Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1920-09-23
FILMS HELP TO
FOREIGN TRADE
Motion Pictures a Silent Partner
of Uncle Sam in His
Export Trade.
CREATES DEMAND FOR GOODS
Latin People Disposed to Pattern Att
er What They See on Screen That
Pleases Them-Aids Live
Stock Introduction.

Washington.-Uncle Sam has as
silent partner In his export trade the
motion pictures.
How the movies" are developing
trade and spreading confidence In
American goods and American meth
DDS, and creating an AmericaniZed at
mosphere which should prove the
strongest possible asset toward per-
manency of trade In South America,
is told by DR.. Julius Klein, CONNER
cial attache at the American embassy,
Buenos Aires, who was formerly chief
of the Latin American division, bu-
reau of foreign and domestic COM
merce.
The Latin people, he points out, are
disposed to pattern after what they
see in the motion pictures that appeals
to them. Thus the films have made
them familiar with the appearance OF
American automobiles and of what
they can do. The movies have Gre
ated a demand for American.made Of
flee furniture by showing the fittings
of a business magnate's Office, which
the SOutn aIneTlCdll IL
their prosperity are eager to copy.
AS regards ready-made clothing
the South Americans, particularly In
Cuba, have gotten iAto the habit OF
ordering suit of clothes like their IA
vorite hero wore In certain film.
Thus the merchants have come 10
stock up with good lines of ready
made clothing. which are very pop'i-
lar. The movies have had II like et-
feet on industrial development.
All this, Doctor Klein emphasizes.
has happened naturally and has not
been forced as trade propaganda.
Boom tc U. S. Trade
The more use that can he made Of
educational films introducing indus
tries comparable With their own indus
tries--such as agriculture. cattle-rais-
ing, mining-the more benefits to
American commerce will result Such
films can and should carry romantic
scenario, such as appeals most strong
ly to the Latin temperament, with cut
ms on our methods in Industries SINH
lar to theirs. AS we show them new
and better method their confidence in
lis and the output Of our Industries
grows cumulatively.
Germans and Italians particularly
have been thus endeavoring to ingrati-
ate themselves In South American
countries. Doctor Klein says. and the
influence of the Italians In the South
American markets from an economic
and commercial viewpoint must he
reckOned with.
American manufacturers of farm
machinery are now cooperating with
the Philippine department of agricul-
ture and natural resources, In an en-
deavor to arouse in the farmers Of
those islands a true appreciation of
the possibilities by using such ma
chinery. Motion pictures are being
prepared to show the most approved
methods of cultivation. preparation of
seed, use Of farm machinery, harvest
ing and storing crops, and methods Of
packing and handling where these
processes are involved.
Aids Live Stock Introduction.
Introduction of American breeds Of
live stock and poultry into South
America. particularly Argentina. Is to
be aided by the use Of motion picture
films. prepared for this purpose by the
United States department of agricul-
ture. These films also will show
American methods of breeding live
stock and handling it in its many
phases from the farm to the home
table The Argentine government has
shown special interest in the introduce
tion of American methods Of handling
live stock, as 1t has indeed in the agrt
cultural practices of the northern half
of the continent generally.
AS evidence of this, the Argentins
embassy in Washington has already
purchased ten films on these subjects
for educational use In Argentina and
has frequently had United States do
partment bulletins translated into
Spanish for home consumption.
The Buenos Aires & Pacific railway
has also been heavy purchaser If
such films for use along its system. les
representative In this country was re-
Gently negotiating with the United
States department of agriculture for
films showing the swine industry in
the United States, and in making ar
rangements for the introduction OF
American swine In Argentina.
1t Is planned to show important
swine-breeding FARMS the work In the
big Chicago packing houses and the
preparation of the product for the
table. Pictures will be made of the
various types of American hogs, and
an effort will be made to give some
idea of the vastness Of the industry In
This country