Evening journal., 1900-05-26
NEWSPAPER OPINION
Commercial Museums Appropriation
From the philadelphia Record.

Commercial Museums Appropriation
From the Philadelphia Record.
Last year Congress appropriated
S350,000 for the work of the Philadel-
phia Commercial Museums, $4,000 OF
that sum being public contribution to
the National Export Exposition and
$4,000 for the purpose of providing for
a permanent exhibit of foreign samples
OF raw materials and manufactured
goods The Export Exposition has
passed into commercial history; but the
Museums great collection of foreign
samples remains. and it Is to increase
the scope and utility OF this exhibit that
the appropriations OF 100000 now
pending in Congress is sought. The bill,
which has been favorably reported in
both branches, provides specifically
that the money shall be used to in
crease the Museums collection Of sam
pies OF competitive merchandise sold
In the worlds markets. and to secure
commercial information in regard to
those markets which shall be distribut-
ed free OF cost, through commercial or
ganizations, to all American merchants
and manufacturers engaged in export
trade.
In this broad, generous and far
sighted scheme of public commercial
enterprise there is no suggestion nor
valid suspicion of possible injury to
any established American interest. The
field upon which the Commercial Mus
cum seeks to enter is fallow and we'll
nigh untrodden. National industrial
Advancement; the peaceful subjugation
OF new foreign territory for our rap
idly developing export traffic; earnest
immediate and material assistance to
Amerian manufacturers in an unend-
ing competitive struggle for interna-
tlOnal primacy-these are the leading
and essential objects to be attained,
and to this end every energy Of saga
cious and unselfish management is con-
stantly devoted. The director of and
subscribers 10 the Museum find ample
recompense for their untiring efforts
IN the knowledge that the republic
is the gamer, and that an example has
been set by the institution which en-
lightened foreign nations have been
swift to follow.
Members of the Senate and House
Commerce Committees. in the course of
elaborate Inquiries into the workings
OF the Commercial Museum, have be-
come thoroughly convinced OF the
timeliness and public utility Of the de-
partment for which government aid has
been invoked. Nowhere else can Amer
lean traders and manufacturers be
brought practically face to face with
the materials. conditions and results OF
foreign industrial processes, and be-
come intimately acquainted with the
varied requirements OF eager customers
from many lands. In addition, the
scheme of the Museums exhibit in
cludes a complete collection of sam
pies Of American manufactures fol
which there now exists, or may be ere.
ated, a demand abroad. 1t is to the in.
stallation of such an additional exhibit
to be studied alike by foreign consum
ers and American producers, that IN,
100000 Federal appropriation, IL Il
shall be given by Congress, Is to b'
chiefly devoted. Trade and commercl
would thus be expanded by means o
agencies employed In benefcent pub
lie service. with no intrusion Of para
lying officialism or private ambitions
to mar and discredit the work.
AN pun4lN opltANcu anu HAehh9 ia
tiOnal character and functions Of thi
Commercial Museum have been brough
into strong relief by intelligent Goa
gressional inquiry and by the short
sighted opposition Of a few private en-
terprises whose interests would be ad
e vanced. not Obstructed. by the larges
] possible government sanction Of IN
. task of international trade develop
a ment here undertaken. There should b
] no question of failure in Congress o
I the desired appropriation. II would b
returned to the American people a hun
{ dred fold in increased business OppOr
b tunities and enhanced commercial an
S industrial prosperity.