FOREIGN TRADE. 183
With one or two exceptions, no lingerie manufacturers directly
import their laces and embroideries. Only those doing a very large
business use enough of any kind of lace or embroidery to get favor-
able attention or terms in Europe. Inasmuch therefore as nearly
all of the foreign laces and embroideries used in embellishing muslin
underwear are not imported directly by the manufacturers, it is
claimed that it is difficult to conform to all the requirements which
are imposed by the Treasury regulations before the drawback can
be allowed. The importers who sell to the manufacturers are nat-
urally reluctant to show their invoices or disclose the foreign value
of the laces and embroideries to the firms which parohen from them,
as such a policy would reveal their profits to their customers. An
additional difficulty arises from the fact that the manufacturer may
use foreign materials in making up a lot of garments for export
which were imported at different times or purchased from several
sources. Because of the complications reed in complying with
the Treasury regulations, few manufacturers of muslin underwear
have made application for payment of the drawback. It appears,
however, that most manufacturers exaggerate the amount of trouble
caused by the drawback requirements. The importer of laces and
embroideries from whom the manutacturer buys can furnish him all
of the required details as to the imparls, and if the importer refuses
to give him these details for drawback purposes, he can patronize
some other importer who will act more reasonably.
Though comparatively little advantage has so far been taken of
the drawback privilege 5 manufacturers of muslin underwear, our
exports of ok Mo are increasing. The unique and attractive
styles of the American garments and the use of labor-saving machin-
ery in manufacturing processes are the two most important factors
which should enable American manufacturers to compete in the trade
in many countries. South America appears to offer splendid oppor-
tunities for the sale of American wearing apparel. Our exports
of Sadung to Argentina, Brazil, and Chile have increased rapidly.
Exports of cotton wearing apparel from the United States to the
whole of South America amounted in value to $394,375 in the fiscal
year 1913 and $277,954 in the fiscal year 1914, as compared with
$92,927 in 1908 and only $57,017 in 1909. These figures indicate a
substantial progress, but the share of the United States in this trade
ig far less on it should be, in view of the enormous quantities of
clothing which South America purchases from foreign countries.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADE IN SOUTH AMERICA.
A monograph on “South America as an Export Field,”* by Otto
Wilson, commercial agent of the Department of Commerce, is in-
tended to give manufacturers information as to the character, extent,
resources, and trade of South American countries which will enable
them to determine in part the most favorable markets for their goods.
The Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce will issue Sidr
a publication setting forth the customs duties on textiles in all the
South American countries. The publication will cover everything
comprehended in the textile industries, from the raw fiber, through
! Special Agents Series No. 81. Copies of this publication may be procured from the Superintendent of
Documents, Government Printing Office, Washingtoa, D. C., at 25 cents per copy.