The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-22

Washington March ~.
rT'lI! REDUCTION of forty-onc million dollars
in the exports OF the United States Tor tie
4 eight months ending with February is lot
considered at all discouraGing by those
interested in the growth Of our export trade nor
is it an indication OF decline in the general
growth of that trade. On the contrary, in all
important articles except three, in which conli.
tions are abnormal, there has been an increase.
The decrease is solely or practically so in corn,
due 10 the great crop shortage caused BY the
drought OF last summer, in copper, in which
prices have greatly fallen and in iron and steel
manufactures due to the unusual demand OF the
home market upon our manufacturers and the
reduced demand in foreign markets. In corn and
corn meal alone the exports fall more than AZ
million dollars below those of the corresponding
period Of last year, while the total decrease in all
exports is hut l,0l2,5si: showing that ii corn
exports We're normal the total figures would SHOW
an incrcas1 Of more tlaH six million dollars over
last year and over the corresponding period Of
any preceding year, In iron and steel manutlc-
turps. the figures of the seven months ending
with January (Fcbruary figures not yet availahe)
show reduction oi about lG million dollar, in
exports, this as has already been explained
btiar due 10 the excessive demand OF the home
market upon our manufacturers and THE lower
prices and reduced demand abroad In wheat
the exports for the eight months show an in
crease of nearly 20 million dollars compared with
those of the same months of the preceding year.
and in provisions there Is an increase Of five
million dollars. In cotton the month oI February
shows an increase Of over two million dollars
compared with February 1901, though the six
months of the cot ton year ending with February
show Il decrease OF about 10 million dollars, due
to lower prices and not 10 any reduction III
quantity, the number of pounds exported during
the period beirg 26}3,Si7,G3 pounds, against
2,OS, ,2ii, ,326 pounds last year, nm increase OF
over $50 million pounds. In mineral oils the
preliminary figures Of thc Treasury Bureau ot
Statistics for s months ending with February
show an Increase of nearly million dollars over
those Of the corresponding months of the prey 3lls
year, measured by values, while in quantity the
increase Is in much greater proportion. The total
number Of gallons shown hy the preliminary state
mcnt Of the Bureau Of Statistics for the months
is $50 1856 20l against GIS,O3l ,IG5 last year. an m
crease Of per cent. while the value as shown
by the same statement is, for the months end
ing with February 1902, SiS,155,i7j, against SlG,'
I05S5i, nm increase M per cent, Thus this
feature Oi our export trade, mineral oils which
a few months ago was showing Il decline, has
fully recovered, and its exports now exceed those
OF any preceding year both in quantity AMI value
In "copper" the only other Important article which
showed decline, the figures for January show
an increase of nearly 80 per cent. in quantity,
and a slight decrease in value, compared with
those of January 1901 (FGbruary figures being
not vet availabe) though for the seven months
ending with January, the export figures still fall
considerably below those of the preceding year.
Thus, corn in the S months ending with Fehru'
airy has fallen AZ million dollars in the value
OF its exports solely due to the shortage caused
by the drouth of last summer; copper in the !
months ending with January showed falling of
of 50, 558,s8i, by reason OF the enormous iall in
prices and in foreign demand; and manufactures
OF iron and steel showed in the seven months a
decline of slG, ,3OG 800, due TO increased markets
at home and reduced prices and demand abroad,
In the three items, IN each of which the falling
OF in exports is due TO exceptional causes and
may be considered as temporary, the reduction
Is over 20 million dollars, while the total reduc.
tion in exports for the months ending with
February IS but n million dollars, showing that
in other articles than those IN which conditions