The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-16

Tho modest increase in our total COM
merce during recent years appears only IN
the advance in importations. he COM
narrative s.aguation in total commerce IL
not to be accounted for by the decrease in
exports of cereals and cereal products
shown in 1904 in comparison with 1909.
Our agricultural exports in 1898 we're APP
proximately 1850. oo0. 900. In 1901 they we're
about sa4O coo 900, and in 1904 a little more
than s7a0 900 900. or few millions more
than they we're in 1899. The record in that
department shows huctuation rather than
marked decline. comparative hSity rather
than clearly defined falling of.
4 broad view Of this branch Of our for
eign commerce points to a probability which
is little short of certainty, that our exports
Of agricultural products have now reached
high water mark. THEFT OF raw cotton,
wheat and wheat flour represent one-half
Of our exports of agricultural products.
There ia little probability Of any great IN
crease in our foreign sales OF these articles
in the immediate future, and there are no
other items whose export value Is suscepu-
ble Of an increase of notable proportions.
II NAV therefore be accepted that in the
department of agricultural products. the
coming DAYS will see no great change in
export values.
There remains the department OF manu-
features. Those whose standards OF meas
urement are inches and pennyweights find
endless satisfaction in contemplation OF
that beautiful collection Of fgures-SS02, =
7e4. 100 which represents our foreign sales
of manufactured goods during 1904. Taken
by itself. this is huge sum. Compared
with the 5000 900 coo of 1898 it shows a cheer
ing increase The sum almost equals the
entire total Of our exports in 1875. II is
zoo times the total Of our exports one hun
bred years ago. But these figures are al
most insignificant in their relation to tho
value Of the output of our mills and fac
tories. with ita grand total OF SIS 900 900 600
There is a row Of figures to -stagger humans
ity," and our little bunch of export figures
seems petty when compared with it.
But the importance Of the conclusion OF
this matter has not yet impressed itself on
our people In itself the amount Of our
export trade is not necessarily a standard
Of national prosperity, Tho fact is that
even this mighty volume Of manufactured
products docs not represent the extent Of
our producing facilities. While those are
naturally impossible OF exact estimate. II
il quito within boundsto assume that. with
practically no extension In our present
mechanical equipment. the output could bs
increased probably TO $40 900 600 600 Two
results would follow the fun working time
activity OF all our producing facilities.
The selling price Of merchandise TO our
people at homo would be reduced by re-
duction in producing cost, and reduced cost
OF production would also put us on better
basis for competition in the foreign field.
This can now be attained only by large
increase in our exports Of manufactured
goods. The import markets Of tho world
require s. 600 900 900 worth Of manufactured
goods annually. The United States, the
largest workship in the world, supplies a
little more than 10 per cent. Of them. Three
per cent. OF our output supplies about one
tenth Of that which the world buys. Any
further comment should be unnecessary.