New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-19
THE VORLD'S FAIR.

Mayor Grants convocation of influential citi-
zens to consider the project OF Worlds Fair
in 1892 practically means, in all probability,
that this gigantic enterprise will be undertaken
and that NewY York will be It's home. The
meeting has been called in response to public
sentiment so general and earnest, and so large
a number of the men who have been asked to
attend have already signifed their interest by
inviting the Mayors cooperation and other
wise, that the favorable decision of the gather
ing may be assumed in advance. An interna-
tional exhibition is not an affair to be entered
upon lightly, and certainly the United States
cannot afford to be responsible for a second
rate show. The exhibition of 1892 must be at
least equal to the greatest that has preceded 1T.
Less than that would be failure. This is
not an easy test to meet. The French people
have an extraordinary aptitude for such enter
prises, of which no better evidence is needed
than the success of their existing fair, nOtwith-
standing the unprecedented obstacles which it
encountered. But our own people have no
cause for timidity. The exhibition of 1876
was very successful effort, and between
the country's efficiency for such purpose at
that time and it's efficiency now there is no
comparison.
In one respect alone Philadelphia had an adj
vantage then which this city lacks. The event
commemorated in 1876 left no choice OF
location; there was only one place in the coun-
try where the centenary of its independence
could be appropriately celebrated, and local
iealousies had no possible excuse for existence.
More than one city might reasonably contend
for the honor of entertaining the world IN
1892, and in fact, strenuous effort has already
been made in behalf of Washington, which in
many respects would be an excellent location.
We do not however, anticipate any general I'M
willingness to recognize the superior claims of
New York. It's advantages are so obvious as
almost to make opposition absurd, and, more
over, the goodwill Of the country toward the
metropolis was greatly increased by the sue
cess of the Constitutional celebration last
spring. The ease with which New York pro-
vided comfortable accommodations during the
first week of last May for vastly larger num-
Der of visitors than could by any chance be
gathered here at one time during the long con-
tinued existence Of worlds fair was reveal
ton alike to citizens and strangers. After
that demonstration no argument is necessary to
prove our qualifications in this respect. In all
other respects the map and the census are
conclusive.
If the proposed exhibition is to be carried
through upon proper scale, it is to be re-
GREETED that the project did not take shape
earlier in the year, before the summer exodus
began but it would have been foolish to delay
the initiation until fall. The Mayors meeting
has not been called day too soon, and there
is little doubt that enough men Of influence,
resources and capacity will attend next Thurs
day to inspire confidence in the conclusions at
which they may arrive. A preliminary organ
ization will of course be formed, but something
more than that ought to be accomplished. Moth
ing else that the conference could do would be
so sure proof that those who have taken the
responsibility of forming nucleus mean
business' as the offer of a liberal financial
guarantee. The men who will assemble at the
Mayors office On the 10Th could without rash
ness assume pecuniary liability which would
put the enterprise on its feet at once, and leave
small room for doubts of its success. In fact
the country will be very apt TO measure the sim
cerity of the meeting by its hberality.
There is one point which the conference will
have no power to settle officially, but with re-
spect to which it may make its influence con-
elusive There is evidence already that good
many persons, not all of whom by any means
are wanting in enthusiasm, will endeavor to
prove that Central Park is the best site for the
exhibition. If two or three of the gentlemen
who expect to accept the Mayors invitation
will take the trouble to make even slight in
veStigation in advance, they will be able to
show that the Park is not adapted for the fair
nor the fair for the Park-that, in word, they
would ruin each other. Next Thursdays con
ference will not choose site, but it can exert
an influence which will take the Park once for
all out of the list Of possible choices. We
don't hesitate to say that it would be infinitely
better for New y ork to abandon the fair than
to abandon Central Park. But there is no
need of either sacrifice.