Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-20
BY REX COLLIER.


XXXII.
North American business sagacity,
favored with just the right amount of
diplomacy, is opening up profitable
martS OF trade in Argentina and, most
important OF all, dispelling the pref
udice that long existed against goods
made in the U. S. A."
Apparently the unpopularity Of Amer
lean manufactures was attributable to
the virtual stranglehold which Europe
long maintained on the east coast mar
kets Of South America.
The idea once obtained. and quite
naturally was encouraged by European
propaganda. that left-hand drive Amer
lean automobiles could not be operated
safely or conveniently under BuenoS
Aires English keep to the left" system
Of traffic.
American motor car statesmen demon
strated that this was an utter fallacy
and now nine out of ten Of the automo-
biles dashing through the streets of the
Argentine capital (they really dash
down there, too) bear the familiar
nameplates Of American manufacturers.
Another handicap which the Ameri-
cans had to face was the lack of Ameri-
can distributing agencies In the repub-
lie. Most Of the wholesale houses were
In the hands Of the British. 1t was to
be expected that the British distributors
were not going to stock their ware
houses with American products when
merchandise from their own country
was valuable.
Problem Being Solved.
This problem gradually is being solved
by the establishment Of American dis
frtfasttfvHr, nxasn sS-% AwN
American manufacturers are awakening
to the fact that they must abandon the
old practice of dumping their goods at
Argentina's door in take it or leave
1t" attitude. They are substituting an
aggressive follow through" policy that
win reach direct to the customer.
The eff1cacious results of the new
method Of merchandising were readily
apparent to the good will" shoppers.
One of the leading department stores in
Buenos Aires, they found, is owned and
operated by two enterprising young men
from Minnesota, who are doing thriv-
ing business with clothing, toilet articles,
haberdashery, leather goods, jewelry,
toys and other products from American
factories.
1.-THE Argentine goes to our movies
and sees the latect Fifth avenue de-
velopment in mems attire and then
rushes down here the next day to buy q
suit or hat or pair of shoes like the ones
worn by the American movie hero" one
OF these young men pointed out. His
wife chooses her dresses and her jewelry
and her household furnishings in much
the same manner. AS q result there Is
an ever-winding field for American
goods in Argentina. We have prospered
far beyond our expectations"
Hf1aa~ A.
shops are well stocked with merchandise
from the United States. British and
German manufacturers also are well
represented. Every first-class store has
Its English-pseaking sales clerks, so that
shopping was rendered easy for souvenir
hunters with the Hoover party.
American Cooking Absent.
The restaurant business is one thing
that has not become Americanized.
however. Efforts Of members of the
press to get an American-style meal in
Buenos Aires were fruitless. They found
that breakfast is served at lunch time,
and 1t does not consist Of ham and eggs.
A roll and a cup of coffee is considered
sufiicient for the early risers.
One correspondent ordered an oyster
cocktail in the restaurant of the Hotel
Jousten: the waiter looked somewhat
surprised but. after moments hesi-
tation; shrugged his shoulders and
walked away to I'LL the order. Re-
turning some minutes later he placed
on the table q cocktail glass contain
ing an amber beverage in which float
ed maraschino cherry and two hope
lessly intoxicated oysters.
That's the first oyster cocktail we've
ever made" the waiter vouchsafed,
with a touch Of pride in the accom-
plishment.
The motor car interests have led the
way in introducing Argentina to Ameri-
can methods Of doing business. Lead
ing American car manufacturers have
built up effective sales organizations
there, and are advertising their prod
ucts on q large scale.
!. Boasts OF Subway.
Argentina's seeming lack of interest
In d national highway problem has
proved an obstacle in the way Of fur
ther development OF the automobile
market.
Her railroads are so many and so
efficient that little thought has been
given to the automobile and truck as
competitors Of railway transportation.
Railroad interests are powerful In the
republic and they cannot be expected
to give encouragement to highway de-
velopment. The bus has been able to
find but little opening In the inter-
field is dominated by the street car.
Buenos Aires has one of the most COM
prehensive street railway systems in
the world, and also boasts subway.
Members Of the Hoover party learned
that Argentina is spending large sums
for schools and Fairgrounds. The Lat
ms love for fine architecture In the
past had led him to spend most of his
school appropriations on the exterior OF
the buildings. to the neglect of the in
terror arrangement. Now, however, edu-
cational efficiency is being given proper
consideration in school construction
Educational methods are progressive
and English Is a popular elective SUBJ
ject.
Making up for past deficiencies in
physical education, Buenos Aires Is ex-
pending vast sums for Fairgrounds and
ent efforts of the Gimnasia y Esgrima
Club (Gymnastic and Fencing Club
there has been built in suburban Pa
| lerrno remarkable county club" fol
Buenos Aires youth.
Recreation Provided.
DR.. Aldao, head of the club, conducted
the American correspondents on a tour
of the spacious grounds and modern
buildings of this recreational institu.
ton. There the working girl, the young
man Of small means and boys and girls
of school age may gather for healthful
exercise and supervised pleasure. The
visitors saw scores Of children splash
ing in the big outdoor pool. roller-skat-
ing on large rink or INDUCING in va
rious athletic sports. from American
base ball to soccer and tennis. Free
medical attention is provided. The
buildings house numerous recreation
rooms, reading room, a restaurant and
other facilities.