FILES IN SPANISH AMERICA. 253 



dozen, and iiiie cute at from 6 to 8 cents per inch, Argentine paper cur- 

 rency, per dozen. 



(5) The duty on tiles is 25 per cent, on the value ; and for custom- 

 house purposes the official value on all sizes and classes of files is fixed 

 at 50 cents per kilogram. To reduce this duty to the paper currency 

 the government adds 15 per cent, to the amount. 



E. L. BAKER, 



Consul. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Buenos Ayres, November 15, 1889. 



BRAZIL. 



BAHIA. 

 REPORT BY CONSUL BURKE. 



I have the honor to submit the following answers to questions con- 

 tained in the " File circular," dated August 28th, and received at this 

 consulate October 9. I would say, while the circular of the Troy file 

 manufacturers that accompanied the "File circular," with its "price-list 

 of files and rasps," is well enough to forward to the consul, it would be 

 much better if the Troy manufacturers would inform the consul at the 

 same time whether the prices mentioned in the list are subject to any 

 discount, and if so, to how much or what ? While the consul is seek- 

 ing information from the dealers, the dealers in turn would like infor- 

 mation from the consul. But the latter, as in this case, when asked if 

 the prices in the circular are subject to a discount, could reply, "I don't 

 know exactly, but suppose so." It is embarrassing for the consul and 

 does not aid him in obtaining the information he seeks, when he displays 

 so much ignorance of a subject about which the manufacturers should 

 thoroughly post him. 



Manufacturers ought to understand that it is the consul's business 

 not only to obtain the information they desire, but to impart informa- 

 tion to the dealer in the article or articles about which inquiries are be- 

 ing made. 



And if such information regarding styles, qualities, prices, etc., of 

 certain articles is not given to the dealer when asked, why, he will sim- 

 ply conclude the consul does not know his business ; or, knowing it, with- 

 holds the information sought by him, and is acting as a sort of detect- 

 ive from some motive for a certain manufacturing concern. 



Then, I say, every manufacturer desiring information in regard to his 

 line of manufactures, in sending questions to be answered, inquiries to 

 be made, etc., should, in a private letter, if not otherwise, thoroughly 



