The age-herald., 1902-03-23

souvenir volume which has been issued by the local post With the opening of the Nicaragua canal, which seems to be an assured fact In the near future, the port of Mobile will assume new importance. This pro- posed waterway will greatly enhance the value of the Western market to this lo- cality. and create a natural demand for surplus products. In the past few years there has been a continual and substan- tial increase In the percentage of traffic from the Central States to the sea by the way of the Gulf cities, but the lack of seagoing facilities has resulted in fhe west-bound traffic being entirely com manded by the railroads leading to the Pacific With the opening of the Nica- ragua canal all this will change and commerce will enjoy the advanta ges of competitive rates.
 Mobile as the cheapest coalng port in the world and the shortest and most ac- cessible route by land and water, will take precedence over every other Gulf port in the newly established commerce, and rank among the most important sea- ports of the world.
 No better indication of the usefulness of the port of Mobile to the country at large car. be found than the rapidity with which this port sprang into favor upon the resumption of commercial rela-
 
 Cuba, ranking as 1t does now the second port in the United States In its business to Cuba a business that four years ago, or in 1S97 did not exceed $65.0O0 per an- mum and Is now over five million.
 Comparative statement of exports and imports for the year ending June 30: Exports ...a$2, ,S23, 69O SS, 902119 $11,S22,11I Imports ........ 652,113 1.590,64S S0O7,5ss
 
 Totals $3, 475, ,S03 SIC, 492, 767 $14 S29, TOT
 The large increase over 1894 Is due to the deepening of Mobile channel from IT feet in 1894 to 23 feet in 1901
 "The striking feature of the foreign trade of the port of Mobile for the fiscal year ending June 90, 1901, is the value oZ the exports to Cuba. These values amount to s457e,Oo7 while. the highest for any year previous to 1897 did not exceed $10S,- 0OO It Is also noticeable that the exports to Cuba exceed by one million dollars the combined exports and imports for the year 1894.
 Mobile ranks next to New York in ex- ports to Cuba''
 Among the firms enjoying this trade none is better known than the firm of the Dunlap Mercantile Company. It does business as Wholesalers in foreign and domestic dry goods, boots, shoes, hats. and all such articles. The company oc. cupies a large amount of floor space and employs many men on the road and in the local house. The members of the firm are enthusiastic Travellers Protec- tive Association men, and were promi- nent in the public exercises and at the banquet.
 For the past two years the company has been making ext ensive improvements. Its sales have increased at wonderful ratio, and at the present time brighter prospects never shone on any company in the South. While we were in the packing department goods were being pre- pared for shipment to Central American and other foreign points. MT. Fowlkes stated his firms business in the South American countries was growing to ve-y considerable extent.
 Besides doing a big export and import business the volume of trade secured in the state is large. The company has rep- resentatives travelling every portion or the district and is popularly known in all parts In the Birmingham district the company is represented by F. B. and Walter B. Fowlkes, brothers of the vice president of the company, and among the most popular men in the northern part of the state.