The age-herald., 1900-06-02
TRYING TO LOCATE
 SOUTHERN BRANCH Philadelphia Commercial Mu- scum Sends Representative. N. r. THOMPSON IN THE CITY Comes to Present the Matter Before the Commercial Club-Many Leading
 Men Favor Birmingham
 Over Other Cities
N. F. THOMPSON IN THE CITY

N F. Thompson, secretary of the cham Der of commerce of Huntsville, is in the city in the interest of the Philadelphia Commercial Museum, which institution contemplates establishing a branch office in the south.
 MT. Thompson has been requested by the management of the Museum to investigate the conditions in the various southern cities, and to select the one which in his opinion would be most advisable for that purpose. He came to Birmingham yes- terday afternoon for the purpose of pre- senting the matter to the Commercial club, but the club meeting had been postponed until next Friday, and for that reason the subject could not be taken up. The Commercial club is quasi member of the Commercial Museum, that is, it has two representatives on the advisory board of that institution, Major w. J. Milner and J. K. Mcdonald.
 The location of the Museum in any south- ern city will means great deal for that place. It will virtually make 1t the focal city for the collection of all manufactured pro- ducts of the south. Two or three floors of some conveniently located building will be secured and a display of the raw material and the manufactured products of all coun- tries placed therein. It will be a bureau of information for the manufacturer in any line who desires to export his products. Il will also contain informant ton respecting the nature and quality of goods consumed in any country to which he may wish to ship his product.
 Favor Birmingham
 With the view of ascertaining the best location for the southern branch MT. Thompson has addressed leading business men and manufacturers and congressman in the various states of the country, north as well as south, and asked them their views the question: The replies have in every instance been favorable to the establishment of such an institution in the south and Birmingham and Atlanta are more frequently mentioned as the most suitable place than any other cities. Bir- mingham by reason of her immense iron interest, great quantities of that product being exported annually, seems to be the choice of the greater number of those who answered MT. Thompsons letter:
 Among the replies to Mir Thompson's letter was the following from Senator Kyle of South Dakota
 "Committee on Education and Labor United States Senate, Washington, D. C., May 2S, 1900:
 IN. F. Thompson, Esq., Huntsville, Ala:
 Dear Sir:-Yours of the 23d duly re- ceived In reply will state that after visit of two weeks through the south dur ing the early spring, l was convinced of the untold possibilities of that region as regards manufacturing enterprises. In my judgment ten years more will bring about an entirely new south Very truly yours
 JAMES H, KYLE"
 Senator Kyle is chairman of the senate committee on education and labor and chairman of the industrial commission
 Representative Taylor
 Representative George W. Taylor of the first Alabama district, writes as follows:
 "House of Representatives,
 Washington, D. C., May 26, 1900.
 ON F. Thompson, Esq, Huntsville, Ala. Dear Sir-Your favor at hand in regard to the location of branch of the Philadel- phia museum in the south. If it is to aid the south, I should think that the nearer it reached the center of the south, the bet ter it would be for the interests of the whole south. 1 would suggest that either Mobile or New Orleans is the best place to locate it. I really think in view of the greater activity of Alabamians and the surrounding states in manufacturing over Louisiana, that Mobile is the best place that could be selected. I shall give your letter careful consideration Yours truly,
 "GEO. w.. TAYLOR"
 Senator A. G. Foster of Washington writes that 'While you ambitious on behalf of the south for the establishment of A branch of the Philadelphia museum, we of the Pacific northwest are also am- bilious for a branch of the museum for our section of the United States This may result in mutual benefits and co-opera- tion"
 Other letters received by MT. Thompson are of A similar nature, and indicate that the establishment of branch of the Phil adelphia museum in the south is looked unon with favor in all sections of the coun- try
 The question of a location for the south ern branch is left largely with MT. Thomp- son. and before making any recommenda- tions he will carefully consider the advan- tages of different cities applying for the branch He will probably make the selec- tion within the next sixty days.