Evening journal., 1900-05-10
Regarding Appropriation for
Philadelphia Museums
TIE VOTE TAKEN LAST NIGHT
And it Took the Vote Of President
William LaWtOn to Decide
the Question

liam l4dWJOn, at the special metllnB Oi
the Board OF Trade last night, to de-
eide that the action of the board rela-
tive to the Philadelphia museums at
the last regular meeting should
stand.
The call of President Lawton, which
was issued a few days ago, had the ef-
feet of bringing a large number Of
members to the meeting. OF those
present were: o. c. Purdy, A. d. War
ner. II. T. Wallace, George Remington,
A. S. Reed, Patrick Neary, George A. |
Elliott, Charles K. White William ID. !
Mullen, Otho o. B. Strayer, Theodore
A. Leisen, A. j. jacobson, David Smell
lenburg, Max Ephraim, Josiah Marvel
George II. Hollis, Robert Maclean, Vic
tor r. Pyle. Jr., ]. H. Mehaffey, NJ. d.
Crossan, William Berl, David Lemon,
Ralph G. Lupton, j. Newlin Gawthrop
and George b. Moore.
10. II. Green was present in behalf
OF the Philadelphia museums. and
Messrs. Brooks, Jepson and Minton, of
r. G. Dun & Co., and G. H. Boards
ley and Frank Green, OF Bradstreets.
were present in the Interest Of their
agencies, which they contended would
be affected should Congress make an
appropriation for the museums.
Daniel w. Taylor, secretary OF the
board, read a petition signed by the
Harlan and Hollingsworth Company,
the Pusey and Jones Company. Lobdell
Car Wheel Company Remington Ma
chine Company, the Diamond State
Steel Company, Mitchell & Thomas
and Theodore A. Leisen in which the
president Of the board was asked to call
a special meeting to reconsider action
nj fhlA On. -.
resolution Is:
Whereas, This board, at a regular
meeting held February 1, 1900, did at
the request Of the Philadelphia Com
mercial Museums, by reason of the rep
resentations and endorsements submit
ted by them, pass the following:
"A communication from the Philadel-
phia Commercial Museums asking that
the board approve bill II. r. SS7, now
before Congress. asking for an apprO-
priation Of $200,0 to aid the museums
in carrying on their rcomprehensivewo work
for the benefit OF the American manu-
facturers and producers. The board
was unanimous in it's approval Of the
same, and the secretary was authorized
to so inform our representatives in
Congress- and TO ask them to aid in
passing the bill"
Whereas, It is since learned that the
Philadelphia Commercial Musuems have
used portion ait least Of the various
public moneys appropriated TO them in
the unbuildlng and conduct in competi-
tion with private business men, OF two
lines of business, namely, the business
of trade journals and the business Of a
mercantile agency and will continue to
use the money received by them from
the public treasury. directly or indi-
rectly. for the furtherance OF said busi-
ness to the detiment Of those legiti-
mately engaged in those lines; there
fore, be it
Resolved, That the board do and
hereby does rescind its previous ac-
tion; and be it
Resolved. That this board does not
approve and has ever condemned the
appropriation OF public funds to the
support or furtherance Of any business
or pursuit for private emolument;
therefore, be it further
Resolved. That this board believes
the tenor and purport OF H. r. bill SS7
to be unwise, unjust and prejudicial to
private business enterprise; therefore
oppose its passage, and order that a
copy Of these resolutions be sent by our
secretary to the senator and congress
man from Delaware. and they be re-
quested to use their influence in pre-
venting its passage.
DISCUSSION WAXED WARM.
The discussions over resolutions
waxed warm as the meeting progressed
Some sharp remarks were passed and
accusations of bad faith were made
The discussion was opened by Harry
Emmons, who said that he felt person
ally responsible for the action taken al
the previous meeting Of the board.
OBJECTS OF THE MUSEUMS.
At his suggestion e. II. Green, rep.
resenting the Philadelphia Museums
related in detail the objects and pur.
poses of the museums. They were ere.
ated in 1895 by an ordinance passed by
the Council Of Philadelphia. The in
stitution is public one for the promo
ton of export trade by gathering
throughout the world data and sam
pies OF produces with which American
manufacturers must compete; and fo
gathering information which will ail
American manufacturers who are try
ing to Introduce their goods into new
markets. The museums were develop
ed because Of the needs OF the times
The results of the past five years shoy
that there has been an enormous In
crease In the export trade OF this coun
try, and 1t is largely due to the in
formation gained through museums.
Mr. Green also explained how tn
museums we're governed. The bill
which the museums are anxious /
have Congress to pass is one appro
priating 100000 for the purpose .
adding to and completing the specl
mems and data In the interest Of in
creased United States trade.
ADDRESS SYSTEM ATTACKED.
The particular branch or part of tn
n museums work which is attacked b
the mercantile agencies. Mr.. Gree
q said, was a system OF address cards /
cabinets that are kent in chambers {
commerce abroad. The cards bear tn
d names Of manufacturers. their lines {
business and their standing
This service is intended to acquair
merchants with lines of goods mani
factured by subscribers and manufa,