The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-08
FORMER YEARS BEATEN
IN FOREIGN COMMERCE
Aggregate Trade With Other Countries
Reaches Enormous Figure of sa,445,-
s6o,eI6 in Twelve Months.

The foreign commerce of the year was
according to Secretary Shaw's report.
The total imports were valued at
81, OPS. 719. 237, andA the total exports at
81, 420.1H,679 This makes a grand total
for the years commerce SEAS. $50. GIG,
against $1,n4O6611 6 in 1893, $l,547, Oe0, sl6
in 1855, and 81. 164. SIC. 1872 in 1873 Thus the
increase in the past decade has been
more than that of the two Immediately
preceding decades combined.
THE imports of the year exceeded by
more than a hundred millions of dollars
those of any preceding year." continues
the report, and for the first time passed
the billion-dollar line. The exports were
larger than in any preceding year, with
the single exception of the record year
1901. and, despite the extraordinary de-
mands OF the home market, fell but
So. 90, 80 below those of that year. The
large imports were chiefly due to the
great demands of the manufacturers for
material to use in their workshops. and
IN part TO the general prosperity which
led to an increase in the importation Of
manufactures and luxuries"
Imports of Diamonds.
The importation of diamonds alone
amounted to $26,5O7, 7S6 against s1S.SS SOB
in 19O.
A large increase in the year in the
commerce with the noncontiguous ter
ritory OF the United States is shown.
Pensions for the enlisted force of The
Revenue Cutter Service are recommend
ed. The report recommends that provi-
sion be made by la wfor the arrest and
punishment Of men who desert this ser
vice. in order that discipline may be
bettered A bill will be presented TO
Congress at this session, providing for
this
Four new vessels are recommended
for the service. launches for service in
Puget sound and repairs to existing
vessels. Revenue cutters, swift and
small, are urged for use in Puget Sound
to arrest smuggling vessels engaged In
transferring goods from tramp ships az
anchor to private docks. Such vessels
are also needed at points on the Great
Lakes.
The following is a summary of the
WDlA per AOLlltu BE Vessels OF the reeve
nue. Cutter Service for the fiscal year
1903. together with the net expenditures:
Lives saved from drowning. 10: persons
on board vessels assisted. 7s9: persons
in distress taken on board and cared for,
81; vessels in distress assisted, Il; net
expenditure. 81, $50, 600
The efficiency of the Secret Service is
given high commentator.
Prevalence of Smallpox.
The report contains a review Of the
work Of the Public Health and Marine
Hospital Service during the fiscal year.
The total number Of patients treated
was IS, 573. Special mention IS made of
the prevalence OF smallpox IN the
United states. In a mild form. it ex-
lists in nearly every State Of the Union.
In the fiscal year. there were reported
in forty-four States, 1880 cases with
$40 deaths. a mortality of $50 per cent.
The international metric system is
given strong Endorsement in the course
of the report.
Under the head of navigation. the re-
port says. for the first time in the his
tory OF this country the documented
shipping, June 80. 1903. exceeded 5000. 600
gross tons.
Within half a century the lighthouse
establishment has increased in size
nearly five times. In 1853 there were
325 lighthouses and lighted beacons; in
1903. there are 1,4G lighthouses and
lighted beacOns.
The report indicates a constant d.
minution in seal life in Alaskan waters
A preliminary report from the agent in
charge of the seal fisheries shows that
1s. 252 sealskins were taken on the
PribilOs Islands in the season OF 1903.
smaller number than for several pre-
ceding years. The salmon c4tch Of the
year vas 231, 900 cases less than in 1902