New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-30

MERGE. "A history or American SoHiilciSc "!
NJ. Depew. LII. .. Illustrated. New-York: D.
y. Haynes & Co.
Darwin and the other students OF the physical
sciences taught the world that there was no man
more capable of writing lucidly and we'll concern
ing the things with which he was familiar than
the scientific specialist. This volume suggests
the same thought about the trained business man
who has mastered his calling. The articles are
by no means Of even quality nor Of uniform
value to the student OF American industrial prog
rees. but the average is high and few OF them
are models OF what such sketches should be. COM
bnlng history. statistics. reviews OF processes
ard forecasts of the tendencies Of their special
ties. This cycopeda-for Ii Is practically one
substantially covers the field OF American In
dust-y. and though the trea tmcnt OF the subject
under one hundred heads appears an arbitrary
fancy rather than a strictly logical division ac-
cording to the way IN which industries naturally
group themselves. yet there is magic in num-
bers. and something must be conceded TO book
published to celebrate centennial. The Ship
ping ard Commercial List and New-York Price
Current" has completed It's -huDdredth year
ca6 marks it by the publication OF this quarto re-
view embellished with portraits Of the contribu-
tors printed on handmade paper with generally
accurate prcsswork. the use OF the wrong initial
IN TIE name Of George NJ. Pullman being an ex-
cep.ion TO the rule. The authors OF the articles
are among the most successful men in their diff
serent lines Of work. Governor Morton writes Of
banking: Carroll u. Wright. on labor; General
Horace Porter, on New-York commerce; Charles
Il. Flint on foreign trade; stuyvesant Fish. on
railroads; Charles II. Cramp, on shipbuiiding;
General Thomas T. EclSert. on the telegraph;
Senator Proctor. on quarryng; John F. Searles.
on the sugar trade; Warner Miller. on paper
mills: General Charles H. Taylor. on newspapers;
Eugene G. Bls oxford fisheries, and experts OF
equal character on other topics. Some repetition
end even some contrary. statements may be found
ii thei. productions but different points Of view
lsad to different opinions. and the contradictions
orly emphasize the work OF the specialists.
The period coveCed b. these papers includes
,-actically the entire development Of modern
Industrial conditions. 1t is not alone that in
america a wilderness has been made the home OF
the highest material civilization. The Old World
has in the same time been transformed. now
having the advantages Of great capital and
established industries FOR the transformation,
row suffering from the conservatism of i'm
mobile peoples in adapting their social life to
new conditions Of labor. America presents more
completely the change because there less
established business TO perpetuate the old ways.
When Jays treaty was made our roads were
agricultural products and. though a few mill
ion bushels Of grain were sent out each year.
and Edmund Burke had during the Revolution
told England she was fighting the daughter that
fed her. II was only with the canal and the rail-
road that our great agricultural development
became possible But Europe a century ago was
little better off. There could be had more of the
Injuries of life. variety in food, silks fine glass
ind porcelain: but the possibilities Of farming
and manufacture and commerce in the direction
Of the present methods We're little greater than
with us. A study Of our business shows that.
with the exception OF banking and those old
handicrafts in which medieval skill has not
been discounted by machinery. and In which
the Old World possessed and still possesses the
greatest excellence. the story Of the advance of
American Industries sketches that Of the world.
TIE mills of New-England tell Of the mills of
+ rmingham. The extension of railroads here
j been only more rapid. not more revolution
=. than in Europe.
such a growth here, so marvellous that as we
aook back the wilderness Of century ago
e are inclined to think ourselves Sc: apart from
the world. instead Of rejecting it. could never
have taken place. in spite Of all natural advan-
;es. without intense energy which is re-
,led in the history of every enterprise treated
this volume Mr.. Folgers story Of oil trans
por,ation OF a hundred cases Of readi-
ness to dea unforeseen i.fleplties When
ness to deal with unforeseen dinlcuiies. When
carts over mountain roads were found inadequate
for carrying petroleum. barges were substituted.
though the streams had to be damned TO
accumulate water which could be let loose in a
sudden food to float the cargoes. The difficulties
or commerce have been popular blessings. The
hills Of San Francisco made the cable-car a pos
sioility. and the prejudice against the overhead
trolley has made the underground one, which
the companies think will prove in every way bet
ter. apparent success. SO stimulating does
difficulty appear to have been that a man who
drags on the wheels of progress may almost con-
slider himself public benefactor. On the other
hand. the business man who is charged with
working for selfish purposes may admit 1t freely
and yet claim gratitude a servant Of his fell
lows. We all grant this as a general proposition
but rarely concede it in q particular case. But
the leaders Of the great corporations have the
courage Of their convictions and defend theii
courses which are most complained Of Mr.
searles shows that combination among sugar re
fneries was the necessary outcome Of the reduc
ton in the margin between raw and refined
sugars from 10 cents pound in 1888 to three
cents a pound In 1876 and TO less than cent
at present. Mr.. Fish makes a similar plea for
railroads. ana Attributes the rate evils Wnlch the
Interstate Commerce Law seeks 10 abate to the
struggles Of companies 20 H. by granting favors
where unwise competition is forced upon them
at the expense Of business they of. The
great interests do not believe that competition is
the life OF trade. They want to be left alone 10
prosper. and in all honesty they think the people
benefit by their large prosperity.
To give hint of the course OF these
hundred lines OF development is impossible here.
All the writer's tell the same story in hundred
different ways and fascinating story IL is
not of mere figures, but one which tells how
people have lived what they have done. of their
wants. their speculatons. their travels and even