John Gunther's popular book

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Part of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal

Title: John Gunther's popular book
Language: English
Source: The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Volume XVIII (Issue No.3) March 1938
Year: 1938
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Fulltext: March, 1938 THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 41 TOBACCO REVIEW By P. A. Meyer February, It). 18 R A W L E a F : The local market during February was quiet. Weather condi tions in Cagayan and Isabela were favorable for the coming crop. Comparative fig ures of shipments abroad are as fol lows : KUo« Itawleaf. Stripped Tobacco and Australia ................... 1,900 Belgium ..................... 9,663 China ........................... 7,200 Guam ........................... 2,456 Holland ....................... 6,254 Hongkong ................... 23,225 Straits Settlements .. . 1,307 United States ............. 147,279 February, 1938 .. 199,284 January, 1938 .. 267,425 February, 1937 .. . 2,400,021 Cigar: Shipments to the United States compare as follows: Ciqars February, 1938 . .. 20,633,884 January, 1938 . .. 7,484,655 February, 1937 . .. 12,807,019 Copra and Its ... (Continued from page J7) heavy and mills in the Philippines were either shut down or running on half time during the month. Local factories were hoping that their stocks would be sub stantially worked off within the next 60 days, thus enabling them to go back to full time operation; but the outlook was not too encouraging, although with the Summer months coming on business should be bet ter. Shipments of desiccated from the Is lands totalled 2.164 tons in February, which is considerably better than the January record. GENERAL—We reported in January that the copra and coconut oil business was be ing largely affected by general business uncertainty in the United States and in Europe. This continued in February, and at the end of the month so uncertain were the prospects that no one would hazard a guess as to what the future might hold. Never have we reported a January and Feb ruary such as 1938, and we do not expect to do so again. Many people believe that business will take a turn for the better beginning with the second quarter of the year, but any prediction at this time is use less, even though it is fairly evident that supplies of copra will be less in the next two or three months than they have been in January and February, which normally should make for a better market situation. Probably the future of our business will depend upon when the present economic condition in the United States begins to show signs of betterment. The Joint Preparatory Committee on Philippine Affairs was working all the month in Washington, and among the prob lems of debate was the question of export taxes on Philippine coconut oil. This is a problem very close to the hearts of the local oil industry, whole life and death depends on a successful solution of this particular queustion. During the month the annual meeting of the Philippine Coconut Association, Inc., was held and the Hon. Maximo M. Kalaw was re-elected President of the Association which is determined to carry on a more aggressive campaign in 1938 than it did in 1937. It is felt that the Association’s record in 1937 was very good, particularly as pertains to its representations before the Joint Preparatory Committee. JOHN GUNTHER’S POPULAR BOOK When John and Frances Gunther came to town the second week an March, another shipment to Philippine Education of Gun ther’s popular book, Inside Europe, had arrived at the customhouse but had not been delivered. But on Friday, while Gun ther talked with us, after autographing Fritz Marquardt’s copy, the copy we had long wanted came over. Gunther was glad to see it, to remark some changes he had telegraphed the publishers. Harpers, and of course he autographed it. When news paper men buy another newspaper man’s book, it’s infallible proof that the book is good. (At the reception at Dick Wilson’s house, Dave Boguslav and Arsenio Luz had had their copies autographed). Having at last got the book, over the week-end we browsed in it. You will like it too, when you try it, as everybody does. You may not like every detail of it, but as a whole you will pronounce it first rate. Its only pretention is diligent reporting from an independent viewpoint consistently maintained. It lays down no premises, ends with no conclusions; in form it is the usual size, with 518 well-packed but leg ible pages; the bibliography exceeds two pages, the index thirteen, and the price is P7.70. Chapter by chapter, all the major char acters now billed on the dramatic political stage of Europe are portrayed clearly, and the stage settings defined and the action of hte play followed right through to 1938. Having just written this, we come upon what Gunther himself says in his general acknowledgment—“This book has been written fresh and as a whole, and all from a consistent point of view ... I have my newspaper, the Chicago Daily News, to thank for the wide opportunity it has given