The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-30

having IN the business OF the sSWof'o.sssssSS
are making some OF all the things that
the world uses, and we are making ana
selling TO the rest of the world a great
deal OF many things that they use, and
wherever our wares come into competition
with what is made elsewhere, ours prove
to be the best, and all want them.
A Mr.. Gibson, a member of the firm OF
Watson & Gibson, has been in Paris at
tending the Exposition. and he writes as
follows to this country:
81 often find the debates in the Chamber.
of Deputies of France quite as interesting
as the Exhibition itself. Yesterday was
an especially good day to visit that place
OF amusement for a discussion occurred
bearing on the triumphant progress OF
American Industry a Nationalist memper
asked the Minister of Public Works why
the State railways had purchased Amerl-
can locomotives, and why they rad ex-
hibited one Of them in the French section
OF the Universal Exhibition. in the vim
cennes annex. where there is an American
department. as there are departments ior
the railway locomotives and cars of all the
great nations Another member answered
Immediately in about these words: GU
know very we'll that similar locomotives
cannot be manufactured In France Inc
intcrpellating member continued: The eN-
hibition of this machine is not surprise.
The general syndicate of French conStruc-s
tors advised the French Commissioner
General of il last April; but what want
to know is why it is exhibited in the
French section to the discredit of the
French Industry. which gloriousiy sus-
tair,s a favora Bile comparison with foreign
ers Then the Minister arose and sad
that the Department. of Public Works nad
exposed this machine of American origin
because it was necessary TO show all the
types of railway equipment and their
source of construction. The locomotives
were ordered in America because the
French shops were too full of work to ac-
cept the order ~ Alongside of this ma
chine were those of French construction
which maintained a proper comparison
with it. may add that the American
machine, though of American origin. has
been repaired. or done over, RENAME by
our own engineers, which notifications
attest the science of our engineers. An
other member then said: Very good, put
we do not like the idea Of an American
built locomotive exhibited in the French
section Another member then spoke up
and said: There's nothing strange in this:
all the railway companies of France had
ordered foreign material Then another
member cried out, Not the Northern Rail
way Of France whercupon Monsieur Con-
slant shouted: For this long live Roths-
child The other speaker then added:
But the Great Northern Railway of
France has ordered foreign material.
That is Frenchy enough to suit the taste
of the most exacting, but what is most to
the point is Mr. Gibson's further remarks.
He goes on to say:
81 quote this dialogue for two reasons
first. to show that the French, after in
wiling all the world to exhibit, are irritated
and annoyed by the superiority of any
foreign wares. and, secondly. as fresh
and late illustration of The power Of our
manufacturers to conquer the markets.
not only of poor and half-developed coun-
tries. but of invading. if not wholly con-
quering, the Oldest, richest and most popu-
lous countries. 1t would thrill any Ameri-
can to go into the forest of Vincennes.
where the railway exhibit is held, and see
that great, powerful and splendid locomo-
tive and compare its perfect finish and
tremendous force with the locomotives
made in France, Germany. Russia, Aus
tria, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Great
Britain, ct al, which stand on parallel
tracks.
THE tramway which brought me home
from my visit to Nincennes. which, as YOU
know. is on the outskirts of Paris, had on
its cars. in large letters. the Thompson
Houston Electric Company Of France.
The city of Paris is building underground
electric roads. The law provided that the
work should be done by a French COM
pany. but there was no French company
able or prepared to do it. So company
was organized in Havre owned by Ameri-
cans. using American patents, and import
ing nearly everything. in fact, from the
United States, in order to comply with the
French law. The moving sidewalk. which
is to the French Exposition what the Eiffel
Tower was to that of 1889, as 1 wrote you
some time ago, is operated American
patents.
Returning to the subject of locomotives.
the Frenchman might fall back on the
fact that in 1899 the Midland Railway of
England purchased a lot of American en-
gines. Excuses were made for this in the
British Parliament then just as they were
made in the French Parliament yesterday
but we sell the goods all the same
What is there that we shall not be able
to do in the next half a century? and it
all grows out of our foundation doctrine
that there shall be equality and justice for
all.