The Washington times., 1921-10-08
BETTER TIMES
COMING FROM
D|SARM TALKS
Peter Steenstrup People Will
Transport Constructive Ma
teriaI in Future.

Better times than the world has
ever known will come from the dts
armament conference, in the opinion
Of Peter Steenstrup, member of the
foreign trade committee of the Ma
tionai Automobile Chamber Of Com.
merce and vice president, General Mo-
tor Export Company, who has Just
returned from Europe.
The bargaining tariff feature OF the
Fordney bill and longer banking
credits based on careful information
are immediate needs for improving
conditions in the foreig q, market.
II will be some mont ', Mr.. Steen-
strip reports, before any marked in.
crease may be noted in the sales OF
American cars abroad, due to condi.
tions which can be remedied only by
the general rehabilitation OF the en-
tire economic fabric.
Germany Working Hard
Germany Is coming back strong" "
according to this foreign trade au'
thority. The country is in the ha IDS
Of capable financiers and everywhere
one sees people st work.
England has adjusted her labor
troubles and there seems to be high
hope for settlement of the Irish con-
dition.
Russia Is modifying her form CT
government with gradual improve
ment In her economic condition.
The high duties in France and Spain
are obstacles to American trade tn Gre,
which can probably be remedied
when the bargaining tariff becomes
effective.
"The question Of disarmament"
said Mr.. Steenstrup, lis fundamental
to the entire economic condition. We
should have open publicity at the corn.
ing conference. The rank and file of
the people In all countries will never
stand for continuing present expendi.
lures on armament IL the facts are
brought fully to light.
The release Of the burden of taxes
for battleships and other war mate
rial will mean billions Of dollars avail.
able for the purchase Of raw materials
and transport which the world, and
particularly Europe, needs badly n
the present time. Relief OF the war
burden will pour into civil life a new
stimulant, bringing into being a new
world condition better than we have
realized before.
Europe's Need for Cars.
Europe is realizing the economic
advantages Of motor transportation
and when the burden of war taxes
II lifted. she will be able to develop in
this direction. In Germany, for In
stance, one sees practically no auto
mobiles today. There are not even
enough taxis at the railroad stations.
In a three hours ride in a certain Ger.
man city having $4,000 people. did
not see a single automobile.
1.-THE cost Of gasoline at so cents
Der gallon is one Of the factors hurt
ing the trade in England. While
there I counted on the road to Plym'
outh one hundred motor cars passing
In an hour and in the same period
1l5 motorcycles and 1876 bicycles.
Lack Of parking facilities In the
cities IL also an obstacle. The horse
power tax in England, which Is one
pound per horsepower, Is another him
drance. Nevertheless. the advantage
OF American cars win become increas
ingly apparent and the need for such
high taxes will pass away II the eco
nomic strain Of war costs Is relieved
Advantages Of Bargaining Tariff.
Spain and France have had vir'
tually prohibitive tariffs against the
American cars with the added factor
Of the difference In exchange work
ing against the product from the
United States. The bargaining fea
| ;urc II enacted as proposed IN the
Fordney tariff bill will permit the
President to give lower American tar
ift. rates to products from other couh