Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-09

AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL SUPERIORITY.
Writing Of the invasion Of the markets
Of Europe by American manufactures
the chief Of the bureau OF foreign COM
merce, Mr.. Emory, points out the dis
tinctive causes Of our industrial superb
GRITTY. First of,all, this country excels In
the variety md abundance Of natural
resources. Every country of Europe is
poor by comparison with the United
States in minerals, in fuel, in the raw
material Of manufactures. None Of
them can approach us in cheapness Of
transportation. All of them labor under
heavier national debts. The greater ma
lions withdraw a considerable part Of
their male population from productive
activity to military service. Then we
are, above all, a nation Of inventors,
always seeking to substitute better,
more economical machinery or imple-
ments for those which served wants
for a time. There is a constant reach
ing out here for improvement in meth
Ouo W DIOuuClNOh uAu ~ ANoNANHo ~ ~ o.
which are not present, in the same de-
gree at least, in any Of the European
nations.
The high pressure habit of industry
which has become a distinguishing ma
tional trait, remarks Mr.. Emory, IN
Joined with labor-saving machinery and
~cheapness of raw material and fuel,
makes the labor Of one of our me-
ehanics or factory operatives equal to
that Of one and a half or perhaps even
two workingmen In Great Britain or
Germany. "It is now generally ad-
mitted," he says, that Notwithstanding
the higher wages paid In this coun.
try, skilled labor is actually cheaper,
when measured by results, than it is In
Europe. 1t is also more ambitious,
nor ingenious and far more adaptable.
The typical American artisan is always
eager to get out Of the rut Of mere rou-
tine work; he seeks to rise In his en-
ployer's favor not merely by his indus
try, but by improving the quality Of
his work or by originating some new
idea which will cheaper production or
enhance the market value of a p~articu-
lar article" This peculiar character
istic Of the American artisan has had
much to do with promoting the trium-
plant march of American manufactures
In foreign markets. To 1t is largely
due the industrial superiority we have
attained and this fact is in the highest
degree creditable to American labor. In
telligent workingmen understand that
the growth of our foreign trade has
| given them steady employment at good
wages and such men viii be found in
sympathy with whatever will still fur
Their extend and enlarge this trade.
Mr.. Emory regards concentration in
the use Of capital as another factor of
our economic superiority. He thinks
there is no doubt that the consolidation
Of Industrial and commercial enter
prises gives us an immense advantage
in competition with countries which
have not yet learned the lesson of in
dustrial organization. The instruction
which this country is giving in this
respect, however, is being carefully
studied abroad and there is every rea-
son to expect will be followed. Then
we may find our progress in foreign
markets arrested by the application OF
our own methods. How to meet this
possible condition is a question for the
serious consideration Of statesmen and
political economists. Even IL we should
hold our Industrial superiority can we
go on selling more and more to Europe
without buying more Of Europe? Shall
we not, in order to retain what we have
of foreign trade in manufactures, be
compelled to adopt a more liberal policy
Of exchange? These are questions thai
merit intelligent and careful considera
ton on the part of all who are inter
ested in the nations commercial prog
ress.