The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-14
EDITORIAL NOTES.

One OF the most important undertakings Of the
Bureau OF Statistics of recent dale is the report
presented TO Secretary Foster showing The oper-
ations of the Mckinley tariff for period of
eleven months, It's effect upon imports and ex-
ports. the reduction in the revenues and the
changes in the prices OF various articles. 1t
shows that during the eleven months commenc-
ing October l, 1890, the imports aud exports Of
merchandise combined amounted TO 1,603, 1872,
266. an Increase OF S74,76S, 639 over the value
of our foreign commerce during The correspond
ing period OF The previous year. The average
annual increase OF our foreign commerce during
tile twenty years from 1871 10 1891 was $685.
1852. 10 lie eleven months the value OF our
imports Of merchandise was S763, 210,965. an
increase of S25,6S1 1916 over the corresponding
period Of tne previous year, and the value OF the
exports was $780, ,30l, an increase OF S49,-
OS7 1928. lie value OF merchandise imported
free of duty was s364 Gel 1856 compared with
S252 Gas. 255. an increase OF SIP, Ol3,0S1 for
the first eleven months OF the new tariff. The
measure officially entitled IAN act to reduce
Tie revenue" eIc., and Tor a tweIyemOnth The
customs receipts show reduction OF SAL, $780,
425 40 The report further shows a marked
Increase in exports OF agricultural and manu-
factui ed products, the stimulating effects Of re-
ciprocily, and quotes the ruling prices on cotton
cloth, printed cotton. nails, steel rails, binders
lwine and sugar TO show the reduction IN prices
siuce the measure went into effect.
Secretary Tracy. in a recent interview, out
lined tile policy OF naval construction lie may
urge Congress to pursue. He would like more
babe ships and mOIe armOred cruisers Of the
New York tyne, but he is particularly anxious 10
see a half dozen 1000-tOn guDb0atS constructed
for service on foreign stations in time Of peace.
There are naval officers, however, who regard
such vessels as being too small for the service
required OF them. The chief argument they
rt-a pxf non ia rlal l1ak nj Rnal
ance ana The fact that their crews would be so
small that they could not send ashore landing
party under ordinary circumstances OF more
than 10 or 100 men at most Ii is cOnse-
Queutly argued that the 1000 ton cruisers
beng constructed at Baltimore would be much
more efficient for the ordinary Work required on
foreign stations.
The workings of the kreutzer Zone tariff, as
applied 10 the railroad passenger service have
been so satisfactory ~ Austria that II has been
decided to extend tile principle 10 freight traffic
on the state railway lines. The new tarlH IS 10
be based on Tie division OF railroad distances
into zones Of about siN miles extent and the raie
from a giyeu starting point TO the center of a
zone is to determine the rate for the entire zone
Combined with this is an application OF the prln-
eiple OF diminishing rates and increasing dis
lauces 1t Il needless to argue that such sys-
TEN IS preferable to that of exacting all the
freight charges that the traffic VIII bear. Ii
leaves room for traffic associations that Dene-
tit railway combinations at the shippers ex-
peuse.
J. Sloat Fassett is making vigorous fight In
New York against Tammany. Shal Tammany
Hall TLle The State" lie asks, " as she has ruled
The city? That is the issue. The American peo-
pie are too intelligent TO be deceived, aud
believe that 4 great many Democrats are TOO
loyal ana too true to the old flag to be cajoled
and deceived 10y the deaih-ped repentance OF
Tammany HaH.H 81 proposed to Mr.. Cleveland"
he added. " the highly Interesting question for
him 10 take up and examine and cogitate IN
secret, What Will they 90 with him next year If
Tammany Hall wins This fall?' II would be
question pleasant for Governor Hill to take
home with him. but l don't want to get too
deeply involved IN these Democratic mysteries"
California hop-growers may be interested in
some figures presented by the GdmJrbnts,
The organ Of the Austrian brewers and hop
growers. According 10 This journal The produc-
ton of beer In 1890 all over the civilized world
amounted 10 $50, 100000 hectolitres, or about
1900, GOO, 900 gallons, and estimating the pop
ulation of our planet at 1,40O,O0O,O0O, there
would be thirty gallons OF beer for every man.
woman and child. Though this estimate seems
to be excessive, there is evidently ground for the
suspicion thai as the brewing OF beer increases
the consumption Of hops does net increase pro-
pOrtiOnately.