Evening star., 1901-11-15

The above table shows the steady growth
since 1890 in the importation OF raw ma
teriais for use Of manufacturing, ana that
the year 1901 is proving the largest IN the
importation Of these materials In the entire
history of our import trade and manufac-
turing industry.
A detailed examination of imports OF
manufacturers materials in the last nine
months shows an even larger increase In
1901 than Is indicated by the figures above
quoted. While the total imports of manu-
facturers materials in the nine months end
ing with September, 1901, exceed in value
by $4OOO,O0O those of the corresponding nine
months of 1900. the actual increase In
quantity is probably considerably greater
than that indicated by the statements OF
values simply. This is due to the fact
that there has been during the last year a
marked decrease in the prices of the prin-
cipal articles imported for use in manu-
featuring, and, therefore, while the figures
Of value show material increase. those
of quantity show an even greater increase.
The Materials Imported.
The importations of manufacturers ma
terials are largely made up of six great
articles: India rubber, silk, fbers, hides and
skins. tin for use in manufacturing tin plate
and chemicals for use in the manufacturing
industries. In nearly all of these the prices
per unit of quantity in 1901 are less than
those of 1900. In raw silk, for instance, the
value of the importations of the nine months
ending with September 1901 is $26, 3777 $50,
against $26,256,077 in the corresponding
months of last year, the Increase in value
being very slight; but the number of pounds
imported In the nine months ending with
September, 1901, is 8, 1924 against 6,56l,-
$50 in the corresponding months of last
year. an increase of about 80 per cent in the
quantity imported. In fibers the figures
Of value show a slight decrease while the
quantity shows an increase, the value be-
ing in the nine months ending with Sep
tember, 1901, $40, 800, against s21 ,351 $40
in the corresponding months of last year,
a slight decrease; while the quantity in
1901 Is 1882 tons. against 1S7976 tons in
the corresponding months OF last year,
material increase dn quantity. In crude
rubber this is also true. The value of rub
Der importations in the nine months of 1901
is 20,S69,O7O, against 81, ,449,246 In the
same months of last year, a slight
imported in 1901 q is 40.4s1,04O pounds,
against 34.493, ,357 pounds in the same
months Of last year, an increase of
more than ID per cent. In pig tin the same
Improvement in price Is noted, the value
of the imports tn 1901 being $l4,679, 76s,
months of last year, while the quantity in
1901 was 6SOS. .901 pounds, against 54,S47,-
All pounds In the corresponding months of
last year.
Taking into consideration the two great
facts, 0) that the value of manufa cturers'
materials imported in 1901 is greater than
in the corresponding months Of any pre-
ceding year, t2) that the prices OF these ma
terials are lower, and that therefore this
increased value means still greater in
crease In quantity, the conclusion seems to
be justified that the activity Of American
manufacturers is increasing, whatever may
be the conditions with respect to manurac-
turers In other parts of the world.