Evening star., 1899-07-08
Purpose Of the Exposition to Be Held
in Philadelphia.
OBJECT LESSONS FOR EXPORTERS
How They May Meet Their Rivals
in the Foreign Markets.
MANY PRACTICAL FEATURES

Written for The Ey yening Star.
Beginning September IA, novel and
unique exposition will be held in PhilaGcl-
phia 1t will mark new era in the com
mercial policy of the United States, being
devoted entirely to showing what trade eX-
pansion has done and can do for us 1t Will
be a display for and by the American ex-
port manufacturer, and VIII be known as
the national export exposition.
The exposition will be marked by some
notable gatherings 1t will be formally
opened by President Mckinley. Otticial rep
rcsentatives will be sent by nearly all for
eign countries. President Diaz of Mexico has
accepted special invitation to attend, and
it is expected that he will be present some
time during the month of October. About
the middle of October great international
trade congress, the first of the kind ever
held in this country, will assemble in Phila-
delphia. 1t will be composed of delegates
from all parts of the world, and all sorts OF
questions relating to international trade
will be discussed by authorities in the va
rjous lines of commerce and industry.
Notwithstanding the great gathering OF
foreigners that is expected to attend the
exposition it will be distinctively an Anerl-
can display. There viii be no foreign eX-
hibits. Foreign goods will be on exhibition:
but they will be displayed as samples and
for the purpose of comparison.
To Educate
The primary object is to show the Ameri-
can manufacturer and exporter exactly
what he must produce in order to compete
with foreign nations in the markets OF the
| world By displaying thousands of samples
| of goods row used it will show what is de-
| manded in these markets. By placing be-
fore him the exact cost and selling price of
| these articles, it will show whether he can
comnete successfully against them. In
short it is designed to be great school Of
trade instruction and will impart its teach
ines by the object lesson method The en-
| terprise will undoubtedly result in giving
big boom to the cause of national trade eX-
pansion.
The new expansionist display is to be
| held under the patronage of the United
| States government and under the auspices
| of the Philadelphia Commercial Museum
and the Franklin Institute, two commercial
| bodies in the city of Philadelphia. At its
| recent session Congress appropriated $780,
! 600 for the project. For the local advan-
| tages expected to accrue from ii the state
| of Pennsylvania has given $4,000 toward it
| and the city of Philadelphia has donated
| $2G0,000 to the same purpose individual
| citizens have subscribed an additional Sl1O,
Backed by Prominent Men.
| The enterprise is backed by many promi-
| nent financiers Its president is 2. A B.
| Widener the street railway magnate, and
| among the directors are Charles H. Cramp.
| the shipbuilder; William l.. Elkins and
| Thomas Doian of the street railway syndi-
| cate, and others as well known.
| Mr.. Widener says in explaining the pur-
pose of the exposition:
| while practical demonstration has prov
| ed that American manufacturers are su-
perior to those of foreign countries in most
| lines of production, it is true that Euro
| pean nations, like England and Germany,
over our own exporters through their great
| er familiarity with foreign markets and
| trade conditions.
| .Such a condition of affairs is natural
| enough. Great Britain, for instance, has
| been great exporter for half century.
| In that time her dealers have become ia
miliar with the requirements of trade in all
| parts of the world. They know just what
is demanded in South America and Africa
and the orient. Moreover, they have learn
| ed by experience the best form in which to
ship their goods to these countries Ihe
! same thing is true to a greater or less eX-
tent of the other European countries.
We Are Only BEGINNING.
"The United States, on the other hand,
is new to the business and is somewhat
handicapped by that fact. Until the panic
| of 1893 this country was of small import
ance in the commerce of the world except
in supplying food products and raw ma
terials to the manufacturing nations. The
surplus manufactures left on hand by that
| period of depression naturally sought a
foreign outlet. Our manufacturers found
that in certain lines there was no question
of the superiority of American goods. In
other lines, particularly those sent to South
America. Africa and the orient, the par
| ticular form OF appearance preparation
| of our goods prejudiced them in the minds
| of buyers not familiar with them.
I'm spite of these drawbacks, our foreign
trade has grown, and it has received a re-
|, | markable impetus from the events of the
| past eight months. The superior produc-
ing power of American machinery and
| American workmen makes it possible fol
| us to compete with foreign exporters. Blu,
the competition is Close and if the Amer.
, lean is to take and hold foremost place