English to make cheaper shoes than the Americans make because the average value per pair of imports was $5.72 while the average value of exports was $3.23. Combed cotton yarns bleached to a value of $3,598,000 were imported compared with exports valued at $748,000. Yet it was evidently not the cheapness of the English yarns that led to their importation, since they cost $1.20 per pound compared with $0.96 per pound for the exported yarns. These yarns were imported because of their peculiar suitability for certain purposes, and price was a secondary consideration. The same relative values are found in imports and exports of many other classes of articles. The table discloses that the same principles are true with respect to the trade between the United States and Germany. The following tables gives the unit import and export values in 1927 of 150 classes of articles which were imported and exported. The unit value is obtained by dividing the total value imported or exported by the total quantities imported or exported. In addition to the import and export unit values, the unit value of the domestic production is shown in some cases. In 64 out of the 146 items the unit value of imports exceeds the unit value of exports, showing in such cases that the average article exported presumably cost less to produce than the average article imported. Of course the quality of the imported article is presumably superior. The table at least shows that the imports do not come in because they are cheaper than the average domestic article in the same class. The table shows the unit value of domestic production for 44 items. But in 24 of these items the unit value of the imports was higher than the unit value of the domestic production. Unit values of production, exports, and imports DEPARTMENT OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TRANSMITTING A SUPPLEMENTAL ESTIMATE OF APPROPRIATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AMOUNTING TO $34,300 FEBRUARY 17 (calendar day, FEBRUARY 27), 1931.-Read, referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and ordered to be printed The PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE. THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, February 27, 1931. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith for the consideration of Congress a supplemental estimate of appropriation for the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 1932, amounting to $34,300. The details of this estimate, the necessity therefor, and the reason for its transmission at this time are set forth in the letter of the Director of the Bureau of the Budget transmitted herewith, with whose comments and observations thereon I concur. Respectfully, HERBERT HOOVER. BUREAU OF THE BUDGET, SIR: I have the honor to submit for your consideration a supplemental estimate of appropriation for the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 1932, amounting to $34,300, as follows: Department of vehicles and traffic, District of Columbia: For personal services, fiscal year 1932, $34,300, together with the amount of $36,060 for personal services, office of the director of traffic, contained in the District of Columbia |