New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-07
AMERICAN BICYCLES IN CANADA.
VIEWS OF THE COMMERCIAL AGENT AT PORT
HOPE. oNTARIo-EXPoRT OF WHEELS
FROM THIS COUNTRY.

Washington. March C5peciaD.-About two
months ago the Cycle Board OF Trade OF New
York City sent 10 the consular officers OF the
United States in Canada a circular containing a
series OF questions. with view OF obtaining infor
nation which would promote the trade in Ameri-
can bicycles In the Dominion. Commercial Agent
Dill. OF Port Hope. Ontario. sent his reply to the
circular 10 tie Department OF State. Inasmuch as
the subject is of general interest, copy of II
has been transmitted TO thu Cycle Board OF Trade.
Mr.. Dill writes that bicycles are in general use
throughout Ontario. and that increase is
pected this year compared with the sales OF
1897 which very large. The country Is level and
the roads excellent. About nine-tenths OF the
bicycles in in the Port Hope consular district
are OF American make. The tariff on bicycles is
80 per ad valorem. and 1t is reported that the
Canadian manufacturers are demanding specific
duty of IS on each wheel imported. with proviso
that in no shall the duty be less than % per
cent ad valorem. Steel imported for the manu-
facture OF bicycle chains by manufacturers in
their own factories is free Of duty. as also are
duck and canvas and fabrics for the manufacture
There is a reciprocal tariff which gives a dis
count Of oneeighth on nearly al duiable articles
one-aaari IsC on and after July next Nearly
every country, with the exception OF the United
that this S tariff viii be- So Changed
during the present session Of Parliament that 1t
will apply only TO Great Britain and her colonies.
Retail prices" he continues. ARE really the
sums which the agent can obtain-a sort OF catch
catch can Instances where list prices OBJ
tanned are very rare" Among merchants who act
as agents for the sale OF bicycles are to be found
some OF the most substantial men In the country.
but very frequently the so-called agents those
who wish TO obtain the discount wheel for
personal use and who give a second order.
Mr. Dill recommends the sending by bicycle
manufacturers of represen tatives 10 establish agen
ces In charge Of trustworthy persons who will con-
fine their business TO one particular make OF wheel
Where several varieties are controlled by one
agent the bicycle bringing the largest commission
receives the most attention. Terms OF credit in
Canada are longer than in the United States, and
Mr.. Dill expresses the opinion tina. liberal dis
count for cash would be an inducement for
smart active agent
According TO the official statements issued by
the Treasury Bureau OF Statistics the exports OF
bicycles from the United States TO British North
America during the calendar year 1897 amounted
10 STA $50 compared with s557.57 during the year
1886 In 1887 Canada bought more American BIZ
cycles than any other single country or colony
except the United Kingdom .Cs2l?s,isD. and Ger.
many 81 37s.j5S. France took &S3 go worth: all
the rest OF Europe bought s,llo;09 worth. and
ports OF bicycles from the United States during
the calendar year 1891 amounted TO NO.0Sl.ns as
compared with total OF s6.542, 1872 for 1896 being
an Increase Of s3,5lS,O2s. or nearly "a per cent