The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-22
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS.
THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR NEXT WORLDS FAIR
ITS ADVANTAGES.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The practical value of these large worlds fairs,
especially to the country in which they inaugur
ated cannot be overestimated. In the United States
manufacturers being initiated into the advantages
gained by the Centennial, and yet to what small
foreign audience were products presented. it
having been estimated that. excluding our neighbors
from Canada. exhibitors and attendants there were
not in all 5000 foreign visitors present during the
Exhibition. OF this number possibly half came from
England and France. our competitors in the markets
of the world. while of purchasing countries it is
doubtful il there were 1000 representatives
present. The European nations have thus always
possessed an advantage in bringing to-
geher fair proportion of future customers to OK
anime and report upon what was offered for
ination and criticism.
Yet Notwithstanding that advantage in no instance
has international exhibition been more successful
us q national venture than the Centennial 1t led to
very curious results-not that found buyers but
we learned where the buyers and went for
them; the great hobby and panacea for national ills
was to be our export trade. The first thing to do
to sell our cotton in Manchester, our hardware
in Sheffield and our buttons in Birmingham. This
has been done to such an extent that their injured
manufacturers cry to Parliament for pro-
lection. But this trade did not pay. our agents
fair prospects of success What is necessary is
that the enterprise Of our citizens be promptly fol-
lowed by another exhibition, which, taking advan-
tage of the mistakes made in Philadelphia, may so
consolidate export trade to make 1t permanent
While, therefore, the exhibition itself should be
made attractive so far as regards foreign exhibits
main object should beFirst. to secure the pres
ence of foreign buyers, and second to have every
thing Of our own in proper shape for them to ex-
anime.
Who our foreign customers? FIRST and nearest.
the West Indies, Mexico and the nations of South
America; then Australia and the Eastern nations.
The varied and useful information supplied by our
press, and especially by the numerous trade jour.
nals proves satisfactorily that it is in power to
supply the bulk of the articles used in these
tries of better quality and at lower prices than
what Is now furnished. This being the case. it
should be the special object of the eminent gentle
men who have the interests Of the New York ex-
hibition at heart to arrange for the transportation
Of visitors from purchasing countries at very low
rates. And still further to have agents sent with
authority to invite government officials and
committees Of business and scientific
from these countries to be present. The
Centennial . national jubilee sort Of
Fourth Of July. and was appropriately located
in Philadelphia. connected by many ties
with past history. But next exhibition
means business; it will be held in the largest
mercial city of the New World. and itsinuence will
take still more practical shape in carrying out the
programme for sales to foreigners initiated In Phia
delphia Everything is in our power. and it is to be
hoped that when the exhibition opens 1t will not
quire ten steamers to bring over committee of $50
respectable merchants from Hong Kong. Canton and
other Chinese cities. There will be much more ex-
tended knowledge of our wonderful advance in in
venton and manufactures and consequently
United States. With these points in view it must
be admitted that, i'll international sense at least.
the value and Importance Of another international
Various dates have been suggested for the next
hibition and various reasons given for said dates
Some parties claim there should be exactly ten
years between each exhibition, others that the
resignation OF General Washington should be COM
memorated or some other national event. In reality
there Is but point to be considered and that is,
what will be for the best interests OF the manlfac
lures OF the United States. Two dates have been
suggested to the committee in charge OF the prcpa
rations for next exhibitionone 1885, the other,
lSS5-both too far ahead for practical For the
purpose OF preventing any congestion we should
later than 1888 This will allow four years in which
to do the work. and at period when labor and ma
terals are at their cheapest.
The international exhibitions now proposed are:-
Sydney, Australia. this year; Melbourne Australia,
and Madrid SPAIN 1885, international art exhibit
ton in Munich international fishery exhibition in
Germany aud an exhibition ut Moscow. Both Lon
don and Berlin contemplate exhibition in 1885, and
in either event the New York exhibition would be
seriously affected The present improved condition
OF this country the important inventions that have
appeared puSt uve years, Gil WARRANT
the belief that in june 1885, we will be prepared with
such an exhibit as will warrant the erection Of the
necessary buildings.
the greatest Importance, and while there many
interests to be considered still there or two
of paramount importance. 1t is curious fact that
there has never been an exhibition where facilities
for transportation have been satisfactory. At Lon
don, Paris, Vienna and Philadelphia all foreign
hibits required transshipment, In some instances
twice. When the suggestion for the Centennial Elk
hibition made in 1865. it was accompanied with
q plan locating the buildings in the Central Park.
with railroads connecting with the North and East
rivers thus furnishing the most perfect and econom
ical mode OF delivery possible. Through the inert
of New York ut that time Philadelphia secured
the prize and made the most OF it.
In 1853 it was proposed to utilize Governors
Island for the purpose OF the worlds fair and now
suggestions not infrequent rs to available points
in the neghborhood. such Staten Island. Astoria,
and north OF Harlem River. However, there can be
no question but that with reasonable management
location can be found not only within the city
limits but between the Battery aud Harlem River
For the purpose OF definitely settling this question:
careful examination has been made and the judg-
mcnt OF some of our best real estate consulted
with the following rcsults-viz, that there three
locations in that portion OF the city of New York.
south of Harlem River which arc ut present avail
able for the purposes OF an international exhibition
said locations comprising from seventy Ave to
hundred acres. description Of such is given here
with
No. Accommodating on the East River ut Sixty
sixth street and extending to Eightysixth street
north. and crossing avenue to the west
side Of avenue A. there is property covering
the present valuation lots could be secured for
about $2.O00.0U0 leased ut fair percentage upon
that The great value to property owners III
that section OF the city OF plan that will improve
their property for future uses will doubtless lead to
fair terms being accepted The expense Of treatment
would DO heavy. ~ large amount OF blasting will
be required; but rs this must be done by somebody
before the property will be available for building
purposes. it should not be regarded an extra
expense; the result will DO that when graded and
levclled shall have from sixty to one hundrd
acres abutting on the East River for dis
lance of from eight to ten thousand feet, with an
average width OF at least one thousand feet The
height above the river varies but In instance
1t interfere with the delivery exhibits from the
decks Of vessels from foreign countries. The ground
present Is sparsely covered with trees and there
are few buildings OF small value, with the excep-
ton of the various edifces erected the Jones'
Wood property. place Of summer resort and which
built OF wood aud quite superficial In their char
acter The elevation admits of admirable drainage
and the healthfuness Ut the locality cannot be
tested. should this portion be selected the first
portation. 1t will be very easy for the New York