History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

760
COMMERCE AND COMMUNICATION.
the principal cash receipts of Utah. 24
In 1871 the
volume of domestic imports and exports had increased
to 80,000 tons, and since that date has averaged about
125,000 tons, of which two thirds were imports, and
nearly one half consisted of material needed for mining
operations.
The total value of imports for 1882 was estimated
at $11,410,000, and of exports at $11,525,000, the
chief items among the former being dry goods, gro-
ceries, clothing, lumber and other building material,
agricultural implements, leather and leathern manufactures;
among the latter, gold, silver, lead, copper
matte, live-stock, beef, wool, hides, pelts, furs, and
tallow, 25 the exports of metals alone amounting to
$9,000,000. The shipment of iron ore and charcoal
to Utah, which at one time were important factors in
the imports, has now practically ceased; but the territory
must always import more or less of lumber,
agricultural implements, wagons, and furniture; for
there are no hard or finishing woods of native growth,
and lumber of good quality cut from native timber is
scarce and difficult to obtain. Imports of leathern and
woollen goods will doubtless decrease with the growth
of manufactures, though for reasons that are explained
elsewhere, the leather produced in Utah is of inferior
quality.
While Utah could without difficulty produce a large
surplus of many agricultural products, distance from
market and an exorbitant freight tariff make it almost
impossible for her to compete with the Pacific and
western states. Several efforts have been made in
this direction, but the results were not satisfactory,
and it is doubtful whether Utah has yet sent away in
all more than 1,000,000 bushels of grain. The ex-
24 Flour, meat, and vegetables were also exchanged for groceries, clothing,
etc. Brown's Statement, MS,, 3. In 1849 the settlers were anxious to open a
highway to San Diego, whence they intended to obtain supplies. In lt>(i7 it
was proposed to use the Colorado route for traffic. See Hayes' Scrajis, San
J)iego, ii. 171-93.
M „„
25 Hollkter's Res. and Attract, of Utah, 67-8; Utah Gazetteer, 1884, 113,
where are tables of imports and exports for 18S2.