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ELECTRIC FREIGHT WAGON, BY PAUL SCHÜTZE, OGGERSHEIM, BAVARIA.

groceries, breweries, and wine stores are already in use in Berlin, and, although at first objected to because of their tendency to frighten horses, are now accepted as part of the new equipment which will finally, for reasons of economy, cleanliness, and general efficiency, eliminate horses from city travel and transport. Two heavy freight wagons-one of the Daimler-motor system, with 12 horsepower and 12 tons burden, and another of 10 tons burden, with electric motor, made by Paul Schütze at Oggersheim, Bavaria―are included among the illustrations transmitted with this report.

The French section of the exposition includes large exhibits from Falconnet, Perrodeaud et Cie., Gianelli et Lacoste, Vital-Bouhours, and Leon Lefebre, whose products are standard in France and are comparatively well known in the United States. Their motors are either electrical or of the Dion benzine type, and many of the carriages still retain the chain gear, a device which is here considered obsolete except for freight and delivery wagons.

Three trials of speed were among the prescribed features. The first, from Berlin to Baumgarten Bridge and return, 65 kilometers (40.4 miles), on the 12th of September, was won by an Astor tricycle driven by Broca, in one hundred minutes and thirty seconds, although the winner lost some time through having been shut off at railway crossings.

The second race, from Berlin to Dresden and return, 192 kilometers (119 miles), was fixed for Sunday, September 17, but was more or less deranged by heavy, persistent rains.

The third race, from Berlin to Munich, via Magdeburg, Cassel, Frankfort, Stuttgart, and Augsburg, 1,010 kilometers (628 miles), started at noon to-day.

BERLIN, September 28, 1899.

FRANK H. MASON,
Consul-General.

NEW GERMAN CANAL.

About two years ago, the city of Leipzig selected two royal commissioners of public buildings-Messrs. Haverstadt and Contag-to prepare plans for a canal between Riesa and Leipzig, navigable for large vessels, and granted the sum of 10,000 marks ($2,380) to defray the expenses incurred in connection therewith. The plans, after careful, conscientious work, are now ready, and, together with the estimates of the general and special costs, are in the hands of the Leipzig city council.

The canal will be 67.5 kilometers (nearly 42 miles) in length, built entirely on Saxon territory, and will in no way conflict with foreign state interests.

Not only do the industrial people of Leipzig take a great interest in this project, but the commercial classes all over Saxony are anxious to have it carried out.

It is estimated that the cost of building this canal will be higher than that of other canals of about the same length. This is principally on account of the difficulty which will be encountered in getting over the watershed. The cost of the ground, ground and slope work, road and railway crossings, lifting work, water feeding, etc., will amount to 38,000,000 marks ($9,044,000). The cost of the harbor in Leipzig will amount to 9,000,000 marks ($2,142,000) alone, and to connect the canal with the Pleisse another 3,500,000 marks ($831,000) will be necessary.

One thing worthy of note in comparing this plan with others made in the past is that this proposed canal will be located entirely on Saxon territory, and for this reason can be built with the cooperation of the Saxon Government and the city of Leipzig.

This project indicates Saxony's interest in helping its commercial and industrial people. Riesa is the grain center of this Kingdom, Leipzig its richest city. The latter for a long time has been the center of an enormous trade, largely due to its fairs, which occur twice each year-one in April and the other in September. BRAINARD H. WARNER, Jr.,

LEIPZIG, August 31, 1899.

Consul.

AMERICAN IRON IN GERMANY.

When, some time ago, American competition in iron and steel was talked of in the German press, many of the technical and trade journals made light of the news. Quite different, however, is the expert opinion of the Chamber of Commerce of Bochum, which comprises leading manufacturers from this prominent iron and steel district of Germany. In its annual report for 1898, this body speaks as follows:

American competition, which in 1897 arose in the continental markets, has made further progress during 1898. Pig iron exported to Germany has increased 16 per cent as compared with the imports of the year previous, fine cast iron and wrought iron 28 per cent, and common ironware 75 per cent, while the import of bicycles and parts gained 106 per cent.

The value of these American articles imported into Germany in 1897 amounted to 10,100,000 marks ($2,380,000); in 1898, to 15,800,000 marks ($3.570,000). This extraordinary increase in so short a time gives cause for very serious concern, especially when it is considered that the demand in the United States has advanced enormously, so that no large stocks were available for foreign export.

Consequently, we have to reckon with certainty that the import of American iron and steel will continue to increase; to prevent it will require strenuous exertions

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