Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-19
UNDERMINING OF TRADE

yards learn many things not taught IN
college. For example. they know what
q "car-knocker" is. College youths OF
for . big intercollegiate foot bail
match often see Z man in dirty over
alls and Jumper running along beside
the train stopped In the station. reach
ing under each car and tapping here
ana there with . hammer. The youth
more familiar with tho railroad yards
could tell these college youths that
this man 10 q "car-knocker." He tests
the running gears and the wheels to
see II they are At to continue bearing
their precious burden.
The wheels that are to bear Ameri-
can trade forward are similarly being
tested. Hero is q case where the
"knocker" must not be judged by the
slang Significance of the word. He is
safeguarding against accidents that
might wreck American export oppor-
tunities. He IL making sure that
who need 1t.
Tomorrow an unprecedented confer
ence starts at Atlantic City. when sew
enty-five representatives from Great
Britain. France. Italy and Belgium
are to counsel with leaders Of Ameri-
can business for tho development OF
q working program. under which
these i've nations which made the
world safe for democracy will keep
allied commercial interests safe dur
ing these troubled times Of recon-
struction and readtustment Of indus
try. They will discuss and put on
record the most essential demands
upon American production.
Last Thursday and Friday the heads
Of great corporations discussed with
tho lead
Discuss Diplomatic ers of fed
and Consular Agents. s ti.. -, .v', w.
promotion Of foreign trade, under the
auspices of the American Manufac-
turers' Export Association, in New
York. what is needed by business in
the line Of better trained and quail
ned diplomatic and consular agents
abroad with the purpose of having the
manufacturing interests Of the coun-
try put the weight of their influence
behind 4 campaign to persuade Con-
gress and the administration to give
American business the representation
abroad that 1t wants.
william G. Sharp, former ambassa-
dor to France. and Philip b. Kennedy
chfef OF the bureau Of foreign and DO
meStfc commerce, who was in charge
OF American trade affairs in London
during the war. were invited into dis
Sussion with the manufacturers, who
nad already made an investigation of
the present practice regarding foreign
representation and the practical re-
suits.
The American exporters complained
that In seeking information at an
tate 1t was quite common to ind the
American representative a newcomer,
ignorant of prevailing conditions and
surrounded by native assistants who
knew little and cared less about the
United States. They frankly admitted
that this condition seemed due to the
Tact that entirely inadequate salaries
were paid for such foreign service.
They complained that Germany and
other close trade rivals were conse-
quently at great advantage through
having approach to more accurate and
extensive information regarding COM
merctal opportunities than these In
competent Representatives could get.
As a second complaint the exporters
contend that the peace conference
and even the
n, $11vn IS T~~I> a
Up to Diplomats. , ,s.eu. 81 h. n"
demonstrated that the future Of this
country's international trade depends
almost wholly on the ability. the as
tuteness and the knowledge Of world
affairs possessed by American diplo-
mats. and not in any degree on its
political and social connections. Fear
was expressed that this country will
get much the worst Of 1t in such
matters as tariff restrictions, trade
mark regulations and similarly high
ly important factors in international
trade unless the diplomatic service IL
so reorganized as to bring in bust
ness men who understand conditions
at home and abroad and who have
had at least a measure Of training on
foreign fields.
From the leaders in finance. indus
try. manufacturers, importers and
other essential phases of the war
torn countries reconstruction prob
lens the American business leaders
liable Information as to the basic and
essential needs and how they can
best be met. Some Of the high lights
on the tremendous task of providing
for the crowding needs of these four
great nations are as follows:
Foodstuffs: To assess justly today's
agricultural resources in British and
cont n entail
Commodities That Europe will
Must Be Provided. n,oun. s;na q,
the conference. How far Europe can
now feed itself and how far she is
ports are formidable problems. the
delicate adjustment of which, on a
basis satisfactory to all, is left to a
carefully selected American personnel.
Coal: It Is matter Of common
knowledge that Europe today faces a
winter coal shortage estimated at
from 100000 to 10000. 900 tons. Ac-
cording to a recent estimate by the
United States Shipping Board Amer
lea Is expected to reduce this short |
age by something over nineteen mil |
non tons. American coal operators. |
however, are inclined to regard this |
ngure as oversanguine. They point