AR MR. SECRETARY: In response to your request, I furnish the ving condensed report upon the work of the bureau during the year ended June 30, 1924:

no previous year has the bureau rendered such extensive service, ever before have the concrete evidences of its work been so subial and so gratifying. In the past two years this work has more doubled in quantity, and during the year just ended the number stances in which it has aided American business men have ed nearly 1,250.000, with an average of more than 5,000 inquiries y at the close of the fiscal year. On the basis of an investigation Iving 3,675 inquiries addressed by business firms to the bureau as found that the resulting business amounted to about $427 per iry. This would mean over $500,000,000 in foreign trade secured the United States as the result of answers to inquiries handled the bureau during the year. In certain respects the bureau's ices to the American business community have increased as much enfold since 1922.

he vital value of the bureau to all Americans concerned with ld trade was signally illustrated during this past year by its ormational and promotive efforts following the great earthquake aster in Japan. Though our office in Tokyo was destroyed and its ablished routine shattered, the work was immediately resumed 1 vigorously pushed forward. Accurate estimates were given of extent of the damage to the economic structure of Japan. Ameriis relying on raw materials from Japan were advised of the posin and prospects. Markets for reconstruction materials were invescated. The purchase of great quantities of supplies here was furered. In every phase of the situation the bureau was alert, active, d helpful.

Yet this was only the most outstanding example of a service which, roughout the world, has been constantly growing in effectiveness. rofiting by their accumulated experience and utilizing ever more ilfully all the available means of trade promotion, our offices road and our divisions at Washington have made their efforts how a steadily rising proportion of practical results. Those efforts ave been determined not by mere theories but by the specific reirements of American business, directly and precisely expressed During the past year the most significant feature of our work is be found in this element of intimate contact and cooperation with

American manufacturers, exporters, financiers, and domestic merchants. Now, more than ever before, the bureau is functioning as an integral part of American economic life-an organization responsive to the guidance of its clients, while at the same time initiating a variety of services designed to strengthen and augment the currents of our trade.

Several new offices of the bureau have been opened in this country and abroad. A domestic commerce division has been set up in the Washington office, aiming to furnish in the domestic field a service comparable to that which has been provided so successfully with respect to export markets. These and numerous other departures and modifications in the work of the bureau are mentioned in succeeding paragraphs.

REGIONAL DIVISIONS

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK

As in previous years, all the regional divisions have maintained regular sections in Commerce Reports; have prepared for that magazine monthly reviews of conditions in their respective territories, on the basis of cabled reports from the bureau's foreign representatives; have supervised, in general, the work of those representatives; have prepared and distributed confidential circulars; have disseminated data through commercial bodies, trade journals, and newspapers: have conducted a great volume of correspondence and aided many visitors; and have examined and utilized a mass of material appearing in foreign publications. Assistance has been given to commodity divisions with respect to numerous broad commercial problems.

Each of the foreign offices prepares regular and special reports for the bureau; supplies information and advice in response to specifie inquiries by letter; satisfies the requirements of those who call in person for data or for guidance; conducts such investigations as seem timely and appropriate under existing economic conditions: adjusts commercial disputes between foreign and American firms: arbitrates difficulties where such service is requested; enables American investigators to gain access to foreign establishments; provides sources of information for American publicists; warns of any illegitimate phases of foreign competition; watches any possibly discriminatory proposals; maintains close relations with the foreign government; cooperates with the American Embassy or Legation: and, in general, constantly facilitates such contacts and connections as will result in increased sales for American goods.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVES IN WESTERN EUROPE AND SOUTH

AFRICA

The bureau's office at Rome gave invaluable help to American interests in connection with a contract involving nearly $3.000.000 for harbor works in Italy, a mining development on which it is pro

posed to spend $6,000,000 to $7,000,000, and a concession for mineral exploration in Italy entailing the expenditure of $5,000,000. An American company was aided in obtaining a large Government contract for coal. There was an increase in the number of American visitors and of inquiries from American firms. The office helped American manufacturers to establish suitable connections for representation in Italy. Expert advice was furnished concerning competitive conditions, selling methods, etc. Commercial disputes were adjusted. The office intervened successfully in controversies over customs classification.

