The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-25
YANKEE LEATHER GOODS
OUR FOOTWEAR RAPIDLY DIsPLAC-
ING THE ENGLISH PRODUCT.
Official British Report Shows the No.
Makers-Firgures for Three Years.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-The rapid
growth of the exports of boots and shoes
from the United States is attracting the
attention of the manufacturing world and
of the representatives in the United States
OF the manufacturing countries of the
world. The British commercial agent in the
United States has forwarded TO his homo
government a statement regarding the ex-
portation of boots and shoes from the
United States. in which he cites the figures
relating 10 our xports to the United King
dom. British West Indies, Australasia and
Africa, and says: "A glance at these fig
ures will show how American-made boots
and shoes are being pushed with success
in places where British-made goods ought
TO have practically 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 twelve months ended Dec. 81 last u
the United Kingdom, British West Indies,
British Australasia and British Africa,
from the United States, have grown from
9142,32 2 in 1898 TO e323. 30S in 1899, and e246,-
12f in 1900, and that the exports of a similar
~ liz III ~
British West Indies, British Australasia
and South Africa nave slightly decreased
meantime. being in 1898, G1, O92, O94; in 1899,
f1,0l ,s27, and in 1900. s1,075,47S.
Commenting on this growth of American
sales in British territory and absence of
growth of British sales in the same terri
tory, the report says: "Why this state of
affairs should be possible is not, at first
sight. quite clear. 1t means either the
American-made article is cheaper than the
British made one, or that it is of better
quality. Taking il for granted that the
British boots and shoes are not inferior to
those of America, there must be some more
important reason why the latter should
cost less than the former. hat America
is a large exporter of leather to the United
Kingdom shows that they can manufacture
IL cheaper. Considering that SO much of
the raw material has TO be imported into
the United States by the tanners, there
seems no reason why leather should not be
manufactured as cheap or cheaper in the
United Kingdom. This applies especially
TO the finer qualities, such as patent leath-
er, glazed kid and others. There is no
doubt that as far as certain classes of
leather are concerned 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 hemlock bark, which
is that most used for tanning sole leather,
is obtained from the forests situated in the
States of Wisconsin and Michigan. 1t is
also found in New York State and Pennsyl-
vania, but the supply is rapidly diminish
ing. For tanning the finer qualities of
leather chemicals and extracts are used, a
large quantity of which is imported.
THE United States is a large importer of
hides. There were imported during the
year ended Dec. 81, 1900. 3O7, 257,92i hides. val
ued at G1O. 74S, 0O7, of which 152, 1872, 232. val
ued at G3. S15,9S7 were hides of cattle which
pay import duty Of Is per cent. ad valorem,
and 90, l21 500. valued at &3, 800, 900, were goat
skins, which are admitted free of duty. OF
the total imports 124, 255, 264, valued at ga
2SS, 707, came from Europe, and 66,212. 1872,
valued at 60, 191, 451, came from the East
Indies.
''Those in the trade will doubtless be
able TO say whether the disadvantages of
having to import this quantity of hides,
bringing them from such great distances
and paying 10 per cent duty. paying high
er wages than are customary in Europe,
and heavy railway and steamer freights,
are compensated for by getting
cheaper bark; if not, there must be
something in the process of tanning that
enables the American tanners to compete
with other countries in their own markets.
Needless to say, only the latest improve
ments in the general process of tanning are
employed in the United States. 1t is the
use of so much improved machinery that
enables the American manufactures to turn
out such large quantities, and do 1T so
cheaply.
American manufacturers are going 10
make a bid for the South American boot
trade as we'll as the European and colonial.
There is also some talk of an American
factory being started in the City OF Mex
leo.
practically the whole of the boots and
shoes made in the United States came
formerly from the factories situated in
the East. Boston being the center. Lat
terly, however. tanneries have sprung up
further west. about Chicago especially, so
as TO be near the supply of hemlock bark.
The boot and shoe factories have naturally
followed suit. and consequently a consid-
cradle portion of the trade has been taken
out of the hands of Eastern makers, and
they in turn have been obliged TO look for
other markets where they can dispose of
their goods. 1t is therefore from that quar-
ter that British manufacturers must look
for the severest competition. 1t has been
suggested that a combination OF Amer
lean manufacturers should erect in different
parts Of the world large warehouses in
which could be stored the different kinds
and sizes of boots and shoes so that re-
tailers could replenish their stocks as, and
when, they required 1t. The advantages
Of such a plan, should 1t be carried out,
would be considerable