The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-02-03
AMERICAN EXPORTS.
Conditions Improving Under n Protective
System.

!
American exports are increasing
Not only is this true of grain and other
agricultural products, for which the de-
mand increases or decreases with the
condition and yield of the crops of other
continents, but it is true of manlfac-
tured products.
The increase is most marked in heavy
machinery. including locomotives and
other engines, and in iron and steel in
the form OF rods, billets and rails.
This is n cheering condition of things.
A steady increase in the volume of iron
exports will be of the greatest value in
promoting national prosperity. 1t is an
earnest of the fulfllment of the predic-
ton made years ago that the United
States, with its enormous resources, is
destined TO divide the trade of the world
with Great Britain. The Iron Age, in
q recent issue, says:
zone of the most important developments
OF the times is the steady increase in the
export trade. There are now very few arti-
cles OF American manufacture which have
not obtained footing In all civilized coun-
tries and in some cases I'm Philadelphia
nearly one-half the product is taken for
export. All the leading machinery and tool
manufacturers have had orders of more or
less Importance while the trade in hard
ware specialties is assuming very large pro-
portions, and more satisfactory still is the
fact that the goods are sold at profit and
not shipped merely for unloading pur-
poses.
American cars and locomotives appear to
have recognized position in foreign coun-
tries. Nearly one-half of the years output
at the Baldwin locomotive works was
for foreign account, while street cars and
electrical equipments are being shipped
regularly, Egypt and South Africa having
been important buyers during the year just
closed. Even the export trade in pig iron
is believed to be established on perma-
nont basis. The iron has proved to be Of
suitable quality, and at to-days prices In
Manchester. which is the leading market
for American iron, the net at furnaces ap-
pears to be equal IL not little better than
American markets Will afford. Sales were
made during the current month in Man
chester at AIS to 3Ss per ton, and allow
ing for freight and other charges the net
on furnace banks would be about eight dol
lars per ton.
THE export trade in rails may or may not
be permanent, although about $4,000 tons
have been taken during the year. chiefly for
Japan and China. The rail trade Is so
hedged around, however, that ii is impos-
very complete statement. The fact that
prices in Europe are equivalent TO about
S23, f. O. b., ought TO give our mills ample
opportunity for securing business. With
Pessemer iron at present prices the mills
ought to have good margin on rails, even
at price to compete successfully with for
eign makers. One reason for expecting
permanency in our foreign iron trade is the
fact that the increasing scarcity OF ores and
fuel in Europe is gradually developing
higher cost while the conditions on this
side are exactly the opposite.
Taking everything into account, there
fore, IL maybe assumed that the prospects
for 1897 are unusually favorable. The long
period of enforced economy must have
pretty nearly run it's course, and Is the de-
mand and prices for our cereals have been
almost phenomenal, the country is in a
much better condition to make expendi-
lures than ever before. 1t may take some
time TO realize some Of these advantages,
but the ultimate outcome is almost as sure
as that night follows day."
The steady development of our great
industries for so years under the pro-
tective system has at last brought them
up to the point where they find il POS
sible to compete in the worlds mar
kets. To return fully TO that system,
and let our industries proceed untTum-
meled along the path of progress, means
that the worlds primacy in manufac-
curing will eventually belong to she
United States.-Toiedo Blade.