Evening journal., 1900-05-25
DEFENSE oF The MUSEUMS

DEFENSE OF THE MUSEUMS
In defense of the appeal OF the
Philadelphia Commercial Museums to
Congress for an appropriation of $780,
600 the public-spirited men who are
behind the great public benefaction
have issued a pamphlet refuting the
charges made by the Dun and Brad
street mercantile agencies.
II is asserted by the officials of the
Museums that the agents OF these com
panles have been especially active in
misrepresentation the working Of the
Museums throughout the country. They
add that the purpose OF the mercantile
companies in these attacks is to pre-
vent the officials OF the Museums from
securing an appropriation by Congress
Of $1,000 which, it is claimed, would
permit the Museums greatly to increase
their efforts In behalf of American ex-
port trade
The pamphlet reproduces copies of
circular letters sent out by r. G. Dun
& Co, in which it Is claimed that the
Philadelphia Museums are a private
enterprise, whose sole activity seems to
be devoted to the promotion Of for
eign mercantile agency business"
The communication also announces
with regard 10 the proposed appropria-
ton that 'the whole scheme Is so
transparent, and the improperly of
granting public money for private en-
terprises so obvious. that we cannot
believe the bill will pass If it is under
stood"
The communication includes a post
script, In which the recipient OF the
letter is advised to get some good
strong man 20 write TO Washington di-
rect in opposition to the bill"
In rebuttal of these statements the
pamphlet announces the following
over the signatures Of the officers OF
the Museums
THE institution is a public one, ma
tionai in its scope, and designed TO pro
mote the foreign commerce Of the en-
tire nation. All funds acquired by 4
from any source whatsoever are ex
pended for this sole purpose, unde
the direction OF the board. and subjec
to the audit and control Of the munich
pal authorities. The institution is no
private corporation. invests nj
money, issues no stock. and declares n'
dividends. The diversion Of any Of ii
funds. or the application thereof to an,
private benefit or profit, is an absolute
impossibillty. Any statement to thl
contrary is unquahhedly false and mis-
leading"
A large number OF letters and testi
monials from members and CORE
spondents of the Museums are printe
in the pamphlet.
Director Wilson said yesterday:
Whether the selfish attack OF tn
commercial agencies TO prevent the ap
preparation OF 100000 succeeds or no
the Museums will continue their wor
along the same lines as in the pas
But should they succeed, the Museum
viii be unable TO increase their effort
in very large degree in behalf {
American export trade. In which Phils
delphia, together with the rest Of I'll
country, is so much interested"
, Il is expected by the officials Of II
Museums that the passage Of the bi
at present pending in Congress will el
able the Museums to make every trat
body in the United States a distribu
ing centre for confidential informatiC
regarding European competition, pa
terms, prices and discounts, thereby e
abling every manufacturer to post hin
n self. without expense, ON his chances
\ doing foreign business
In the face of these fair statemen
n and solemn assurances the Board
Ie Trade Of Wilmington remains on re
d. ord against the appropriation. It is
rs shame that the trade interests of o
m thriving community should have be
" betrayed so shamefully. at the requ'
m OF mercantile agencies, and that
re paper which does not represent t
I'd sentiments OF the tradesmen Of W
ne mington should remain in the archi'
al of the Board Of Trade with its stai
Of approval. merely to serve the self
re ends Of foes of the Museums.
ID.
ty One Of the time-honOred institute
re OF Methodism has been IL itinerary
,ea first tho durafion ~ "a ,,acforafa ,