had a hint of it. Some fifteen or eighteen years ago there was a small amount of corruption proved and eradicated. Once since, I thought there was a very smoothly worked trick, but on looking into it I came to the conclusion that the government officials were entirely innocent, though it was possible they may have been worked a little.

The buying is done by published bids, which any one can get. Any responsible house can bid, and then, quality considered, the bids are awarded to the lowest

there was anything wrong or that looked wrong, a row was raised. This very publicity prevents corruption.

There is some governmental corruption, as shown by the recent postoffice investigation, but I believe it is sporadic, not of long existence; and that when it is found out a great deal of fuss is made over it, tenfold more than over the same corruption in private business.

land.

United States Consul, Rufus Fleming, at Edinburgh, Scotland, in Daily Consular

I have felt that they got into ruts, were too well satisfied and in a small way were tyrannical, but I have not had even small incidents point to any corruption. Recently a well-known and successful bidder for the supplies for the New York city public schools told me that probably he had more influence with the awarding committee than any other man, but it was only because he had always recommended good goods and that he absolutely could not get any favors at a higher price or on inferior goods. He showed me this year's printed contract, in which every item was clearly specified, and the awards for last year, in which the kind of goods, the name of the party to whom each item was awarded and the price, were printed. Of course, these prices were closely scrutinized by unsuccessful bidders, and if

Reports, under date of November 25, 1903, says:

"American pumps have lost none of the favor in which they have long been held. The trade is well managed. Some makers of these and other American devices have shown good business tact by sending representatives to customers in this country, not to solicit orders But simply to take suggestions as to any improvement or change which might better adapt them to the market. This enterprise of manufacturers is a novel thing to foreign dealers and is warmly commended

here.

In a few cases alterations have been made in pumps and other articles to

meet local wants or fancies, with good results.

"Our machine tools and hand tools continue in strong demand. By sending over poor goods a few years ago German firms irreparably injured their tool trade in this market, and they are no longer serious competitors. In the same way German cutlery concerns have failed to retain their hold here, to the great advantage of Sheffield.

"In 1901 the Germans had practically all the trade in steel spoons, but this has now been taken by the Americans, who

share of this trade, and, in the opinion of prominent dealers, will obtain more of it if they keep their wares up to the present standard.

"Apparently, we are not competing successfully with the Canadians in the churn trade, but in wood goods generally we are much ahead of them. Our supplies for bee keepers are always in demand. American handles, as well as forks, have been advanced in price for next season, yet the usual large orders are probable. 'We can not do without them,' said a dealer to me. "Our wood-working machinery - for

(From The Saturday Blade)

make a better article at as low a price. One Edinburgh wholesale house is doing a profitable business in these spoons, which are sold principally in the country districts.

"In a variety of electric fittings, and also lamps for incandescent gaslighting of streets and parks, the Germans are offering satisfactory goods at much below American or English prices and are therefore getting an extensive trade.

"A Scottish wholesale firm has scored a decided commercial 'hit' with an American machine-made, single-barreled, breechloading gun, which sells at a moderate price.

"Galvanized goods, such as oil cans, are selling freely; the Americans have a

planing, sawing, molding, sandpapering, etc. has long been used in Scotland to a considerable extent. German machinery of this kind has been pushed of late in a very energetic way, and our makers and exporters must be keenly on the alert if they would lose no opportunities here.

"Canadians are dividing with Americans the trade in imported lawn mowers in this part of Scotland.

"There is an increasing sale of American clocks and watches of standard quality and moderate prices.

"Scotland has been taking a large amount of general hardware, including enameled ware, from Germany.

"Ship chandlers are handling fair quantities of American valves, ironware, and

other supplies. This trade has been growing and promises to become important if the right methods are pursued. I am informed by one firm that in some instances the packing of these goods has been grossly defective.'

"In furniture, roll-top desks and bookcases are still the prominent items in the imports from the United States. The desks are sold largely, notwithstanding that the local office-furniture manufacturers have copied them closely and made special efforts to keep out the foreign article.

"Dealers in American shoes report an increasing trade. Our styles gain popularity and prices of the best grades are low compared with the prices people heretofore paid for home-manufactured shoes. A notable effect of the American 'invasion' in this branch of trade is a general reduction of the extraordinary profits of retail dealers before the introduction of American stores. Grades of British-made shoes which sold for $6 four years ago can now be bought for $4.

"Our leather, both sole and upper, has been imported in somewhat larger quantities than last year by British shoe manufacturers, owing, it is said, to their increasing orders from the colonies. Not only is the British shoe made chiefly of American leather and by American machinery, but even the metal hooks and eyelets are practically all imported from the United States.

"Our axes, heavy and light, are still prime favorites; neither British nor continental makers can equal them in the combined merits of excellent quality and cheapness.

"American carpet sweepers have long been in this market, but the possibilities of this trade will hardly be realized except by a house-to-house canvass by energetic salesmen.

"Although our paints and varnishes are as yet a small commercial item, there is a promising increase of sales. Some dealers are much pleased with the American varnishes they have been getting, as the reports from coach builders and others are highly favorable.

"Our soaps, toilet and common, are used more than ever. The enterprise of American manufacturers of the better grades is notable, both in the methods of placing their goods on the market and of advertising them, and it is thought that the business will develop greatly in the near future.

"American computing scales, cash reg

isters, and other specialties have been widely sold in Scotland this year, and the agents say that there is yet a very broad field before them.

"A distinct gain has been made here by our manufacturing chemists in many articles in common use and by our exporters of a variety of small goods, chiefly novelties, handled by jobbing houses. The market for novelties of every description is inviting, and success in this line depends only on putting the goods in the right hands.

"German exporters of textiles have developed in this country a trade of some importance in woolen underwear.

"The imported nails are principally from Germany, as are also moldings. It is needless to say that toys are mostly German, but this year many have been coming from the United States.

"Our wooden ware is extending slowly and steadily, and it seems certain that if well managed this trade will attain great dimensions in a few years."

Present Conditions in Hawaii.

Some interesting facts about present conditions in Hawaii are presented by the Department of Commerce and Labor, through its Bureau of Statistics. These facts reached that Bureau in the Hawaiian Annual for 1904, which arrived on the opening day of the new year.

Regarding the population, the figures show a steady decrease in the number of natives and a steady increase in the number of persons of foreign birth, especially Japanese and Chinese. In 1872 the number of natives was, in round terms, 50,000, and in 1900, 30,000. In 1872 the number of Chinese was, in round terms, 2,000, and in 1900, 25,000. The record of Japanese among the population only begins with 1884, when the number was 116 persons, but in 1900 the number was over 61,000. The total population of 1872 is given at 56,897 and in 1900 at 154,001. The relation of nationality to plantation labor is indicated by a table which shows the nationality and number of sugar plantation laborers, the number of Japanese being 31,029 out of a total of all nationalities of 42,242, these figures being for the year 1902. The Japanese plantation laborers increased from 13,884 in 1894 to 31,029 in 1902; while the Chinese laborers on sugar plantations fell in number from 8,114 in 1897 to 3,937 in 1902. Portuguese are next in rank in

ent condition the belief that the Hawaiian Islands may become producers of manila hemp, as well as sisal.

Another valuable production of the Far East introduced experimentally is Sumatra tobacco, and the experiments thus far indicate that its cultivation in the Hawaiian Islands may prove extremely successful. Vanilla beans, also recently introduced, give encouraging results, and indicate returns of from $1,000 to $5,000 per acre from their cultivation. Coffee production, while adversely affected in recent years by the low prices prevailing in the world's markets, has developed to such an extent as to give an increase in exports, the total exports being, in 1903, 1,852,000 pounds, against 551,800 pounds in 1901. It may be added that the importation into the United States of sisal and manila fiber amounted, in 1903, to over $25,000,000 in value; of Sumatra tobacco to over $4,000,000; of vanilla beans, over $1,000,000, and of coffee, $60,000,000.

Sugar continues to be the largest production of the islands, and the crop of 1903 is the largest ever produced, aggregating 775,000,000 pounds, against 330,000,000 pounds in 1893, 114,000,000 pounds in 1883, and 25,000,000 pounds in 1875.

The growth of sugar production in the Hawaiian Islands from the date of the reciprocity treaty in 1876 has been rapid, but the greatest growth has occurred in more recent years. The total sugar production of the islands in 1875, the year prior to the reciprocity treaty, was, in round terms, 25,000,000 pounds, by 1880 it was 63,000,000 pounds, in 1890 it amounted to 260,000,000 pounds, and in 1903, as above indicated, 774,825,420. The development of sugar production since annexation has been very rapid, and the annual crop has ranged very high, the total value of sugar exported from the Hawaiian Islands in the five years since annexation, 1899-1903, was, in round figures, $112,000,000; in the preceding five years, 1894-1898, $63,000,000, and in the five years 1889-1893, $49,000,000.

Another especially interesting fact developed in connection with the sugar production of the Hawaiian Islands is that in recent years large tracts of land, formerly considered valueless, have been brought under cultivation by irrigation, and made even more productive than that upon which sugar was produced without irrigation. Nearly one-half of the area now devoted to sugar in the Hawaiian Islands is irrigated, and more than onehalf of the sugar produced is grown upon

irrigated lands, the average production per acre on irrigated land being more than twice as great as that upon land which depends solely upon the rainfall.

The commerce of the Hawaiian Islands for 1903 is given at $26,000,000 of exports and $14,000,000 of imports. Of the imports, over $10,000,000 is stated as from the United States, half a million from Great Britain, three-fourths of a million from British colonies, and nearly a million from Japan. Of the exports, practically all are to the United States. The larger items of imports are breadstuffs, nearly a million and a half dollars in value; cotton manufactures, about one million dollars in value; iron and steel manufactures, also about one million dollars, in round terms; mineral oils, over a half million; provisions, about a half million; tobacco, $500,000; lumber, $500,000, and wines, malt liquors and spirits nearly a half million dollars.

The following table shows the production of sugar in the Hawaiian Islands from 1875, the year preceding the reciprocity treaty, to 1903: