The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-04
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.
Their Remarkable Growth-Passage Of
a Shipping Bill Recommended.

Our foreign trade shows a remarkable
record of commercial and industrial prog
ress. The total Of imports and expoBfs.
for the first time in the history of the
country, exceeded $1,000. O0.000. The exports
are greater than they have ever been be-
fore, the total for the fiscal year 1900 being
81, 394. ass. 0S2. an increase over 1899 of &c.,
ASS. $50. an increase over 1885 of sleS.o 600. 752,
over 1897 of sS43. as. 526. and greater than
1896 by ssh. S76.1 IA.
The growth Of manufactures in the United
States is evidenced by the fact that ex-
ports of manufactured products largely ex-
coed those of any previous year. their value
for 1900 being $f33. S51. $50. against 1853. 500. 148
In 1893. an increase of ~ per cent.
Agricultural products were also exported
during 1900 in greater volume than in 1888.
the total for the year being $50. SIS. Ia,
against 1874, 1912 in 1899.
The imports for the year amounted to
ss4s. 941, 1s4. an increase over 1899 of sl52. 49,
695. This increase is largely In materials
for manufacture, and is in response 10 the
rapid development OF manufacturing In the
United States. While there was imported
for use In manufactures in 1900 materials
to the value of $40, 76S. 972 In excess of 1888.
Ii is reassuring to observe that there is q
tendency toward decrease In the importa-
ton of articles manufactured ready for
consumption, which in 1900 formed 15.I7 per
cent. OF the total imports, against 1854
per cent. IN 1888 ana zl-US per cent IN 1870.
American vessels, during the past three
years, have carried about 3 per cent. of our
exports and imports. Foreign ships should
carry the least, not the greatest, part or
American trade. The remarkable growth
OF our steel industries, the progress OF ship
building for the domestic trade and our
steadily maintained expenditures for the
navy have created an opportunity to place
the United States In the first rank OF COM
mercial maritime overs.
Besides realizing a proper national as
piration this will mean the establishment
and healthy growth along all our coasts
of a distinctive national industry. expand
ing the field for the profitable employment
OF labor and capital. II will increase the
transportation facilities and reduce freight
charges on the vast volume OF products
brought from the interior 10 the seaboard
for export, and Will strengthen an arm OK
the national defense upon which the f0un-
ders of the government and their successors
have relied. In again urging Immediate
action by the Congress on measures to pro-
mote American shipping and foreign trade.
/ direct attention TO the recommendations
on the subject in previous messages. and
particularly TO the opinion expressed In the
message OF 1893: II am satisfied the Judg-
ment OF the country favors the policy OF
aid TO our merchant marine, which will
broaden our commerce and markets and up
build our sea-carrying capacity for tho
products Of agriculture and manufacture.
more work and age 10 our countrymen,
as well as a safeguard to American inter-
ests in every part OF the world"
The attention OF the Congress Is invited
to the recommendation of the secretary OF
the treasury in his annual report for legis-
lation in behalf OF the revenue cutter serv.
ice. and favorable action Is urged.