Evening star., 1926-05-12
RGESCLOSERU.S.
TRADE T|ESABROAD
Edward +. FeeIy Tells c. of
C. Luncheon of Co.opera.
/. tion Advantages.

mercial organizations abroad and
''some central organization in the
United States, logically the United
States Chamber of Commerce. was
made before the foreign commerce
group of the latter body yesterday
by Edward f. Feely, American com.
mercial attache at Buenos Aires, Ar,
gentina.
Speaking at Il luncheon of the
group in the Mayfiower Hotel, Mr..
F'eely declared the need for this CO.
ordination or concentration or effort
became apparent during the several
years In which the American cham
bers of commerce abroad sought to
amend the revenue act so as TO eX-
empt Americans resident In foreign
countries from payment OF an IN
come tax.
while this most importar3 result
was finally obtained" Mr.. Feely said,
"the plan of campaign might have
been more efficiently handled had
there existed in the United States
a central organization to marshal as
single unit the great resources
of these American chambers in for
egn countries and in the possessions
of the United States"
The speaker stated that there is
every indication that America is in
on the part of our principal COM
petitors for foreign markets to regain
their pre-War status, as the principal
source OF supply of manufactured
and semi-manufactured products" No
stone viii be left unturned, he said,
TO accomplish that end.
Efficiency of Chambers.
In the American chambers Of COM
oI..- ~ +n1 IaA
found the most efficient point of sup
port for a counter-attack ito main
tain and consolidate the remarkable
success that has been achieved W
the United States during and since
the great war"
AS further evidence of the need of
co-ordinated action 1t was explained
that tissues are constantly arising in
the United States. especially in the
way Of national legislation. that are
Of vital interest to the future of our
foreign trade, and consequently to
the welfare of American citizens en-
gagged in business abroad. The in
fiuence and opinion of these men
through their commercial organiza.
tions In foreign countries should carry
great weight If concentrated in
single unit as is now suggested by the
Buenos Aires Chamber"
among OIfleG QuSSllOIiS VI LItlc 1itA
ture in which the chamber is now in
terested are: Some relief from the
difficulties inherent in the present leg
islation governing the status OF alien
wives of American business men trav-
cling or resident abroad; the use OF
cancellation stamps by the United
States post office carrying propa"-
anda for American made products, as
is being done by Great Britain, Ar
gentina and other countries, and,
finally, improved and more efficient
methods of handling trade opportuni'
ties originating with American cham
bers in foreign countries.
'The Buenos Aires organization be-
lieves." Mr.. Feely asserted, that
American chambers abroad should be
willing to contribute to the expense
involved in the extension of the pres
ent work OF the foreign commerce de-
partment OF this chamber to include
special machinery for the concentra-
ton Of the effort and influence OF
these vital organizations into single
front for purposes Of attack or de-
fense as the case might be.
Possible Modus 0perandi.
'Tt is true that cases. might arise in
which a concensus of opinion OF all
the foreign chambers might not be at
tainable, but it would seem that the
primary object Of all being the pro-
motion of American trade, modus
Operandi could be worked out success
fully.
Il am of the opinion that American
commercial organizations abroad merit
the heartiest support of all American
business interests at home. Their
membership has been seriously re-
duced by the defections from the
ranks that followed the postwar de-
preston and the consequent with
drawal of agencies and branches OF
American manufacturers and export
ers in foreign markets, thereby great
" increasing the burden of personal
service and cost Of operation to the
individual member.
Failure to encourage and support
their activities so that they may in
crease their present membership and
strength would wipe out years or ef-
fort and remove one Of the most vital
agencies and points Of support for the
promotion Of American trade at the
most crucial period in our history as
a great exporting nation.
THE American chamber abroad
needs no defense, but does require a
more hearty cooperation and support
than has been its general lot in the
past, based upon q run reaIlZdtlOn Dy
the American manufacturer and ex-
porter Of the great work being done
by the men on the firing line, the
possibilities OF the future, and the
serious obstacles in the way of the
expansion of our foreign trade in
the great markets Of the world, which
can only be overcome or mitigated in
their effects by concerted action.
"A word as to some of the obstacles
20 the development of Argentine
American trade since they are typical
Of conditions that exist in many other
countries where American chambers
have been organized. and where our
stake as an exporting nation is a
large one.
Some Serious Obstacles.
The absence of investments of
American capital in productive or
trade producing enterprises, the rela-
lively small consuming population of
our own nationals-there are less than
$500 Americans resident in Argen-
tina--the almost complete absence Of
American merchants permanently es