The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-23
THE EXPOSITION PROJECT.
The Meeting of Citizens Last Evening to
Discuss the Proposed Enterprise.
A Committee Appointed to Consider the Mat
ter and Report Their Conclusions at An
other Meeting for Definite Action.

The meeting Of citizens in Judge Walkers
court room. last night, in response to a call from
the Mercantile Association. to consider the prop
osition to hold an exposition in the City Hall,
numbered about fifty representatives of whole
sale, retail and manufacturing interests. Fl. H.
Lee presided and in calling the meeting to or
der, stated why the call had been issued. He
did not discuss the practicability of the PROPOSE
ton of holding exposition this fall, but spoke
earnestly of awakening an interest in the city
among outsiders by some means of amusement
or popular instruction. Before taking up the
special work Of the meeting he said Professor
Leckner would like to say few words in be-
half OF an enterprise he represented.
Professor Leckner came forward, and told the
audience that he had an official interest in the
Music Teachers National Association. This or
ganizatlon was of great Importance in musical
culture, and its annual conventions had been at
tended by large numbers of people. This
year it was to be held in Boston.
and that city, on the vote for
the selection of place of meeting,
at the New York convention last year, beat
Indianapolis by only one vote. He wanted the
the question of having the association meet here
next year. It's meeting could be secured for
this place by proper effort. Indianapolis was
peculiarly adapted and equipped for bringing
thousands of people to such convention AS
the Association has membership of over 1000,
representing every State in the Urion besides
the provinces of the Dominion, it alone would
insure large influx of visitors. Besides, the
character of concerts which are given every night
Of the convention would attract Ohioans, Indian
ians and Illinoisans by crowds. The association
wanted to come to Indianapolis. 1t Goes not ask
for money. as it has enough to pay its ordinary
expenses but since this city has everything for
securing the fullest measure of musical success
in large hail, wide circle of musical people
and large chorus, everything, in fact, but
large orchestra it would be necessary to have
something like guarantee fund to insure the
expense OF the orchestra required which can be
obtained from neighboring cities. This fund
need not be more than $S 900, and it can nearly
be raised by the purchase of 1000 mem bership
tickets, which give the holders admissions 10 all
the concerts
Professor Warren, of Ohio, also leading
member of thu association, gave assurances of
what his State would do in attendance if the
COuVouIlOu Cdmo 10 luuloudpoHS. 1lo uiScu
action to this end, and predicted an eminent sue
cess.
W. L. Elder said he was interested in this move
ment. and would do all he could to secure the
convention of musicians for Indianapolis. He
showed his faith in the enterprise by moving that
a committee of Ave business men be appointed to
consider the matter. The motion was adopted
without dissent although with but little en-
thusiasm. The chair appointed Fl. G. Levi. Al
bert Gall, Peter +. Bryce. H. Bamberger, and
Willie oil ha comnittaa Mr. Call did
not want to serve on account of the demands of
other important matters. A. B. Gates was
named in his place. This brought the meeting
up to the exposition question. and a gentleman
ffected, N. S. Byram act as chairman. This was
carried, and Mr.. Byram, in very
few words, announced the meetings
readiness for business. j. r. Perry
was the secretary. After this one appeared
willing to take the initiative until Mr.. Bamber-
ger asked if the executive committee of the Mer-
camille Association had any plan or proposition
to submit. That body, he said, ought to have
come to the meeting with something in form.
D. p. Erwin suggested that Secretary Perry tell
the meeting what was proposed.
Mr. Perry said he did not believe one-fourth of
the people of Indianapolis knew the extent of her
manufactures For instance, how many knew
that the lounge manufactures or this city were
at the head of that branch in the world2 That
might be too broad a statement, but he was sure
indianapolis manufactured moro lounges than
any city in the United States. There
many little factories here, each confined
to few of the same family. They
made no stir, but did a. great
and nobody hears of them. except those who
come in contact with them in the way of trade.
If these people won't advertise ip the daily pa
pers which they ought to do, he believed in Civ
ing them an opportunity to do so through an ex-
position. An exposition could be prepared by
| fall. It wOuld reOuira a large
fund, and tho receipts would cover expenses. 1t
would not conflict with the State Fair, as the ex-
hibits and attractions would be entirely differ
ent. The place for it was here All the room
necessary can be had in Tomlinson Hall and the
market sheds that can be ready by the time for
opening the show
Mr.. Perry's speech did not serve to increase
the interest in the project Some one sug.
gested that j. j. Henderson, agent of
the Adams Express Company, and for
eight years intimately connected with
the Cincinnati expositions both as commissioner
and president, tell the meeting what was neces-
sary to be done. Mr.. Henderson replied that he
knew what the work of making an exposition
successful was, 'but," said he, ''you will have to
go about it in different way from what you are
pursuing"
Mr. Perry, in order to bring tangible ques-
ton before them. moved that an exposition be
held in Tomlinson Hall. beginning Sept Is
next and lasting thirty days. There was q re-
luctant second TO it.
Mr.. Henderson again being asked his opinion,
said an exposition would no doubt be grand
thing, but the Cincinnati exposition, it must be
remembered, was the growth of years. The first
was held in 1869 as textile fabric exhibition 1t
had only small room. Since then the enter
prise has been growing and growing He doubt
ed if time would permit them to have a success
full affair of the kind here this fall. An
other thing that should be remembered
Is that Cincinnati expostions depend largely
upon ner own people for patronage simple
display of machinery and exhibits of the ordi-
nary products of manufacturers will not answer
There must be other and varying attractions like
art exhibitions. floral displays and number of
attractions in keeping with these. Without
them the show soon becomes monotonous and
the people won't come In Cincinnati the same
people are at its exposition every night because
the show is always new and instructive. He
said Tomlinson Hall was not suited-that is the
ground foor-for machinery. 1t is too compact