me this past dozen years to work in al most every country in Europe.” If mem ory serves, it is a dozen years and two be sides that Gunther’s by-line was a special attraction on the News’ famous Page 2, the foreign-news department of the paper ever since Victor Lawson and his old editor Charles H. Dennis founded, forty years ago, special foreign-news reporting as a feature of American newspaper publishing. Gun ther’s Inside Europe is the apotheosis of the standards set on that great Dennis page, and of his own contribution to it. He takes you to the show in grand style, on every page. You enjoy with him all Europe’s Edgar Bergens and Charlie MaCarthys; and of course, since there are also sincere men everywhere, their Paul Munis and George Arlisses. The edition you can now buv is the fortieth, as we say, revised into 1938. The Gunther’s visit to the East is in behalf of another book of his that (Please turn to page 40 PURE PREPARED k PAINT J Whether your paint ing job is an in terior or exterior one, FULLER & CO. have a superior paint prod uct to suit your requirements. LL€ PAINTS NORTON & HARRISON CO KNEEDLER BUILDING IN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE MENTION THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 46 THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March. 19 38 For a More... (Continued from page 39) used by traders in cotton, grain, rubber, and other staple commodities, all traded in on the principal exchanges in New York and elsewhere. 3. Trading on the New York Coffee and Sugar Exchange may also be used to ad vantage by local sugar operators who are ’'”"ing un quantities of Philippine sugar for export but who have not yet made a sale to a refiner or operator abroad. As sugar is bought locally the Philippine operator may sell a corresponding amount of sugar on the New York Exchange for forward delivery, thus eliminating any risk of price fluctuation on the sugar which he has already bought in the Philippines. Thus, as the market price might decline on the sugar which he is holding unsold in the Philippines, the corresponding decline would occur in connection with his contracts in New York. The result would be that any loss resulting from his local holdings would be compensated by a profit on the futures sales in New York. Refiners are large operators in this basis. One ean well understand this when he stops to think that refiners purchase large quantities of raw sugar as and when offered at current prices and are not able to dispose of their sugar until it has gone through the process of refining and ultimate sale, all of which takes a considerable length of time. To protect themselves against loss in this con nection, refiners frequently sell future con tracts on the Exchange whenever they buy raw sugar for refining. When the sugar which they have purchased is refined and ready for sale, the refiners are then in a position to sell refined sugar and buy in to cover the future contracts previously sold. Any market fluctuation that may have occurred in the meantime automati cally results in the refiner receiving a cor respondingly higher or lower price for his refined sugar which is equalized by a similar profit or loss on his future con tracts. 4. Another very important factor in trad ing on all exchanges is the speculative element. Whenever any commodity seems unusually cheap there are both operators and speculators who wish to buy. Like wise, when the price appears too high, many wish to sell. Purchases or short sales are handled with equal facility on the New York Coffee and Sugar Exchange. How many times does one hear a planter or operator say when the price is high, “How I wish I had more sugar to sell at these prices.” Not having sugar to sell, the trader or speculator is quite at liberty to sell future contracts on the New York Exchange at prevailing prices merely by depositing the required amount of cash margin which protects both the buyer and the seller of all contracts. Of course, in case of a decline in price prioi* to the ma turity date of the contract, the trader may close his position at a moment’s notice and fix his profit. On the other hand, if the market should go against his judgment, he may also close his position immediately and settle the corresponding loss without waiting until his contract month is due. Full details of trading on the New York Coffee and Sugar Exchange are available at the Manila Office of S. E. Levy & Co., who also have available for ready reference, numerous statistics showing price fluctua tions, crop movements, etc. A convenient folder giving in very condensed form, the highlights and essential details of trading in Sugar futur-'s may b? obtained on re quest from S. E. Levy & Co. 223 Dasmarinas, Manila Line VESSEL Leave Manila Leave Hongkong Leave Batavia •Haiphong NLRM* 1J. DEWITT Mar. 30 MM SPHINX Apr. 1 NYK TERUKUNI MARU Mar. 25 BF FLINTSHIRE Mar. 29 NDL SCHARNHORST Mar. 29 SEA* CSHANTUNG Apr. 6 Apr. 3 P&O NALDERA Apr. 2 LT CONTE ROSSO Apr. 5 BF AENEAS (“A”) Apr. 5 BF AENEAS Apr. 5 EALJS sINDIA Apr. 6 RL •1INDRAPOERA Apr. 6 MMIC 'CHENONCEAUX ♦Apr. 3 HAL LEVERKUSEN Apr. 5 NYK HAKUSAN MARU