New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-09
THE AMERICAN EXHIBITS.
WHAT MISTAKES HAVE BEEN MADE.
TALK ON THE PARIS IMPOSITION WITH MR
DoNALDSoN-NEED OF IMMEDIATE ACTION
IF AMERICA IS TO HAVE ONE IN 1902
AN ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF
NEw-YoRK.


Among the passengers who arrived on tho French
steamer La Bretagnc on Sunday night was bright
looking young man. who brought considerable inter
esting news about the American exhibits al the faFs
Exposition, and also some original opinions on inc
Exposition which may be Of profit % this city II
great Exposition be held here In 1o9-. lie was
Walter A. Donaldson, American juror IN Group
No ., or the Educational Group as II IS peer Ai""u'
Mr. Donaldson IS an old hand at eIpo-tons. lie
served a. secretary TO the Portuguese Commi SION at
the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1870, and
enjoyed distinction this year of being appointed
Juror in the Educational Group With cx-President
Andrew D. White, of Cornell University. On account
Of ilhealth President White was unable 70 give as
much Of his attention to his work as he desired. The
bulk Of the duties, therefore f on NJ. Donaldson.
Mr. Donaldson is a comparatively recent graduate Of
the academic department Of Columbia College ard
the law school lie Is also member Of the Columbia
Academy Of Science.
When be was asked yesterday what hs impressions
were Of tho American exhibits at the Exposition, his
reply was: i am afraid that the idea uppermost
In the minds Of the American exhibitors was whether
they could sell, not whether thcy could excel Tie
expression heard among them was. What are We
here forP The main feature o. part Of the Ex
position was the lack Of interest taken in It by prom
nent men, great institutions and establishments
VALUE OF ARRANGEMENT.
But must say that American visitors 10 our
section are TOO likely 70 consider it necessary 20
have an enormous mass Of matter exhibition
whereas according 70 my opinion, judging from what
I noticed In Paris and Philadelphia, # IS more mat
ter Of arrangement and presentation that IN
Justice may have been done by individuals in hastily
scanning exhibits. And then. too much crit
cism has been made on our section for the paucity
Of articles presented. Yet, think that sufficient ma
telias we're offered, but the taste and arrangement
we've lacking One reason for the existence OF tie
latter defect however, may be attributed to the
small space which France gave US The
space not at all commensurate with
the needs Of such a vast country as ours. I say this
when recall tho space allotted such European coun
tries as Belgium and Switzerland and other nations Of
meagre proportions.
Most of the faults IN the management Of which
Americans spoke to nc, arose as far as I could see,
from tariy action and insufficient appropriation The
worlHf Exposition should be mapped thoroughly
far possible at least a year In advance. If we
are to hold an Exposition in Is92, should begin
actual work August l, for even then II would be
close 10 get ready for the opening Official day
many accidents and contingencies arise that 10 i'm
possible to forescc them margin Of time must be
allowed to provide against them.
WORK OF COMMISSIONER FRANKLIN.
a VIII say that Commissioner-Geueral william B.
Franklin who IS In charge u The American section
has good head and quick perception for seeing what
should lie done. and allows prejudice or plccon-
ceptons 20 stand in the way Of adopting suggestions
Ills cordial, ahable In dealing with the French
Administration have filed many voids and solved
many difficult questions. But General Franklin can
not be everywhere.
lift had not been for the small steamers IN the Seine
II would lave been impossible 70 reach the Exro-l-
ton with 10 900 cabs thrown in Now I'm regard
10 Exposition of 1902. tao first question rs one o.
communication. As for accommodation. New-Tort
City can attend 90 that. The first of January. $40.
should not be allowed 70 pass without a termination
Of al discussion Active work should then begin"
This country dii poorly. he thought. in caT.9c.
exhibits and be was surprised 20 frl a choupcd-Jr
section u refrigerator car instead of q Pullman
palace car American pictures werN numerous. irt
IN comparison with French pictures the American wovs
brought out the country harrennoss 30 Ideally. bur
Americans be said. arr the most receptive at
students at Paris American libraries d. we'll and
American photographs are universally ADMIRED