New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-27
THE IMPORTS IN ADVANCE.

Recent statements by some business men or
ability and prominence indicate that they have
not closely observed the relation of the increase
in imports, while the new tariff was pending TO
years demand so that II may be OF real help 10
them to learn how far such antlcipatory imports
should by this time be exhausted. While Il IS. OF
course impossible to determine precisely what
quantity OF goods Of any class has already gone
into consumption there are data which serve TO
make an approximate estimate unusually safe.
For It Is well established that the consumption
Of imported goods In the fiscal year 1896 was
much below the average. In scarcely any
branch except woollen goods were imports ma
terlally Increased. even in comparison with prevl-
GUS years of depression. and the accumulation in
warehouses was considerable. In any time OF
fair prosperity, with labor generally employed
and wages rising, consumption might be e1-
pected with the utmost safety to exceed that Of
the fiscal year 1896, that the proportion Of in
crease in imports during the FIVE months while
the tariff was pending TO the total imports in the
fiscal year 1896 will undoubtedly compare such
imports with smaller consumption than has
existed during the past months Of marked i'm
provement, the volume Of business running close
to that Of the most prosperous year IN past his
tory.
The Increase OF imports during the five months
ending with July was shown in The Tribune for
nearly all articles of Importance. and for all in
which II had been Of consequence. with the pro-
portion Of such Increase to the total imports Of
the year 1898. This would indicate what part Of
the demand IN such year as that was antici-
pated, and larger demand would presumably
have insured exhaustion Of the anticpatory sup
ply In less than that proportion Of a year.
always putting out Of sight such imports Of the
same article as may have occurred under the
new duty. Only ten items are found in which
the increase in imports was enough to antici-
pate five months consumption mt the rate Of
the fiscal year 1896, and several OF these are
relatively insignificant. Thus the imports Of
sumac represented seven months consumption
but only $4,000 In value. and the imports OF
unground chlcory only $4,000 In value, though
six and half months consumption In 1896
The imports Of fax and tow, 100000 In value,
were only three days more than five months
consumption In 1885, and may be considered
practically ont Of the way. The imports OF
grain bags, $4,000 In value, and those OF rice
So5OO0O in value, cover not quite six months
consumption at the rate Of 1896, and with n
slight Increase Of demand would be out of the
way.
Only three articles OF consequence to general
trade remain-namely, raw wool, rags and
shoddy, and these all affect single industry
The imports Of opium. 100000 in value, repre-
sented fourteen months demand, but do not
AFFECT general business, nor can the increase of
imports In cattle. though about 100000 In
value. be considered as affecting any market in
this country except for a brief time Putting
these aside, with the smaller items before men.
TONED. the anticipatOry imports, except Of wool,
rags and shoddy. were not larger than would
suffice for five months consumption at the rate
OF 1896 Many will be surprised to learn that
the Increase In sugar represented barely q fifth
OF the total imports during the previous year.
and the fact that many large cargoes have re.
Gently been started from foreign ports indicates
that further supplies are wanted besides the
quantity imported during the last two months.
The increased imports Of buraps were only as
much as four and half months consumption
IN 1896. OF tobacco four months, of cutlery.
hops and woollen yarn only three months of
woollet cloths not fifth. and Of silk goods not
a sixth Of the years consumption
Moreover, the imports Of carpet wool were
not more than the consumption Of four and a
half months at the rate OF 1885, and that the
supply Is running short appears from recent
imports and shipments to this from other coun.
tries at the new rates Of duty. OF clothing wool
the imports eQualled nearly fifteen months con-
sumption at the rate Of 1896. and OF combino