New Britain herald., 1924-08-29
SILK IMPORTS TO
 t. s. ENORMOUS
This Country Rapidly Gaining
 in Trade

Uncle Sam has been winning meats in one of the most dramatic races ever staged by tFade-the raw silk transport race
 The course is $500 miles Swift est steamships, speeall trains TOT which speed limits are waived, sea planes and airplanes participate liut there is no cheering ereNd m the stands, because every mlis or the race is concealed with the clos est steamships, special trains for lions.
 In lals sl per cent Of the United States huge silk imports from ia- pan came in foreign steamers but within two years steamers flying inc American flag in the Paeihe have obtained an important share or this valuable trade,
 Out.listanees Passengers,
 Why silk Is rushed from foko- hama 10 New York at hfeak'neek speed, outdlstaneing tho best pas senger service. and the thrilling de- tails of this contest against time over the worlds longest race course are told in the following bulletin issued by tho National Geographic Society from its headquarters at Washington. D. C.:
 Excepting gold and silver bull Hon. silk probably Is the most precious commodity, weight for weight. carried on large scale by commerce. A single special train will bring i've million dollars worth of silk. Just as it costs dearly to ship money. high charges are put on silk shipments. The saving of two days sailing time between Yokohama and Seattle Is said to make a difference of 50 cents bale at New York. Interest on the mill lions Of dollars tied up multiplies at the rate of thousands Of dollars day and, in addition. there is costly insurance. In the silk trade time literally is money.
 New Silk Course Record.
 "The worlds record on the Yoko- hama-New York silk course was set up a few months ago when the Orient was brought within 13 days. three hours and eight minutes of Manhattan. Laden with s5,50o,000 worth of raw silk, the President Jackson made Seattle on the ninth day. A United States mail sea- plane met the liner at Victoria and winged it's way to Seattle, 100 miles away. It brought port documents and forwarded cargo papers to New York before the President steam ship docked.
 Special port forces moved the rich consignment in three hours to special silk train waiting with steam up. The swift Oriental Linn tied passenger trains take 70 hours to reach Chicago; the reefer,' as roaders, makes it In 65 hours. Twelve cars were required for the President Jackson cargo. With queen silk goes heavy cordoA of train guards armed to the teeth. When the treasure train safely reaches New York the shipment is divided quickly among the con- signees for storage in warehouses or dispatched to mills in such fla nous silk towns as Paterson, New Jersey or Woonsocket, R. I.
 Carried on Mystery Train
 "Few people know when the 'reefer' is on the rails. Like a ship of war, it virtually runs under sealed orders. Railroad divisions seldom know when it is coming or where it is going until it and orders arrive.
 "rhe previous speed record for silk shipments was made when the President Grant landed s10,O0o,- 900 consignment at Seattle. The 'reefer' brought this product of billions of caterpillars into New York in B days, four hours and 55 out of Yokohama. Night air mail will be g boon to these New York silk merchants. Before silk shipments can be released many papers must be approved and in- spected. Seattle has one of the two seaplane mail services in the United States, hence Queen Silk will suffer no embarrassment of delay. Night air mail will hasten dispatch of silk shipment papers to New York SO there will be no slip when the dusty 'reefer' reaches the Hudson.
 Japan Supplies Raw Material.
 Although silk culture originated | Tn China and the very name China