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425

(3)

You ask for my advice concerning continuing your trip to Japan. I do not know that I can say much more on this subject than I did prior to your leaving. You know how much I enjoyed Singapore, the little I saw of China, and my charming visit in Japan. As I said to you, Japan should be seen alone, but if you intend to stop there only a month, why I am quite sure you would not attempt any long trip into the interior, and this being the case your party as now arranged or as you might add to it in traveling could see Nagasaki, something of the Island of Kusiu, the Inland Sea, Nara, and the vicinity of Kioto [sic, Kyoto] with its many nearby points of interest including Hikone, Lake Biwa, and the Rapids. You could also have a day at Shiziku and a fine jinriksha trip from that city over the old Tokaido to Okitsu; thence to Yokohama, Tokio, and Nikko. But why not stop longer? Surely a month or two, or for that matter three or four longer in Japan are of greater importance it seems to me than being here – all of this of course being in the expectation that all will go well here, and at present I am glad to say such is the prospect.

The Car Company’s business during the next year I believe will not be what we had expected. Things may turn and improvement may follow, but there is not much at present encourgaing [[encouraging]] in the outlook and competition certainly never was worse than to-day. We figured on 500 “Clover Leaf” cars the actual cost of everything including bar iron, axles, wheels, castings, etc., then added $5.00 per car for gross profit, and were too high, the cars finally being awarded to St. Charles. You can easily see that with the present small purchases of cars and the immense capacity of the various car works, together with the banker’s influence which we are feeling in so many of our contracts, the probabilities are that prices will rule very low, and I would advise you to get as much comfort as you can in the Orient. It is not to be found here.

With warmest personal regards, I remain,

Very sincerely,
Charles L Freer

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-20 13:05:30