The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-13
CONGRESS OF COMMERCE.
THE INTERIM TIONAL MEETING BE-
GINS AT THE EXPORT EXPOSITION.

Assistant Secretary of state David j. Hill
Welcomes tho Delegates ON Behalf
of the Governmsnt-hayor AshbridEe
and Ex-senator Edmunds Also spenk.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct 1.-THE International
Commercial Congress which. 1t Is hoped. will
result In largely Increasing the foreign trade
OF the United States was formally opened
tod Members OF the Diplomatic Corps
arrived from Washington at half-past IL
O'Clock and were escorted to their hotels At2
O'Clock they and the delegates to the Congress
assem- bled in the Mayors reception room in
the City Hall aud after being greeted by the
Mayor we're driven to the grounds OF the
National Export Exposition.
The auditorium. capab bic OF seating g. 900 per-
sons. was decorated with flags OF all the ma
tions which will participate In the congress.
AZ tho delegates and invited guests filed into
the room. the Marine Band played the Star
Spsnsled Banner" and large banner OF the
Stars and Stripes that had been hung over the
stage and In front OF the big organ settled
down over the heads Of the members OF tho
Diplomatic Corps. who were seated on the
stage. The flag was enthusiastically APP
plauded. At the conclusion OF the patonal air
there was not vacant seat in the room.
Former Senator Edmunds OF Vermont intro
ducsd Assistant Secretary OF State David J.
Hill. explaining that 1t had been hoped that the
Secretary OF State would be present to welcome
the delegates on behalf OF the Federal Govern
ment; but business Of Importance prevented rev.
the Assistant Secretary.
Secretary Hill said:
THE convocation OF the International Com
meroial Congress in this city at this time 10 a
slgniHcant token OF the worlds. progress lt
treasures us that the political indie pendencs OF
and well being. Ia not Inconsistent with their
social and economic inter- ependence II
hope shH the ma, 5e tent
pe5eq Ryy the amenities e ,, generous
civilized world to, secure the widest. possibl
diffusion Of the blessings arising from Oh, che
ton ito i could b. rishtIy Solved there would not
human hum apbb Being. espabie Of r.nderng social
seryee. whose legitimate needs could not DO
Mayor Ashbridge welcomed the delegates.
He said that the fact that auch q gathering
was, passihle was a hopeful sign OF the times.
iorsake arms and glory in the triumphs Of in:
dustIy. Al, ths conclusion Of the address 9,
hive watched with pleasure and pride the
Museum. which is. the father OF the Congress
which 10 assem- bled here to-day. 1t is an organ
Iaio1 not Of local not 81 mun
even national organization. but an organi ga
ton for International good. Its purpose has
been the diffusion and increase OF knowle edge
OF the utility OF commerce in all parts Of the
world. 1t has undertaken work which IL Of
inestimab able value, not only to the manutaetur;
| ing industries of this country but OF all
countries.
ut has sought to teach the merchants and
the manufacturers OF other countri how they
could the most readily obtain the products Of
the United States. to whom they might apply
for specific information. how they could OBJ
tain information az to our custom duties. so
that they might md the readest and quickest
way Of reaching our sources OF supply, and
thus enable them to reach our markets and
obtain inform alton In regard to the exchange
| OF their own comm odties
"A merchant abroad in Ave minutes. with the
expenditure of a mere letter postage. may OBJ
tain the m ost valua Bile and otherwise inaccessi
bic inform alton which will hasten communca-
ton with our industries and assist his own. It
ia for the purpose OF extending and widening
| this field this Congress has been called. and
also to extend our commercial and .doPestic
and social relations with other nations and
lead further on toward the establishment OF
international peace"
Mr. Fdmunds said that former Speaker
Thomas b. Reed would preside at to-morrow's
session.
In the evening the delegates and members Of
| the Diplomatic Corps were received by Mayor
Ashbridge In his rooms at the City Hall.