The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-10-06
WAR RESPONSIBLE FOR
INCREASE IN EXPORTS
CONG. FORDNEY SHOWS.

SsNSs U SssSN'S -.
The enormous export trade of the
United States at this time is bringing
large quantities of gold to this coun-
try, causing business activity and a
demand for labor. The supporters OF
the administration contend that the
war in Europe is responsible for but a
small portion of the gains in exports
while those who opposed the admins.
tration's tariff law claim that the gain
ia export trade came to this Country
in spite of adverse tariff legislation and
is due entirely to the war and war
orders.
On account of his position on the
ways and means committee in the
house of representatives., Hon. Joseph
w. Fordney Is looked upon as an au.
thority on tariff questions On being
interviewed in this natter he made the
following statement:
TRADE BALANCE TURNS.
I'm the discussion of our exports and
trade balances, three things are mat.
ters of record and are not disputed by
Democrats or Republicans
"First-During the last three years,
and especially the last twelve months
of the life of the Payne tariff law IA
Republican law foreign commerce was
exceptionally favorable to the United
States.
'Second-From the date of the en-.
actment of the Underwood tariff law
by the present administration. October
3. 1918, to the cate of the war in Eu-
rope, August /, 1914, exports declined
steadily while imports increased, which
turned the very favorable trade balance
Ian excess of exports over imports) into
an unfavorable trade balance Ian ex-
cess of imports over exports), and each
month from April to August /, 1914.
this nation bought more from abroad
than it sold and American gold was
sent to foreign countries to pay the
difference
"Third-Since the beginning of the
war in Europe, exports have increased
rapidly and now far exceed all previous
records of trade, and gold is now com.
ing to America.
HOW FAR is WAR RESPONSIBLE.
"The matter in dispute is this: How
great factor has the war been in re
storing favorable trade balance to the
United StatesP
"Frcm official records l have made
table comparing the expectation of IS
classes Of articles during the fiscal year
ending June 80. 1914, "a year of peace),
and the year ending June 30, 1915, Ia
year of wary. At glance it will be
seen that all these 16 articles are things
that are consumed in large quantities
in carrying on war.
During the year of peace, these six:
teen articles made up but 1875 per cent
Of our total exports, and the major por-
ton OF our exports (or 66.4 per cent)
was made up of other goods. When
the war started, the expectation of all
other articles not only failed to in.
crease, but declined to the extent of
BLOB 500, 900, comparing the year of
1916 with 1914. In other words all the
gains in our export trade, and $l03, 000.-
300 in addition, is due to the great in
crease in the expectation of these 16
articles of food, clothing, ammunition
ard supplies.
A comparison Of the expectation dur
ng the fiscal year OF 1914 and 1915 of
Is classes Of articles consumed in large |
Quantities by the armies of Europe.
The first is a normal year, a year of |
'eace. The second is an abnormal year,
lue to the war in France and war
riders.
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
1918 1914. 19l5.1016.
man.
ufactures. & 1,101, 300 s 5,644, 300
Horses, mules 4,079, 100 96,477. 400
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