Evening star., 1941-05-14
Rockefeller 10 Advise
Priorities Board on
Latin American Needs
To Formulate Program Of
Providing Supplies Pinehed
Off From Europe by War
BY OLIVER MCKEE.


Nelson Rockefeller, co-ordinator
of commercial and cultural relations
between the American republics, has
been appointed an advisory repre-
sentative on the Priorities Board of
the Office of Production Manage
ment, it was learned today. In this
post, it will be his duty to formulate
a program designed to meet essen
tail Latin American requirements
for industrial and consumer nom
military goods and materials"
Federal trade experts now are
studying Latin Americas essential
import requirements. AS result
of the war, the American republics
have been cut off from most of their
continental European sources Of
supply. In 1888 Latin American inn
ports from Europe, excluding the
United Kingdom, were valued at
over $500, 100000.
Concerned Over Supply.
To maintain economic stability, II
is essential that Latin American
countries be permitted to obtain
from the United States their mini
mum requirements for industrial
and consumer goods, Government
experts point out. Under the de-
fense and British aid program, pri-
critics have been fixed for many
manufacturing commodities pro-
duced in this country. AS a result,
among Mr.. Rockefeller and his aides,
there has been growing concern over
the possibility that Latin American
countries will not be able to pllr-
chase here the goods they need,
particularly those formerly supplied
by Germany and other continental
nations.
In its current weekly bulletin, the
Berlin Institute for Business Re.
search discusses the economic diff
culties which the war has brought
on Latin America. 1t contends that
the United States, on account of it's
own defense program and the re-
quirements of Britain, cannot sup
ply Latin America with the goods
needed by its industries and business
enterprises.
The appointment of Mr.. Rookie
feller as an advisory representative
on the Priorities Board indicates the
determination of the administration
to meet essential requirements of
Latin America, it was pointed out
today. Official figures do not bear
out the statement of the Berlin In
stitute for Business Research that
the United States is unable to meet
Latin American requirements, trade
experts said.
U. S. Exports Increase.
Our exports to South and Central
American countries have greatly in
creased since 1888. In that year,
according to Commerce Department
figures, the United States sold to the
Latin American republics goods VAL
ued at nearly s500,000,0O0. In the
first quarter of l94l our sales totaled
approximately $190,000,000.
Though Great Britain has been
successful in maintaining her sales
in Latin America at a substantial
level, German exports have almost
dropped out of the picture since the
war. In 1888, German exports to
Latin America were valued at $751;
$4,000. Sales to her six best GUS
toners were as follows: Argentina,
$50, 9,174 900: Brazil, $64, 1853, 900: Chile,
s24.310,000: Colombia, $16,587, 900;
Mexico, s1s, ,407 900; Peru. l2,432 900;
Uruguay. $14, 4,405, 900, and Venezuela,
SIS .391 900.
Under the o. P. M. order, a repre-
sentative of the Rockefeller organi-
zation will be appointed to each of
the group priority committees.