New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-24
UNIFORMITY N TRADE STATISTICS.
srBJEcT DISCUSSED BY DELEGATES 10 INTER
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL CONGRESS-

NATIONAL COMMERCIAL CONGRESS-
PHILADELPHIA. oct 2s-with their work about
half completed the members OF the international
~orrosrcisl Congress to-day assembled in the con-
venton hall OF the Export Exposition 70 listen 10
papers dealing with the compiling Of interna 'iona
statistics and with the commercial situation III
South Africa.
Congressman H H. Bingham. o. this city pre-
sided He congratulated the delegates upon nav
,ng given their best thought. best Judgment and
host energies to the development OF the great idea
Of this congress on international trade ana con-
tnuing said;
At the present time and for the next two years
the two branches OF this Government Will pe IN
Poce tb co3eress Of the Tinted states viii
be called 20 decide the most nomentous question:
" o'i the Federal Constitution We confronted
with the problem o. the esta ,hment OF a soSS-
establishment OF Independence and freedom r., in
Cuba under proper form OF aSI h. cod
9p bsLn by HG and that nag viii remain
where II floats and It guarantees the same liberty
behind Il IN the Philippines that II gives 10 the
tory-hve States OF this Union
General Bingham introduced P Lleweliyn Smith
OF London. who spoke on Uniformity in Trade
Statistics" Mr. Smith said uniform practice In
the publishing Of detailed figures showing the
business relations OF various countries would be
OF great advantage 10 commerce. In regard 10 the
classification he gave three main points as es-
modities shall be grouped second the items "hlcn
shall be included IN these classes, third the
nomenclature and units OF weight, measure ana
value IN which the statistics shall be expressed.
Lieutenant General J. Wimburn Laurie. OF Lon
don followed Mr.. Wright, and said that ne d'd
not desire 10 add anything TO the comprehensive
treatment OF the subject which had been made
but merely to give effect to those proposals %
placing lhem in some practical form before the
convention He therefore presented the following
resolution:
That +, is most desirable that as far az praeI
be assirnilated FOR purposes Of accurate c''n-
parison, and that this congress place tn,s reso-
luton before the Government Of the United states
With a view 10 any action which may be found
possible by consultation with foreign governments
10 obtain such assimilation OF statistical returns
The resolution was under the rule. referred to
the committee already constituted FOR the con-
slderatlon OF such matters.
william Angus representing the London Board
Of Trade followed IN brief address, indorsins
General Laure's resolution.
NJ De Routk)wsky. official representative OF the
Russian Government declared that he was au-
thorized to say that i, the other nations would
agree TO forming international statistical
bureau the Russian Government would join in the
movement
Carroll D. Wright. United States Commssione-
Of Labor spoke on the same subject as MI Smith,
and offered a number Of suggestions FOR overcom-
Ing the difficulty. He said in part:
The first method which would naturally suggest
Itself Is that OF memorials 10 the governments OF
different eommerclal COUNTIES WIN view 10
securing by the goVeLnnents themselves re-
| organization OF their classification OF commercial
statistics. Experience shows that there is not
much TO be noped for from This method.
! Nevertheless. this congress might join It's ef-
stitute and other scientihc bodies. Should this
method br deemed wise or hopeful OF ad-
ton must be left either to private enterprise or
to the scientific work Of some department OF GOV,
rr1af fa1 he ~ 10
| hereafter In the United States through the es-
Enlistment OF the proposed department OF industry
Another method which has always been rather
a.s1S.', of 'orennizatlons ibemse,es The Pbis
delphla Commercial Museums might undertake this
! The means which might be contributed by the Ma
| tlonel Board OF Trade and hv The different Boards
! n Trade and Chambers or commerce throughout
| the country bureau might Doe established that
! could act with far more promptness than Gov
| eminent Office. and especially with much more
/ promptness than chain Of Government Offices.
/ even surprising for moments that different gov
! ernments might ne Induced IN unite in securing
wnfred Powell. official representative OF tho BrN-
ish Government. spoke in favor OF Mr. Cooks reso-
luton. and said he would lay IT before his Govern
ment. but that. OF course. ne could not bind It to
any action
Thomas Henry Gore read a paper on the adyan-
tages Of the universal adoption OF the metric sys-
tenn. Professor Carlo Betocchi delegate from
Naples. Italy. read d paper plan FOR An inter-
national central Office OF chambers of commerce
NJ. Berliner. delegate from the Chamber OF Com
merce. Cape Town. Cape Colony being intro
duoed discaimed being resident OF Cape Colony.
although he came he said delegate from the
Chamber OF Commerce OF that colony He re-
GREETED, all people did he said the grievous war
now In progress in South Africa and added.
Its effect viii not be ended with the end Of the
present srife with the end Of the present gcner-
| alton nor many generations 10 come Those who
are acquainted with the conservative character OF
Beers well understand that they viii hand down
FOR years to their posterty feeling OF resentment
or the 10000 Inhabitants OF South Africa eight
years ago less than 10000 are white people and the
settlement % the South African question il seri-
nlIal Fl OF nfr fnr h.. harn