The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1902-12-04

TERMS: saeGMRsa 81 Months Hsss 6 &c esnss. assano'
of all descriptions, and as far as we can
see the increasing demand can only be
supplied from the United States"
1t is the relative chsapness of Amer
ican steel that has given it pre-emi-
nence, and it is the same with our 9th
er products that are winning their way
abroad. Economy of production is
the key that unlocks for us markets
that seemed only few years ago to be
closed to us forever. This economy Of
production implies not merely low
prices to the foreign consumer, but q
greater degree Of excellence in either
the raw material or the manufactured
article than they have been able to ac-
complish themselves. The American
mechanic, altho receiving higher wages,
produces, with the aid of labor-saving
machinery, at lower unit Of cost; and
his ingenuity and application enable
him to avail himself effectively of the
most recent inventions for improving
the quality Of his special line of work.
The American youth, before he enters
this race of competition with his for
eign brother, obtains his business ed
ucation from practical experience, and
this form of education is far above the
mere learning of lessons and cannot
fail to produce either good mechanic
or a wide-awake business man. The
American factory system is also highly
organized and more efficient than any
other. GH af
All this combined has given us a
great advantage and made America
the most formidable competitor in the
worlds markets. But will these ad-
vantages remain our sole property in
the future? It cannot be denied that
foreign observers are keenly alive to
the greater efficiency of our industrial
methods, and are seeking earnestly to
profit by them. The day, perhaps, is
not far away when the more intelligent
of our rivals will be able to meet us
upon more nearly equal terms, and
when it will be necessary to supple
ment our natural advantages and our
highly developed industrial efficiency
with the appliances of education, of
special training, of technical skill, and
of more scientific methods of extend
ing trade in quarters of the globe where
our goods as yet have made but little
headway. If we can continue to COM
pete successfully with European man.
ufacturers in their home markets. we
need not fear that the foreign markets
which they supply will, under natural
conditions, be slow in taking our su-
perior products. The only barrier to
their Introduction will be the artificial
one of tariff or other discriminating
legislation, and this may be removed
or modified by scheme of reciprocity.
If to such agreements, securing favor
able treatment of our exports we add
concessions permitting the importation
OF larger volume of foreign products.
we lay at once the basis for such ex-
change as may justify the establish
ment OF better transportation.
1t is fact that wherever batter
facilities for transportation have been
provided our foreign commerce has
Immediately increased, even in the
face of obstacles that seemed almost
impossible to overcome. The elements
OF hazard or speculative enterprise in
seeking to open particular market
have been reduced to a minimum. sin
view OF the ever increasing popularity
OF American goods. 1t is not To ha
expected that capitalists will inyest in
steamship lines or in other transport.-
ton enterprises unless they receive q
reasonable prospect of profit, but the
history OF railroad development in tba
United States sufficiently proves that
capital is far from being timid ia an
ticipating the possibilities Of trade IN .
naturally productive territory which
only awaits the means of.reacbinr
market. What has happened on land
may also happen on sea, for in view of
our relations, industrial and commar
cial, to the rest of the world. and or
proven efficiency in supplying its need.
IL may be found that the sea- so long !.
barren waste to usThas become at laat
2 fertile field for the same kind Of an
terprise which has given us such a.
excellent system Of internal and coast
"'se transportation. Z. P. s.