EXCERPTS FROM HEARINGS. 391
to which they had not been in the habit of giving much attention. They copied
the American styles and reproduced them at prices against which we were not
able to compete successfully.
Our Australian trade was ruined, ultimately, by the enactment of the new
tariff in that island. The Government there decided they were going to have
that business for the Australians. The business was to be promoted by the
Government, and they put on a tariff of 35 per cent and said, if that was not
sufficient, they would put on more. We then turned our attention to the countries
 where shoes were not produced in sufficient quantities by the native population
 to supply the demand; in countries such as Mexico, Cuba, and the South
American countries. There we met manufacturers on a competitive basis and
found our shoes were acceptable, and we established a very considerable business
 there which we still hold ; that is, we do not hold the Mexican business just
at the present time, but we are handling such of the South American countries
ns are in a position to do business, and we are still doing business with them.
With reference to advantages the German and English group of
manufacturers have, he said:

So far as my observation goes, there isn’t any handicap against the American
 manufacturers of shoes on the point of the demand for their goods. Our
goods seem to be as desirable everywhere and as cheap as foreign goods. The
volume of business seems to rest in the fact that the financial affairs of the
people in that country are handled by the English or German banks—rather by
the representatives of the English or German banks—and that in the financing
of our accounts, some of the concerns, are not of sufficient standing to justify
piving them credit. * * * If the obstacles could be removed, I think we
would have an equal chance in those countries.
As to customs regulations—I do not know if these would come within any part
of your jurisdiction—they could be regulated by treaty or through management
of our Department of Commerce. As they exist to-day, they are certainly a very
severe hindrance to American manufacturers. If those methods were corrected,
and if the Government would aid us in furthering our export business, and if
it could be carried out along the lines I have suggested, it would certainly be
very helpful. The necessity or the purpose of our exporting shoes arises from
the fact that there are shoe factories enough in the United States to probably
make all the shoes that could be used here in six or seven months, if run at
full capacity, and, naturally, everyone desires running as fully as possible, and
we are continually in need of further markets.