Evening star., 1928-10-14

War clouds sometimes srs seen soon-
er in trade statistics than in diplomatic
or military circles. For instance. the
rising price of hides and skins is ct
t-ibuted in part by some experts to a
sudden large purchase OF those COM
r1cdities by Soviet Russia last year
shout the time the British government
vRS raiding a commercial center of
Russia in LonGon-and thereby hangs
tale.
Glancing down column of import
figures IF tns United States for the last
fiscal year. ones eye is arrested b. the
81 per cent increase in The value of
h4dsE and skins imported. We bought
NbreGd in that period $146,000 900 worth
OF hides and skins. as compared with
e9e.100,o00 worth in the preceding fs-
eel year. It wss the greatest percentage
e4 increase IN value IN the entire list
a principal imported merchandise.
Why did the United States spend
3kl, 800 600 more for hides and skins in
the fiscal year 1923 than in the fiscal
year 1927? The statistics also show
that the quantity imported increased by
z43 per cent, so that we not only paid
higher prices for the imports but used
p1uch more than in the preceding year
The causes back OF the booming world
market in hides and skins are numerous,
snd the Russian influence will be con
siGered first.
Reviying Tanning.
It. is believed n leather-prJ6ucing
citcles that Russia bought heavily OF
hides and SKINS on the assumption that
the break IN relations with Great Brit
sin In the Spring Of 1927 might be fol-
lowed bv hostilities-and IN that event
haots for soldiers would b. a prime war
Neeessitv. Hence the sudden increase
n Russian demand for hides and skins.
The Russian hlving. at any rate.
brought neT' customer into the world
market and stimulated prices.
Along with whatever weight may be
attached to the military theory stated
russia as are all Euronean nations. Is
reviving her tanning industry. disrunted
hv the World War. IT, was noted that
japan bought hides and skins rather
more freely than usual about the SAINT
time that Russia was invading tfc
market. and it. is presumed that military
aspects of the situation then had snmc
hearing mon .IaD1n's purchases. Sincs
japan and Russia are face to lace IN
Manchuria.
The war clouds. however. did not ma
teriaiize into p. clash The view stated
nav not nave as rnuch foundation a'
ecrae competent leather men attacher
n il last year Rut the fact remains
shat keen-eyed observers OF 1nterna'
ttonal events constantly scrutinize trade
movements to see II snv nation is buy
ing more heavily than usual of wal
material An exceptional purchase ol
cotton. for instance. also might have
that implication. because cotton u
highly essential in making munitions.
No War Seen Here.
IT might occur tn some on7 to wonder
u the United States. bv purchasing ST
much raw product for the manufacture
of leather. was not governed by mill.
tarv considerations in the last f1scs,
wear. The answer is emphaticallv. no
Foreign nations will agree with thai
statement. for they know where all th'
hides and skins imported by American
manufacturers went last year. They
were turned largely into leather for ou'
huge shoe industry and for export t.
other nations We sold $50. 200 0Ot
worth of leather to other nations las
wear. an increase of 1919 per cent owe
the 1927 fiscal year In addition to tn
leather itself we also sold at. 700 .00t
worth of leather manufactures. such a
shoes. betting. etc.
The expectation among those. sho
manufacturers in recent months wa
that the incree scd cost Of leather Woult
necessitate higher prices for shoes bu
So far no material advance has beel
made. If leather goes much highe
the effect will be to bring out substi
4. t,.tes and the tanning industry as wei
1es shoe manufacturers have been slo'
= tncrcase their prices for that reasar
9h7re j. ~ t'riT on hides ana SSH:
moi on shoes. Taking advantage of TIL
snar market in the United States, for
- s,7ce manufacturers are sollin
ae and more Of their pr"7,'ts h7r'
~ TrSsAlarly womens shoes. A total c