Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-22
THE SILK INDUSTRY.
Growth of Manufacture and Importa-
ton of Material in This Country.

Growth of Manufacture and 1mporta-
ton Of Material in This Country.
From the Boston Commercial Bulletin.
1t is interesting to look over the growth
of the production of silk manufactures in
the United States. an industry wholly de-
pendent for it's raw material from foreign
countries. 1t is quite evident from sta
tistics at hand that silk goods can be pro-
duced now at a price that makes it posi-
BILE for every one to use them. This, of
course, has greatly increased the demand
and production. An interesting feature
connected with this, and yet not affecting
the growth here, Is that while more silk is
being produced in this country than ever
before the imports of dress and piece goods
do not appear to be growing less; in fact,
for the eight months ended with February
the imports show an increase in value OF
100000 or more over those of corre-
spending period year ago. This would
indicate that the mills of this country are
not yet producing enough silk to cover the
demand. The value of all manufactured
silks imported during the period first men
toned was $50, Az, 761, which was an in
crease over the previous year of over 3d.
1900, and gain over the similar period
in 1901 OF more than $5,00O,00O
With the increase in the production of
the manufactured article it is interesting to
rial The importation Of raw silks amount
ed to $37 ,306367 in value for the eight
months ended February last, as against
$29,25S, 631 during the eight months ended
with February, 1902 and SIC, 497 ,456 in the
eight months ended with February, 1901.
AS a matter of comparison, let us go back
to 1870, when the importations of raw silk
amounted to but 100000 pounds. Ten
years later, in 1880, the total was but D.
100000 pounds The total number of pounds
imported in 1890 was 7, 500 600, and in 1900
they touched 10000 600 pounds. From the
way raw silk has been coming into this
country so far this year, coupled with the
fact that all the silk mills are busy, it is
expected by those interested to see all rec
ords broken. 1t is estimated that in value
the imports of raw silk this year will reach
fully $50,O0OOOO.
Following the growth of the industry has
been expenditure of money upon the mills.
New and up-to-d date mills are being erect
machinery and labor. Millions of dollars
are already invested and more is being
spent right along. The number of mills
In the United States producing silk in 1870
was eighty-six, and the total value of
their product was 81, 30 662 In the next
ten years the total number of mills had
grown to 49, During the next decade
the growth in the silk producing establish
ments did not make such rapid gains, yet
over 100 were added During the next ten
years this total was increased by nine
mills. This small showing in the building
line between 1890 and 1900 would indicate,
perhaps, that the industry fell off during
that period, but this was not so. The silk
manufacturers may not have built new
mills, but they were constantly adding to
their old ones Most of the raw silk has
been furnished by France, Japan, the
Chinese empire and Italy. The largest
exporter of manufactured silk is France,
and here is where the greatest gain in our
imports is noticeable.