Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-01-03
Manufacturing Interests Have
Some Setbacks, but in Most
Lines Conditions Are Fa-
y0rabIe,
BALANCE OF TRADE
GREATEST IN HISTORY
Exports Exceed Imports by
About Seven Hundred and
Fifty Million Dollars, Break
ing All Records,

Washington, Jan 2.-"A Any general
statement MS to conditions of manu-
featuring throughout the United
states surely would be both mislead-
ing and Inaccurate, since this condi-
tion varies according TO the location
and nature Of the product says "A
symposium Of business conditions is
sued tonight by the chamber of COM
merce of the United states The data
was compiled bY the department Of
statistics on reports of ono day Mo-
vember 20, 1918, which were taken to
be fairly Representatives.
The textile industry is adjusting
itself to changed conditions resulting
from decreased tariff rates" continues
the report. but the effect so far does
not justify previous apprehcnsions
The paper manufacturing business is
below normal, while shot manufac-
turing is good with prospects Of H.
advance in prices. This is true, like
wise. Of the leather tanning business
An manufacturing connected intimate
lv with railroad and steel and iron
industries Is necessarily feeling the
depression of these two great branches
of business.
"The great Increase in the popula-
tion of this country and consequently
tho increased demand meat. COM
inc at the same time as the decrease
in recent years in the number Of cate
tie and sheep naturally has brought
about the present high price of meat.
Consequently there has come a wide
spread apprehension Of The ultimate
trend Of this tendency
"A careful study of the facts, how
ever. indicates that this IS one of
those economic problems that is likely
to solve itself and that the number Of
cattle in their relation to the number
Of inhabitants moves rather In SER
les of cycles than in a straight line.
"For instance. the number Of cattle
for 100 of population is the same now
as it was in 1870 and 1900 but We are
evidently facing a great change ~
the cattle raising industry
AN impartial survey, therefore, of
the situation seems to warrant the
statement that while the price of cat
tie probably will continue high, that
the various agencies mentioned Will
gradually work for a more abundant
supply and more reasonable price.
'Throughout tlN central west, de-
spite the drought, there is a general
feeling Of hopcfulness. This seems to
be partly due to the fine prospects OF
the growing winter wheat and to the
hope and belief that many of the seri-
Gus political and economic questions
that have created such disturbances
in the past are now In 4 fair way to-
ward solution.
throughout the southeast and east
ern Atlantic states, mercantile busi-
ness is in a good volume, and this IS
true in general throughout the west
and south Business varies much in
these sections. according to location
Where crops were good, business was
fairly active; and in sections where
crop returns last year were poor
business is correspondlngly quiet"
The nations foreign commerce for
1913 -approximated $i,25O, ,O00, 00o, the
department of commerce estimates
or that amount. $4,000. 900 repre-
sonts exports and Sl,750, 100000 i'm
ports, making the balance Of trade in
favor Of the United states 100000
900. which exceeds the record Of any
previous year.
The years exports were the largest
In the history Of the country, while
the imports are exceeded only 10y
those of 1912. The decline in imports
is attributed in part to reduction I'm
prices OF certain articles imported
An increase of foodstuffs exported
was chiefly in wheat corn, barley
oats flour. bacon and lard; in manu-
factures export increases are record
ed in automobiles, railway ears, cleo
tric machinery. manufactures of iron
and steel lumber, copper and mineral
OIL