Evening star., 1935-11-03
NEW MODEL DATE
AIDS EXPORT SALES
R. c. Graham Also Sees In.
crease in Jobs and Bene-
fits to Farmers.
BY ROBERT C. GRAHAM.

chairman Of Export Committee Of AM.A)
The introduction Of new-car models
In the Fall Is q double boon to the
export sales manager. For the first
time, 1t enables us to enter the South
ern Hemisphere markets, with new
models at the beginning Of their major
selling season. We will also be in a
position to introduce our new models
with new European models at the
European shows.
Recovery In our export markets
during the past two years has been
strongest in the Southern Hemisphere
and with new models available as they
move into their Spring season. We
might well market so per cent OF our
export volume In those countries dur
ing the next year.
Sees Aid to Employment.
The effect of this change in date
should mean more stable as well as
increased employment.
We believe our overseas sales during
the next model year may well exceed
650,000 units. That will mean EN-
ployment-direct and indirect-in au-
tomobile, parts. tire and related indus
tries for more than 125 900 men.
This change In model date is the
most favorable development for Cur
export business since the enactment Of.
the reciprocal trade agreement act.
Our insistent and consistent support
OF the trade agreement negotiations Is
daily reinforced by the conviction that
our farm problem Is tied up with our
foreign trade problem. There must
be q substantial increase in our two
way world trade II the farmer Is to
sell his surpluses abroad. And If he
is unable to sell his surpluses abroad.
then our domestic market for motor
vehicles suffers proportionately.
Farmer Will Benefit.
The American farmer is probably
the most efficient food producer In
the world Even more than industry,
the cotton and wheat producing farm
er is dependent upon world markets
for his livelihood. There exists. then,
a natural economic bond between the
export industries and the farmer.
Their united support Of vigorous ad-
ministration Of the trade agreement
program would go far toward increas-
ing employment and production in
the United States.
To sell more abroad, we must nat
urally buy more. The claim Is made
that to buy more from abroad means
decreased employment In the United
States. In some special instances
that might be true. Generally speak
ing. it Is not. In the first place, more
than 100000 persons are today de-
pendent for their livelihoods on our
foreign trade. In the second place,
the price we pay q foreign producer
for his commodity represents probably
not more than one-third Of the retail
price in the United States. The rest
Of that price goes to transporters. re-
tailers and others in the United States
Tariff Effectively Handled.
Under the trade agreements act, the
tariff is being handled on an economic
and businesslike basis. The public
interest is determined by national
and not a local standard. Those who
attack concessions granted by our Gov
ernment place themselves on the de-
fensive, because such concessions are
only granted after the most thorough
study by all the interested govern
mental agencies.
That business in all nations recog.
nizes the need for more-and not less
world trade, was indicated last June
when the business men OF the so lead
ing nations went on record whole
heartedly for the principles Of OUR
Governments foreign trade program
including the most-favored-nation
clause, which the automobile industry
in this country was among the first to
support.
The welfare Of the millions Of Amer
lean workers engaged directly and in
directly in our foreign trade is vitality
linked with the vigorous and contin-
uing administration of our reciprocal
trade agreements program as q gov
ernmental-not q partisan-policy.