Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-07-20
PHILADELPHIA'S EXPOSITION
Its Site Visited Yesterday by
New York Business Mon.
A TUG PARTY ON THE DELAWARE
The River Front Inspected by
the Visitors.
An Interview with Secretary Alexander II.
Smith OF the Commerce Commission Re-
specting the Falling or in New York's
Exports to Foreign Countries,

Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires
Philadelphia, Pa, July 10. -Delega-
lions of commercial men, representing
the New York Commerce Commission
and the Board of Trade and Transpor-
tation OF that city, today, visited the
site of the National Export Exposition,
to be held here next September, and
viewed the plans and progress of the
enterprise, preparatory to arranging
for the proper representation of New
York's exhibits. Both delegations were
invited by the Philadelphia CONNER
cial Museums, under whose auspices
the exposition will be held.
The Commerce Commission, which
arrived last night, has for its special
object an investigation Of the decline
of the commerce of New York. for
which purpose it was appointed by
Gov. Roosevelt under an act of Assem-
blv. The members of the commission
here are: Charles A. Schieren, ex-
mayor of Brooklyn, president, and G.
| G. Shayne, Hugh Kelly, Alexander R..
| Smith and B. L. Fairchild.
This morning, the commissioners, &C.
| CONTAINED by Director of Public Works
| Haddock, Chief Webster of the Survey
Bureau aud several members of the
Board of Port Wardens, went along the
river front, in tug, and made close
| INSPECTION of the many new large piers.
! the widening of the Delaware River
by over 100 feet and the new belt line
railroad, which covers the entire river
front.
10 a reporter, Secretary Smith d
the commission said that, since 1890
New York had fallen behind in her ex-
ports to foreign countries, notwith
standing the Increased exports by thu
country generally. This loss OF trad'
had been accounted for in variou!
ways, among which he mentioned thu
had condition of the State canals, tn,
differentials in freight rates, which
Disseminated against New York, tn,
dock charges and particularly the lacl
Of proper terminal facilities in New
York barber. In the opinion of tn
commissioners, the freight differen
tials, which had been adopted by tn
trunk lines and maintained for man.
years, had driven the export trade ava,
from New York. They did not thin
Philadelphia had benefited as much b.
New York's loss as Baltimore and New
mort News. When the differential
were abated one-half, during the mont
of January. the result was very bene
fetal to New YORK. Her traffic wa
increased, and it was withdrawn fror
other ports. Mr.. Smith believed th
whole thing wrong in principle. Speak
ing Of some of the disadvantages @
New York facilities, he quoted Erastu
Wiman as saying that New York re
, ceived freight in Jersey City, stored
on Staten Island and shipped it fror
New York, and these disadvantage
we're overcome In Philadelphia by th
railways along her wharves.
The members of the Board of Trad
and Transportation arrived short
, after noon, on a special train over II
!, Pennsylvania railroad. They numb'
. about 80, and were met by Directt
General Wilson of the Museums an
prominent citizens and officials of tt
. EXPOSITION. w