The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-15
AMERICAN TEXTILES
IN FOREIGN MARKETS

VIII the textile industry In this
country. which has never been known
as an export industry. take advantage
Of the opportunities opened up by the
war and Geek expansion III foreign
fietds? This is one OF the questions
frequently asked aud discussed in
foreign trade circles since II became
apparent that America Vas destined
TO play bigger part IN world trade.
:. = ~ xec~e----@y-1-N " :,
port association which includes nm
its membership the argsst textile
concerns in the United states. is CIV
ing special attention to the textile
export situat ton and Is closely watch
ing developments In foreign fields.
John s. Lawrence. or Lawrence &
Company, a director In the export
association, has prepared an interest
ing statement outlining conditions In
the textile industry throughout the
world Referring to the situation in
me United States. with regard to- the
expectation of textiles, M. Lawrence
writes:
"No one knows what in the Export
able Surplus' of the textile industry
Of the United States. What we do
know. however. is that we must supply
the real needs of the people OF the
United States at reasonable prices.
we must spare some clothing for the
serious needs of our allies first.
neutrals second, and our enemy at
absolutely our convenience only. We
must exercise some controlling in
fiuence over the resale OF Our pro-
ducts In Europe, where clothes are
selling at famine prices No one de-
sires to profiteer out OF the nliseries
Of others. either through the short
age abroad or a shortage created at
home"
In a brief outline of world condi-.
tons in the textile industry, Mr.. Law
renee continues:
During the past few years India.
Australia, Central America. South
Africa, East Indies. and many other
points in the world have not received
their usual supplies OF textiles.
Europe needs clothes the most.
and they are least able 10 nay for
them. We have reliable reports re-
garding the textile industry of Flu
rope. In France and Belgium the
Germans have deliberately sought to
ruin the industry by removing most
or the machinery. the means of trans
mission and the dynamos and machine
tools. and have left only old machines.
from which they have removed much
of the soft materials, copper, brass and
that new equipment is required
for France and Belgium mills. which
countries In 1914 had 100000 cotton
spindles and about $500 900 wooden
spindles. In Germany the mills, we
understand, are suhsta ntially intact.
They have few, If any. raw materials
wool, cotton, copper. card clothing,
etc.
LODI. in Poland. one of the great
"a {Tn t~.S~ .xF
100000 cotton spindles snd $1,000
cotton looms, has been shot over sew
era1 times. There are very few roofs
on the buildings. What machinery
has not been destroyed BY the re-
treating Russians has. 1t appears been
treated as that Of France and Belgium.
They. too. have no raw materials ana
no money.
Moscow. the textile center of rus
STA. with It's 100000 cotton spfndies.
$4,000 cotton looms, is in industrial
chaos, together with other Industrial
life Of that country.
Most clothing must come from
England, America or Japan. the only
remaining large textile centers of the
world who have an exportable surplus.
Although Brazil and India and China
are large producers. each OF them Is a
large importer of textiles India being
normally the largest importer OF tex
tiles in the world.
I'm the United States cur textile
! industry is intact Before the war
We exported fully two-thirds OF our
cotton crop, and imported about one
half OF our wool requirements. Today
we have on hand or In sight. about
a years supply OF wool. although
much OF what we have is of rather
low grade. During the last few years