Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-04


OF the country exceeded two billions OF
dollars. The exports are greater than
they have ever been before, the total
LOT the fiscal year 1890 being sl394.4S3.-
w. an increase over 1899 OF !is7, 49,
over 1897 OF $343,4Ss,526, and greater
than 1895 by SILL $780, IA.
Ihe growth of manufactures In tho
united States is evidenced by the fact
mat exports of manufactured products
largely exceed those OF any previous
year. their value for 1900 being $685.
Sbl,176, against S33s, 592, 146 in 1898. an in
crease of 2s per cent.
Agricultural products were also ex-
ported during 1900 in greater volume
than In 1889. the total for the year be-
1883. S'''''- ~
:. The imports for the year amounted to
SS1S, 1874, an increase over 1899 Of
$loz,7s2.6 500. This increase Is largely in
response to the rapid development Of
manufacturing in the United States.
While there was imported for use In
manufactures in 1900 material to the
value of $7s76s,s72 in excess of 1899. 1t
is reassuring to observe that there is q
tendency toward decrease in the i'm
portation Of articles manufactured
ready FOR consumption. which in 1900
formed 1b.l7 per cent. Of the total i'm
ports. against 1874 per cent. in 1899
s~AAO SA.SS pei Scill iii 1000.
SHIP SUBSIDY.
American vessels during the past
three year have carried about per
cent. of our exports and imports.
Foreign ships should carry the least,
not the greatest, part of American
trade. The remarkable growth of our
steel Industries, the progress of ship
building for the domestic trade, and
our steadily maintained expenditures
for tha
tunity to place the United States in the
first rank OF commercial maritime
powers.
Besides realizing a proper national
aspiration. this will mean the estab-
lishment and healthy growth along all
our coasts Of a distinctive national in
dustry. expanding the field for the
profitable employment Of labor and
capital. It will increase the transport
tation facilities and reduce freight
charges on the vast volume Of prod
ucts brought from the interior to the
seaboard. upon which the founders Of
the government and their successors
have relied. In again urging immedi-
ate action by the congress on meas
ures to promote American shipping
and foreign trade, I direct attention to
the recommendations on the subject in
previous messages, and particularly to
the opinion expressed in the message
of 1899:
1 am satisfied the judgment of the
country favors the policy of aid to our
merchant marine, which will broaden
our commerce and markets and upbulld
our sea-carrying capacity for the pro-
ducts of agriculture and manufacture,
which, with the increase of our navy.
mean more work and wages to our
countrymcn, as we'll as a safeguard to
American interests in every part OF the
world.
WAR REVENUE TAX.
recommend that the Congress, at
its present session. reduce the internal
revenue taxes imposed to meet the eX-
penses OF the war with Spain In the
sum of thirty millions of dollars. This
reduction should be secured by the re-
mission of those taxes which exper-
fence has shown to be the most bur-
densome to the industries OF the people,
specially urge that there be in
cluded In whatever reduction Is made
the legacy tax requests for public uses
of a literary, educational or charitable
character.
THE TRUSTS.
In my last annual message to the
Congress called attention to the nee
essity for early action to remedy such
connection with combinations of capt.
tai organized into trusts. and again
invite attention to my discussion OF
the subject at that time. which con-
cluded with these words:
ut is apparent that uniformity Of
legislation upon this subject In the
several States is much to be desired.
1t is to be hoped that such uniformity,
founded in a wise and just discrmna-
tion between what is injurious and
what is useful and necessary in bust
ness operations. may be obtained. and
that means may be found for the Con-
gress, within the limitations of its con-
stitutional power, 50 to supplement an
effective code of state legislation as to
make a complete system of laws
throughout the United States adequate
to compel a general observance of the
salutary rules to which have referred.
THE whole question is SO important
and far-reac ching that I am sure no
part of 1t will be lightly considered. but
elaboration OF the Congress. resulting
in wise and judicious action"
Restraint upon such combinations as
are injurious. and which are within
Federal Jurisdiction, should be prompt
ly applied by the Congress.
THE PHILIPPINES.
The President plods again over the
ground ne has so often traversed in the
treatment of the Philippine question.
He advances nothing new, publicity
having been given to various papers
embodying his views. With reference
to the Philippine commission he says:
Coincidently with the entrance OF the
commission upon it's labors I caused to
be issued by General Macarthur, the
military governor of the Philippines.
on June 81 1900. proclamation OF am
nesty in generous terms, of which
many of the insurgents took advan-
n thnn1 n number Of I'm MORT
ant leaders.
This commission. composed of emil
nent citizens representing the diverse
Eengra nhlcal and nnlitic i intnreSta of