The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1900-02-09

In a timely and instructive contribu-
ton to the Saturday Evening Post OF
Philadelphia Frank A. Vanderlip, as
slstant secretary of the treasury,
brings into view some Of the splendid
facts of the prosperity with which the
people of the United States are blessed,
M for which they mainly have to
thank the change in national policies
brought about by the presidential cleo
ton of 1896. The assistant secretary,
whose relations to government finances
enable him to speak with knowledge
m authority, draws attention to the
remarkable statistics of the iron trade
as presenting "a comparison of both
relative and absolute development such
as has not been seen before" Some Of
the facts resulting from wise economic
laws are best stated in Mr.. Vanderlip's
own words:
"A decade ago we imported ST., OOO,-
600 and exported $14,0 600, 900 of iron
and steel manufactures. Since that
time imports have steadily fallen and
exports risen, until for the fiscal year
1899 we imported but $12, 000, 600 and
exported nearly 1874, 00O, 600. In spite of
this unparalleled production the price
of pig iron rose in eight months, Feb
ruary to September, from 81 to S24 a
ton, and at this advance nearly every
mill in the country is so busy that
practically no orders can be accepted
for early delivery.
For five years we imported almost
double the value of manufactures that
we exported. For the fiscal year 1888
we exported nearly $50, 900, 900 more
manufactured goods than we imported.
In 1893, for the first time, our exporta-
lions of manufactures exceeded the i'm
portations, the excess being about 25
per cent"
Where for many years we imported
on an average of 81, 900, 900 of manu-
featured goods a day and exported
about half that amount, he says, for
the fiscal year just closed we exported
considerably more than 81, GOO, 900 of
manufactured goods every working
day of the year."
The shipping industry, he says, also
shared In the general prosperity, quot
ing statistics showing the increase in
tonnage and in the number of new
vessels constructed.
He shows that the bank clearings
have increased Al per cent and the de-
posits % p.r cent. If the figures were
contrasted with those of three years
ago the increase in the deposits would
be 20 per cent.
He shows in the two years up to Oct.
1, 1899, the total money circulation in
the peoples hands has increased S27O,-
GOO, 600.
"The total gold in the country to-
day." he says, Stands at 81 900, 900, 900,
which contrasts with S641, O0O, 900 three
years ago. Gold is becoming the every
day money of commerce., and is no
longer found only locked up In banks
and safe deposit vaults"
Another fact he brings out is the
breaking of large bills into small ones
In four years the number of 81 bills
has been increased from S4O,O OO, 900
to $57,0 600, 900; of 81 bills from $2S,-
900, 900 to s36, O0O, 900 and of SIS bills
from s245, OOO, 900 to 1921, OOO, 900.
The government securities have ad-
vanced and the agricultural depart
ment estimates that the value of farm
animals has increased S342, 900, 900.
Money orders have increased more
than $40, 600, 900. immigration has in
creased SO per cent.
All these things have come to pass,
together with many other things of
equal Importance, under a strictly
American administration. The tide
turned when we began to show less
concern for the fortunes of our own
DeoDle.