Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-09

SnMSn! oepdI uneHeS, as wen as COM
mercial and trade organizations,
technical experts and individual ex-
porters and importers.
Besides systematic arrangement
OF the individual commodities, ac-
oorolng to commercially logical
scheme of classification in the new
classification instead of the former
alphabetical listing the number 81
separate items has been Increased
from 700 to 1884 or 40 per cent, in
the monthly import, and from 700 to
1924 classes. or rs per cent, in the
export schedule. A decimal system
of classification has been followed,
permitting of expansion or contrac-
ton of detail without destroying
compatibility with figures for pre-
Vious periods. Quantity units as well
as values are required for all items.
making comparisons from year to
year more accurate and definite than
is possible under the old schedules,
which show values only, besides in
creasing the value Of the statistics
to transportation and shipping inter-
eSts, who are primarily interested in
quantities.
Commercial interests are in urgent
need Of more detailed statistics re-
garding markets for ex-
Statistics ports than is afforded by
x, the present restricted
"eeoeu' classification. If Amer
lean merchants are to cooperate
with other nations on even terms in
the markets of the world, it is i'm
perative that the official sources of
forcing trade information be en-
larged.
The great changes in the foreign
trade current caused by the war have
created an insistent demand from
commercial organizations and firms
for more detail of imports and ex-
ports by countries than Is shown In
the published monthly reports. To
meet this demand a small statistical
service section was organized after
the armistice in the bureau Of foreign
and domestic commerce which fur
nishes to the trade papers and COM
mercial organizations equipped to
give wide publicity to the figures as
well as to Individual firms special
monthly typewriter and photo
graphed statements showing full de-
tails by countries Tor the articles COW
cred. To enlarge this service to meet
persistent and increasing demands is
one of the purposes under the legis-
lation now being sought.
Under present conditions with the
work divided between two depart
mentS and an inf1exible personnel and
equipment without means of adjust
ment as the work increases 1t is diff
ficult to make improvements and i'm
possible to render the service de-
manded by commercial interests, Sec
rotary Alexander says. It will not be
questioned that American producers
and traders are in need of detailed
and prompt statistics if they are to
compete with other nations in the
world market. The plans for placing
the statistical service on high
standard have progressed to a stage
where they can be put into effect
without delay il the necessary funds
are provided.
The proposed transfer of the bureau
Of customs statistics at New York
from the Treasury to
On1v Partial the Department of
Co m m cree would
AAoAsAei' carry with it only the
work performed by that Office and
leave with the collectors of customs
such work as they are now perform
ing in connection with statistical doc
uments, including the coding and
classifying of shippers export declar-
atoms The coding of exports can be
done best at the customhouse where
the declarations are filed. as any
doubtful points can be settled there
before the declarations are forwarded
to the New York bureau. The detailed
monthly statistical reports of i'm
ports and exports furnished to the
collector of each customs district tor
purposes Of record would be contin-
ued.
The commercial and industrial or
CARNATIONS interested in foreign trade
have been keeping in close touch with
the progress of the revision of the
statistical classification and are anx-
ious to have the extended schedules
made effective at an early date. The
Department Of Commerce had hoped
to put the new classification into eff
feet at the beginning Of the calendar
year.
WILL p. KENNEDY,