New-York tribune., 1874-11-23
CLOSING OF THE AMERIOAE LN9TI-
TUIE FAIR.

SOMK FRAME 5UGGESTIONS-MHRTrs. DEMEfSYrS AND
NEEDED REFORMS.
To the Editor Of Thc Trf6uIs.
SIR: The FOrty-third Exhibition of the
American Institute q close far the general
public is concerned, Saturday evening last with brief
ceremonals including a clumsy and meaningless spcecl
by the President or the l.500 ARTICLES exhibition
that being about the number OF least COO
possessed neither novelty special merit. but
entered for advertising purposes aud to swell the
parent magnitude aud importance OF the exhibition OF
the remaining 800 entries there we're perhaps 100 pos
sesslng elements OF novelty and unusual excellence ;
the remaining 400 being simply frstrate mer.
chantaDe articles OF their respective kinds, to be
fovnd in the various warehouses Of the city. Much
valuable floor space was gwen to great cast iron
fountain copied from bronze French design Dy
using the French fountain as a pattern TO mold
the iron from The music stand and wider
aises also consumed space. and host OF agri-
cultural implements that nobody seemed TO caro-
anything about. being substantially standard articles
often before exhibited with very few exceptions. Had
the number Of been confined to twothrds this
number, and the various articles grouped together
as to bring everything intended for comparison
and competition with other articles OF their kind
the arrangement would have been more instructive
and satisfactory TO AL classes OF visitors The great
accumulation OF common and In wise notewo rthy
articles served to confuse and bewder the Judgment
and indefinite idea Of the real extent novelty
and value Of the exhibition. For example there were
many laundry devices scattered all sides OF the main
hall and mixed up with articles for entirely different
purpose. Had been grouped together In a space
apart and properly prepared for conducting all the
various operations or laundry work. aud thus testing
side by side through period OF ten or twelve weeks,
the comparative OF these important labor savers
the real progress this could have been
easily and concusvely settled.
The weather was exceptionally fine and the receipts,
IL il claimed have been four i've thousand dollars
greater than they were last year when the capa OF the
institute was encroachcd upon to meet expenses 10 tne
OF about Sl2OJ The dual settling day may make
a little difference from this.
Many or the Sun, ,,estions made from time 10 time
THE TRIBUNE have Deen adopted Oy tue manageiDent
with benefit to the Institute. There are still many
needed reforms to which would call the attention OF
members OF the Institute Among these s the plan OF
selecting Jurors and OF making awards. The manage
ment this year wAile selecting IN some Instances tue
most able anu capable men, stil subject them to their
supervision. thus virtually becoming Jurors of dnal
resort such anomalies should be avoided ni future.
Another greatly needed imDrovcment relates to the
annual catalog and the method OF declaring the
awards. The catalogue this year Is comparativelY
worthless advertising bulletin. To 10 increased
value for reference the number on the exhibitors card
attached the entry should be inserted that the
visitor critic could at once % directly To the article,
and know it by its numDer. On comparing the official
list OF awards with the catalogue not The slightest idea
can obtained to who or what particular articles
have received awards In the appointment OF Jurors II
the management have nothing TO cover up they should
such jurors wOult command the entire conn-
dcnce OF exhibitors the public anu the members OF tue
I0stuc, and their names in tneir crcul Ir
should be entirely completed and acted by the Board
Managers and trustees at least ten days before the
close OF the Fair, aud the awards should be made,
printed and bound with the annual catalogue. and on
the days OF tile Fair furnished win ali OF the rules
regulating awards, TO each EXHIBITOR receiving an
award and TO ali others who choose to pay the cost
price OF such catalogue and awards.
Another needed reform relates TO the dav OF closing
which should be Thursday instead OF Saturday, 20
enable EXHIBITORS close up their affairs remove their
articles. aud homes. Tnls plan might inter-
fere the perquIses out 1t would undoubtedly DO
popular.
chicago, Cincinnati. ST. Louis Philadelphia and Bos
tOu held exhibitions this year. in which the value OF
articles exhibited was much greater. the attendance
much larger and the cash receipts much greater
Der diem than OF the American Instilute EXhID
tion In the tins should hot and need not be.
Aeu- York, Nov. e. 1874 MBABRR