Evening journal., 1898-08-11
THURSDAY. AUGUST IL. 1898
IMnFoRr AID ExPORr rRADE.


some figures which the Bureau Of sta
tisbics OF the Treasury Department has
just compiled regarding the import and
export trade of the various ports OF
the country and comparing the years
business with that OF preceding years.
The rivalry between the coast cities
for the honor and profit OF handling
a satisfactory proportion Of the foreign
commerce has been unusually sharp in
the past year or two. 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 rail from the
great grain fields Of the West to the
South Atlantic ports and the increased
rail and water facilities OF transporta-
tion between the upper Mississippi val
ley and the gulf ports, together with
improved harbor facilities at various
points, have produced material changes
in the drift OF the great bulk OF the
grain and provision product OF the
country which goes to Europe, while
our increased commerce with Asia and
Oceanica has materially and advanta-
geously affected the business OF the
ports on the Pacific coast These facts,
together with the claims that certain
ports enjoy special advantages in rail-
way rates and terminal facilities have
made the interest In the comparative
business OF the various ports unusually
great.
A comparison of the figures covering
the exports and imports Of the various
ports during the fiscal year with those
OF preceding years presents some inter-
estlng and suggestive facts bearing on
this subject. They show that the At
lantic ports considered as an entire
group retained, when compared with
the preceding year, their normal pro-
portion Of the exports Of the year, but
lost slightly In imports, the total in
crease in expectation in these ports be-
ing 1761 per cent, while the total in
crease in expectation from the entire
country was 17.3 per cent; the total
importations OF the Atlantic ports
however, fell "a per cent, while the
total importations into the country de-
creased but 1913 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 gain being but SO per cent against
an average of 1913 per cent. for the to-
tal;while their loss in imports was still
greater, being 29.9 per cent. against
an average Of 1913 per cent. for the en-
tire country. The Pacific ports made
the most satisfactory record Of any
group; their gain in exports being 25.l
per cent, while they actually gained In
imports 1913 per cent, while the tota
imports for the country were being de-
creased 1913 per cent. The Northern
border ports made the largest per
centage of gain in expectations, theii
total for the year being 27S create
than that of the preceding year, Will
in importations they lost 21.1 per cent
Talking up the ports individually
however, and considering their per
centage OF the total commerce durinl
a longer term OF years, the contrast
and comparisons increase in interest
Beginning with the port OF New Yorl
1t is found that she handled only 45.
per cent. OF the foreign commerce @
the country. against 52.5 per cent. 4
1890, 522 per cent. i'm 1898, 51.4 pc
cent. in 1896, and 49, per cent. in 1S9'
The loss is altogether in exportation'
having been in 1898, but 36.1 per cen
OF the total expectations Of the cour
try, against 37.2 per cent. in 1897, 40
per cent. in 1896 and 41.3 per cent.
1894; while her importations in 1SS
were 65.3 per cent. Of the total import
OF the country, against GAL per cen
in 1896 and 6S.4 per cent. in 1894.
Boston did not make a satisfactor
record either in her imports or el
ports during the year just ended. HI
lulyOildNlbnc fWtlN July Go H~A NNAANs
the total imports Of the countr
against 11.S per cent. in 1897, 1O.1 p
cent in 1896, 81 per cent. in 1895, .
per cent. in 1898. and S.4 per cent
1891. Her expectations were in IS
only 9.5 per cent. OF the total. again
1OS per cent. in 1896, 10.5 per cent.
1895. and 1908 per cent in 1898. Ia
ing the total imports and exports
the country Boston had in 1898 but
per cent Of the total. against 1915 p
cent. in 1896 and 1897; 80 per cent.
1895, and 9.6 per cent. in 1898.
Philadelphia percentage OF the
tai foreign commerce OF the year W
nos altogether satisfactory when COZ
pared with that of preceding yea
Her importations were 81 per cent.
the total imports into the country, ,wh
In 1857 they were 60 per cent; in IS
e u1or cent IN 1904 y nor rent q