BREMEN.

(From United States Consul Diederich, Bremen, Germany.)

FREE PORT OF BREMEN.

The Free State of Bremen has two large free ports on the right bank of the river Weser-that is, a territory outside of the customs union border-where merchandise of all kinds may be stored and whence, after payment of duty, it may enter Germany or pass in bond through German territory to foreign countries. These territories exempt from duty are situated on both sides of the harbors at Bremerhaven and Bremen, and are commonly called the Freiha fen-that is, free harbor.

As the free harbor at Bremen is the larger of the two, and as the means employed in shipping and storing merchandise are similar, I furnish only such information as I could gather about the warehouses. at Bremen.

WAREHOUSE BUILDINGS AND MANAGEMENT.

Of the three large basins which comprise the free harbor of Bremen, basin No. 1 measures 2,000 meters (6,561.6 feet) in length and 120 meters (393.7 feet) in width, and has a depth of 8 meters (26.2 feet). The warehouses on both sides of this basin are owned by the State of Bremen and let to the Bremer Lagerhaus Gesellschaft under a contract, according to which the State of Bremen has 75 per cent of the net profits and the Bremer Lagerhaus Gesellschaft the remainder. In this district of the free harbor the above-named company occupies at present ten warehouses of an average size of 170 meters (577.7 feet) in length and 30 meters (98.4 feet) in depth, each being six or seven stories high. Each of these floors is divided into compartments. The cost of building one of these warehouses was about $266,250. The warehouses are for rent, either as a whole or in parts.

On both sides of the harbor, separated from the quay only by a railway track and the movable hydraulic cranes of 4,000 kilograms (8,818.5 pounds) lifting capacity, are strongly built sheds used for storing transit goods. One of these sheds is two stories high and can be heated so as to serve for the storing of fruit. The business in all the warehouses, sheds, etc., is conducted by the Bremer Lagerhaus Gesellschaft in a manner specified by the aforementioned contract between the State and the company, under which contract also the fees are prescribed for all services rendered by the company.

CHARGES.

Each vessel loading or unloading has to pay 10 pfennigs (2.38 cents) per 1,000 kilograms (2204.6 pounds) on all freight handled at the quay, with the exception of bunker coal and the materials and equipments of vessels. In the tariff of charges for loading and unloading merchandise, the latter is divided into four classes, which pay different rates, as follows: (1) General merchandise, not named in one of the following groups, is charged 81 pfennigs (2.023 cents) per 100 kilograms for unloading and putting in warehouse or shed, and vice

versa; (2) class S. 1, comprising asphalt, barytes, cotton-seed cake. potatoes, maize, saltpeter, clay, etc., is charged 6 pfennigs (1,428 cents) per 100 kilograms (220.46 pounds); (3) class S. 2, comprising briquettes, rails, rice flour (in bags) pig iron, sugar in bags, etc., is charged 5 pfennigs (1.19 cents) per 100 kilograms; (4) class M bulky goods, such as stones, cokes, fertilizers, and raw materials for the manufacture of fertilizers, iron ore, gravel, kranit, coal, paving stones, sand, etc., in quantities of at least 100 metric tons (of 2,204.0 pounds each, are subject to special agreement. If handled in smaller quantities, these goods are, like those of class S. 1, charged 6 pfennigs (1.428 cents) per 100 kilograms.

For goods that are not put into storage, but only loaded over from vessel into railway car or vice versa, charges are according to the following tariff: General merchandise, 5 pfennigs (1.19 cents) per 100 kilograms (220.46 pounds); classes S. 1 and S. 2, 2 pfennigs (0.595 cent) per 100 kilograms (220.46 pounds); class M, 10 pfennigs (2.38 cents) per 1,000 kilograms (2,204.6 pounds).

Pieces of merchandise that weigh more than 2,000 kilograms (4,409.25 pounds) are loaded and unloaded by means of a floating steam crane of 40,000 kilograms (40 metric tons, or 44 American short tons) lifting power, charges ranging from about 35 cents for each 1,000 kilograms (2,204.6 pounds), in case the piece does not weigh over 4 tons, to about $2.85 per 1,000 kilograms, if the article weighs nearly the full capacity of the crane. If the goods are first deposited on the quay, so that the crane has to be put into operation again, an additional fee is charged.

Merchandise arriving by water and not intended to be put in storage may be kept in the quay sheds or in the open, if the condition of the goods will permit, for four days free of charge, and goods ariving by rail and intended for exportation by vessel are granted free storage for eight days.

