The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-08
TO STUDY OUR INDUSTRIES.
AMERICAN WAYS AMAZE FRENCH
COMMERCIAL DELEGATES.
N. Weiiier and Baron de 10 Gote'lerie find
Trusts, Coal, and Yankee iniuau'e
Deeply interesting France May
/, send students OF Here'

NJ Iazare WELLER and the Baron de la
coteIler;e. who are in this country repre-
sentjne the French Government in the
.,,dv Of certain phases Of American in
dustrial activity, are at the Waldorf-As-
,o,ia hut leave to-day for Pittsburg. Chi
oago and other Western cities TO pursue
their inouiries. Mr.. WELLER said last even
ins that one OF the things they were sent
to inquire into was so-called trusts.
sUnder the French law" said Mr.. Weller,
.such combinations Of capital and equip
ment are not allowable and we were di-
rscted TO study their workings In this coun-
try-their effect upon the investor, the
workingmen and the public. "hile can
not speak freely as yet l must say my
observations here have led me 10 the con-
illusions that there may be much good in
such combinations.
I'VE come charged to make inquiries on
behalf Of the Minister of Finance, the Min
lister of Commerce and the Minister of Ma
rine. The Secretary OF the Navy Com
misioned us to investigate the subject OF
coal. France requires annually some TO-
00O, 600 tons Of coal more than she produces.
This coal heretofore we have been gettihg
from England and from Belgium. IL is
possible that some arrangement may be
made whereby we will get a portion at
least Of this coal shortage from the United
States. We may get coal here Tor our
navy and perhaps for our railroads.
another thing that may result from our
visit here is the sending OF students from
France 20 this country TO study not only
your industrial methods. but your political
economy, the machinery oil, your Govern
ment. We have been asked by the Minister
of Commerce TO make inquiries along this
line
sThen that would suggest that we have
something here which ia regarded IN france
as worth learning
-Most assurediy you have. We would
like to learn, for instance, something OF
your mental processes-whence comes that
audacity which makes you dare to do things.
We are afraid TO do things in France IN
Europe, | might say. We send students
10 Athens TO study the classics, we send
students to Rome to study art, painting
and sculpture.
IT Is The idea TO send students here TO
studyindustrial problems and your methods
OF government. France knows nothing
of America. L knew nothing OF America
until l came here n few weeks ago. What
j have seen has surpassed ANYTHING that
/ had anticipated, and | am quite conscious
of the fact that | hsve seen but little. We
will remain here but a few weeks longer
and then we return to France.
THAT we should endeavor in return for
what trade arrangements we may decide
upon TO get some slight concessions on
the part of the United States is but natural.
France is in no sense n rival of America.
hut l think il is generally conceded that
the coming rival of your country is Ger
many. and | say this with all respect and
Difference in view of the impending visit
of Prince Henry.
sOf course the relations of France with
Germany are not cordial, although the
diplomatic intercourse Is amiable enough.
Then we nave had our points Of friction
England. Between this country and
France there Is no such friction and IL is
that the commercial relations of
The two countries MAJ be bettered from
the fact
NJ. Weller has been invited TO lecture
Mt Harvard University before his return
his topic will be.