The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-18

about three quarters shows In the sales
to the China market alone. The inn
portant point is that the goods were
solK But In the fact that the goods
were sold there In competition with the
goods Of other countries, and In the
further fact that smaller though notable
increase appears in our sales to Europe,
Mexico, Cuba, Central America, Argen-
tina, British East Indies, Japan, Austral-
asia, the Philippines and various minor
areas. there is basis for an argument
that intelligent activity rather than reoi-
procity is the determining factor in the
extension Of our cotton trade.
Sales Of mineral oil constitute an i'm
portant part Of our export manufactures.
They represent nearly one-seventh OF
the total. They are attributable to tho
systematic and intelligent activity OF
that much berated institution the STAN
dard Oil Company. That company may
or may not have violated all laws, human
and divine, in It's domestic business, but
the fact stands that Its energies abroad
put bread into many an American mouth,
swell the volume Of our export sales,
and set an example which merchants
and producers in other lines may follow
to their great advantage.
Sales Of iron and steel products show
an increase Of $23,OOo,0 900. This Is as
gratifying as the gain In the cotton
business, and for the same reason. As
cotton is planted, cultivated and then
converted into q finished product,
dropping dollars into the pockets OF
Its progress, so from the ore in the mine
to a typewriter, wire nail or loco
motive, iron contributes to the well
being of American labor But the cause
for e1ultation in this department Is ap-
parent rather than real. One-third OF
the increase, or about $7,0OO,oO0, shows
in the single item Of stsel rails, the total
Of which merely goes back to about the
figures Of 1900 aud 1901. About 5000, 900
of the gain in rails is due to rush orders
placed last fall by Canadian roads in
anticipation Of change in the Dominion
tariff regulations. The remainder Of the
increase Is well scattered In South Amer
lea, South Africa, Europe and Asia.
An increase Of nearly $1,000 900 almost
doubles our sales OF structural iron and
steel Builders hardware has remained
stationary in the neighborhood Of $l2 ooo.-
900 for three years. Sewing machines
gain about 10 per cent a year. Loco
motives for 1905 fell sharply of from
1904, and are below the average Of the
last six years. Electrical machinery
shows good and steady advance, from
the 100000 Of 1893 to the $7,sO0,OOO
OF last year. Typewriters, although
doubling the sales OF five years ago,
about held their own last year. Miscel-
laneous machinery, such as lathes,
presses and pumps, show a modest
increase.
In the thousand and one articles Of
the general list there is much that is
suggestive and instructive. Sales OF
agricultural implements 02o,721,74D,
which ought to increase, fell OF 10 per
cent. Cars, carriages and vehicles
(slo. $40, 437) fell of 100000. Chemicals
and drugs ($15,s5o, 422) increased 10 per
cent, as did lie Their and manufactures
thereof, with their $3s,OOO,OOO for last
year in comparison with $le,0OO,oOo ten
years ago. Manufactures Of wood and
OF fibers other than cotton, india rubber.
soap, musical instruments, scientific in
electrical appliances and
clocks and watches all about held their
own.
While there are probably various
items in our tariff rates which could be
adjusted with advantage to the COM
mercial conditions Of the time, the fact
that on exports OF manufactures have
doubled during the life of the Dingley
tariff is a fair argument that its rates do
not prevent our sales to foreign coun-
tries. The fact of the increase shown
in so many lines and in such variety of
lines argues the ready possibility of still
further increase and extension as a re-
suit of we'll directed business effort.