Russian bristle, ranked first in value, but the greatest quantity came from China. The difficulty and final impossibility of trade with Germany forced American buyers into the Chinese market. That country supplied 2,358,772 pounds, or 58.73 per cent, of the total prepared bristle in 1915 and 2,333,437 pounds, or 60.61 per cent, of the total in 1916.

Effects of the war on the bristle industry.—The war has caused considerable disturbance in the bristle industry. It has closed the Leipzig market through the embargo on German exports; it has made the Russian supply uncertain; it has increased ocean freight_rates and made shipping exceedingly precarious; and, on the other hand, it has enormously increased the demand for brushes in belligerent countries. The first condition had the result of unsettling the market for awhile, but as Germany was not an important source of supply, a gradual readjustment led to a transfer of activity in the bristle trade to London. Another difficulty has arisen in this regard by the action of the British Government prohibiting exportation of bristles. The chaotic conditions in Russia have proved a serious handicap to bristle dealers and brush manufacturers. The finest grades of bristle come from Russia, and these are practically unobtainable. China has, as a consequence, become the main source of supply, but even in that country political disturbance, floods, and plague have militated against prompt or certain delivery. The sinking of cargoes and the appalling scarcity of available tonnage have made the movement of bristle to manufacturing countries increasingly difficult. The short transportation from China to Japan has enabled the latter country to take advantage of the situation. The phenomenal rise in the quantities of Chinese bristle consumed by Japanese brush manufacturers after the elimination of European competition is indicative of their enterprise. In 1912 and 1913 but little over 2 per cent of the bristle exported from China went to Japan; in 1914, 8.76 per cent; in 1915, 10.86 per cent; in 1916, 18.33 per cent, which represented 1,533,933 pounds, or almost eight times as much as in 1913.9 The westward extension of Japan's sphere of influence is regarded as having particular weight in the bristle trade, as it would enable her to dominate not only the Chinese markets but the Siberian output as well.

There has been some increase in the quantities imported by the two greatest manufacturing countries-Great Britain and the United States-but the most marked difference caused by the war has been the shifting of trade from Germany, and, in the case of Great Britain, from Russia to China. In 1916 over 60 per cent of the total imports of bristle into the United States came directly from China. During the same time Chinese bristle comprised over 50 per cent of the total amount received by Great Britain. All these difficulties created by war conditions have led to the inevitable result-high prices.

Even before the war, in 1913, a committee on brushes reported to the convention of the National Paint, Oil, and Varnish Association that, owing to the increase in population, the construction of enormous buildings and ships, and the extension of requirements for brushes, the supply of bristles was not equal to the demand. Under

9 From figures in Official Chinese Trade Reports.

normal conditions, therefore, the tendency was toward higher prices; the war, affecting the countries of origin, means of transportation, rates of exchange, and various other phases of the trade, enormously accelerated this tendency. The prices on some grades advanced 300 per cent over prewar quotations. The value per unit of quantity of bristles imported into the United States has been comparatively constant, having fluctuated only 25 cents during the 11 years 1907– 1917. This apparent discrepancy is accounted for by the fact that later importations comprise a higher percentage of Chinese bristle, which is much cheaper than the Russian.

Bristles, sorted, bunched, or prepared—Imports by countries.

Bristles, sorted, bunched, or prepared---Imports by countries—Continued.

Bristles, not sorted, bunched, or prepared-Imports by countries-Continued.

Bristles, sorted, bunched or prepared-Imports for consumption—Revenue.

Bristles, crude, not sorted, bunched or prepared-Imports for consumption-Revenue.

*

THE BRUSH INDUSTRY.

'PAR. 336. * brushes and feather dusters of all kinds, and hair pencils in quills or otherwise, 35 per centum ad valorem."

TRADE AND COMPETITION.

Competition is keen among domestic manufacturers of brushes, as there is no association to regulate the trade. The industry has profited by the partial elimination, during the war, of European competition and by the large orders for brushes by the Government, the Red Cross, and foreign countries whose trade before the war was supplied by the brush-producing countries of Europe.

Official statistics do not show the quantity, kinds, or grades of brushes imported; the information herein given in regard to the character of foreign competition is therefore largely from statements of manufacturers, importers, and dealers.

Beginning with July 1, 1918, the following classification is followed in official statistics: Toilet brushes comprising tooth, hair, nail, or hand; all other brushes; feather dusters; and hair pencils.

Toilet brushes.-Foreign competition in the past has been almost entirely on toilet brushes. It has been estimated that from 50 to 60 per cent of the toilet brushes used in the United States are imported. The following statements were made at the conference of the United States Tariff Commission with representatives of the brush industry, held in New York City, March 25-26, 1918.

Before the Ways and Means Committee some years ago the statement was made to me, "There are eleven or twelve million dollars worth of brushes manufactured in this country, and you only import two or three million?" Take the paintbrush industry away and what do you find? You find that we barely make 40 per cent of the toilet brushes used in the country and that the other 60 per cent is supplied from abroad.

The toilet-brush industry battles with labor and conditions in Japan and Europe, which dwarfed its development in this country to such a degree that the industry is practically given over to special lines only, as none of us can make a full line of toilet brushes, whether hair, tooth, or other shapes, against the keen competition that we meet here. (From the statement of Mr. H. Alexander, of the Henry L. Hughes Co., manufacturers.)

In normal times I think over 50 per cent of the toilet brushes used in this country are made in Europe and Asia. (From the statement of Mr. William Cordes, of the Florence Manufacturing Co.)

Importers, on the other hand, claim that they encounter strong competition from domestic manufacturers of toilet brushes.