MATCHES IN MEXICO. In reply to a resident of New York,* Vice-Consul Pagés writes from Veracruz, September 20, 1899: The cost of efficient labor in manufactories is: Male, 50 cents to $1 per diem; female, 25 to 50 cents. In match factories, practically all the labor is task work. Women are employed outside the factory to give shape to the boxes. The usual workday is: In the higher altitudes, 6 a. m. to noon and 1 to 6 p. m.; in the hot districts, from 6 to 10 a. m. and 11 a. m. to 5.30 p. m. Wood is the most economical fuel for stationary engines. It is worth about $7 (Mexican)† per cord. Coal is worth about $5 gold per gross ton on board ship Veracruz. Prices of matches are: Description. No. 4, wood, single heads, safety. No. 1, wax, single heads, noisy. The principal factory in this State-Mendizabal & Co.-which has branch factories in other parts of the Republic, is operated by French machinery, except the motor, which is from the United States. It employs about eighty men and boys. The women work at home. Most Mexican match factories are operated by machinery more or less elaborate. Wax matches have almost entirely superseded the wooden matches formerly used in this country. The latter are still made in limited quantities and are preferred by some; but this preference is confined to the hot country and may be due, in part, to traditional prejudice. It is said that wooden matches are better for the hot country, as the wax is liable to melt and become sticky. The wax taper is less bulky, generally has two striking ends, emits no disagreeable odor, and is made waterproof. It is doubtful if a wooden * To whom advance copy of the report has been sent. +$3.36 gold; taking the valuation by the United States Director of the Mint, July 1, 1899, $1 Mexican 48.1 cents. 566 DEMAND FOR BOILERS, ENGINES, ETC., IN GUADELOUPE. match could be made to supplant the wax, unless a manifestly superior article were produced at a lower price. There are no matches imported. White-pine wood comes from the United States and paraffin wax is furnished by the Mexican connection of the Standard Oil Company. Boxes with rubber strings are now imported from Italy. The consumption of matches put up in this form is very limited-about 100 gross per annum for the Veracruz factory. The number of people who purchase matches is relatively large. A very heavy percentage of the male sex smokes, the consumption of cigarettes being enormous. DEMAND FOR BOILERS, ENGINES, ETC., IN GUADELOUPE. I have been asked to procure information regarding steam boilers, engines, accessories, etc., for the largest machine shop here. This shop is connected with the steamboat line of the island. The manager particularly desires information regarding portable steam boilers, mounted on wheels; marine engines for small steamers; marine boilers; steam and safety valves; lubricators; steam and vacuum gauges; ordinary steam pumps; ordinary pumps; steam fire engines, small; centrifugal pumps; horsepower rigs, with and without shafting or other gear for transmitting power. In every case illustrated catalogues, in French if possible, are desired and the following information: Weights, net and boxed or packed for shipment; dimensions; price f. o. b. New York City. Exterior elegance and beauty of appearance are not so much desired as solidity, efficacy, and cheapness. The discriminating duties against our machinery are very great, and have heretofore totally discouraged the importation of such articles, but last spring the experiment of bringing two small portable boilers and some other articles from the United States was made. The manager referred to thus expresses himself: When they came, we were much disappointed. They looked rough and ugly, and we are accustomed to receive from France similar goods that are very beautiful and graceful to look at. But when we came to examine the interior, we were most pleasantly surprised-perfect adjustment, exquisite fittings, the minimum of friction and lost motion and maximum of efficiency and solidity. Your machines are incomparably better than our own in these respects, and much cheaper. If it were not for the enormous tariff, we would use no others; but, in spite of this, we want to see if we can not buy from you. If your manufacturers will help us, we can do it. Let them give us cheap, solid, honest work, with no expense for mere outside appearance, putting the finish only where it is needed; packing the goods as lightly as is consistent with strength and safety in transportation; and quoting us bottom prices free on board in New York City (for we can not consider your inland freights, etc.). I believe that we will find the advantages of efficiency and durability sufficient to warrant our purchasing all such goods from the United States. Of particular interest are the horsepower rigs, an apparatus by which horses traveling in a circle drive a shaft through which power can be supplied to small machinery, pumps, etc., on sugar estates. If we can get our information and carry on our correspondence in French, it would be a very great advantage. I have quoted him at length, as he covers the ground completely. The people he represents are of the very best financial standing. I shall be pleased to receive catalogues, price and discount lists from manufacturers of the various articles above enumerated, and will do all in my power to foster the introduction of our machinery here. To succeed, however, honest workmanship, good materials, absence of useless and expensive adornment, and low prices are imperative. These people are slow to change, and if our goods can once get a foothold here, we can hold the trade for all time. LOUIS H. AYMÉ, GUADELOUPE, September 22, 1899. Consul. OPENINGS FOR CAPITAL IN PARAGUAY. It is incomprehensible to me why American capitalists overlook a country so full of promising opportunities for the sure investment of capital as Paraguay. I am more convinced than ever, since my recent trip