The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-02-20
AMERICAN EXPORTS OF MANU-
FACTURED GOODS.

While there is no abandonment of the
no less evident that the trend Of opinion
among the leaders of the Republican party
is in favor of a moderate tariff
Surcincly stated. their position favors
the imposition of such reasonably increase
rates of duties, over those provided in the
present tariff law, as will accomplish three
things: ~ Sufficient revenue to meet the
expenses of the Government economically
administered; (2) provide reasonable and
proper surplus in the treasury, and (3)
maintain the standard of American wages.
This is the position taken by Speaker
Reed, and which it is generally believed
will be the line Of tariff policy Of the in
coming Mckinley Administration.
The proprety, as well as desirability, OF
a moderate tariff, finds timely illustration
in the fact, that even under present rates
of duty there is a noticeable increase in our
export trade Of manufactured goods, par
ticularly Of iron and steel.
Significant evidence Of this is afforded
by recent report from United States Con-
sui Parker, of Birmingham, England, to
the effect, that for six months or more past.
steel has been imported from the United
States for use in the tinplate trade in
Wales, and in January last, the first large
shipment, 1000 tons of steel billets from
Philadelphia, was made into that most dis
tinctively metal district of England
The Birmingham POST Of January 81,
commenting upon the competition Of Amer
lean iron and steel in the English market,
says it is can unpleasant reminder for our
English steel producers of the fact that
prices soon find their level all the world
over. "The Carnegie Company, we are
quering the markets of the whole world,
and they have certainly been exporting
lately enormous quantities of billets, rails
and other materials"
No less indicative of the appreciation of
English manufacturers. of the fact, that
the American iron and steel manufacturers
are rapidly becoming their competitors in
their own English) markets, is the recent
report to Parliament of the British Board
OF Trade under date of January %, 1897.
The interesting fact is disclosed, that in
the race of industrial competition the
United States is outstripping such great
exporters OF manufactures as France and
Germany in the rate of advance. The
Board of Trade tables show that as regards
the value Of exports of manufactured goods,
France held the same position in 1926 as
in 1Ss0-S4; that Germany made some ad-
vance, partly due to an increased export of
sugar, and that the United States made an
advance which was larger in amount and
much larger in p oporton than that of
Germany. Both Germany and the United
States, the report remarks, "have developed
in capacity to manufacture not only for
their home markets, but to some extent for
export Also" The relative position of the
United States among the chief industrial
competitors Of Great Britain is the more
remarkable in view Of the fact that there
has been but little attempt at organized
effort as yet among our manufacturers to
expand their export trade. What will
happen when they shall have seriously adj
dressed themselves to the task with eneral
concert of action it needs no prophet to
fortell. Reading between the lines of the
report to Parliament, it is easy to perceive |