The charges for storage are prescribed specifically for each kind of merchandise and are quoted per month. For example, apples, per case, 3 pfennigs (0.714 cent); apples, per barrel, 10 pfennigs (2.38 cents); asphalt, per bag, 5 pfennigs (1.19 cents); cotton, East Indian, per bale, 15 pfennigs (3.57 cents); cotton, American, per bale, 25 pfennigs (5.95 cents); cotton-seed cake and cotton-seed flour, 50 pfennigs (11.9 cents) per 1,000 kilograms (2,204.6 pounds); beer, per case, 10 pfennigs (2.38 cents); cacao and coffee, per bag, 5 pfennigs (1.19 cents); cocoanuts, per 100 kilograms, 8 pfennigs (19 cents); grain, heavy, in bags, per 1,000 kilograms (2,204.6 pounds). 40 pfennigs (9.52 cents); grain, heavy, loose, per 1,000 kilograms, 50 pfennigs (11.9) cents; grain, light, in bags, per 1,000 kilograms. 50 pfennigs (11.9 cents); grain, light, loose, per 1,000 kilograms, 60 pfennigs (14.28 cents); corkwood, per bale, 15 pfennigs 3.57 cents); palm kernels, per 100 kilograms, 5 pfennigs (1.19 cents), etc.

GOODS STORED AND CUSTOMS SUPERVISION.

The chief articles stored here are American cotton, tobacco, coffee. flour, dried fruits, lard, cacao, drugs, meat, wool, and sugar. All nationalities are treated exactly alike by the administrators of the

warehouses.

The entire free harbor is under control of the custom-house-that is to say, no merchandise is allowed to pass the gates of this district without paying the duty or being put in bond for exportation to other countries. Each consignee of goods is bound to make a declaration of entry and each shipper of goods has to make a declaration of export to the custom-house, giving the number of packages, marks and numbers, contents, gross and net weights, and place of origin or destination of the merchandise referred to. These declarations are made under oath and are wanted chiefly for statistical purposes.

WAREHOUSE RECEIPTS.

In conclusion it may be stated that the warehouse receipts issued by the Bremer Lagerhaus Gesellschaft are negotiable under the laws of this State if they are accompanied by warrants.

BREMEN, GERMANY, July 20, 1904.

HENRY W. DIEDERICH, Consul.

BRESLAU.

(From United States Consul Man, Breslau, Germany.)

There are two public warehouses in this city-one owned by a commercial association, but controlled and operated by the Government, while the other is owned and conducted by the city authorities.

The Government warehouse is owned by an association of merchants, and while certain details of the business are managed by them, the main conduct of the whole is in the hands of the Government. The buildings cover an area of 3,000 square meters (3,588 square yards) and are three stories high.

It is impossible to obtain even an approximate estimate as to the original cost of these warehouses, the buildings having been erected so long ago. Charges for storage vary greatly, ranging from 3 to 18 pfennigs (0.7 to 4.3 cents) per month for 100 kilograms (220.46 pounds).

The Government warehouse is used chiefly for the storage of general merchandise, and the city warehouse, in addition to general merchandise, also receives agricultural products, the products of the mines, and all raw material. Estimates as to the length of time goods as a rule remain in bond are not sufficiently satisfactory to quote. There is, however, a time limit of five years from the date of receipt. No different treatment on account of nationality is accorded those applying for storage room in these warehouses, but so far as I can ascertain no use has as yet been made by Americans of the Breslau warehouses.

The facilities for removing goods from boat to the city warehouse are excellent, owing to the finely built docks and electric cranes. The general charges for removing goods from boat to warehouse and vice versa are as follows per 100 kilograms (220.46 pounds): General merchandise, 7 pfennigs (1.666 cents); refined sugar (in loaf form), 10 pfennigs (2.380 cents); raw sugar (in bags), 4 pfennigs (0.952 cents); artificial fertilizers, 7 pfennigs (1.666 cents); cement, 5 pfennigs (1.190 cents).

The customs officials have full care and supervision of the Government warehouse, while the city warehouse is supervised and looked after by city officials, who, in case of goods subject, to duty being deposited with them, are held responsible for the payment of the duty to the customs officials, and, furthermore, are authorized to demand a guaranty from the depositor for the payment of the amount of the duty.

BRESLAU, GERMANY, August 26, 1904.