Apr. 9 Legend— DSSL —Dollar Steamship Lines P&O —Peninsular & Oriental BF —Blue Funnel Line NYK —Nippon Yusen Kaisha MM —Messageries Maritimes LT —Lloyd Triestino NDL —Norddeutscher Lloyd CR —Chargeurs Reunis EALJS —East Asiatic Line—Japan Service John Gunther’s ... (Continued from page 41) Harpers will publish this year, Outside Asia. The Commonwealth will be in this somehow, but China, Japan, and India will claim major space. Our guess would be N. Y. K. Line (Japan Mail) THE HIGH WAYS TO REACH JAPAN, PACIFIC COAST, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA etc. Travel N. Y. K. and the whole voyage will be an unforgettable experience of perfect satisfaction and enjoyment. Continental and American cuisine, prepared by hotel-trained chefs, gratify the most fastidious of palates. Alluringly low round-trip fares and economical round-the-world tours will be quoted on application. For complete information, please consult WARNER, BARNES & COMPANY, LTD. General Agents Soriano Building Phones: 2-22-31—2-22-35 216 Dasmarinas, Manila IN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE MENTION THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERC.E JOURNAL March, 1938 THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 47 SAILINGS MANILA TO EUROPE VIA SUEZ Courtesy—EVERETT TRAVEL SERVICE Tel. 4-9S-:l Leave Leave Leave Leave Arrive Leave Leave Arrive Arrive Arrive Arrive Arrive Arrive Anive Sin Penang Colombo Bombay Suez Port Said Malta Naples Genoa Marseilles South- London Hamburg Gothenberg Rotter d, ’Bangkok iijapore *Bela*an t Madras •Dlboutl TMassoua ’Alexandria Brindisi ♦Venice ♦Trieste Hampton •Plymouth •Bordeaux •Bremen •Amsterdam Apr. 1 ♦Apr. 2 Apr. 6 Apr. 16 Apr. 22 Apr. 20 Apr. 26 ♦Apr. 27 Apr. 6 Apr. 8 Apr. 17 ♦Apr. 25 Apr. 29 Apr. 30 May 5 Mar. 30 Apr. 1 Apr. 5 Apr. 12 Apr. 16 Apr. 17 Apr. 21 Apr. 23 May 1 Apr. 2 Apr. 27 May 9 Apr. 2 Apr. 3 Apr. 7 Apr. 14 Apr. 15 Apr. 18 Apr. 24 Apr. 28 Apr. 25 Apr. 14 Apr. 26 tMay 1 Apr. 29 May 6 May 11 May 20 May 8 Apr. 8 Apr. 12 Apr. 14 Apr. 22 Apr. 24 Apr. 25 ♦Apr. 25 Apr. 13 Apr. 15 Apr. 20 May 2 May 7 May 14 Apr. 10 Apr. 27 May 1 May 2 May 7 May 14 Apr. 12 May 4 May 5 May 16 Apr. 8 ♦Apr. 9 Apr. 13 Apr. 21 Apr. 22 Apr. 26 May 1, May 2 Apr. 8 Apr. 10 tApr. 18 Apr. 19 ♦Apr. 26 Apr. 30 May 1 May 6 Apr. 11 Apr. 17 June 30 May 1 May 6 May 20 May 17 Apr. 14 Apr. 15 Apr. 20 Apr. 27 May 1 May 2 May 5 May 7 May 14 HEAL —Holland East Asia Line NLRXM—Netterlands Lloyd Royal Dutch Mail RL —Rotterdam Lloyd HAL —Hamburg Amerika Line SEA —Swedish East Asiatic Line G&S —Glen & Shire Line EALBS —East Asiatic Line—Bangkok Service WL —Wilhelmsen Line MMIC —Messageries Line—Indo-China Service Notes Also calls at Jaffa and Haifa t Also calls at Tourane and Pondicherry »• Also calls at Gibraltar and Tangier r Also calls at Antwerp • Also calls at Amsterdam * Also calls at Port Sudan, Algiers and Antwerp t Calls at Nantes and Bordeaux t Also calls at Sabang (Indo-China), Ville Franche and Gibraltar » Also calls at Malacca and Port Swettenham n Also calls at Haifa d Also calls at Sabang, Gibraltar, Tangier and Lisbon that this book will be quite different from Inside Europe: it may prove equally valu able and absorbing, but can not possibly be so intimately stocked with sketches of commading figures whom, in Europe, Gun ther was frequently interviewing and daily reporting. Gunther, incidentally, is of quarterback physique. True to the type, at a type writer, he is modest, painstaking, anxious only to please. There is not a forced line in his book. There are many light lines, but none that evidences even momentary oversight of the genuine importance of the written word. It is unique to notice a book that has reached its 40th printing, but may be that in itself makes it worthwhile doing. —W. R. Roosevelt Steamship Agency, Inc. ’RE'P'RESEJV TIJVC Kerr Steamship Co.. Inc.—New York Silver Line. Ltd.—Ixmdon Prince Line, Ltd.—London Pacific Java Bengal Line—Amsterdam Kawasaki Risen Knisha—Kobe Operating the Following Services: Prince Silver Round the World Service (Philippines to U. S. Atlantic Coast Ports via Java, Straits Settlements. Colombo and Cape of Good Hope) Silver Java Pacific Line (Philippines to (J. S. Pacific Coast and Gulf Ports, also to Java, Straits Settlements, Bombay, Persian Gulf and Calcutta) “K” Line Round the World Service (Philippines to U. S. Atlantic Ports via Suez) “K” Line Express Service to Atlantic Ports (Philippines to U. S. Atlantic Ports via Panama) Chaco Bldg. Tel. 2-15-21 MANILA Far East—Europe RAPID LUXURY LINERS S.S. “Conte Biancamano” S.S. “Conte Rosso” S.S. “Conte Verde” M/S “Victoria” Via Singapore—Colombo—Bombay—Massowah— Sues;—Port Said Regular fortnightly sailings from Manila or Hongkong for Venice, Trieste. Naples or Genoa and monthly to Hongkong and Shanghai Through Tickets to the U. S. and Round the World at Reduced Fares. For passage and further particulars apply to F. E. ZUELLIG, Inc., Agents CEBU MANILA ILOILO S5-63 Rosario Passage Tel. 2-31-16 Freight Tel. 2-31-1S IN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE MENTION THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL
pages: 41, 46-47