New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-15
NEW-ORLEANS LOSING TRADE
HER MERCHANTS DEPLoRING TIE FACT
TIE REASONS FOR CONTINUING LAST YEARS Ex
PosITInN-ANOTHFR FAILURE IMMINENT.

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. SIN reviewing the trade Of
this city, a few days ago. the Board of DirectOt
of the Produce Exchange expressed themselves as
follows: ave sincerely hope members will show
zeal for the future in aiding schemes to attract
trade to our city and to SUSPEND at least the
diversion of what we have left. Many attempts
have been made to create cooperative efforts but
they have all failed from the apathy of those most
interested in their success" This Official statement
will give an inkling of the condition of affairs here
New-Orleans is losing trade notwithstanding the
millions expended in improving the Mississippi
River and her citizens according to the members Of
the Produce Exchange are too apathetic TO prevent
this diversion This is still the chic, port for the
expectation of cotton. but that trade is going else
where owing to the multiplication OF railroads and
the increased facilities for shipping from interior
points Cotton can be shipped now from almost any
interior point on through bill of ladng to Liver
pool by way of New-YOrk. Last year $+OO00.OO0
worth of manufactured cotton was exported from
New-York. Before the war New-Orleans shipped
20 per cent of the entire cotton crop now it docs
not ship more than 26 per cent OF the crop. She
then imported about 80 per cent of the coffee that
came to this country; now she imports less than
per cent of it. not much more than san franclsco
and considerably less than Baltimore Galveston is
taking her Mexican trade, while ST. Louis Mem
phis Montgomery, Atlanta and her more enterpris-
ing neIghbors to the north and east are dlvertinS
her wholesale trade
In this condition of affairs the principal thing
needed perhaps to give life to New-Orlsans Is an
extension of trade with Central and South America
Il NAV be well to state here that the word "prnci-
paln is used because New-Orleans can never be
prosperous while it is governed by dishonest polit-
cal rings. which exist by the suppression OF the
votes of the bes. citizens or while the State ruled
in n similarly dishonest manner. But aside from
the important political aspect of the question many
of the business men appreciate the necessity Oh
doing something 10 give commercial prosperity 10
the city, 1t this fact that led them TO assist IN
the project of holding an international exposition
here last year Although that was generously aided
by tho Government to Tho extent OF $l,1oo,oOo IL
was not properly sustained by the people OF New
Orleans 1t is estimated that at least 10000 Oh the
inhabitants of this city never visited the exposition
last year. Indeed Colonel Rivers OF the ST. charles
Hotel puts the number at nearly one-half the pou-
latiou The entire number of admissions during the
time the exposition was open was only l,loS,S4o'
inst IL per cent of the number admitted to the Gen.
tennial Exposition at Philadelphia. This was not
dine to the character of the exposition; because
when the exhibits were finally arranged IL was
really worth coming from New-York to see, although
so many thousands of the people OF New-orieihs
refused to expsnd 80 cents tor that purpose.
In the face of the experience Of the managers OF
that exposition many persons have expressed aston
ishrnent at the effort made this winter TO prolons
the show But there is less cause for wonder than
appears on the surface. The exposition last winter
was badly managed. and it was conducted under
great difficulties. And vet ITS beneficial results
were manifest in an increase of $S,000,000 in the
banking capital of the city, an IN an impetus given
to many branches of trade in the South and south
west. For an outlay of $4,000 new company
purchased the building, which really cost the
Government of the United States 81, 100000 and for
which the Government got nothing in return. This
new company was composed wholly of enterprlsng
business men WITH Mr. 5. Is. McConnlco. general
agent of the Illinois Central Railroad as president,
and with ex-sIarshal Pitkin Commissioner
General The money to carry on the exposition
was subscribed chiefly by the railroad companies
and many of the exhibits of last year were retained.
OF course the inspiring purpose OF this exposition
"a of the former one was do something to increase
the trade Of the city and that something was TO DO
in the line of opening trade with Central and South
America which would be of benefit to all parts OF
| the country Hence the high-sounding title oil
| the North, Central and South American Exposi-
ton" The management sent commissioners to the
| republics to the south and agreed to pay the
| charges on exhibits sent here. Nearly all of them
promised to cooperate but few OF the exhibits have
vet arrived Bills of lading have been received FOL
exhibits shipped from Brazil. the Argentine Repub'
! lie and other countries, which exhibits are coming
| by way of Liverpool and New-IorA ahordng one
of the best practical arguments on the need OF new
| avenues of trade with those countries Mexico
whose exhibit last year is said to have cost that
country 81 900 900. is i'll such financial distress as
TO be unable to cooperate this year honduras and
| Guatemala are about the only foreign countries
whose exhibits have yet arrived with The exception
| nfn
| unfortunate delays that seem to overtake an
enterprise of this kind here that MAN. American
! exhibits are still expected. However, the exposi-
ton is really one Of merit though by no means up
| to last years display. ,
| Several of the States, particularly Illinois and
Maine and the Gulf states, and the Territories have
| GOOD exhibits The exposition company approprl-
ated 81, 900 TO each State and Territory to deray
| the expenses of an exhibit, and some oil Them nave
| been kind enough it Is said. to take the money
without sending anything IN return Inc Manhat;
tan Beach fireworks T., Inc ha 81 Days OF o.
| Coney Island last summer, and without extra
| charge and though entirely unique display here
| few people from the city have yet witnessed IT.
Indeed the attendance can average only few
hundred day so tar, aud about the only i've
place in the enormous buildIn1s Is IN front OF th'
| exhibit of enterprising Baltimore Tea hou@
| which dispenses tea to every conner without cbarga
IL ia not surprising therefore that already there Is
| talk of financial difficulties. But this year the
| National eychauner cannot be drawn upon. A
| proposition has been made to the city for II 10
| advance $l25,00O and take the buildings as
security. 1t begins 70 looH as thoueh ,ue en'o,
| prjsa would have much difficulty in proIonging Its
| existence And yet ii the people OF tins city alone
would only patronizs it to the extent OF paving 30
cents each for admission once. the managers woun
he able to continue IL until such time as tie M"fd
| Gras and other festivities bring the. usual winter
| crowds 1t was on that home patronage, with the
| kno " lsdge that this n desperate effort To 40
| something toward bnilding up the falling trade OF
the city that tho managers relied in continuing the
| exposition. Ii would seem that city with mncn
enterprise would have sustained them, out according
| TO their experience and the assertions OF toe
| Produce Exchange New-Orleans has neither
| enterprise nor commercial pride
| Mr. Mccormick Mr. Pitkin, Mr.. Buck and lew
Others OF tho leading citizens are trying to do
something in he way Of pnshing foreign trade anu
| every body says "amen." Bat few do any thing
| more; unless il DO to condemn Postmaster
| General Villas for his supreme folly IL