Among the many special investigations made by the Rome office were an exhaustive study of the electrical-equipment market and a detailed survey of the machinery trade. Other special reports, which comprise a very large number of subjects, include "Italian tax reforms," "Motor-vehicle preferences," "Marine motors and motor boats in Italy," "The hat industry in Italy," "The present tariff situation in Italy," "Italy as a market for jewelry," "The Italian market for automotive accessories," "Italy's coal and oil requirements," "The tanning industry in Italy," "Italy's balance of international payments," and "Selling American specialties in Italy." "There has been close cooperation with the American Embassy and the various consular officers. The commercial attaché has taken a prominent part in the activities of the American Chamber of Commerce for Italy at Milan and of the Associazione Italo-Americana at Rome.

Much expense has been saved American exporters through the action of the Madrid office in obtaining the release of goods held up by Spanish customs officials on technical grounds. In several cases the office has obtained customs classifications more favorable to Americans. Sixty American automobiles, reaching Spain not properly documented, were entered at the preferential customs rate through the commercial attaché's effective action, and automobile tires were also admitted at the low-duty rate, though not correctly marked. The prompt and energetic intercession of the commercial attaché in the interests of an American firm, which was not properly protected in the advances it was making to a foreign firm, resulted in a saving of $250,000 to the American concern. Efficient help was given in connection with the prorogation of the Spanish-American treaty. A financially embarrassed Spanish company was investigated in order to obtain the most favorable settlement possible for its American creditors. An American food-products concern was assisted in an extensive investigation. Very close relations have been maintained with the American Ambassador to Spain, who at times called for almost the entire time of the commercial attaché's office. The facilities of the office have been at the disposal of the representative of the United States Department of Agriculture, who is studying the Almeria grape situation in connection with the ravages of the Mediterranean fruit fly.

The Hague office cooperated constantly with the American Legation in matters connected with the petroleum question, tariff and treaty problems, banking and credit conditions, current Dutch-Russian negotiations, and investment questions. Agencies were placed for automobiles, accessories, marine motors, textile fabrics, canned goods, radio equipment, and cigarettes. The office prepared exhaust

tives for American goods, buying and selling conditions in the Austrian market, questions concerning taxation, tariffs, and licenses, the standing of firms and individuals, and trade lists.

The Paris office has brought about numerous connections between American and French firms. A misunderstanding between the French customs authorities and a well-known American sugarrefining company was adjusted. For American concerns interested in the steel industry interviews were secured with French experts relative to cast-iron standards, cast-iron pipe specifications, and pig iron. Much work was done in connection with the obtaining of licenses to export merchandise to the United States from the occupied territories of Germany. Representations on behalf of pitchpine producers in America relative to the high French railway rates on this commodity resulted in a new classification involving a noteworthy reduction in rates. Customs-tariff matters have taken much time; an example of specific results is the favorable rate secured for a particular type of soap.

There was extensive cooperation with the American Embassy, the consulate general at Paris, and the consulates at Marseille and Algiers; an arrangement was effected to prevent duplication of work. The 154 special reports from the Paris office included reports on the progress of reconstruction in France, silk production, the steel industry, the textile industry, Government and private finance, and commodities such as furniture, paper, agricultural machinery, industrial machinery, insecticides, zinc, boots and shoes, as well as several reports on Switzerland and Algeria.

The commercial attaché at Paris made a trip to Marseille in connection with oilseeds and one to Algiers for a general investigation. The assistant commercial attaché went to Switzerland for a general study of conditions. The Paris office aided United States exporters at the Lyon Fair, and a visit to Lyon was made by an assistant trade commissioner.

Probably as a result of the transfer of the bureau's London office from the embassy to Bush House there was a great increase in the number of visitors seeking service. Various members of the staff visited industrial centers of England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. and some of the men made visits to the Continent and to the United States. At least 40 agency arrangements for American firms have been effected by the London office, some of these leading to large orders. By facilitating approval of gasoline pumps by the British Board of Trade the London office made it possible for an American maker to deliver on several big orders. One of the trade commissioners handled arrangements connected with the purchase of 500,000 yards of khaki for the United States Marine Corps, in which purchase it is calculated the Government saved more than $180,000. The office succeeded in having a cargo of American cattle exempted from an embargo (resulting from foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain), thereby saving from $40,000 to $50,000 for the vessel's operators and the shippers. The office made it possible for an American advertising agency in London to obtain a very good con-. tract with an important British manufacturer of chemicals. vice and help has been given to British firms seeking Ameblishcapital. The character and conduct of existing agency arrangeries of in Britain have been investigated in the interest of America