The New York herald., 1875-12-27
THE EXHIBITION OF 1876.


THE SHOE AND LEATHER MANUFAcTURE-DE-
scRIPrIoN OF TIE SPECIAL BUILDING TO BE
ERECTED By THE TRADES.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec rs, 1875.
one OF the most rapidly growing and peculiarly
American interests tnat engaged IN the manufacture
Of boots and shoes by machinery and in the innumer
able preparations OF leather and skins in other FORMS
such as goat skins sheep skins, Russia Morocco and
other hides which are devoted dreamed
Of haIf q century ago Some time ago 1t was an
nounced that these trades were OF such importance
and extent In this country that proposition was on
foot backed by representative prominent in this
branch of industry, to erect at the ex-
pense Of the manufacturers a special build
ing in the Centennial Exhibition grounds for tho
display Of American leather goods exclusively This
proposition met with hearty approval thai ap
plication for site at once sent TO the Director
General and most eligible location secured, the spot
being lust south or and adjoining Machinery Hail. one
OF i've great exhibition buildings fronting on Elm
avenue the principal entrance 10 the grounds, and IN
the very centre OF the most interesting portion Of the
scrptions and take general management OF aars was
chosen :-Messrs. Alexander Z. Brown, OF Philadelphia;
Charles W. Hersey, OF Boston A. /. Coolidge, Of Bos-
ton; J. b Hoyt Of New York, and Jackson = Schultz,
Of New York. II agreed TO erect building TO
cost $50 600, and Alexander P. Barry, a Phila-
delphia architect as once went TO work to prepare
plans over 500 600 has already been secured IN sub
seriptions and the full amount peeded for the con.
struction the building together With additional
be spent upon its adornment viii soon be forth
coming Mr. Quigley, the Napoleonc contractor, who
has built Machinery Hail IN much less time than the
sanguine ventured to predict, has guaranteed 10
put Ut the shoe and leather building IN thirty days,
necessary and with the resources he possesses there
Is doubt but that he keep his word. The con-
struction will begin IN few days as soon as the com
mttee meet and formally authorize the same, the
Director General having to-day officially approved the
plans Of the architect
THE BUILDING DESCRIBED
The shoe and leather exhibition building viii be i6o
feet front Sl4 feet In depth In shape Will form
a paralleogram. The materials 70 be used viii be
wood manly, with glass and also. The style OF
its architecture viii be American II Is admissible 70
classify a order style Of building which Is al
peculiar 70 this country. The facade OF the build
ing two stories in height with gently sloping roof
with three peaks, the centre the highest, over
hanging ornate orle window, each point Of the roof
supporting flagstaff 50 feet high.
The interior of the building presents open space
26 feet long and 100 feet wide The roof supported
by columns 10 feet apart the central section being
curve 80 wide, Of the Howe truss pattern, over
which is Louvre ventilaor 20 feet wide running the
length of the building 90 feet above the ground The
pavhons 20 and 80 feet high. The ground hoor Of
ihe building Is divided as follows:-
An aisle is feet wide and 800 feet long through
the centre and either side is one 10 feet vide par
alle with the aisles Across the centre of the
building passageway 10 feet wide, at either end of
which a doorway leading TO Machinery Hall on the
north and Elm avenue on the south The cast ana
oi the ground hoor nave aisles IL feet
There are eight main exhibition spaces for ex-
heus bounded by the aisle 20 feet inches in width
III feet length, and four exhibition spaces OF Il
feet ID width by IL feet IN length.
on the right and left Of the main entrance 70 the
building starways leading TO the second floor In
front Of which, through the width Of the building, is
placed gallery feet wide and III feet long. From
this gallery an unobsructed view Of the whole build
ing IS obtained. nal i6 feet VIDE divides the second
story into parts and leads 10 balcony facing Bel
mont avenue giving a commanding view Of Machinery
Hail. Memorial Hall. Main Building and the con-
course approaching the Exhbiuun grounds On either
side OF the hall a ladies' and gentlemen's
parIor respectively le feet by g. The first moor front
is divided into waiting rooms, reading rooms, register
Office, washrooms &c, &c
The second story In the rear OF the building is par
t.tioned for Offices Provision Is made 70 Introduce
shaing, drainage, water supply gas, &c The columns
supporting the roof are constructed in such manner
be connected hy IRON rods, from which sides Of
leather goat skins sheep skins. Russia leather, &c.
can be suspended 10 facilitate examination by
juries Of award and inspection by visitors.
The spaces viii be mostly arranged with artistic cases
for the display Of gentiemenis, ladies', msscs and
childrcns shoes and all kinds Of leather fabrics
Packages and shoe machinery can be delivered at the
doors oi the building by railroad The central station
Of the CITY passenger railway within 100 yards Of the
Of the building, and altogether the oca-
tion q most desirable one