EUROPE: GERMANY. 123 



Coal and wood are used as fuel, coal chiefly, which is bituminous 

 and costs $4 maximum and $2 minimum per ton of 2,204.6 pounds. 



Wood, rags, and straw are employed in making paper. Straw 

 and wood are plentiful. In the year 1897, the following quantities 

 of materials were consumed by paper mills situated in the Aix la 

 Chapelle consular district: Wood, 3,008 tons; rags, 2,206 tons; 

 ground wood, 378 tons; chemical fibers, 777 tons. 



Straw costs about $14 per ton; wood, about $4 per cord. 



The facilities for making paper machinery are good, but none is 

 made. 



The cost of labor in paper mills is about i% to 3 marks per day. 

 The men are efficient. 



There are 5 or more paper mills in this district. The output is 

 not known. Steam and water power are used. 



The methods of manufacture are secret. The paper is machine 

 made. 



IMPORTS. 



Paper, cardboard, wall paper, and paper shavings are imported. 

 The finer grades of tinted writing paper and card paper are obtained 

 from England. 



BANKING AND MAIL FACILITIES. 



The banking facilities and financial connections with various 

 countries are good. 



Mail goes to America two or three times per week, taking eight 

 to ten days; to England, service is four times daily; time, eight to 

 ten hours. 



OUTLOOK FOR AMERICAN TRADE. 



I see no opening for American products, unless lower prices or 

 special conditions in competition with present goods on the market 

 are offered. The United States should send agents with samples to 

 build up its exports to this district. 



EXPORTS. 



Surface-coated paper, plain-basis photographic paper, cellulose 

 paper, drawing paper, tracing paper, and cards are exported. The 

 shipments are chiefly to American firms; some to England and Italy. 



FRANK M. BRUNDAGE, 



Aix LA CHAPELLE, February 8, 1899. Consul. 