through the Republic, that Paraguay is a most favorable country for the operation of American capital. I will name some new opportunities for investment: (1) Bids will be open in six or eight months for the construction of a new city market. The old market will be torn down, and in its place will be erected a fine city hall. Capitalists could execute this from the new market. The gold a year; the old market work and take as a guaranty the rents rents will amount to $50,000 or $75,000 gives about $25,000 gold per year rent, and it is by far too small, covering only half a block, while the new one will cover a whole block. (2) A new city hall will soon be constructed, the present one being in the lower floor of Congress Hall. Other public works, such as the docks, levees, city bridges, etc., will offer opportunities for profitable investment. (3) A large pawn shop is needed in this city. There is not a pawn shop in Asuncion, although the people do a great deal of borrowing wherever money can be raised on their properties, upon which they pay from 10 to 20 per cent per month. The Government would grant a charter to any pawn establishments that would fix reasonable rates upon money lent. (4) An American bank could conduct a large and profitable business in building houses, such as are constructed in the United States by building and loan associations. There are many new modern Many more would be erected reasonable terms and if the houses going up in all parts of the city. if the people could borrow money on architects did not charge such exorbitant prices. The bank could get a clause in its charter to build houses, in which case it would be necessary to bring its own architect. A house of one story, containing only seven rooms of ordinary size, costs $4,000 gold. A bank having its own architect could build such a house for $3,000 or less and make a handsome profit. Material and labor are cheap. (5) A penny savings department could be made a part of the bank, and would be liberally patronized by the people. (6) The bank could export hides and skins. It could easily buy them in the country and sell them to Europe, America, or Montevideo for a good price. (7) Oranges could be exported, not in the primitive way in which they are now shipped, but after the Florida manner-wrapped in paper and packed in small boxes. Many other fruits could also be exported. The Paraguayan oranges are in great demand in the countries south of here. Loans could also be made upon the agricultural products of the country. (8) Large quantities of ordinary cotton goods are used, and a cotton factory could be erected and worked with profit. The Government would give the factory all possible encouragement in the way of protective duties, etc. Cotton grows very well in Paraguay. The stalk produces for two years-that is, when cut to the ground another springs up in its place, which is productive the second year. Discouraging advice will doubtless be given to capitalists by certain parties here who have capital profitably invested and do not want it jeopardized. Here is what the Secretary of Finance writes me: Let an agent representing American capitalists, with power to act, be sent here to negotiate with this Government on these matters, and their eyes will be opened to the wonderful riches of this country and to the excellent opportunities for the employment of capital. I would advise capitalists not to write any more letters, but to send a representative here to study the country, treat with the Government, and satisfy themselves. ASUNCION, July 31, 1899. . JOHN N. RUFFIN, Consul. BLEACHED COTTON GOODS IN PARAGUAY. Bleached cottons represent one of the most important importations of Paraguay. The trade in this line is not subject to the caprices of style. The goods are always in demand in both city and country. England has captured the trade here in white goods, but I think that there are opportunities for our exporters to get a share of this traffic, if they would send a man to represent them or samples to be placed on exhibition. The marks of white goods most popular in this district are first and above all the "Estrella," or Star; second, the "Cometa de Betlehen," or Comet of Bethlehem, which is an imitation of the Estrella; third, "La Libertad;" fourth, "Bramante E," trademark F. K.; fifth, "Bramante Lavado Puro;" sixth, "Bramante Sin Egual," with a picture of a rooster as trade-mark; seventh, "El Pensamento," with a picture of a forget-me-not; eighth, "El Especialidad;" ninth, "Economica;" tenth, "Monumento Gloria a Colon;" eleventh, "Madras Estrella Lavado;" twelfth, "Escarabajo," with a picture of a spider as trade-mark. It will be seen that there are many kinds of bramantes, or bleached cottons, in this market. Trade-marks which seem to have religious bearings, like the Comet of Bethlehem, take very well here. QUALITY, WIDTH, AND PRICE. The mark Estrella is the leading one here. It is 76 by 80 threads to the square inch; width, 351⁄2 inches; length, 20 yards, or 18.29 meters. These goods should be marked in meters, because this is more convenient and profitable for the retail merchants, who buy by the meter and sell by the "vara," in which transaction they gain the difference-the meter being longer than the vara. The retailer pays $14 Paraguayan money (about $2 gold) for a piece of 20 yards. If the price could be lowered, so that the retailer could buy it for $1.75 or $1.80 gold a piece, this trade would be secured. The Comet of Bethlehem costs, for a piece of 20 yards, $1 gold. La Libertad, which is 30 inches wide, is bought for 2s. 1od. (69 cents) from English commission firms. IMPORTATION. Last year (1898) there were imported bramantes to the amount of 85,055 kilograms (187,546 pounds), representing a value of $68,044 gold. The duty is 80 cents per kilogram (2.2046 pounds). The people desire the lowest prices. While our goods show their superiority in texture, etc., after they are washed, their quality does |