The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-03
GENERAL CONDITION
/ OF MANUFACTURING
Varies Widely According 10 Lo-
cality and Nature Of
Product.
CAUSE OF HIGH PRICE OF MEAT
Balance of Trade in United States
for 1918 Amounts to
$75O,OOO,OOO.
CAUSE OF HIGH PRICE OF MEAT

Washington, January Amy gen
eral statement as to the condition OF
manufacturing throughout the United
States at present would be both mis-
leading and inaccurate. since this con-
dillon varies according to the locality
and the nature OF the product" says
symposium OF business conditions is
sued by the Chamber of Commerce of
the United States, on reports OF one
day, November 90, 1913. which were
taken to be fairly representative.
The textile Industry Is adjusting IT.
self to changed conditions, resulting
from decreased tariff rates." continues
the report, but the effect so far does
not justify previous apprehension. The
paper manufacturing business is below
normal. while shoe manufacturing is
good. with prospects OF an advance in
prices. This is true, likewise. OF tho
leather tanning business. All manu-
featuring connected intimately with
the railroad and with the steel and
iron industries is necessarily feeling
the depression OF these two great
branches OF business.
THE great increase in population
and the increased demand for meat
and food. coming at the Same time as
the decrease In the number OF cattle
and sheep. naturally has brought about
the present high price OF meat. Con-
seQuently. there has como n wide
spread apprehension of the ultimate
trend OF this tendency.
"a careful study OF the facts indi-
Gated that 1t is ono of these economic
problems likely to solve Itself and that
the number of cattle In their relation
) to the number OF Inhabitants moved
rather In series of cycles than In
straight line. For instance, tho num-
bcr OF cattle per 100 of population is
the Same now as 1t was In 1870. and
hut
great change in the cattle-raising in
dustry.
More Abundant Supply.
AN impartial survey. therefore, OF
the situation seems to warrant the
statement that while the price Of cat
tie probably will continue high in tho
future. the various agencies mentioned
gradually will work for a more abund-
ant supply and a more reasonable
price.
Throughout the Southeastern At
lantic States. mercantile business Is In
volume. and this Is true In general
throughout the West and South. Bust
ness varies much In these sections. ao-
cording to locality. Where crops were
good. business was fairly active: and
In sections where crop returns last
year were poor, business IS correspond
ingly quiet
The nations foreign commerce for
1913 appropriated $4.250, 900, 600. tho
Department OF Commerce estimates. OF
that amount $4,000, 100000 represents
exports and s1,750O00.00O Imports. max
! ing the balance of trade in favor of tho
United States $7b0.oo0,0oO, which OK
| ceeds the record OF any previous year.
Tho years exports were the largest
In the history OF the country, while
| imports arc exceeded only by those Of
1912. The decline in imports Is at
tributed in part to reduction in prices
of certain articles imported.
An increase in food stuffs exported
was chiefly in wheat, corn. barley. oats,
flour. bacon and lard; In manufactured
exports increases are recorded In au
tomobiles, railway cars, electric ma
chinery, iron and steel commodities,
lumber. copper and mineral oil.