370 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



business, but essential in dealing abroad, especially with the Latin 

 countries. 



Owing to the great expense of introduction, small manufacturers 

 will find direct trade in foreign markets impracticable. As a rule, 

 they had better deal through our great commission houses. Their 

 travelers represent many different varieties of merchandise, thus greatly 

 reducing the cost of selling any special line. By the exercise of proper 

 care in making goods, in packing and shipping as directed, risk is prac- 

 tically eliminated ; bills being usually paid when goods are delivered on 

 board in New York, or at least payment guaranteed. But they also 

 may largely increase their trade by sending out a well-equipped traveler 

 who imderstands the language and who will work in connection with the 

 commission merchants in introducing their goods. 



Valuable information as to export trade may always be obtained 

 from the Department of Commerce by addressing Mr. E. E. Pratt, Chief 

 of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, who is a most 

 obliging and able official. He is appointing attaches to represent the 

 business of this country in various leading commercial cities of the 

 world, who will be a great aid. We can also get assistance from the 

 Pan-American Union in Washington, the Philadelphia Commercial 

 Museums and the National City Bank of New York. At the Phila- 

 delphia Museums samples may be found of nearly everything wanted 

 abroad. 



In short, to earn success in foreign trade it is only necessary to 

 follow the examples of European nations that have made a success, and 

 to persuade our politicians to cease from hampering us. As an indica- 

 tion of the value of this foreign trade I may say that our exports of 

 manufactures abroad amounted in 1913 to one billion five hundred 

 million dollars, and the total exports to two billion four hundred 

 sixty millions. Our exports to Latin America were two hundred and 

 fifteen million dollars. We furnish two thirds of the cotton raised in 

 the world, yet South America imports from us but about 2 per cent, of 

 her supply. We are far away the largest steel-manufacturing country in 

 the world. South America buys about 20 per cent. In fact, but about 

 15 per cent, of her purchased manufactures, all of which might be made 

 in this country, are bought of us. The major portion of this came from 

 the warring nations. It is especially this trade we must look after and 

 prepare ourselves to obtain. 



May I suggest in passing that we should prepare for hard times by 

 restoring the simple life of our fathers ? Waste less. Three cents a day 

 saved by every inhabitant of this country would amount to more than 

 the thousand million dollars a year that it takes to support the national 

 government. Less than ten cents a day per capita would pay the total 

 expenditures of governments, federal, state, municipal, dispense with 

 further taxation and greatly lessen the cost of living. Astonishment is 



