The San Francisco call., 1904-12-12
GREAT GROWTH
OF OUR TRADE
Secretary Metcalf Reports
That in Last Fiscal Year
1t Exceeded All Records
TAKES Up EXCLUSION

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE for
eign commerce Of the United States for
The past fiscal year. as set forth by
Secretary Of Commerce and Labor Met
ealf in his annual report, just submit
led 10 the President, shows a larger
totaI than in any earlier year. While
he exports were surpassed by those of
single year, 1901, and the imports
we're also surpassed by those of a sin
yle year. 1903. the aggregate of imports
nd exports for the year is greater than
hat Of any preceding year in the his
.ory Of our commerce. The imports Of
ne year were 1891, 1,0s7. 81 and the ex-
3orts 81, ,460, ,s27. .27l, making the total for
oign commerce Of the year 81, 451. ,642,
which exceeded by $685. 726 the high
record established by the year 1903.
The total Of agricultural products ex-
ported fell sls,679.SO9 below that Of the
preceding year and formed a smaller
percentage Of the total domestic ex-
ports than in any preceding year, while
exports Of manufactures were the
largest ever recorded, exceeding by
sz4Ss9,762 those Of the preceding year
record established in the year 1900.
The reduction in exports of agricul-
tural products was chiefly due to the
small expectations Of breadstuffs, which
amounted during the year TO s14s,05o,-
S7s against S22l, "a, 2s5 in the year 1903.
INVESTIGATION OF TRUSTS.
Secretary Metcalf states that the Bu-
reau Of Manufactures was not orga-
nized during the past year because Of
the insufficiency Of the appropriation.
The total appropriations for the year
amounted TO s1S.745. .S74 20. of which a
small balance remains unexpended.
In his estimates for the fiscal year
1905 the Secretary asks for an addi-
tional sum TO properly organize his bu-
reau. There is also included a sum to
be expended under the immediate di-
rection Of the Secretary for the inves-
tigation Of trade conditions at home
and abroad. with the object of promot-
ing the domestic and foreign commerce
Of the United States, and for other pur-
poses. The phrase "for other purposes"
refers to emergency work. such as the
investigation which followed the Slo-
cum disaster.
The beef industry Of the nation has
been investigated by the bureau, and
the insurance business has been given
special attention, and the conclusion is
reached that under existing conditions
insurance is commerce and may be sub
jected 10 Federal legislation through
affirmative action by Congress Prepa-
ration has been made for further inves-
tigatiOn Of trusts.
The Bureau Of Labor during the year
has made a study of the rates Of wages
and the hours Of labor, and will en-
body its conclusions in a special report
Convict labor has also been inquired
into.
The Director of the Census recon-
mends that the Government compile
and publish the names of the heads Of
families in the original thirteen States
as returned at the census of 1890, and
expresses the opinion that this mate
rial would occupy about 2500 printed
pages. or two volumes, of which an edi-
tion Of 5000 copies would not exceed
900 in cost. He believes that much
Of this expenditure would be repaid to
the treasury by sale of this work,
which is much in demand by patriotic
organizations and individuals
NEW LAWS FOR CHINESE.
Turning TO the subject Of immigra-
ton, the report says the structures
maintained at the different ports of
entry for the accommodation of aliens
detained pending examination have
been materially improved but it will
be necessary to make further improve
ments and build new structures. This
IS especially true at the port Of San
Francisco, where, in addition to aliens
generally. the bulk of Chinese immi-
grants apply for admission. The re-
port adds that signal success has
marked the administration of the
Chinese exclusion laws during the
year.
New legislation is again recon-
mended. Provision is urged for the
distribution OF aliens in accordance
with views heretofore expressed nv
the department; for the physical in
spection Of aliens by officers of the
Public Health and Marine Hospital
Service stationed at the ports of for
eign embarkation; for the establish
ment Of 2 moral and manual standard
for admissible aliens: for the comDila-
ton of data in regard TO the annuaI
departures Of aliens fr9m the United
States; for the registration of ali Chi
nese lawfully resident in the Tnited
States at this time. thus furnishing
them with certificates which win az.
ford them immunity from arrest, and