ERNEST A. MAN, Consul.

COLOGNE.

(From United States Consul Barnes, Cologne, Prussia, Germany.)

The area of the warehouses operated by the port administration of this city amounts approximately to 29.000 square meters (34,68+ square yards). The original cost of the buildings was 2,330,000 marks ($554,540). They are owned and conducted by the town of Cologne. All services usually rendered in connection with the receiv ing and forwarding of merchandise are assumed by the administration of the warehouses. The scale of charges for storage is inclosed herewith." Receipts during the year 1903 were 94,000 mark ($22,372), and expenditures were 44,000 marks ($10,472).

The goods chiefly stored are coffee, wine, sugar, and tobacco. Americans make use of these warehouses, but to what extent I am unable to state, as no statistics are obtainable concerning the different nations. All nationalities are treated exactly alike. It is impossible to give any estimate as to the length of time goods are kept in bond, but they seldom remain longer than one year.

The most modern machinery and methods are employed in remov ing goods from boats to the warehouses. The cost of the service varies according to the kind of goods, and ranges from 2 to 3 cents per 220.46 pounds (100 kilos).

The goods stored in the warehouses are all under the general supervision of the town and customs authorities, and they can only be removed after all the necessary official formalities have been complied with.

CHAS. E. BARNES, Consul.

COLOGNE, GERMANY, November 15, 1904.

FREIBURG.

(From United States Consul Liefeld, Freiburg, Germany.)

Freiburg is an inland city with custom-house and officials, but not provided with warehouses for storage or for distributing purposes. I understand that at Singen, between Constance and Schaffhausen.

a On file in the Bureau of Statistics, Department of Commerce and Labor. Minimum charge is 50 pfennigs (11.9 cents). Rates per months for 220.46 pounds range from 1.1 cents for asphalt and potato or corn meal to 4.2 cents for such articles as cotton or woollen goods, eggs, tobacco, leather, glassware, and furniture.

Switzerland, and at Basel, Switzerland, there are warehouses where goods coming from the south can be stored, while goods coming from the north have passed the large warehouses of Cologne and Frankfort, so it is probable that on account of these advantages in the cities to the north and south of Freiburg the need of storehouses in this city has not up to the present time been felt.

As Freiburg is becoming an important railway center and a new and extensive freight depot is now in process of erection, there can be no doubt that in the near future a large warehouse will have to be constructed to satisfy the ever-increasing demands for better facilities and accommodations.

E. THEOPHILUS LIEFELD, Consul.

FRIEBURG, GERMANY, October 14, 1904.

MAGDEBURG.

(From United States Vice-Consul Breuer, Magdeburg, Germany.)

The seaport of Magdeburg is Hamburg, and the bulk of foreign (transoceanic) trade of this consular district is transacted there. It may, however, be of some interest to receive some information about. the warehouses at this inland port. Magdeburg forms, so to speak, an intermediate port, by means of the Elbe River, between Dresden and the southeast of Germany on the one side and Hamburg and the seaboard on the other.

There are three principal warehouses in this city built for storage, at a nominal rental, of merchandise in transit or in bond, namely, the Städtisches Hafen- und Lagerhaus (municipal), capacity 20,000 tons; the Elblagerhaus (stock company), capacity 30,000 to 40,000 tons; and Albert Lüddecke & Co. (private enterprise), capacity 3,000 tons. They are built in generous dimensions and with all modern improvements, and are conducted in a most practical and systematic

way.

There is not much difference between these warehouses in the scale of charges. Detailed information as to classes of goods, management, charges, time, etc., is given in the pamphlet inclosed. All store, in bond or in transit, all kinds of goods, particularly beet sugar, raw and refined, cereals, fertilizers, chemicals, oils, lard, etc., partly of American origin.

There is no preferential treatment as to nationalities, but so far American firms have not been availing themselves to a great extent of these warehouses, inasmuch as their business is almost exclusively in the hands of commission agents in Hamburg.

Goods in bond are under the joint lock and control of the customhouse officials and the warehouse owners.

I take this opportunity to invite attention to a most interesting book in German, called "Das Deutsche Lagerhausgeschäft und Lagerhausrecht," by Dr. Otto Goldberg, published in Zittau, Germany, which can be procured through this office.

JOHN B. BREUER, Vice-Consul.

MAGDEBURG, GERMANY, August 31, 1904.

a On file in the Bureau of Statistics, Department of Commerce and Labor.