Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-05-04

budget of this correspondence to the
testimony furnished by foreign govern
ments and authorities of note in the
worlds trade of the tremendous strides
that have been made in the worlds
commerce during the past year. Let us
now examine some testimonials by our
own authorities. 1t Is only necessary
In this connection to quote from the re-
cent figures prepared by the officials
Of the Treasury Department to show
how marked has been the growth of our
foreign trade, and also the strikingly
interesting points showing the decline
in the imports of manufactured COM
modities, compared with the exports
Of like goods, as well as the general ex-
ports of all classes of goods during the
past few months. But 1t is due to the
officials of the State Department, who
are doing some excellent work through
the medium Of the consuls Of the Gov
eminent in foreign lands toward pro-
noting American trade, to note some
things said by the State Department
officials in recent comments upon the
growth of our foreign trade.
Attention has been repeatedly called
to the fact, which should not be lost to
the constant attention of protectionists
the country over, that the develop
ment Of our trade In foreign countries,
especially in lines Of manufactures, is
mainly in those lines wherein the skill
and intelligence OF American working
people in the utilization of machinery
methods has gained and is gaining for
us broader markets in regions where,
If conditions were equal and without
protective rates Of duty to build up and
strengthen our domestic industries, our
hlgh-priced labor would be unable to
compete with the lower paid labor Of
foreign countries. This is, after all,
the strongest point that can be made
in support of the protection doctrine,
and upon it rest the good works that
are being done under the influence of
protection, and which tend to make
that policy stronger with the American
people every succeeding day. Upon
those lines of manufactures into which
labor largely enters directly 1t Is impos-
sible for our industries to produce
goods In competition with the produc-
ers of foreign countries.
Probably no branch Of industry in
this country has been more effectively
brought under the influence of ma
chinery methods than the iron and
steel industry. Years Of protection
have developed In this country mighty
mills and factories for the production
Of iron and steel goods. The result Is
that these producing plants are now
able to undersell foreigners on many
lines of machinery made goods. Since
the beginning Of last July there has
been an increase of more than $15,-
100000 worth In our exports Of iron
and steel compared with the CORE
spending months Of the previous year.
The case Of manufacturers Of cotton
affords another striking illustration.
Probably no branch of American In
dustry has had greater number of
years of solid and adequate protection
than the cotton manufacturing lines.
The result is that during the period
| since last July there has been an in
crease of more than $4,000,0OO worth
In our exports of cotton manufactures.
1t will be remembered that the Dingley
tariff, without increasing the average
dutiable rates of the cotton schedule
greatly above those OF the Wilson
German law, yet by equalIzlng those
rates, and giving systematic and sci
entific schedule of protective rates.
bettered the condition Of our cotton