Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-06
CHARLES LYON CHANDLER
IN South American Trade Opportunities

7NHE war has conferred no monopoly of
i the South American trade field on the
United States, and the precedence of Ger
many and England there is being maintained,
II not, indeed, augmented while we hesitate
or blunder in getting our share, says Charles
Lyon Chandler, head of the foreign trade
department Of the Corn Exchange Bank.
Mr. Chandler says the immediate oppor-
tunities in South America are as follows:
First the example should be followed OF
a number of large United States firms whG
are using this comparatively duh time to
investigate thoroughly the market in Latin
America, in view of the war conditions.
"Since the end of the war, conditions in
South America have completely changed.
German competition has not merely become
very active, but many of the old English
houses also are showing renewed activity.
In fact, Great Britain will be n much more
important foreign trade rival than has ever
been the case previously.
I'VE should always remember that the
first English branch bank in South America
was founded in 1863 the first German bank
in 1886, and the first United States bank in
1914. This shows what Il head start the
English and the Germans had over us in
South American trade. Just this morning
n prominent Philadelphia manufacturer came
into the Corn Exchange Bank and told of
having recently seen in Havana a great many
shipments of hosiery which did not come un
to either samples or specifications. In a
great many cases the manufacturer IN the
United States simply cannot and will not
live up to the specifications set for him by
his Latin American customers.
Neglects Even to Write Excuses
also, when the manufactures in the
nted States cannot fill an order, he fire.
quently does not even take the trouble to
write letter to the customer explaining why
he has not been able to do SO.
I'VE should always remember that South
American countries are not as yet III posi-
ton to manufacture their own requirements.
They will. therefore, be good customers for
many years TO come. However, they now
have their choice between II great many bar
gain counters.
"'Tho United States has no monopoly Of
South American trade and this cannot be too
greatly emphasized. More Spanish should bQ
taught in the public schools of Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia school children should learn
much more economical geography. They
should be able to locate on the map all the
places abroad where Philadelphia goods arc
sold. They should be taken into the fac
tories and shown these goods packed and
ready for export. There are very few fac
tories in and near Philadelphia that do not
do some exporting or importing.
I'm fact, the importing side Of foreign
trade sometimes has been rather over
Shndowcd. One Of the greatest defects Of our
teach the faCts involved in our international
interchange Of goods and commodities, and
economic geography particularly.
"To promote interest here in the trado
situation, determined effort should be made
to get the ninth annual foreign trade con-
vcntion TO come TO Philadelphia in 1922.
Sixteen hundred persons attended the last
meeting Of this convention at Cleveland and
more than 1000 were at the meeting in san
Francisco. Furthermore, this convention
would attract a large number of foreign buy.
ers to Philadelphia. 1t is greatly to be hoped
that the Chamber Of Commerce will take
active step, to secure this convention next
year.
Credits Not Analysed Carefully
AT least 60 per cent of the foreign trade
dlthcullcS which have arisen during the last
year have been due TO the fact that the credit
rating and financial standing of foreign firms
hnvC not been analyzcd with sufficient care.
There Is absolutely no excuse for this what
ever ON behalf Of firms in and near Phia.
dcpha. Not merely is the Philadelphia
Commercial Museum a vast storchOusc OF
foreign credit iuiormation but practically
all the larger Philadelphia banks arc IN posi-
tion to give this information in great detail.