The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-04
CHIT OF THE CHPITRL CITY.
Reports From Consus Show the Growth and De-
velopment of Americas Foreign Trade

only by the increase of our exports to
over 1900. 600 000 marks Isl 600 000, 600} but
also by the constant Improvement In the
position of Germany's commercial fleet
and in shipbuilding. OF course. In these
respects. England is yet in advance. 1t
has to thank Its insular position for its
standing as q commercial power, and It's
peaceful colonial policy, already existing
more than a hundred years, which
brought 1t into immediate intercourse
with the farthest countries of the earth
According to the latest review of the
commercial fleets of the world made In
the autumn of 1899, Germany has made
recently greater advance than England.
Germany's ocean steam feet gained In the
last year PAS, 600 gross tons and 49, 600 net:
the English only 100000 gross and 10000
tons. net An increase like that of the
German commercial fleet has been shown
by no other country. On the 30th of Sep
TENDER England had 1, 347, 600 tons of COM
mercial ships in construction; Germany,
199, 600 TONS The difference Is still very
great. but one must reflect that ten years
ago German shipbuilding had almost
ceased, and that the coasts and harbors
lie far from the coal and iron districts.
"Other states remain far behind Ger
many in shipbuilding. Italy has $1,000 tons
In course of construction; France, $1,000
tons; the United States. IS, 600 tons. More
over, France IS the only one of all the
cultured countries which still busies it.
self considerably with the building of sail
ing ships; the greater half of those newly
built are of this class, while Germany
and England cannot be said to build such
vessels at all. Among the steam fleets,
for the last ten years, the German takes
the second place. of course. at a great
distance behind the English. Among the
sailing fleets. the American as we'll as
the Norwegian, stand In advance of Ger
many"
Consul Hunt. of Antigua, British West
Indies. IN response TO the inquiry of a
New York company writes under date of
Nov. 81:
There are about fifty bicycles In this
island population. 35,0eO), as against half
that number a year ago. All but four or
five are Of American manufacture, and
are owned by natives. Three conditions
initiate against more extensive use Of
the wheel. viz: The poverty OF tha peo-
pie; the tropical heat. which renders rid
ing between s q. m. and D. m. almost
Impossible. especially for whites; and the
abominable condition of the roads leading
between the various points of the island
When 1t Is stated that the method Of
road repairing in Antigua Is to spread on
the ground thick layer of stone. cut to
about double the size of q walnut and
leave 1t to be trodden down by passing
of carts or other teams, or the bare feet
of native pedestrians, It will be appreefat-
ed that wheeling can be INDUCED in only
under extraordinary difficulties
One of the Washington correspondents ?
representing a leading newspaper of
Pittsburg tells good story on fellow
reporter who worked with him when he
was attached to the local staff of the
paper he now represents at the national
capital
The reporter in question whom we will
call Jones. for the lack of a surname.
which would hit nearer his real family
cognomen. was a giant physically and
rather inclined to corpulency. He was
considered one Of the best descriptive
writer's on the Pittsburg press at the
time, but was very indolent and very
mach inclined to shirk any and every as
sfgnment which involved any great
amount OF physical exertion. He liked
to take in a big event leisurely and calm
ly and then do the descriptive intro
Guetory work. He had an intense aver
sion to petty details. which, of necessity,
must go into all articles. He had mar
rowfy escaped discharge on more than
one occasion, but his popularity, added
to his splendid abilities along certain
E1ines, had always saved Inn. sr5;S
It might be here stated that Jones was
passionately fond of g. game of billiards
and was also an expert. Many hours he
put In leaning over the green cloth when
he should have been hustling around
cleaning the facts of the story to which
he was assigned. He nearly always man>
aged however, through some plodding re-
porter on a rival sheet. to gather enough
facts to present a readable story and
thus save himself. The city editor was
aware of Jones' weakness and penchant
for billiards.
One afternoon great iron firm of the
Smoky City made an assignment and this
was the story of the day. The after
noon force of reporters had vainly en-
deavered to see the chief officers OF the
corporation to obtain from them a state
ment of the firms difficulties. they had
all been unsuccessful The bare notice OF
the suspension tackled upon the of1cs
door Is all that was obtainable.
The city editor decided to put Jones on
the story. 1t appears that the president
of the bankrupt concern lived in a pala-
tfal mansion situated Oh the crest of ono
of the many hills for which. next to
Rome. Ptttsburg is chiefly noted and thu
residence at that time lay a considerable
distance off street car lines.
Jones sighed deeply when given this de-
tail and upon this occasion. at least,
faithfully undertook to "cover It." Aftei
q long and tiresome walk up the long hill
he arrived at the residence of the presi-
dent of the suspended OF defunct iron
I works.
The aspect was dark and forbSddtng.
but one light being visible IN the great
house. Jones approached the front door
and tugged most vigorously at the door
bell for. fully five minutes. ard could hear
nothing more responsive than the peal
of the bell inside. No other response
crowned his efforts. He then kick, and
banged on the door with his fists. and
generally made such a racket as to arouse
the dogs and the neighbors, but. aside
from this, his efforts We're unayaifng.
/ He YEARLY turned away and slowly
and disconsolately made hts way back to
the Office
well, Jones'" said the city editor. as
he glanced up from the copy he was ed
iting. what success?'
Jones briefly recounted his experience
and failure.
The city editor looked critically and sus-
piciously at Jones, and, after q moments
pause, said: Look here. old man, how Is
1t you have billiard chalk all over your
sleeve? I don't believe you have been
out there at ALI Now, il you value your
position on this paper yes will go out to
President Smiths at once and don't re-
turn here until you get something, IL Il
takes all night"
Jones protested. but the editor was OBJ
durate, and Jones retraced his steps with
anger IN his soul and determination
to do or die.
Once again the previous performance
was repeated at the ironfounder's resi-
dence. with no better result than upon
the previous visit
"Fii bring something this time" mutt