF
NJ thu hureau of markets. of the Depa RI.