New-York tribune., 1903-03-30
A GRATIFYING SHOWING.
Manufacturers Materials Constitute More
Than Half February's Imports

Washington, March g (SpeciaD.-A striking
feature of the import trade Of this country and
one which demonstrates the remarkable growth
Of the United States a manufacturing nation
is IN the increased proportion of manufacturers
materials in the total imports. For the month
of February this class of goods constituted. for
the first time in the history of the country,
more than 80 per cent of the aggregate. Whle
the total importation has increased rapidly the
inportatfon OF manufacturers materials has not
only kept pace with the growth but has far
ou*stripped that Of manufactured articles, as is
shown by the figures issued to-day by the
Bureau of Statistics. In 1882 manufacturers
materials formed 33.9 per cent of the total i'm
ports; in 1892 342 per cent; in 1902. 46l per
cent; in the eight months ending with FEBRUARY
1908, 46.9S per cent, and in February, 1918, oI''
per cent of the total imports into the United
States Meantime importations a whole
have greatly increased and seem likely In the
fiscal year. which ends three months hence, to
reach for the first time, the billion dollar line
Yet the growth in manufacturers materials has
been even more rapid than the general growth or
imports. as is indicated by the above hgures'
which show that the percentage which manu-
facturers' materials form of this increased total
has grown from 33.9 per cent in 1882 to OLD per
cent in February. 1903
The Treasury Departments monthly summary
of finance
sued. shows regarding this increase that manu-
facturers' materials imported III the elght
months ending with February. 1903. exceeded
bv $4,000 900 those of the corresponding period
of the preceding year. In the month of Febru-
ary alone the importation Of manufacturers
materials was $42000000 against $32.OOO,oUV III
February Of last year, an increase OF nearly one
third. For the last fiscal year, ending with
June 80, 1902. the importations OF manu1ac
turers' materials for the first time passed the
S4OO 900 line, having grown from $z45.VV'-
coo In 1882 to SITS, 100000 in 1892 and S419'-
100000 in 1902 The figures for the eight
months of the fiscal year justify the assertion
that for the twelve months ending June 80
1903 the total value of manufacturers ma
teriaIs imported will exceed S45O,ooO.oOo and
Will far surpass that of any preceding year J"
the history of import trade
The principal articles which are classed as
manufacturers materials are chemicals, copper
cotton fbres. furs, hides and skins. india rub-
Der, silk. tin, tobacco. WOOL and the bulk OF the
iron and steel imported. which comes in par
TALLY manufactured state. but for use in manu-
featuring OF these articles the importations In
the eight months ending with February, 1915
show in every instance, increase over the
eight months ending with February, 1871 Con-
sidering these articles separately 1t may be salo
that the value Of the importations OF chemicals
which are chiefly for use in manufacturing was
the eight months eRdg ,6t viz s N
.be corresnondinR months Of 1901. Comparing
the the same PERIODS copper shows increase
from so6OoOo to o20 e. in ot the vslqs Eo6 Of
d bree from sI3 600 to 500 800 900; furs
from to $500 ss9 9eS oo o hides rbher hna
S- e12 O0o On0 to S34 OOl 600: silk unmanufac-
tured from S15,oOOO 600 to $3s 100000; tin, from
ST2 80 600 to S13, $50 900: tobacco. from S9 a5o
On to S105OOOOO and wool from $1.OOOoO TO
S12 10000. ..,.. e,r
The table which follows shows In precise ng-
ures the value of the importations or THESE
orfncinaI articles of manufacturers materiais N
the eight months ending with February, 1919,
cornnared with the eight months ending with
February, 1900: