The herald., 1897-06-18
OFFICE OF THE HERALD.

as the most important commercial event
which has taken, place in q number OF
years, occurred at the beginning OF this
month, when the Commercial Museum OIL
Philadelphia was formally opened to the
public, and q Trade Congress was held
The plan of having such museum was
formed after the Columbian Exposition
was over when the City OF Philadelphia
secured the collections of raw materials
sent to that exhibition by the countries of
spanish-America. With these collections
as a nucleus the board Of managers went
to work, and todayhas commercial exhibits
from nearly every state in the Union,
from Mexico. and all the countries of Gen.
trail America. There are also many ex-
hIbits from European countries and, in
fact, from all parts of the world where the
manufacturers OF the United States should
secure trade. The exhibition Of raw prod
ucts now numbers over fifty thousand OBJ
jects. and though constantly being added
to, is even at present supposed to be the
largest permanent collection of the kind
In the world.
The object for which this Commercial
Museum is established is, of course, to
stimulate the commerce of the United
States. A bureau of information is main
tained, which has trustworthy correspond
ents all over the world and Is thus in a
position to report concerning any market.
as to the goods sold there, who is handling
them, and what are the opportunities for
the Introduction of American goods. An
inspection of the foreign exhibits in the
museum has convinced American manu-
facturers that we can successfully COM
pete in the manufacture Of numerous for
eign products. The work OF the bureau OF
Information, therefore.,is highly impor-
tent, for in addition to what has already
been mentioned. 1t furnishes all necessary
facts concerning the tariffs, freight rates
and wholesale and retail prices existing In
foreign countries.
The City Of Philadelphia has appor-
toned a central location of sixteen acres
for the constructions of permanent build
ings for the museum, and also 5000, 900 with
which to begin the work.
A Board Of Trustees governs directly the
business Of the museum, but the Advisory
Board exercises a general supervision over
the administration of the institution, with
the special idea of promoting its develop
ment and fostering its service for the in
terests of commerce. The Advisory Board
Is, composed of official delegates appointed
directly by the various Governments. or
by the representative commercial bodies
Of the United States and the republics of
the Western Continent.
At the meeting on tile first of June there
were present between fifty and sixty of the
foreign delegates. nearly all of whom repre-
sented the chambers of commerce or
boards of trade in the cities whence they
came. Two hundred and fifty or more OF
the delegates representing the various
commercial organizations in the leading
cities of the United States were also pres
ent, and the results of the better acquaint-
ance which the visitors made with Ameri-
can manufacturers and American business
men will be of incalculable benefit to the
export trade Of the United States. The
presence at the meeting of President Nc
Kinley, with members of the Cabinet,
with members of Congress and the Minis
ters to Washington from Mexico and the
Central and South American countries, in
dicates the Importance with which the
museum is regarded in official circles in
Washington, and gave to the meeting de-
gree of official approval. -
+
Indianapolis has discovered what valua-
BILE property street railway franchises are.
Recently the city authorities there opened
bids for the new franchise In that city. ex-
pecting bids Of about 2h per cent of the
gross earnings as rental. Instead of that
petty figure company of local capitalists
offered 10 per cent for the first five years.
lEr2 IOT tne second, lS12 IOr tne tnlru ana
-141e for the remainder of the period in
cluded in the contract. The sum of $25,-
900 was deposited as surety on the bid.
This offer was made In the face of the fact
that the company now operating under the
franchise claims to hold rights for seven
years to come. and the new company is
certain to be entangled in expensive and
troublesome litigation. The actual income
Of Indianapolis under this offer would be
at least $4,000 a year for the first five year
term and $685. 900 annually for the second,
with increasing amounts up to probably
= $780, 900 by the end of the twenty-five years.
This is magnificent offer for city of only
10000 population in 1890. where the volume
OF street car travel Is probably not more
than one-half that in Minneapolis. 1t is
rather better than the terms In Toronto.
where mileage tax for paying and repair
Ing of $500 per mile of single track is paid
and sliding scale of percentages on gross
earnings is arranged, varying from per
cent on all revenues below 81 1OO0 900 an
nually to 10 per cent between 81, 900, 600 and
$.5OO, 600, II per cent between 81, 500, 600 and
S2,O00,000, Is per cent between 50, 0C0, 900 and
$4,000 600. and 20 per cent of all above the lat
ter figure. And in Toronto. it must be re-
membered. the street railways are not per-
mitted to run on Sundays.
= +
An important point bearing upon trade
with Mexico is given in recent communi-
cation to the Department of State from
Consul-General Donnelly Of Nuevo Laredo.
who urges the need of Commercial
Agency in Mexico. He says:
The number of letters received by myself
and by the agent at Monterey, inquiring
as to the credit OF merchants doing busi-
ness. here leads me to believe that there is
an excellent opening in Mexico for COM
mercial agency So far as am informed,
none such now exists. Americans seem to
think that the procuring and imparting Of
information of this kind Is a consular func-
ton, although consular officers are forbid
den to report to private inquirers concern
Ing the financial standing or commercial
repute OF business men or houses In their
district. To refer such inquiries to banks
or private parties is obviously unsatis-
factory; no bank or other private concern
= cares to assume the responsibility The re-
suit Is that, with the cautious business is
impeded or prevented; with the incautious.
imposition Is common and losses frequent,
Only a commercial agency, legally or
ganized, reputable and responsible. can do
this work, so essential to the safeguarding
OF trade. Such agency would certainly
have an immediate clientage of American
merchants whose Mexican trade is con-
!, stantly expanding; and, I doubt not a
, large patronage of Mexican merchants.
whose business Is being conducted more
and more after American methods con-
slider commercial agency one Of the