The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-18
IMPORTS OF CHEMICAL
and DRUGS AGAIN NORMAL
Resumption of Trade, Seriously Inter
rupted In the First Three Months
Of European War, Has Again Re.
sumed Former Proportions

Washington, d. c., Jan. 1S.-Im.
ports OF chemicals and drugs, which
were seriously interrupted in the first
uaree months following the outbreak of
.ne European war, have again resumed
normal proportions. The November
imports We're valued at S7,9O4,s44,
against S6,746,147 in November.
1913; $S,O42,567 in November. 1912.
and $o,T02,f47 in November, 1911.
fhe importation of chemicals, drugs
ana dyes has averaged s7,700,00O per
month during the last five years. but
IN August the total fell to $5.622.00O
ana IN September to $5,519.000. With
partial reopening of trade channels,
there has been a marked increase in
imports of chemicals and drugs, which
rose to $7,3S2,0S2 in October and in
November, as above noted, amounted
nearly to $S,000,O00.
Practically all lines of chemicals
show larger imports in November than
IN any prior month of the current fiscal
year and many OF them equal or ex.
ceed the imports in corresponding pc.
RODS of earlier years OF coal tar col
ors and dyes, for example, the month s
figures are double the normal average.
beng S1,OS1,000 in value, compared
with $4,000 in November, 1913.
and showing marked recovery from
the low-reeord figure of $233,00O
worth imported in September. Ali
zarin and alizarin dyes, imports Of
which were greatly depressed in Au.
gust, September and October, made n
remarkable gain in November, the total
being S414,642, as against $31,751 in
November, 1913, and monthly aver
age of $145,000 in the calendar year
1918.
Creosote oil imports, which usually
exceed three million and frequently
range from four to five million gallons
monthly, fell to less than one million
gallons in October. In November.
however, they rose to 5,10S,00O gallons.
as compared with 5,547,000 gallons in
November, 1918, and 4,405,00O gal.
Ions in November, 1912,
OF materials for dyeing and tanning,
the increase in importations is espe-
cially marked. Imports of quebracho
in November aggregated 1871, 900
pounds, against 100000 pounds in
November of the preceding year, and
those of indigo, 100000 pounds, com.
pared with 435,000 pounds in Novem.
Der, 1913.
Gums of all kinds except shellac
show increased imports during the
month of November. Camphor imports
amounted to $4,000 pounds, against
$4,000 in November of last year:
chicle, used in the manufacture of
chewing gum, $4,000 pounds, against
223,0O0 pounds and gambler or terra
japonica, largely used in the leather
tanning industry, 1,326,000 pounds.
against $4,000 pounds in November a
year earlier.
Soda cyanide was first enumerated
in the monthly report for July last
with total importation of $4,000
pounds and, after dropping to $4,000
pounds in August, the imports have
steadily increased, having reached q
$4,000 pounds in November. Sumac.
vanilla beans, vegetable and mineral
wax, cyanide of potash, quinine and
cinchona bar kalso show marked in
creases in November when compared
with November of the preceding year
Certain other important chemicals
Nhuh
the months Immediately preceding No
vember, are still somewhat less than in
November of the previous year This
is true of glycerin, which fell from
2,425, 900 pounds in November, 1918
to 509,000 pounds in November iast;
carbolic acid, which decreased from
$40, 900 to 100000 pounds; fusel oil
which decreased from $4,000 TO ISL,
900 pounds; magnesite, from $4,000,
900 to 100000, and carbonate OF
potash, which fell from 1,4S9,000 tc
1881, 900 pounds.
Opium and coal tar colors are the
only chemicals for which countries OF
shipment are shown in the monthly
trade statistics. Of opium the imports
from Turkey increased from 5,301
pounds to 41,107 pounds, and those
from the United Kingdom from moth
ing in November, 1918. TO $685.
pounds in November last. The increase
in imports of coal tar colors already
noted occurred chiefly in those from
Germany, which rose from 100000
pounds in November, 1918, to 9SS,00O
pounds in November, while those from
Switzerland increased from $4,000 to
10000 pounds.