Evening journal., 1899-10-04
AN INTERESTING EVENT
The National Export Expo
sition Receives the Press.
MADE INSPECTION OF EXHIBITS
ADDRESS MADE BY CHIEF
HARPER WHICH POINTED OUT
THE NOTABLE FEATURES OF
FOREIGN TRADE.


THE NOTABLE FEATURES OF
FOREIGN TRADE.
Yesterday was press" day at the
National Export Exposition in Phila-
delphia, and many scribes of Philadel-
phia, Wilmington and other cities
took advantage Of the event. After an
elaborate luncheon had been served in
the centre pavilion of the exposition,
the foreign sample department of the
exposition was thrown open for inspec-
tion, and William Harper, the head Of
the department, explained the purposes
and results Of the collection of the
samples and indicated the policy which
it was intended hereafter to pursue in
connection with the development of the
idea which this plan Of trade education
contemplated.
The exhibits which constitute this
foreign samples display are the most
interesting and important at the expo
sition. These samples have been col
lected under authorization Of Congress
at a cost of more than $4,000 by
special commissioners, of whom Mr..
Harper was the chief. The exhibits
are chiefly from the factories and
manufacturing establishments OF Eu-
rope and constitute the most valuable
object lesson possible to the American
manufacturer.
The specimens in this department are
of the most important staple goods
which are exported from the manufac-
turing countries Of Europe to the mar
kets in which the American manufac-
turer is compelled to compete with
them. They had been gathered with
great care and arranged in such a way
that they can be inspected with con-
venience and celerity. The specimens
are shown in almost every instance at
the price at which they are sold in the
r"''-o.s for which they are intended
a. sholesale and retail, with discount
figures and other information of inesti-
mable value. Thus each specimen al
most tells its own story at a glance.
The bulk of the exhibits are from Eng
land, Germany. France, Belgium and
Italy, because the exports OF merchan-
disc from these countries are the most
important and such as the American
manufacturer may be able to compete.
The display of farming machinery
such as is made in Europe and in the
English colonies for South American,
South African, Australian and Russian
markets, is, for instance, very interest
ing, showing to the American makers
Of such machinery the nature of the
machinery used in those countries
with the cost in those markets, and
presenting to him details which will
aid him in making better article for
a less price.
Mr.. Harper entered into an explana-
tion Of the scope and design of this
new commercial department, which, he
explained, was not connected with the
exposition proper, but IL a part of the
Commercial Museum in its purpose Of
educating American manufacturers in
the details of export trade with a view
of extending the sale Of American in
dustrial products in foreign markets
Mr.. Harper explained that the manu-
facturers of Great Britain had, through
The colonial department of the govern
ment, made collections of similar sam
pies, but in much restricted way, and
these object lessons had largely aideC
them in their competition for the trad'
of the country from which the samples
had been gathered. Germany, Franc
and Belgium have utilized the sam
idea and the system thus in use 70
many years in those countries ha'
largely aided them.
The samples, which he explained il
detail as he pointed them out, brough
the American makers in direct Gu
Win TIC 6OOuS VI lntlI AOItlHu IOAl
petitors. "The United States now" h
said, "is no longer satisfied with 1t
home market. 1t must have expansion
for its trade. It's industrial capacit
exceeds that of any nation of the worlt
The value of its hardware manufaC
lures is almost doubled in value to tha
Of Great Britain in 1896. The pract
cal knowledge which these sample
present to the American manufacturer
is a great step towards the utilizi
ton of our tremendous capacity an
had been recognized by all Of the con
mercial bodies of the country and el
dorsed by Congress which had made
large appropriation for their collection
But, in order to make this plan
education continuously effective,
would be necessary to renew the sa1
pies because Of the shifting al
changes in the industrial progress