The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-02-16
COMMERCE BY
PORTSANDsECTIONS

Washington. d. c.. Feb 1O.-TheI
growing disposition of commerce to
seek its destination by shortest routes
and easiest grade is illustrated by the
increasing share of the exports which
made their exist through the Gulf and
northern border ports last year. The
value of exports passing through the
Gulf ports in the calendar year 1911
and 443 million dollars, against go
million in 1900, an increase of ga per
cent; that passing through the north
ern border ports 29S million, against
l05 million in 1900 an increase of 1874
per cent; while that passing through
the Atlantic ports in the same period
increased but 20 per cent. The share
Of the total exports which passed out
of the Atlantic ports fell from rs per
cent in 1880 to 6S per cent in 1900 and
5s per cent in 1911. while the share
through the Gulf ports increased from
Ia per cent in 1880 to rs per cent in
1900 and % per cent in 1911; and
through northern border ports from
Az per cent in $50 to per cent in
1900 and IA per cent in 1911; through
Pacific ports there has been little
change, the share being for each per
iod about per cent Even on the inn
port side the share of the commerce
passing through the Atlantic ports is
materially less than in earlier years.
being but rs per cent in 1911, against
so per cent in 1900.
New York, New Orleans, Galveston,
Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore San
Francisco, Savannah, Port Townsend.
and Buffalo, according to figures just
completed by the bureau of statistics,
Department of Commerce and Labor,
represent, in the order named, the 10
customs districts through which passes
IS per cent of our entire imports and
exports.
New York, the leading port, increas-
ed imports from $50 million dollars in
1900 to S95 million in 1911, and ex-
exports at that port exceeded imports
by S11 100000; last year imports ex-
ceeded exports by $4,000 900 The inn
ports comprised nearly all classes Of
merchandise with India rubber, sugar,
and coffee heading the list. Iron and
steel manufactures form about IS per
cent of the exports, and meat and dairy
products and copper each about 10
per cent.
New Orleans, 4th in imports aud Srd
in exports, increased the former from
20 to 6S million and the latter from
143 to 154 million dollars in the 19O0-11
period. The leading imports are cof-
fee. sugar, and fibers and manufac-
lures thereof. Cotton is the chief ex-
port. with lumber and bre9dstuffs next
in Importance. Galveston, ranking
End in exports and s1st in imports. is
third in value of total trade Imports
increased in the/i90O-1l period from
IL to 3& million dollars and exports
from 9S to <197 million. placing her
ahead of Kew Orleans, Boston, Balti-
more, and Philadelphia, all of which
surpassed Galveston in exports in 1900.
Cotton forms fully 80 per cent of the
exports at the port.
Boston, Ind in imports and 9th In
exports, increased the former from 60
to 116 million, while the latter decreas-
ed from 124 to "a million in the period
l90v-l1 Imports. while varied, include
cotton, hides and skins, and wool as
the leading items. About half the ex-
ports consist of meat and dairy prod
nets, leather and leather goods, and
cotton. Philadelphia. 3rd in imports
ana 7th in exports. Increased her im-
ports from 40 to 81 million dollars in
the 1900-1l period. and decreased her
7 exports from 81 to II million dollars in
the same period Sugar, chemicals,
! and hides supply about one-third Of
the Imports; while mineral oils bread
stuffs, and meat and dairy products
2 form about 81 per cent of the exports.
Baltimore. Sth in imports and 4th in
exports. increased the former from 20
million dollars in t900 to 2S million
2 in 1911 IN the same period exports
Z fell from iii to 90 million Baltimore
4 is large importer Of chemicals cork.
and iron and steel. which form over
Is the total imports Copper, bread
stuffs aud tobacco form over half the
exports.
. San Francisco, 9Th in imports and
18th in exports increased the former
from 80 to 56 million the latter from
So to Al million in the period 1900-l9ii.
Puget Sound, the district which in
eludes Port Townsend. Seattle, Ia
coma. and Spokane. increased imports