The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-04-07

Hides and skins .............. 1905 12,347
Rubber {. ..--....-...............--- ,192 1857
Silk, raw .-...-.........- 6,387 1O,145
Wool .-...--.......-......-..-..2 ,448 23,32o
These articles which represent raw
materials imported into this country
show increases for the month from so
to 200 per cent. Manufacturers ex-
plain the sudden increase by saying
that with much of the industrial part
of Europe engaged in the production
of war supplies the demand for
normal products has turned largely to
the United States.
Readjusting Trade to International
Conditions. s
So many conflicting statements rel.
alive to the duration of the war have
come from the other side that ii is
quite impossible to form any estimate
as to the length of time the European
armies will continue in their work of
destruction. These reports have a
diminishing effect upon local business
conditions, however. for such has been
the readjustment which our business
affairs have undergone, that there is
no likelihood Of sudden peace affect
ing us adversely. The manager of a
company which has been doing a very
large and very profitable war business
stated this week that if the conflict
were to terminate at an early date, the
character and not the volume of the
output of his company would be
| changed. A year ago nearly all OF
| the company's export business came
directly from the war; now it is about
two-thirds war business and in six
months it will be practically all peace
business, should the end of the war be
then in sight.
| Other business concerns have in re-
cent months outlined and started upon
the execution of large and extensive
trade propaganda, believing the time
propitious for doing the things which
for the past two years they had hoped
to do. They are sending their agent:
into the foreign fields with instruc.
tons to familiarize themselves with
local conditions, customs and peculiar
needs, so that they will be in a posi-
ton to supply the goods that are need
ed and thoroughly intrench themselve!
in the favor of their new customers
The old style of export trade. the chic
feature of which was to try to compe
foreign customers to adopt American
styles in order to utilize American
, products has given way to the NOR,
scientific method of ascertaining TIL
needs of foreign buyers and adaptin,
the style of merchandise to these par
| ticular needs. 1t has taken American
business men long time to learn thi
elementary lesson, but vigorous ap
!, plication of its principles will be mad
in years to come. The Federal Trad
Commission and the Department Q
Commerce at Washington, with thei
extensive investigating and reportin
facilities will be OF great service i
pushing forward the export trade c
|, the United States.
: Stock Mobilizing Entirely Successful
1t is announced by government off
. Gals in London that the effort at mob
: lizing American securities held
: Britain for the purpose of strengthen
: ing the financial position of the cour
= try have been successful beyond til
. highest expectations of those benin
the scheme 1t is evident from II
/. popular response to this call that thel
is absolute confidence in British so
!, vency, and as 4 result the hnanci
|" position of the country has been vast
strengthened. The wisdom of tn
step is demonstrated, since, while Ii
holders Of the securities have n,
given up their title TO this vast volun
of collateral. the Government has r.
ceived something tangible as a we
nigh limitless basis for credit.
; Not only has the British governme
. been the recipient of millions of dc
5 lars worth Of American securities
the last few months. which have goi
. to the. credit of the Government
9 strengthen its finances. but that an ir
mense quantity of British-owned Ar
erican securities have been sold on Il
exchange. thereby releasing mon
that remained in Great Britain. tt
has also helped in the broad scher
to stabilize finance.
Thanks to the efforts of the Britt
| Commission which visited this count
| last autumn, coupled with this mobil
ing of securities, the sterling rate
exchange has been brought up to A.
which contrasts very favorably WI
conditions in normal times of pea
when the figure is ABA. This fall
/ off of but 2 points between peace tin
and today indicates confidence in ,
Governments position and is all
more remarkable because it has be
attained in spite of the tremendt
% financial strain of the war. the like
% which has never been borne by Brit