COMMERCE
487
(census); in 1915, 1,055,936 tons; in 1916, 1,235,000 tons; in 1917, 1,512,146 tons; in 1918, 1,473,939 tons; and in 1919, 1,150.898 tons.
The total production of rolled iron and steel in 5 years is given (in gross tons) in the following table (official figures of the American Iron and Steel Institute, Philadelphia) : —
Tear*
1915 1910 1917 1918 1919
Iron and steel rails
I I 4 | I
J.854 518
t,M«,ra
Bars, hoops
skelp,
- and shapes
12,983,191 18,523.057 n,4M,fKl
17,285,027
Wire rods . h fi?. *".„, Nail plate Gross tons '^^ Q™Ju»m
k,4S7,«M
3,518,746 3,1S7,13S 2,5li2,890
i ,onjm
MBI.f
B,«r,«M
S,799,1S6
|Q,(M
tt.1 4
18,310
ToUl
Gross kma
■MM m
S2.3S0.SS9 33,067,700
The quantities of distilled spirits and of fermented liquors produced during the fiscal vear 1918-19 and 1919-20 were : —
Whisky
Rum .
Gin
High wines
Alcohol
1018-19
1919-20
Tax gallons
Tax gallons
815,793
234,705 '.'44.917
4,431 90.S71.9i~2
•
illons Tax gallons
Commercial alcohol . Brandy
7,783,910 1,802,421
7.MUM3
1.649,446
Total produc- :<.523 101,265,288
Fermented liquors, 60,817,379 barrels in 1916-17 ; 50,266,216 barrels in 1917-18, 27,712,648 barrels in 1918-19 ; and 9,231,280 barrels in 1919-20.
V. Fisheries.
In 1908 (latest census) there were in the United States 143,881 fishermen, or 6,933 vessels and 83,549 boats, aud the products were valued at 54,030,630 dollars. The capital invested was 42.021.000 dollars
For the canning and preserving of fish, clams, oysters, and shrimp in the Unit"d States (including Alaska) there were in 1914, according to the census reports, 538 establishments, the products of which for that year were valued at 55,215,394 dollars.
Commerce.
The subjoined table gives the total value, in pounds sterling, of the im- ports and exports of domestic merchandise in years ended June 30 : —
Tear
(ended June 30)
1915 1916 1917
Imports of Merchandise
£
Exports of
Merchandise
£ 553. ~ 866, i
09,678
Tear (ended June 30)
191- 1919 1920
Imports of Merchandise
£ 589,131,080
.4.333
Exports of Merchandise
1,183. ■
In the United States the values are fixed notaccordingtoaverage prices, but according ti invoices or shipping papers, which the importers and exporters have to produce. For imports the invoices are signed by an American Consul ; for exports the shipping papers are signed by the exporter or agents at tbe port of shipment. The quantities and values are determined by declarations.
The ' most favoured nation ' treatment in commerce between Great Britain and the United States was agreed to for 4 years by the treaty of 1815, was extended for 10 years by the treaty of 1318, and indefinitely (subject to 12 months' notice) or that of 1827.
