Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-06-19

| NEXT WINTER AT NEW ORLEANS
The main building OF the Worlds In
dustrial and Cotton Exposition at New
| Orleans, now being constructed.i is in many
respects the most remarkable edilce ever
erected in this country. The only larger
structure IN the world intended for the
display of natural and industrial products,
mechanical appliances. ETC., is the Crystal
Palace at Sydenham, England. Many It
the principal architects of the North al
South engaged in the competition for the
plan of this building, and q number OF
elaborate and excellent designs were pre-
sented for the examination of the exposi-
ton management. After very careful
consideration OF all the details of each
design. the plan prepared by Mr.. G. NJ.
Torcerson of Meridian, Miss. was select
ed as affording the most complete and
economic arrangement for exhibition pur-
poses. Considerable surprise was occas-
toned by this choice. 1t was wholly un-
expected that an architect in little Miss
issippi town would gain victory over
men who had furnished designs for some
OF the chief buildings on the continent.
Mr. Torgerson was highly recommended
By Mr. G. W. Cable, and is Swede, thor
oughly educated and experienced in all
the branches of his profession. A few
years ago he located at Oxford. Miss. and
has so revolutionized the architecture of
that place that there are few handsomer
cities anywhere. In his plan for this great
exhibition building Mr.. Torgerson has
sought to secure one vast unbroken level
for the display in the most compact and
ornate form. In this respect he has sue
ceeded so admirably as to call forth com
mandatory expressions from the projectors
of all former American expositions. He
has produced the largest single room,
every portion of which can be seen from
any point without obstruction, of which
there is anv knowledge.
The building is 1873 feet long by 905
feet wide. covering thirty three acres. or
eleven acres more than the main building
of the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition
OF 1876. There are Lost, 800 square feet
of floor space. including the gallery. The
reader may form better impression of
the vast dimensions of the structure by
imagining three ordinary city squares, or
blocks, one and five the other, covered by
a solid roof And il he chooses to allow
his fancy to carry him still further he can
picture a monster panorama of the worlds
industry. extending before his vision un-
interrupted by single object. The roof,
which is being made in Cincinnati, will
cover 100000 square feet. The active
commercial rivalry fthe different sections
is aptly shown by the distribution of con-
tracts for the materials. The window
sash comes from Milwaukee. Wis. The
glazing will be done by St. Louis parties
Four thousand kegs of nails are being
shipped from Wheeling, w. Va. Nine
million feet of Mississippi lumber will be
consumed. A massive and magnificent
group in bronze. typical of America, to be
placed over the main entrance, is being
made at Canton. Ohio also a statue of
Washington and Columbus, and coats of
arms of all the States, which will appear
in medallion form. as part of the exterior
ornsmentation. Exquisitely modelled cor
nices are being made at New Orleans.
The building will be sixty feet high
with tower one hundred and fifteen feet
high, and the architect has been unusually
fortunate in rendering the exterior exceed
ingly unique and attractive. platform
will be erected on the tower, reached by
elevators, from which visitors may have
an exceptionally fine view of the city of New
Orleans, the Exposition grounds, the Miss
issippi river, and the surrounding country.
There will be one line of gallery extend
ing around the entire circumference of the
building, to which visitors will be carried BY
twenty steam and hydraulic elevators.
representing all the manufacturers of
these conveyances in this country. The
music hall. situated in the centre of the
B l,x1 10 4
comfortably seat 11.000 persons. The
platform is being built for 600 musicians.
To light the building with incandescent
lamps will require $4,000 lights and 1,S00
horsepower To light with the arc sys-
tenn will require 700 lamps and 700 horse
power to operate the dynamo The total
steam required for lighting and for ma
chinery hall will be at least 5000 horse.
power. In this estimate is included the
power for FIVE arc lights of 81. 1000 candle
power each. which will light the grounds.
These are the largest single lamps ever
constructed. The building will be in CON-
plete readiness for the reception of arti-
Giles intended for exhibition by the middle
of August.
The horticultural hall will be the largest
conservatory in the world. The centre
will be devoted to an International fruit
display of 10000 plates. There will also
be an art gallery, live stock department
and an exhibition of the southern cereals
and other food products growing in the
field. 1t is also proposed to erect build
ing almost the size of the main building
for national government exhibits of all
the States and Territories. Thirty-two
States and Territories have already
applied for space at New Orleans. Cot
ton and its interests will occupy 'promi-
nent place in the exposition as the leading
staple of the South.
The enterprise was inaugurated by the
Cotton Planters Association of America
in 1882. 1t was endorsed by act of Con-
gress. approved Feb. 20, 1888. which de.
clared that Worlds Industrial and Cot.
ton Centennial Exposition should be held
under the joint auspices of the United
States. the Cotton Planters Association OF
America and the city selected, and that i,
/ should be national and international in its
character. A board of management was
appointed by the President. also commits
sioners for each of the States and Terri.
tories. The act of Congress required the
President to invite the government of Other
Nwx..e .rxw,e v,a 49, 80 Il. n