Page images
PDF
EPUB

the commercial agent of this Department is to supplement, rather than duplicate, the work of consular officers by investigations in fields where technical and expert knowledge is essential. Frequently consuls are unable, through lack of time or special training, to undertake such investigations. Thus, for the coming year technical experts in chemical manufacture and in the manufacture of electrical instruments and machinery have been secured for special investigation in those fields.

The importance of the cotton industry to the United States is fully appreciated by the Department. The exports of raw cotton for the current fiscal year reach in round numbers $600,000,000, by far the most important single item in our export trade. The Bureau will extend, as far as practicable, the studies and reports by its commercial agents into all branches of the cotton trade. With this purpose in view, Mr. R. M. Odell, of Concord, N. C., a technically trained expert in cotton manufacture, as well as a practical manufacturer, was appointed in March, 1911, to take up the cotton-textile work. His first travels have covered Spain and Portugal, and he was present as delegate of the American Association of Cotton Manufacturers at the annual meeting of the International Association of Master Cotton Spinners in Barcelona on May 8, 9, 10, and 11.

Further attention is being devoted to facts about raw cotton through the investigations of Mr. J. M. Hause, appointed commercial agent in March, 1911. Mr. Hause is a practical cotton man with experience as buyer and manufacturer of that staple. He is pursuing his investigations in the Lancashire district of England, and in his reports will endeavor to cover the many phases of the trade centered in that district. Mr. Hause also attended the Barcelona meeting in May.

In the field of machinery and tool exports, Mr. Durand C. Alexander, jr., was appointed in March, 1911, and assigned to the task of reporting trade opportunities in the Orient, where he has had previous practical commercial experience, his travels to be extended to the Straits Settlements, India, and Australia.

Commercial Agent W. A. Graham Clark, expert on cotton textiles, completed a journey around South America and through the West Indies. His investigations in Latin-America resulted in reports in regard to conditions in those countries which are of great significance to our exporters of cotton textiles. On January 1 his knowledge of the cotton-textile industry was placed at the service of the Tariff Board.

Commercial Agent Lovett M. Wood, appointed in February, 1911, has begun investigations in the Orient with a view to the extension in that region of the manufactured exports of the west coast of the United States, with which his training and experience have made him familiar.

Commercial Agent James D. Whelpley concluded his investigations in Argentina during the summer of 1910, submitting reports on the sea transport service of that country, its meat and meatpacking industry, and its markets for certain lines of American manufactures. The development of the Argentine meat industry is outlined historically and agriculturally, and the growing control by American investors of the packing establishments is shown. The

existing lines of sea transportation are described and the relations of the trade of Argentina with Europe and North America are considered. Mr. Whelpley has recently made investigations in Europe and has submitted reports from London on the automobile trade, business in raincoats, etc.

Mr. John M. Turner reported during the year on trade development in Latin-America, with special attention to the trade in flour. In accordance with the policy of the Bureau to place commercial agents in direct touch with industrial organizations, Mr. Turner visited Chicago in April and met the members of the Millers' National Federation in conference.

Mr. Henry Studniczka made general investigations, mainly industrial, covering Belgium, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Holland, his reports being entitled "Industrial Conditions in Europe."

Maj. John M. Carson has spent the year in Europe and the Near East, where, from his long familiarity with the work of the Bureau of Manufactures, he has been able to note significant phases of foreign trade in relation to many export products, including cotton goods, flour, cotton seed, and many other articles of export. Commercial Agent Patrick J. Lennox completed, in October, his studies of certain phases of industrial labor exchanges in Great Britain. Mr. Arthur B. Butman submitted a final report on the Boot and Shoe Trade in Brazil, Venezuela, and the Barbados. He will continue his investigations for the shoe and leather interests in Russia and other European countries. Commercial Agent Julien L. Brodé concluded his investigations of trade conditions in Europe relating to cotton seed and its products, and submitted his final reports, after visiting a number of important centers of this industry in the South. His services were instrumental in securing certain tariff concessions in Europe and preventing undue discriminations. It is believed that a large increase of business with the countries concerned has resulted, and his observations and suggestions in regard to care in the preparation and shipment of cottonseed meal and cake have been of value to exporters.

EXTENSION OF USEFULNESS OF COMMERCIAL AGENTS.

Congress has, in recent legislation for the fiscal year 1912, modified the law in regard to commercial agents, to permit them to extend their labors to the United States and insular possessions. This change in the law is important and it is believed materially enhances the value of their work. A commercial agent does not fully complete his work until he has distributed the results of his researches, not only by written reports but by direct and personal communication, as far as practicable, with the commercial associations and the manufacturers interested in the subject of his studies. Much information of value that can not appropriately be published may be made available in this way. This extension of the field will be helpful also to commercial agents themselves, who, in establishing these closer relations, will thus be enabled to increase their effectiveness through obtaining a definite knowledge of the point of view of manufacturers and exporters.

The investigations already planned for the coming year include, in addition to studies of the chemical and electrical manufactures, a survey of trade conditions in the United States as related to the work of the Bureau.

It is believed that the work of the Bureau of Manufactures is becoming so important to the manufacturing interests of the country that we are justified in assuming that liberal support will be given to its activities by Congress. The field to be developed is very large and possesses great opportunities for useful and profitable service. When these possibilities are fully understood by commercial, industrial, and manufacturing interests, there will undoubtedly be an insistent demand from them for adequate and ample equipment to carry forward the legitimate work of this office for the fostering, promoting, and developing of the manufacturing interests of the United States.

There are many factors and influences now at work that will produce in the immediate future a very much deeper interest in the work of the Federal Government for the promotion of commerce, and the Bureau of Manufactures, if made an efficient instrument for carrying out the functions allotted to it by law, it is certain will be required to extend its present boundaries of service.

Respectfully,

To Hon. CHARLES NAGEL,

Secretary of Commerce and Labor.

A. H. BALDWIN,
Chief of Bureau.

REPORT

OF THE

CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS

« PreviousContinue »