Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-19
THE ExPosIrIoN,s SUCCESS.

The second exhibition of the Pittsburg
Exposition Society closed last night after
a season which has surpassed in success the
| gratifying results of the first year. From
our local reports, it will be seen that, not
withstanding the duration of phenomenally
unfavorable weather, the attendance this
year is over 100, 600 in excess of last season,
while the net receipts will show a similar
enlargement 1t is asserted that these re-
suits are the best ever attained by any
Exposition which represents only single
| city.
This experience shows the predictions
that, after the novelty of opening new
buildings had passed away, the attendance
and interest would diminish, to have been
wholly unfounded, the contrary is proved.
So long as the Exposition continues to be a
representative one of the interests of Pitts
burg and to intelligently hold out induce
ments to the public patronage, its success
will enhance. The more the public knows
of such an Exposition the greater will be
the attendance. The management of the
Exposition Society have kept this fact in
view and the results referred to show the
correctness OF their policy.
1t is not to be asserted that our Exposi-
ton is vet all that it might be. There are
many directions in which its attractions and
usefulness might be extended. A decided
indication of one of the most important re-
spects in which its features could be en-
hanced is given by the fact that among those
which attracted most attention during the
recent Exposition were the practical illus
trations of Pittsburg's industries. The
making of glass, and last year the exhib .tion
of nail machines, together with kindred ex-
hibits of the operations of industry, have
always proved the center of attraction.
This is clear demonstration that every
such illustration of Pittsburg's industrial
operations Will increase the success of the
exhibition and secure large advantages to
the exhibitors.
Various reasons exist why the Exposition
has not gone farther than it has in this d.
rection, and the most conclusive Of them are
entirely outside of the society arrangement.
Many of our manufacturers have SO far
failed to perceive the importance of bring
ing themselves and their products to the
public notice, BY these methods. The old
feeling is still prevalent among this class,
that they can make iron, glass or steel, and
let the world come to them in search of those
staples. The glass firms who made their in
teresting furnace one of the features of the
late exhibition, showed that the idea of 60
ing after trade is taking root, and made
remarkably good illustration of what can be
done in that line. When all our manufact-
uring firms perceive that every such sue
cessful effort to bring their industry into |
public notice pays for itself fifty or hun |
dred fold, the Exposition will become an |
epitome OF Pittsburg and its fame may be |
made to spread beyond the limits of the |
nation.
Another restriction to the work OF expand |
ing this enterprise to its full possibilities is
the lack of floor space and need of new |
buildings. The entire space was taken up |
long before the last Exposition, and the ap- /
plicants who were turned away would have |
made any ordinary exhibition by them |
selves. Here is matter which calls for the |
action of the business men and capital of |
Pittsburg. The enterprise has progressed |
far beyond the experimental point where its |
success is doubtful. With the benefits of i
the Exposition demonstrated and the power |
to multiply its usefulness shown beyond |
dispute. Pittsburg should be prompt to |
furnish the capital necessary to give all the |
buildings that are required.
The plan of improving every opportunity |
to spread the fame and increase the reputa-
tion of Pittsburg's industries, is taking root |
in the public mind, as was we'll shown by |
The DISPATCHES prize essays on that SUBJ
ject. One of the surest means of aiding that |
work is to push the Exposition to its highest |
limit of usefulness.