The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-30
ADVANCING PRICES.
On Raw Material Imported From For
eign Countries.

Washington April 30.-Prices of the raw
materials of foreign production used by
American manufacturers continue to ad-
vance in the foreign markets from which
these supplies are drawn. The bureau of
statistics has for many years presented in
its monthly and annual publications state
ments of the prices in foreign markets
of the leading articles of manufacturers
materials and foodstuffs imported. The
prices of these articles are determined by
the statement of the importer, who in his
invoice names under oath the actual cost
of the articles at the foreign port whence
it is shipped to the United States The
statements thus obtained indicate, there
fore the actual price in the foreign mar
ket unaffected by tariff charges at United
States ports.
treasury bureau of statistics shows a re-
markable increase in the foreign price of
many of the articles imported for use in
manufacturing. In Manila hemp and sisal
the increase is more than 100 per cent
within the last two years; in jute, over so
per cent; in raw silk, % per cent; in In
dia rubber more than 25 per cent; in
clothing wool, SO per cent; in tin, so per
cent. and in raw sugar, % per cent. Dur
ing the nine months ending with March,
1900, the importation of Manila hemp
amounted to 9,10I tons, vaAued at S4,266.-
ending with March, 1898, 1859 tons were
valued at but s., AS. .46S the average price
being S146.5o against s6iS5 in the CORE
spending months of 1888 In sisal grass,
which is imported from Mexico, the in
marked. the 52.S75 tons imported in the
nine months ending with March, 1900, be-
ing valued at IS O07, ,961. or $151.30 per ton,
against an average of S62. 4z per ton IN the
| CORRESPONDING months of 1898. Jute, which
averaged $23 65 per ton in the nine months
ending with March, 1888, averaged $S6. 50
in the nine months ending with March,
l90Os Raw silk also shows a marked in
| crease the average price per pound in the
fiscal year, 1897, being $2.S4, in 1899, So. .19,
and in the nine months ending with
/ of March alone the average price was
81 So as against an average OF S2.S4 in the
| fiscal year, 1897. Raw sugar, mot above
/ No 49, Dutch standard" whose aVera ge
| cost in the foreign markets during the
fiscal year, 1897, was &c per pound was,
| March 1900 .242c per pound, and in the
month of March over 212c per pound, an
| increase of % per cent in the cost IN the
| foreign markets.
The following table shows the average
| value in foreign countries of the articles
named during the fiscal years 1897 lssS,
| 1899 and the nine months ending with
March 81, 1900, as shown by the figures of
the treasury bureau of statistics, which
are based, as above indicated on the
statements of importers of the cost or the
/ goods in question at the foreign ports from
| which they are shipped to the United
States. -, n ,=
Articles. 1897. 1898 1899. 1900.
Maniit par tom n ~ s73. .ss ss44 s116s2 sl4s.5o
Sisai, per tom. 6O.60 74.5s 12S.12 1870
s9S'A IF 4s9 559ofs ss4 IS: is IL @ s5s 81 sfs 81
sugar, gS r....! raw. per .oaol .O224 OPS .O24a
TiP' Ib .... in bars. per .12s 1878 1885 .2ss