Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-17
BUSINESS NOTES

Mexico produced in 1918 q total OF
5S,156,239 barrels of petroleum., accord
ing TO official announcement which adds
potential production of the fields. The
daily potential production is estimated
at 1,422,626 barrels.
some big copper sellers are asking
l7h cents n pound for March-April
metal, compared with g cents last week.
Small sellers for the most part. while
quoting II cents pound, show an in
clinstion to shade this figure. Business
is light. Consumers seem disposed 10
wait for more settled conditions before
entering market. There is no expectation
of a substantial export movement until
stocks on hand in France and England
are further reduced.
Stanley J. Quinn, secretary OF the
American Manufacturers Export Asso-
citation, In a communication to Ellory
G. Stowell, chairman of committee
appointed by the National Civil Service
Reform League, favors increased gov
ernment appropriations to boost the
foreign trade service of tho United
States.
During the calendar year 1918, 34,s90
fur seals were taken on the Pribyloff
Islands, 2I,503 on. st. Paul Island and
1887 on st. George Island. The largest
number of skins was secured In July,
sen Shss sSs wafs 1ssen g shpmsnI %ns %
skins were made on the Roosevelt In
June, September and December, and
one lot of 1878 skins was brought
down on the coast guard cutter Bear
Opportunity TO increase the export
trade of the United States in Australia
Is knocking at the American business
mans door according to Frank b.
smith, prominent importer of Sydney.
who is in New York. S'There is a mar
ket in Australia for American goods OF
machinery and STEEL" said Mr.. Smith.
The American export trade to Aus
tralla prior to the war" he continued.
was not or any great magnitude, but
naturally wal. conditions have changed
the situation"
Tho seed purchasing committee Of
the Canadian Government, II is reported
VIII commandeer all seed oats arriving
at Calgary. Western Canada Is reported
buying oats in Eastern Canada. There
Is some talk OF taking off the import
tax on seed oats.
The government Is not in the market
now and will not be for some time for
building material: A survey completed
partment on that date had approx
mately on hand s13,o0O,oo0 Of all sorts
of surplus building materials.
Owing TO the pressure OF mobile,
truck and farm tractor demand, the
supply of engine fuel can only be main
tained at its present price through i'm
proved methods of refining processes or
BY changes In engine types by which less
fuel Will be used. The automotive en-
gine industry. as an emergency measure.
Is taking steps to develop increased fuel
economy, which may have keen bear
ing upon the future price of gasoline and
engine fuel oils generally.
Lower rates on freight shipments by
combination rail and water routes
shortly will be established by the rail-
road administration In accordance with
pre-war rate policies, Director General
Hines announced today. The changes
will affect principally shipments be-
tween Gulf and Atlantic points DIFF
ferentials, by which joint rail and
water rates were lower than all-ratl
rates, were largely removed during the
war to enable the government railroad
management TO route shipments to fit
emergency conditions. Now that the
armistice has been signed" said the Of
fetal sta tement, very careful considera-
tion Is being given to a revision of this
policy to meet peace conditions and to
make certain that an entirely just and
equitable basis for these rates is estab-
lished under peace conditions"