The New York herald., 1921-10-31
EXPORTS OF STEEL
ON UPWARD TREND
Survey of Nations Trade Is
Given in Commerce Depart
ment's Reports.
CORN OUTGO STILL HEAVY
Demand for Automobiles Is In
creasing-Mexican Mar
ket Improves.

The survey Of the nations commerce
and commercial ana Industrial condi-
tions throughout the world as given in
to-day's issue OF the United States
Weekly Commerce Reports published by
the Department of Commerce records
the hating of the downward movement
In iron and steel exports, and what is
believed to be the beginning Of steady
increase. In general expectations con-
tinued to decline during September. but
In the foodstuffs division corn exports
again exceeded the highest record of
the year, and were n:ne times as large
az the pre-war average for this month.
Exports of breadstuffs dropped con-
siderably below the August record, al
though they still were greater than
those of 1920 by 1,5oO.ooO,ooO pounds.
Wheat exports declined from the Au-
gust record, but 1t is expected that If
the normal trend is followed a slight
increase may be recorded.
Coal exports also decreased, and there
was slight drop in the expectation of
crude oil. AS whole the movement Of
imports continued to improve, as shown
by the shipping reports. The total In
ward and outward volume of trade was
5,302,173 long tons in August. the last
month for which figures are yet avail
able, as compared with 5,283,2S4 tons in
July. Imports, including oil, increased
c5S,363 long tons during August and
were larger than in June. but less than
half the record for October, 1920. For
eign ships carried Sc per cent. of the
total imports. as compared with 81 In
July, the highest previous percentage in
the fourteen months for which records
are available.
Demand for Automobiles.
One Of the brighter spots in the indus
trial outlook appeared in reports Of an
increasing demand for automobiles. On
this subject, Commerce Reports states :
"Pessimism is gradually giving way to
optimism in the automotive trade, and
rumors of better sales and increasing
shipments can be backed up by actual
statements of facts.
"A cable has been received from Mel
bourne, Australia. stating. in part, that
according to present accounts there is
going to be q shortage Of automobiles
"In South Africa sales are increasing.
and the number of unsold cars on hand
steadily declines.
Mexico which has been buying from
the United States on an increasing
scale, while its sales to this country
have decreased. has greatly improved as
a market for automotive products. The
United States shipped this year to Mex
leo 4,753 passenger cars. as against
1855 in the corresponding period Of
1890, and 1913 commercial cars, as
against $50 last year for the same
period"
Exports of Steel.
Under the captain. September, the
Turning Point in Steel Exports" the
Commerce Reports says:
Exports of iron and steel from the
United States have at last moved up
ward. recording for September a total
Of 92,761 long tons; and IL this move
ment is sustained. as Is expected. Sep
tember will have been the turning point
Of a long period of steadily declining
foreign business. reaching the low
mark Of 1872 tons in Augustine
lowest point recorded since January.
1909. The export movement in iron
and steel month by month during the
current year has been: