Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1912-11-29
WILMINGTON AND FOREIGN TRADE.


OFFICIAL information given out in Washington is to
~ the effect that the foreign trade OF the United
States for the calendar 1912 probably will aggre
gate $400000O000 If that expectation be realized the
total will eclipse the highest past record by almost
$40O00000 The highest foreign trade record ever made
by the United States was 1911 when the total 49,
625000OOO In fact not until 1906 that our foreign
trade crossed the SS,OOOOOoOOO mark. The amazing
rapidty with which Americans getting firm foot
hold in the markets the world is emphasized by the
further fact that it not until 1899 that foreign
trade exceeded $4,000 100000 a year.
In the ten months ended October 81 last tho imports
of the United States amounted 20 total which makes
it apparent that the imports Of the full will
approximate $1So0o00OOO and the exports S2,SO0000
600. totang s4.1o0,0OO,OO0.
Imports have practically doubled in value since 1901
and exports have practically doubled since 1904. The
exports of domestic products, which had touched
the two billion mark until 1911 in 1912 will approx
mate tho two and quarter billion dollars mark while
the exports OF foreign merchandise during the year
viii probably fall slightly below the high record Of
1911.
One of the striking features Of the rapidly charging
import trade is the increase in imports OF non-dut-
able merchandise. In 1902 It but $4O9OO0OOO and
in 1912 seems likely TO approximate Ss75O00000 This
increase in foreign trade. while distributed among all
the grand divisions except Africa, IS especially appar
ent in the trade with neighbors the American
continent
The Atlantic ports get the lions share of tho increase
imports. but the northern border and Pacific coast
ports show the largest percentage Of gains in exports
Everything indicates that the balance Of trade in these
foreign transactions will be with the United States In
hort, that we are selling abroad much more than
4 IT. are buying abroad.
whelhen an intelligent and thinking Wilmingtonan is
Confronted by the stupendous figures cited above, he
naturally asks himself whether his home city is OBJ
tanning It's fair share Of that foreign trade particular
y the exporting end of it. If he be at all conversant
with trade conditions here honesty viii compel him to
admit regretfuy that city only is not getting
its fair share Of the nations foreign trade but that Il
also is falling far short Of obtaining its fair share OF
our nations domestic trade Worse than all else, he
will be compelled to admit. If he be fair-mndod man,
that it is largely the fault Of himself and other VIII
mingtonans that it it not doing He and they have
pursued the runous policy of waiting for business to
to them, while wise men in other American cities
have gone into the worlds markets. in or by
duly accredited agent and fought earnestly and enec-
lively for both domestic and foreign trade
These things lead directly up to the $4,000 city
promotion fund which local Board of Trade is seek
ing and which $4,000 already has been subscribed
That fund is TO be used to deray the expense doing
the very thing that wmingtonans. in person or by
agent should have done many years ago. Acute busi-
ness men should recognize Immediately that such a
fund wisely expended will bring to them both direct
and indirect benefit Those who have not already con-
rihuted tho fund should do at and thus give
both moral and material support TO important and
The great commercial world OF today has little use
for the business who waits trade seek him
1t welcomes with open arms the who. keen and
alert and with smile Of confidence and self-relance
goes out to seek it. Il is the with municpali
ties. Our country is studded today with the wreckag
Of communities which would have become prosperou
cities and towns had they sought commercial pre-emi
nence instead Of waiting for it TO seek them.
Those municipalities that systematically aud wisel.
seek publicity the that obtain It.
Those municipalities that systematically and wise.
seek for Industries the that obtain them
Those municipalities that systematically and wise.
seek for trade expansion the that obtain
Those municipalities that systematically and wise
seek for desirable conventions the that Obtain
them
The trouble heretofore has been that Wimingtonan
have pursued the wrong policy They have had 70
their motto the old maxim, ITO be sought; not 4
seek" whereas should have BEEN ITO SEEK not to
sought Now is the time Of all times 10 change tina
ruinous policy that for many years has paralyze
municipal progress and prevented Wilmington froi
taking her place in the ssterhood Of con
mercal cities.