Syria: An Economic Survey 



Heretofore the Syrian builders have had no capital at their 

 disposal, nor have they a thorough knowledge of their trade. 



G. Arts and Crafts. 



Damascus is the center of the wood-carving, inlaid wood, and 

 copper industry. 



The Bezalel School in Jerusalem has about 30 employees. 



Bosaries, crucifixes, etc., are made in Jerusalem and Bethle- 

 hem, and are either sold to tourists or exported. 



Laces, etc., are made by Armenian women, by Christians in 

 Jerusalem and Nazareth, and by Jewesses in Jaffa, Jerusalem, Ti- 

 berias, and Safed. 



H. Other Industries. 



There are two machine factories in Jaffa and one in Beirut. 

 They are chiefly engaged in the fitting out of irrigation plants, 

 mills, and oil mills. Each one has a foundry connected with it. 

 In almost all the larger towns, there are repair shops, smithies, etc. 

 There are 1,000-1,500 kerosene and coal-gas motors for irrigation 

 and industrial purposes in Syria. Kerosene is more popular than 

 steam because it is cheaper and more easily transported. 



Printing presses are io be found in all the larger cities. 



Eggs are shipped from Tripoli and Latakia, the whites and 

 yokes being separated and packed in tin boxes. 



Artificial ice is made in all the larger cities (Aleppo, Beirut, 

 Damascus, Haifa, Jaffa, Jerusalem). 



Soda water is manufactured in Beirut, Jerusalem, Haifa, and 

 Jaffa. 



I. Trades. 



Eope-making has its centers in Damascus and Aleppo. 



Tanning is carried on in Beirut and Zahleh (ox hides), Horns 

 (sheep and goats' hides), and Aintab (goats' hides). The Aintab 

 leather is used for shoes, saddles, etc. 



Tailoring is of importance only in Beirut, where the population 

 wears European clothes. The Singer Sewing Machine Co. has 

 branches all over Syria, and sells machines on the instalment plan. 



Smithies are in the hands of the fellaheen, who work in a 

 primitive way but are considered very deft. 



Cartwrights, as such, are rare. Carriages and wagons are made 

 by the combined efforts of smiths, carpenters, etc. 



Tinkers are for the most part Jews, especially in Jaffa, Jerusa- 

 lem, Sidon, and Damascus. 



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