The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-27
RITTER OR CHEAPERP

The rapid growth Of the exports Of
boots and shoes from the United States
IS attracting the attention of the manu-
featuring world and of the representa-
tfves in the United States Of the manu-
featuring countries Of the world The
British commercial agent in the United
states has forwarded to his home gov
erument a statement regarding the ex-
portatiOn of boots and shoes from the
United States. in which he cites the
figures relating to our exports TO the
United Kingdom, British West Indies.
Australasia and Africa, and says: "a
glance at these figures viii show how
American made boots and shoes are be-
ing pushed with success in places where
British-made goods ought to have prac-
ticaliy the monopoly"
This report. a copy OF which has
reached the treasury bureau Of statistics
through the British Board of Trade
Journal. shows that the exports of boots
and shoes during the IL months end
ing December 81. 1900. to the United
Kingdom, British West Indies British
Australasia and British Africa from the
United States have grown from e142.-
s2S in 1888 to e323, sos in 1899. and s426 .
ia in 1900. and that the exports of a
E-A-A-+e-A
dom to British West Indies, British Au-
stralasia and South Africa have slight
~ decreased meantime. being in 1898.
a1092094. in 1893. a1.001.s27. and in
1900. RL075.4Ts.
Commenting on this growth Of Ameri-
can sales in British territory. and alb
Eence of growth of British sales in the
same territory. the report says.
why this state OF affairs should be
possible IS not. at first sight, quite clear.
1t means. either the American-made ar
ticle IS cheaper than the ISritish-made
one. or that il is OF better quality. TAX
ing it for granted that the British boots
and shoes are not inferior to those of
America, there must be some important
reason why the latter should cost less
than the former. That America t. a
large exporter OF leather to the United
Kingdom shows that they can mauufac-
ture it cheaper Considering that SO
much OF the raw material has to be inn
ported into the United States by the
taners. there seems no reason why
leather should not be manufactured as
cheap or cheaper in the United King
dom This applies especially to the finer
qualities such as patent leather. glazed
kid. and others There is no doubt that
as far as certain class leather is con-
cerned. America possesses considerable
natural advantages There are plentiful
supplies Of suitable bark growing in the
different parts Of the country. and the
tanneries have been placed at no great
distance from It, The hemIock bark.
which is that most used for tanning sole
leather. is obtained from the forests sit
uated in the states of Wisconsin and
Michigan It IS also found in New York
state and Pennsylvania, but the supply
IS rapidly diminishing For tanning the
finer qualities of leather chemicals and
extracts are used, q large quantity Of
which IS imported
THE United States IS q large importer
the year ending December 81. 1900. 3O7,-
257 ,924 hides. valued at 210,94S 007. of
which 152. 1872 232. valued at 2S,S15.sS7.
were hides OF cattle which pay import
duty of is per cent ad valorem. and S.
4 "a 6e6, valued at ES. $50. SEQ. were goat
skins. which are admitted free Of duty.
OF the total imports. 124, 255. 264. valued
at e.. 2SS. 707. came from Europe, and
Ct, 212. 792 valued at 22,191,451. came from
the East Indies.
Those IN the trade viii doubtless be
able to say whether the Disadvantages Of
having to import this quantity Of hides,