IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES. The imports of all barium chemicals (exclusive of lithopone and blanc fixe) in 1914 were 19,299,702 pounds, valued at $526,824. Of this quantity about 66 per cent came from Germany. About 90 per cent of the importation in 1914 was represented by three barium salts, namely, precipitated barium carbonate, barium chloride, and barium dioxide. Table 20 shows the detail of the imports of barium chemicals in 1914 with countries of origin: TABLE 20.-Imports of barium chemicals by countries, fiscal year 1914.1 1 Pickrell, Dr. E. R.: Chemicals and Allied Products Used in the United States, Department of Commerce, Miscellaneous Series No. 82. Imports for consumption.-The imports of barium chemicals have practically ceased since 1915 owing to the severance of trade with Germany which was the chief source of supply. The imports of practically all the barium chemicals prior to the war had increased to a maximum in 1914. The imports of barium chloride during the last six months of the 1919 calendar year (not shown in Table 21) were 1,096,396 pounds, valued at $19,063. This is the first barium chemical to be imported since the war in anything like the quantity of prewar imports. Table 21 shows the imports for consumption of the most important barium chemicals since 1910: TABLE 21.-Imports of barium chemicals for consumption in the United States. BARIUM CARBONATE, PRECIPITATED. BLANC-FIXE OR ARTIFICIAL SULPHATE OF BARYTES, AND SATIN WHITE OR ARTIFICIAL SULPHATE OF LIME. PRICES. The price of barium chemicals increased more during the war than barytes, the raw material. This was undoubtedly due to the fact that this country did not possess a barium chemical industry and therefore the normal demand could not be met with the sudden cessation of imports from Germany. The price of barium chemicals increased rapidly to a high level in the latter part of 1916, which was three and four times the prewar prices. As the production of domestic manufacturers approached the demand, the prices declined somewhat (with the exception of barium chlorate). The prices existing during 1918 and 1919 were about twice the normal prewar prices. Prices of barium carbonate have not been quoted prior to 1919. During 1919 and the first half of 1920 the price was between $65 and $75 per ton. Table 22 shows the price by quarters of the various barium chemicals, as quoted in the Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter. TABLE 22.-Price of barium chemicals in the United States, spot, New York market. TABLE 22.-Price of barium chemicals in the United States, spot, New York market-Continued. Prior to the tariff act of 1913 the only barium chemical mentioned by name was blanc fixe or artificial sulphate of barium, which was first mentioned in the act of 1890 as dutiable at three-fourths cent per pound. The other barium chemicals were dutiable prior to the passage of the act of 1913 as chemical compounds and salts n. s. p. f. The act of 1913 mentions three barium salts by name in addition to mentioning blanc fixe, and alloys of metallic barium. The tariff classification of the finished barium products since the passage of the act of 1883 is as follows: 1883... 1890. 39 Tariff classification or description. * * * * * *and all chemical compounds and salts, Blanc-fixe, or artificial sulphate of barytes.. 60 *** and all chemical compounds and salts, not spe- Blanc-fixe, or artificial sulphate of barytes * * * *** chemical compounds, mixtures and salts 10 Barium, * *blanc-fixe, or artificial sulphate of barytes * * * * * * barium, * ** and alloys of which said Ratesofduty,specificand ad valorem. 25 per cent ad valorem. 25 per cent ad valorem. cent per pound. 25 per cent ad valorem. 25 per cent ad valorem, or 55 cents per lb. if more. cent per pound. 15 per cent ad valorem. cent per pound. 1 cents per pound. 25 per cent ad valorem. 1894.... 1897. 46 3 |