The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-14
FOR THE EXPORT TRADE
MEETING TO FURTHER LOCAL MANU-
FACTURERS' INTERESTS.
Representative of Philadelphia Com
merciaI Museum to Explain the
Card File System.

The industrial situation, as related to
come so serious, manufactures say, that
very active measures must be taken to in
crease the exports of manufactured goods.
Carroll d. Wright, chief of the Bureau of
Statistics, has recently issued a report on
the labor situation which is startling, and
confirms the belief of many careful observ-
ers that the Nation must look for relief in
foreign markets.
DR.. Edmund Cobbe and Mr. Il. w Hanna,
of the Philadelphia Commercial Museum,
will address d meeting of Indianapolis man
ufactures in the assembly room of the Com
mercial Club this morning at II 80 O'clock
on the foreign card file system, which the
museum has built up, as a means for direct,
effective advertising of American manufac-
turers and their products in the principal
trade centers of Europe, Asia, Africa, Aus
tralasia, Japan, Mexico Central and South
America. One of the $1,000 card cabinets
las been set up to illustrate the working of
the system. TO give an idea of how impor-
tant this work of the museum is considered
abroad it is mentioned that the CONNER
cial Commission appointed some time ago
by the British Board of Trade, consisting
of the leading men in manufacturing mining,
banking and merchandising of the United
Kingdom, has recently issued a report in
which they give much space to the methods
and work of the Commercial Museum at
Philadelphia, and concluded the report by
commencing the adoption Of like methods
by the British Board of Trade for the bene-
mt or the manufactures of Great Britain.
In the development of the trade of the
Pacific, with its teeming millions, this city
has direct interest and is in a favorable
10 N n his
now has some fine establishments who do
business in nearly all the foreign markets,
and 1t also has many others who can eX-
tend their sales to those fields If they will
obtain the necessary information and pro-
eeed as steadily and Systematically in marts
abroad as they are compelled to at home.
D. M. Parry and G. w. Sloan, for the In
dianapolis Board of Trade; ID. p. Erwin
and c. It. Smith, for the Commercial Club,
are members of the national advisory board
OF the Commercial Museum, so the local
business organizations are closely affiliated
with the work which is to be more fully
exemplif1ed at this meeting. 1t is expected
the local manufacturers will be present in
large numbers.
DR. Edmund Cobbe. one of the gentlemen
who are TO speak this morning, is a close
student of all things pertaining to CONNER
cialiSm, and he has the faculty of present
He believes that commerce will do more to
relieve the menacing strain between nations
than any other agency, and he further be-
lieves the Car of Russia is not only sincere
in his disarmament proposal, but is extreme
ly wise, even from a Russian standpoint.
For Russia there is a greater field for
glory in a commercial way than in war.
Mr.. Cobbe believes the time is ripe for
American manufacturers and merchants to
launch into heavy foreign trade. which
is to be had for the effort. This is the only
great nation bordering on the Pacific, and
the trade with the Oriental millions is hers
If she will but exert herself. Mr. Cobbe
predicts a great future for the Pacific coast.
Speaking of manufacturers in the middle
West, Mr.. Cobbe says they are noted par
tcularly for the high character of goods
they make, and this is becoming generally
understood not only in America but in for
eign markets He thinks there is a great
opportunity at present for Indiana and In
dianapols manufacturers to build up great
export business