The Washington critic., 1885-09-01
1.-THE NOVELTJES. "
Some OF the Features Of Phiiadci-
phia's Great Exhibition.

"We're going to have real iceberg
in the middle of the main floor right
in that tank" remarked Floor Manager
Wilson of the Novelties Exhibition to
u Philadelphia Press reporter, IA they
stood in the main exhibition building
and gazed into huge circular tank.
Mr. Wilson continued. "a New York
ice company has arranged to freeze
water in all sorts of fantastic shapes,
and, altogether, the berg will be one
of the attractions of the exhibition 1t
will also be one of its comforts If the
temperature is high What shall we
do if it is cold? Well | declare, don t
think they ever thought of that. But
if the thermometer does go down we
might thaw the ice out and run a nice
geyser at 9l2o Fahrenheit"
Inquiry revealed the fact that the
plans and drawings for the iceberg
have already been completed. 1t will
be under the management of the De In
Verne Ice Company. Two firms that
have bought space just under the ice
bcrgs lee, on which they intended to
locate soda-water fountains, almost
tainted when they learned of the ice
company's scheme. 1t was even stated
at one time that they considered the adj
visibility of serving injunctions to pre-
vent the construction of the iceberg,
but this was denied yesterday. The
company, it is said, is memorable, aud
refuses to back down. The soda-waler
men 30 about looking gloomy and men
tally dcducting large sums from con
templatcd and hypothetical profits.
The arrangements for the exhibition
are nearing completion. For three
months worllmen have been employed
on the building, and now things are be-
ginning to look shipshapc. The enter
prise, ii is thought, will be splendid
success unless some unforeseen event
like the cholera happens along, -Four
hundred exhibitors are now on the
books, and more space has been applied
for than there is. The Electrical Elk
hibition was so well patronized that the
Franklin Institute out of the profits,
paid for the construction of the build
ing, which cost $1,000 and even
after that was $4,000 ahead. This
year repairs and alterations have cost
about $40 900, which will be betrayed
by the fees and charges obtained from
the exhibitors. When the exhibition
opens, therefore, the management will
only have running expenses to deduct
from the receipts, In order to be on
the safe side, however, the guarantee
fund of 5000 600 is maintained. The
fact that the opening will be two weeks
later than last year, it is thought, will
make things more profitable, as more
people will be in town.
One of the features will be the varied
illumination of the building. Profess
sor Howe of Norristown, the inventor
of system of water gas, is having
constructed on the grounds an i'm
mense wooden tub, of the capacity of
fifteen tons of water 1t Is part of his
plant for making gas, He will supply
light and heat to u part of the building
and many of the exhibitors. Walter
G. Wilson, the cracker maker, will
bake millions of crackers with the
Howe fuel. Incandescent and are
electric lights of different companies
and Sicmcns burners will be arranged
about the place. One electric firm offered
| to light the whole building for nothing
| if all other firms could be excluded
but the offer was declined, AS it i,
none of the light and fuel suppliers will
be paid Il cent.
Some immense ice-maliing machines
are already being placed in position
and the ice cream men will not have fal
to so for their raw material, Last ycal
there was general complaint about
the restaurant. People said that til,
charges were ON Gould-NWnderbil
basis. The committee, however, say
that this year there will be dining
room for "giltcdged dudes" and ais,
place where good food can be pro
cured at prices no higher than thos
charged at the well-known Mode
Coffee House. While the public ar
eating good music will be provided b,
the Smyth Orchestra.
Hugh Wurphy's Answer.