New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-08
THE YEN-ORLEANS EXHIBITION.
FAIR PROMISE OF A GREAT SUCCESS.

THE LARGEST EXHIBITION BUILDING EVER ERECTED
ECONOMICAL AND JUDiClOUs CONSTRUCTION.
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or THE tribune
New -ORLEANs, May 1.-The NewOrlcans
Exposition will demonstrate two important facts In re-
gard great collections OF the worlds industry first
that very expensive structures not essential to sue
cess second tine symmetry and atractyeness Of an
exhibition depend upon the plan Of the arena IN which
the displays are grouped Tie Cotton Centennial Expos
ton Will exceed in the number and extent OF exhibits
the Philadelphia OF 1876 II will, in fact be the
largest gathering OF the products, industries and arts OF
the universe that has been made Yet the expen
diture OF tine management for buildings will be scarcely
than OneSixth the amount spent at Philadelphia
million dollars will provide adequate structures for all
purposes and VIII at the same time, make them sub
stantia and ornamental The for this is mainly
that eXpositions have become much part OF our n-
dustTia system that they arc managed in the light OF
their commercial effects, and not for mere show They
conducted by business strictly business prn-
cples and extravagant expenditure upon buildings that
are only to stand for few months is not considered
important udiciOus and liberal outlay in the massng
Of all useful commodities from the various countries of the
world In other words the money Is spent in
atng the exhibits adding and novel features and
not primarily buildings, heretofore. 1t has been
found that brick and stone foundations, iron pillars,
heavy glass; iron roofs, etc. be displaced by wood
foundations composition roofs, etc, and secure all the
advantages desired at a minimum cost The expensive
iron cornices longer used but equally artistic
cheap metal ornamentaiOn has been substituted Moth
ing is lacking design and finish, but better ideas have
been Incorporated into the construction.
The building Of the NewOreans Exposition is in
respects the most remarkable edfce built in
this country much the largest opposition building ever
erected in the world The architect has succeeded, at
moderate cost, in producing the largest single
room, every part OF which be seen
from any point, OF which there is any knowledge
The building is 1879 feet long by 9O5 feet wide, and
covers SO acres, or IL acres more than the main
building Of the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of
1870. There 16JG,30O square feet Of floor space
including the gallery. Tie reader may form better
impression OF the vast Dimensions OF the structure by
imagining three ordinary city blocks way, and five
the other covered by solid roof And II he chooses to
allow lila fancy to carry him still further lie can picture
panorama Of the worlds industry extending be-
lore his vision uninterrupted by single object except
the supports.
Tho commercial rivalry of the different sections
apply shown by the distribution Of contracts FOR the
teria. The roof when will cover 100000 square
come from Milwaukee, Wis The glazing will he done by
St Louis parties -Four thousand kegs Of nails are being
shipped from Wheeling, W. Va. Nine milton feet of Wis,
bronze typical OF America, placed over the main
entrance is being made at Canton Oho "a are also a
statue OF Washington and Columbus and cOatsOfarms Of
an the Satos, which will appear in medallion FORM
part OF The exterior oamentation. Finely modelled
nices are being made at New-Oreans.
The building viii be sixty leet high with tower 115
feet high, and the architect mas been fortunate
rendering the exterior unique and at
tractivc. A platform Will be- erected the tower
reached by elevators, from which visitors may have
exceptionally fine view of the city OF New Orleans, the
exposition grounds the Mississippi River and the sur
rounding country. There will be line OF gallery
eudng around the entire circumference OF the build
ng TO which visitors will be carried bv twenty steam
and hydraulic elevators, representing all the manu-
acuTers OF these cOnycyanccs in this country. The
music hall, situated in the centre OF the building VIII
he 36i feet wide and will comfortably seat ll,OO0
persons platform Is being built TOR coo musicians
10 light the building with incandescent lamps
Will require 1900 lights and l,SO0 horse power TO
light with the system will require 700 lamps and 700
horse TO operate the dynamo. The total
qured for Lighting and for machinery hall Will be at
least 5000 horsepower In this estimate is included tho
power five lights of $4,000 candle power each
which Will lignt the grounds These the large
single lamps ever constructed.
The cost OF this great structure lacking no single
desirable feature for the purpose intended, viii only be
about 100000 and the other buildings Will be proper
Ouately inexpensive. Tie result Of this careful and
prudent management will be not only to share.
holders much OF the money that has heretofore gone
produce superuOus gaudiness and unnecessary strength,
,xhbitors steam power lights shang and every adyan
age without charge. II will furthermore permit them
aid the states TO liberal extent in collecting their
native products for display before the people OF the
world. II Is predicted that when the exposition opens
will be the universal verdict that the buildings
Improvement upon all previous exposition structures
md yet Will only show prudent and busincssike out |
ay and that when the event has passed and the results
ire figured mp the shareholders will that the great
Exhibition cost less and yielded than any OF It's
predecessors.