Heavy Motors for Pan ama.
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To-day' s Rapid Advance Towards the Completion of the U.S.A. Government's Great Canal Scheme Gives Rise to Inquiries for British Goods.
A "One Hears—" paragraph, in our issue of the 12th January, reads as follows :—" That motors will be wanted for service round about the entrances to the Panama canal, both of which are to be strongly fortified, that the orders will be placed next year, but that U.S.A. goods will be purchased." This paragraph was penned after a conversation between the Editor and one of the greatest living harbour and dock engineers who was then on a visit to London.
We were inclined to agree, two months ago, with the opinion that U.S.A. goods would be purchased, but, following the circulation of our 'Dominion and Overseas Special" in Panama, we have received the following interesting communication from Mr. E. S. Humber (P.O. Box 11, Panama), who is Lloyd's subagent at that place, and who is evidently desirous to act for British manufacturers :—
"I have been pleased to have the opportunity to peruse your publication, and I now take advantage of your invitation to send inquiries to you. This is a comparatively-new country, and developments are only now beginning, but I think there is a good field for commercial-motor vehicles, more particularly in the interior, where there are no railroads. My organization here is devised to help British trade, and I would be glad if you would ask your advertisers to send to me at least three of their catalogues, together with export price lists, and particulars of discounts or agency terms. I believe in the 'no-cure-no-pay' system, which is usually satisfactory to all concerned.
"Since receiving your publication, I have interested the Panama Government (Public Works Department) in many of the manufactures mentioned in that number of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, and the Government has promised to write to certain of the firms for catalogues and price lists direct. British makers will no doubt be pleased to know that credit for bringing about this action on the part of the Panama Government is due to the circumstances mentioned.
"One of my departments here is concerned with the distribution of catalogues, and I am in a good position to place trade literature entrusted to me in proper hands, and on reasonable terms. The embossed map of the Panama canal, as it will appear when finished in 1915, which I am mailing to you herewith [We reproduce it.—En), will doubtless be of interest to you and to many of your readers."
In giving publicity to this communication, we are, of course, in no position to guarantee that trade is immediately to be done, but we do know, from first-hand ativices in addition to that supplied by Mr. Humber, that the canal-construction works are almost a whole year ahead of schedule time, and that, although conditions in the interior may call for heavy engines of tractor models, there are undoubted openings for sales of lighter vehicles, for employment at and around the fortified and populated entrances to the canal, to be made. We may add, in conclusion, that there is a good feeling in Panama, according to consular informal ion, towards British-built commercial motors, owing to conviction that makers in the.1.1. K. are undoubtedly more experienced than any in the U.S.A. It is obvious that both agricultural and industrial developments will rapidly take place, from 1914 and 1915 onwards in particular, but now is the time to lay the foundations of trade. Stationary engines, lighting outfits and pumping sets will also be needed.