New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
EXPORTS OF BOOTS ANDSHOES
TIONAL EQUIPMENT WITH WHICH
TO MEET COMPETITION.

TO MEET COMPETITION.
A branch Of American export trade that has
developed under peculiar conditions Is that de-
voted to boots and shoes.
The progress In nearly every other line has
been largely due to the energy and persistence
Of the manufacturers themselves. In the boot
and shoe trade this has been less noticeable; In
fact a large number Of American manufacturers
Of these goods have preferred to devote all OK
their tine and attention to the home Market
to the exclusion Of foreign trade. The reason
for this is found in the conditions under which
the boot and shoe trade of this country mas
been developed.
In no country in the world has shoemaking
machinery played a greater part than In Ameri-
ca. the land OF its invention. and at a very early
date the industry became highly specialized
Each manufacturer made and marketed nm
tied number of styles and devoted his efforts 10
reducing the cost and improving the qualities
of these Successful shapes were. OF course;
initiated to q certain extent, but in spite OF ali
temptations the individual manufacturers de,
voted themselves to their special lines. lhstea9
Of making hundred styles. as in Germany ana
England. the American manufacturer VAS satis-
fed with a much smaller number
AS a result, he turned out vastly greater
number of cases OF each particular style, ana IL
was possible for his workmen TO remain con-
tinuously at the same operation instead VI
dropping one part Of the work TO take up an,
other Machines were thus kept hummins ,hat
would otherwise have renamed ioie ioi 'o"e
periods. .,., ou,a
The feeling that foreign competition wou'u
necessitate greater diversity or Styles an" .
resulting increase in cost III doubleday mao 10
effect in lettering manufacturers OF poots anu
shoes from engaging in that trade. Al present
however. there is marked Inclination "" .n
part to share in the business OF the Wo'.u
They are in a position with their present Ia
cities to more than supply the domestic IuaI
ket and they are ready TO meet whatever COM
petition may come along. ,
Almost every venture. large or small, 'hae mas
haap madp Tn est
shoes to meet the conditions or foreign com
petition has proved successful. And IN the az
gregate a very respectable trade has alreaey
been built up in this line abroad. In ls'O the
exports of American boots and shoes Geatherl
amounted to S419Gt2 In 1897 they amounted
| to ST. 7OS 224-an increase Of over 3OO per cent
During the fiscal year that closed June 30 1913,
they amounted to $1.SlG.53S, and this rate OF
increase has been more than maintained our
| ing the last year.
In Porto Rico and Cuba the removal OF re.
| strctions which have hitherto handicapped
trade with the United States will be or par
ticular benefit to the boot and shoe trade In
| 1906 Spain exported boots and shoes to the ISL
and Of Cuba tc the amount of SS6ESOz3 anu
to Porto Rico to the amount or Sl,lZo,ooS.
Our trade in the Islands has been compara-
| lively small. owing to discriminating tarn
In 1896 exported to Cuba boots ana SHOES
to the value of S34992. and to Porto Rico
5000 the latter including all otner ieather
goods and manufactured leather as WELL
In 1892, when trade with Cuba was in
fourishing condition we sold there nearly S2OO.-
600 worth of boots and shoes.
Under present conditions 1t seems certain that
the American manufacturers will control the
markets Of both Porto Rico and Cuba.
1t will probably surprise many persons to
learn that the boot and shoe trade in the Philip
pines Is an important factor in the export trade
of France. Germany. Spain and England.