The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-08-09

New York. August S-A special to the
Times from washington says:
Representatives Of the great ports OF
the United States viii be Interested in
some Of the figures which the bureau Of
statistics OF the treasury department has
just compiled regarding the Import and
export trade Of the various ports Of the
country and comparing the years ousi-
ness With that Of preceding years.
The rivalry among the coast cities for
the honor and profit Of handling a satis-
factory proportion Of the foreign CON-
mercs has been unusually sharp in the
past year or so, The rapid growth OF the
carrying trade along the chain OF great
lakes and thence by canal or rail TO the
coast. the sharp competition and reduced
rates by ran from the grain feds Of the
west TO the south Atlantic ports and the
increased rail and water facilities OF
transportation between the upper Mssis-
sppl valley and the Cuff ports, together
with improved harbor facilities at various
points. have produced material changes
IN the drif, OF the great bulk % the grain
and provision product % the country
which goes 20 Europe, while our Increased
commerce with Asia and Oceanica has
materially and advanta geously affected
The business q the ports on the Paclnc
coast.
These facts together wlth the cl inns
that certain ports enjoy special adyant-
ages IL railway rates and terminal iacil!-
ties. have made the interest in the COM
para;ive business % the various ports IN
usually great.
4 comparison of the figures covering the
exports and imports Il the various ports
during the hscal year with those of pre-
ceilng years presents some interesting
and suggestive facts bearing on this sub
ject. They show that the Atlantic ports.
considered as an entire group. r.. aimed.
when compared with the preceding year.
their normal proportion Of the exports
Of the year. but lost IN imports The total
Increase in expectation from th0se ports
being lIs per cent. while the total in
crease in exportation from the entire
country was i7.3 per cent; the total i'm
portaiions OF the Atlantic ports. however,
fell 2l.4 per cent, while the total imports
into the country decreased but 1873 per
cent
The Gulf ports did not, as a whole.
maintain the rate Of increase which the
country at large made In exports, their
percentage Of grain being but So per cent.
whEe their loss in imports was still great
er. being g.s per cent. The Pacific por,s
made the most satisfactory record Of
any group their gain being 81 per cent,
while they actually gained in exports lS5
per cent The northern border ports
made the largest percentage % gain in
expectations, the total for the year being
E.3 per cent. greater than that Of the
preceding year. while importatlons lost
ri per cent.
The Gulf ports increased their eK orta-
tions materially. especially wheat and
wheat -four. though in corn there was a
heavy decrease. Galveston increased her
tnports over those Of last year l1.6 per
cent. while those Of New Orleans in
creased Il per cent.
-fu-fTnports Galveston made a marked
increase, those Of 1885 being 497 per cent
greaA Ar than those Of 1897 while New Or
lean lost materially in her imports,
whi En 1895 ger n.s per cent less than