New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-27
DEMAND FOR LUXURIES.
Effect of Tariff. on articles of FOL
untary Use and ON american Labor.
frnoM THE rRIBuNr BuRnAU.l

IFRoM TRIBUNE BrREAU.l
Washington March 26.-The way the pro-
tective principle of the Dingley Tariff law pro-
notes American labor and raises the revenue
from among those who can best afford TO pay
the tax is strikingly illustrated by official fig
ures covering the luxury schedules for several
recent years. especially in comparison. just made
by the Department OF Commerce and Labor's
Bureau of Statistics, between the raw materials
imported for subsequent manufacture by do
nestle workmen, the one hand, and the
ready made products of foreign countries on the
other. IL appears that the importation OF lux
uries and other articles of voluntary use
amounted to 100000 in the calendar year
1904 an increase of less than 100000 over
the importations of 1890. Importations under
the group Manufactures Ready for Consump-
ton" amounted in 1904 TO S15S,OOOOOO. as
against $150O0OO00 in 1890, an increase of only
$S,000,000. while manufacturers materials. In
Guiding both and partially manufactured.
increased from $3.50, 100000 in 1890 TO $47S,-
100000 in 1904. a growth Of practically $780,,
100000. Foodstuffs show no substantial change
in the value of importa tions at the two periods
named. being $261 100000 in 1890 and $685.
10000 in 1904 From the above figures It will
be seen that the class of goods required by
American manufacturers is the only group which
has shown any marked increase during the last
fifteen years.
DIAMONDS AN EXCEPTION.
Diamonds form notable exception to the
general rule that irnportations OF luxuries into
the United States have remained practically
stationary since 1890. During the last decade
more than S129,O00.0O0 worth Of diamonds have
been imported into the country. having increased
from $1,500O0O in value in 1896, the earliest
year for which figures are available. to S23,-
10000 in 1904. OF the latter sum $100O0O00
value was imported in the uncut state. indi-
eating that diamond cutting is becoming an i'm
portant industry in country Jewelry and
precious stones. other than diamond, on the
other hand have fallen off from total importa-
ton of So 1S9. 202 in 1896 to $554S224 in 1904.
That this decrease in the importation of for
eign manufactures of jewelry and other forms
of gold and silver does not represent any re-
duction in home demand for such luxuries Is
shown by a reference to the census figures The
capital employed in the United States in the
manufactIre Of jewelry has as inereased Co from
S2S0OO000 in 1900; and the value of the prod
uct from $22,O00,000 in 1880 to $347 10000 In
1890 and $46,5OOOOO In 1900 practically all of
which is consumed in the home market
FALLING OFF IN SILK.
Silk manufactures form another class of lux
uries whose importations have decreased during
the last fifteen years. In 1890 the value of silk
manufactures imported into the United States
which ended December last their value was but
S31 030522 Though France still leads in the
share which she supplies of this total. having
contributed S13,5O0,000 value In 1904. it is in
teresting to observe that Japan now holds prac-
tically equal rank with Germany. Each of these
countries supplied about ga million dollars
worth of silk manufactures for the markets of
the United States; but Germany's share fell off
IA million dollars as compared with 1908, while
Japan made gain of 1.9 million dollars in the
same period American silk manufacturers are
principally engaged in supplying the home
ket, their expectations but slightly exceed
100000 annually. That their industry is a
growing one is evidenced. however. by the fact
that in 1870 there but eighty-six estab-
lishments devoted to the manufacture of silk
their product was valued at but S12 100000 and
the amount paid for wages was less than $2.000,-
000 In 1880 the number of establishments was
1892 the value of the product was SAL 100000
and the amount paid In wages was $9000O00
From 1890 to 1900 the growth in number of es-
Establishments was small-472 in 1890 and 4S3 in
1900-rehecting in some degree the tendency
toward concentration of industries; but the
value of the product increased from $S7, POS, 454
or S1S0O00 for each establishment. in 1890 to
S1O7 250 25S or 1924 900 for each esta blishment
in 1900: while the continued development since
1900 is indicated by the large increase IN i'm
portations of raw silk for use in manufacturing.
to S2O9 S18 pounds valued at $31, 100, 531 while
the quantity imported in 1904 was 1858. O05
pounds. valued at $54S 276 the importations
having thus doubled in quantity in the short
period from 1900 to 1904.
Another class of luxuries whose importations
have failed to increase substantially during the
last fifteen years is wines. including champagne
and still wines. In 1890 wines showed a total
Importation of $4,000. 900. and this figure is hut
slightly exceeded by the total for 1904, when
the value of the imports was $10,324. 432. Pro-
duction of wine in the United States increased
meantime from 24.O00.OO0 gallons In 1890 to
3S 100000 in 1904
The following table shows the Importation into
the United States of luxuries (includng dia-
monds, silk manufactures wines and other ar
ticles of voluntary use) in each year from 1890
to 1904: