The following table gives the imports and exports for the first

six months of the last five years:

The imports of the following articles amounted to more than 100,000,000 marks ($23,800,000) each:

The following tariff groups of exports amounted to more than 100,000,000 marks ($23,800,000) each:

COTTON-MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY OF

AUSTRIA.

TARIFF UNCERTAINTY.

Owing to the prevailing uncertainty and apprehensions of a tariff separation between Austria and Hungary (which latter country was a province of Austria only thirty years ago), the Hungarian market, upon which the Austrian cotton mills greatly depend, continues in a state of jeopardy. Hungary had, up to within a few years, no textile. industry of its own and it has been supplied almost entirely by the Austrian manufacturers. The large agricultural population of Hungary is poor, and therefore consumes large quantities of cotton goods. Considering these unfavorable circumstances, it is the more remarkable that the Austrian cotton industry yet retains a prominent position in the world's market.

COTTON CONSUMPTION.

The bulk of cotton used is imported from the United States, while only a small percentage of East Indian and Egyptian cotton finds a way to this market. During 1902 the total consumption of cotton in Austria amounted to 140,000,000 kilograms (318,644,000 pounds), of which fully 100,000,000 kilograms (220,460,000 pounds) were American. The cotton is shipped from the United States direct to Bremen or Hamburg, and thence forwarded by rail or on the River Elbe to its place of destination.

No cotton is grown in this Monarchy, all attempts to raise it, including recent experiments in Hungary, having signally failed.

COTTON MILLS.

Spinning mills.-As regards the cotton mills, Bohemia counts the greatest number of spindles, so that the largest portion of cotton imported remains in Bohemia. The mills manufacture chiefly the coarser numbers of yarns-Nos. 20 to 30 and below, and Nos. 36 to 42, while numbers over 60 are produced to a very small extent; qualities over No. 8o are generally imported from England and Switzerland.

The official returns for 1902 give the following number of spindles in operation: Bohemia, 1,750,000; total for Austria-Hungary, 3,128,000.

The import and export of yarns is comparatively of little importance, excepting the finest numbers, which are regularly imported.

Weaving mills and looms.-The weaving establishments turn out ordinary calicoes, Jacquard ware, fancy weaves, and other colored goods, which are fully up to the modern standard. The number of looms is about 110,000, of which about one-half are in Bohemia. The various automatic looms are little known in this country so far. The Drapers-Northrup looms are not much used in weaving establishments; a few may be found, but so far only for experimental purposes. There are very limited imports or exports of woven products; only the finest goods are imported from foreign countries. Finishing.-Respecting the finishing industry, the bleaching and laundry establishments, and in connection therewith the shirt and collar factories, are in a state of great efficiency, and the last-named industry is extending its trade with all parts of the world, Singer's latest improved sewing machines being in general use.

Dyeing and printing.-Dyeing and printing works are also fitted up with modern appliances, and if the export of these goods is not of any moment it is due to the unfavorable tariffs, which increase the cost of dyeing material, etc. The number of printing machines. in operation is estimated at about 150, of which about one-half are in Bohemia.

HOURS OF LABOR.

The daily working hours in these industries vary between ten and one-half hours and eleven and one-half hours. Some of the printing establishments in eastern Bohemia run their works day and night, which is not generally approved of, particularly by those works that keep regular hours, as the market in consequence is apt to be glutted, and that often with inferior goods.

WAGES.

Wages paid to regular hands in the cotton mills vary from 3 to 5 crowns (61 cents to $1.02) per day, while the assistants receive proportionately smaller pay. The wages of the weavers are comparatively less; even in districts where the highest wages are paid they will hardly earn more than 3 crowns (61 cents) per day, while in the calico establishments in eastern Bohemia they get scarcely more than 2 crowns (41 cents) per day. Of course, in cases where a weaver serves four looms, or where particularly skilled hands are required— as, for instance, for Jacquard looms, etc.—the pay is considerably higher. Those employed in the printing establishments form two distinct classes, viz, professionals-such as engravers, printers, etc.-who command even up to 10 crowns ($2.03) per day, and ordinary laborers, who get only 2 crowns (41 cents) or a trifle more. ETHELBERT WATTS,

PRAGUE, AUSTRIA, July 22, 1903.

Consul.

COAL INDUSTRY IN BOHEMIA.

This important industry has suffered in the past two years in sympathy with the iron and steel and other great industries in this country, the effect being most depressing upon miners of brown coal, which exists in large quantity and is most extensively mined, largely from open cuts, from which drifts are run (very much as hematite iron ore is mined in the United States), and is frequently found within a few feet of the surface. The brown-coal districts are known as the Dux-Brüx-Komotau and the Falkenau-Elbegen districts in the north and west of Bohemia. The output during the years 1899, 1900 (two-months' strike), 1901, and 1902 was 17,900,000 tons, 17,300,000 tons, 18,300,000 tons, and about 18,000,000 tons, respectively. The following table shows the export and home consumption:

The depression was not so much felt on account of the reduction of the output as in the decline in prices of brown coal, which amounted to from 8 to 10 hellers (1.6 to 2 cents) per 100 kilograms (220 pounds), whereas the cost of production was not reduced in proportion, the concessions made to the miners during their last great strike about four years ago being maintained, as well as the nine-hour day adopted last year. This latter change affecting the output to the extent of about 6 to 10 per cent, prices of brown coal vary very much according to quality. The best commands from 5 to 7 crowns ($1.01 to $1.42) per 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds), while the inferior quality will not bring over 3 to 4 crowns (61 to 81 cents).

Black or hard coal (so called), resembling somewhat American semibituminous coal, is found and mined to a much more limited extent in this country in the Pilsen and Kladno districts. The yearly production in the former district is about 796, 500 tons and in the latter about 1,027,925 tons, exclusive of that consumed by ironworks, etc., in this district, showing a total for Bohemia of 1,824,425 tons. The black coal is much superior in heating power and in other respects to the brown coal and commands a much higher price. The

higher grades command from 15 to 20 crowns ($3.05 to $4.06) per ton, according to quality, and the lower grades and sizes from 12 to 14 crowns ($2.44 to $2.84). The black coal is used by the wealthier class for domestic purposes, as the brown coal gives off very dense and unpleasant smoke and soot. For manufacturing purposes both are used, sometimes mixed, but the brown coal, of course, to the largest extent; both are exported, principally to Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.

The wages paid in the coal districts of Bohemia, per nine-hour shift, are as follows:

The pick men are paid by the job; all others are paid by the day. The labor day of all miners is nine hours, including the going in and out. The men at the pit's mouth work twelve hours, with two hours' rest at midday.

PRAGUE, AUSTRIA, July 22, 1903.

ETHELBERT WATTS,

Consul.

GERMAN TOY INDUSTRY.

The toy industry of the Erzgebirge, or Ore Mountains, which has been developing for centuries, has been slowly drifting into economic difficulties. With the application of steam power and modern machinery to the production of toys the house industry has been. gradually forced to the wall. With an increase in the price of wood and a decrease in the price of the finished product, these people of the mountains have been put into a position where it is necessary to toil night and day for a meager existence, which is apparently becoming more and more severe.

For some years the labor press of this part of the country has busied itself with a portrayal of the wretched conditions existing among the peasants of the mountains, with the result that an investigation was recently made by the industrial commission of Freiburg, which largely substantiates even the strong representations of the