Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-18
CHARGED TO THE TARIFF
The Falling Off in Foreign Commerce
Said to Be Result.
II the Decrease Continues 1t Will BE
an Argument for Revision
Next Winter.

1t is said in financial circles that the
business and financial situation of the
country shows gradual and gratifying i'm
provement. The treasury is maintaining
the gold reserve, and 1t is thought that
the syndicate management will be sue
cessful in preventing gold exports under
normal conditions. 1t is said that the
banks are getting better employment for
money, and that their customers give in
dications of doing more business In the
business world there have been advances
in the price of some of the leading Ameri-
can staples. and there Is firmer tone In
the domestic market value of other arti-
cles
Decrease In Foreign Commerce.
In contrast to these favorable condi-
tions existing in the internal commerce
Of the country. is an unfavorable report
of our foreign commerce. The last bule-
tin issued by the bureau of statistics, CIV
Hg Quantities and NaIues OF the prlno4pal
articles of agricultural exports for the
past eight months, shows considerable
falling off, both in quantities and average
prices, compared with the corresponding
eight months of the preceding year. The
value of breadstuffs exported in the last
eight months was a little over 81, 600 600.
a decrease of over $T,OOO,OOO. There was
d ldiliHS OH IN the exports OF cotton
amounting to over 1,OOO,OOO bales and a
decrease in price Of nearly 2 II cents a
pound.
The exports of dairy products have de-
creased. and there has been an increase
in the amount of agricultural and dairy
products imported into this country. There
as been a heavy increase in the imports
OF manufactured articles of class similar
to the products of the largest manufac.
ing industries of this country. This, of
course, means the crowding out of just so
much American product.
Charged Against the Tariff.
There is proneness In some quarters to
attribute these conditions of tine foreign
trade to the operations of the new tariff
law. The Wilson-Gorman act has had full
six months operation now, and it Is claim
ed that it is fair to begin to judge of its
effects. Those who predicted disastrous re-
suits from the operation of the law are
laying upon it all of the responsibility for
the falling off in the foreign trade, and say
that since it is shown that the one great
claim made in behalf of the low tariff
namely, that it would increase the foreign
trade, has been proven fallacious the law
now stands condemned beyond hope of de-
fense.
If the decrease in the foreign trade con-
tinues at the present rate until the assem-
bling of Congress next December, it will be
powerful argument in favor of an imme-
ulate revision OF the tariff, 1t Is said. The
impression prevails among those well post
ed that there will be considerable division
of sentiment among the republicans as to
the advisability of commencing an immedi-
ate and sweeping revision of the tariff.
There is a well-known disposition on the
part Of some of the leaders to go slowly in
tariff matters and not unsettle the business
OF the country unnec esSarily.
On the other hand, there is an element
which wants to go at the tariff hammer and
tongS, and these people are the ones who
are now keeping closest tab upon the short
comings of the present law, accommodating
all the evidence possible in favor of their
plans for immediate revision.