Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-05
wages of 1880, when they We're higher than
at any previous time in our history
But It is Costing More to Live.


How about the cost of living. Has not
that also inereased?'
Yes" replied the Secretary. 'sThe Blu
reau of Labor has investigated that subject
and it finds that the average cost of living
of 1902 over that of 1890. the country over
had increased S.3 per cent. The investiga-
ton was based on the increase in the retail
prices of food on an estimated amount used
by each family"
Can you give the cost in different parts
of the country
Yes" said the Secretary of Commerce
and Labor as he picked up q report and
went over the figures. THE average cost of
food per family estimated by averaging
2,J6I families in different parts of the
United States was S344.61 each. In the
north Atlantic states the average in round
numbers was $500 per family and in the
south Atlantic states 1912 per family. In
the western states it was $500 and in the
south central states, 1910. These figures are
based entirely on the retail prices of food
and are believed to be fairly representa-
tive of its actual cost to the working man."
About the Syndicates and Trusts.
What is your department doing as to the
great combinations of capital?"
THE bureau of corporations" replied Sec
rotary Cortelyou, "has been gathering from
all sources the information already avaiia-
bic as to the various combinations of cap.
ital which come within its jurisdiction. 1t
is compiling that information and studying
it in order to define the scope of its inquiries
for more specific information from such
corporations combinations
will the information the department
gathers be confidential or will it be print
ed so that all may know just how the va
rlouS corporations stand?"
Some of the Information of a general
nature will be published and distributed
but as to certain specific information re-
lating to particular corporations the act
creating the department expressly pro-
Vides that it is gathered for the purpose
of enabling the President to make recon-
mendations to Congress for needed leg!s-
lation. Such information will be neces-
sarily confidential as far as the Depart
nient of Commerce and Labor is concern
ed 1t will be gathered in the public in
terest, but none of it be published
except at the express direction of the
President"
But, Mr.. Cortelyou. many people look
upon your department as the watch dog
OF the investor and stockholder?" said ].
Congress did not specify any class as
one In whose interest the bureau is Gre
ated-whose watch dog it shall be. It's
duties are plainly defined, and will be
performed with impartiality, without re-
gard to special Interests and for the
benefit of the whole public"
will it not make financial condi-
tons more stable?' I asked
Yes, replied Secretary Cortelyou. IT
think there is no doubt but that the work
of the bureau of corporations will have a
steadying influence on financial conditions
1t will disseminate actual knowledge of
general corporate affairs and this will
largely eliminate the fear and uncertainty
which are so often disturbing factors in
the financial and Industrial world
Our Commercial Invasion,
The conversation here turned to CONNER
cial matters, and asked Secretary Cortel-
you to tell me something about our bust
ness abroad. He replied:
Our foreign trade is in a very satisfac-
tory condition We exported more goods
last year than during any preceding year
in our history. Our exports to Europe were
a hundred millions greater than in 1902 and
% per cent IN excess of those of a decade
ago. We have increased our exports to
different countries of North America 50 per
cent and in South America we sold last
year 30 per cent more goods than we did
the year before To Asia and Oceania our
exports have trebed in the last ten years
and to Africa they have become five times
as great. Our imports are also increasing
although not so rapidly. Last year we i'm
ported more goods than in any preceding
year Indeed, in 1903 the imports amounted
to nearly a billion dollars''
BUT increased imports mean money 60
ing out OF the country, Mr.. Cortelyou"
said l. That is. money thrown away
Il don't think So was the reply. st
shows that the country is prosperous and
that business is good. About one-half of
the total imports consists of manufact,,r
ers materials and large part of the bal.
ance is composed of food stuffs and arti
c,es winch we do not produce at home
Much or the manufacturers materials et,
abroad again in another shape and thess
materials last year amounted to $50 600
wv, which Is an increase of almost so per
cent over similar imports in 1893 That in
dicates the enormous increase in orr NAV.
ufacturing industries within the past ten
years." U.s. '0ii
We Lead the World.
How does the growth of our trade COM
pare with that Of other nations. Mr.. Cor
telyou?' I asked
Very favorably, indeed" was the reply.
Our exports of domestic products are
greater TO-DAY than those of any other coun-
try, ana our exports are growing more rap
loly than those of any other nation In |
1910 we shipped abroad in round numbers |
-FOUR hundred and ninety-seven million dol
lars worth of goods, and in 1903 the sum |
had grown to one thousand four hundred
and nfty-seven million dollars In 1878 the |
united Kingdom exported one thousand |
ana elghty,seven million dollars worth of |
goods, while in 1903 it's exports were one |
thousand four hundred and fifteen million |
dollars worth. In other words in that !
time we increased our exports almost 300 |
per cent, while those of the united king |
dom increased less than 40 per cent In |
1910 our export trade was not half as great |
as that of Great Britain and ireland. In |
19tS we exceeded the latter country by |
forty million dollars worth of exports. |
Germany in 1879 had export trade of |
nnety-six million dollars in excess of that |
OF the United States. In 1903 1t was more /
ahan two hundred and fifty million dollars |
beh1nd the United States. The united king |
dom and Germany are, next to the United |
states, the largest of the exporting nations. |
So you see how we grow
Our Best Customers.
who are our best customers amo,o tho |
nations, Mr.. Secretary" l asked.
The united kingdom by far" was the |
reply. 1T takes more of our exports than |
any other country, although Germany and |
Canada take great deal, and the percent |
age of increase in their case is larger. We |
are increasing our trade to Russia. having |
more than quadrtpled it in the last ten |
years We are also selling more goods to /
Mexico than ever before
how about Mr.. SINNERS expedition to |
Apysslnla. Secretary Cortelyou. viii that
expedition pay?'
think that closer business relationships
Will prove valuable TO our country in every
case whether they be with largo natiares M. |