The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-28

had no accurate information of the plans Of
Mr. Gage ahd his corps of assistants. lie
said he had been. called upon by number
Of American gentlemen with reference TO
the fair, but that was before the site had
even been decided upon, and since that time
no plans or information Of any sort had been
laid before him.
Naturally l cannot speak of the coming
exposition except in the most general terms
without knowledge of tine plans" he said.
That there will be any difficulty in getting
everything in readiness by 1898 do not be-
heve The actual work upon the Paris EX-
POSITION only occupied two years-ot course
the plans were ready northumberland every
thing was specifically ready upon the open
ing day"
DO You regard the decision to open the
grounds on Sunday wise one?'
LAS to Paris ii was not only wise, it was
absolutely necessary. The people would
have torn the buildings to pieces II the gates
mad been shut on Sunday In America
understand YOU have quite different pub
lie sentiment to deal with. They have de-
cided to open on Sunday, you say? Well,
she .acision is undoubtedly wise from a
f-aHciul point of view-at this distance L
cannot judge it from any other. Here in
Paris Sunday was our best day. We used
t. have half a million people at the eXpoSi-
ton OIL pleasant Sundays, and of course just
the people whom an exposition ought to in
.'Will tie French exhibit at Chicago be less
full and interesting than if the fair were to
be held in New York;" | asked.
"It would be difficult TO say. How long
does it take to get to Chicago from New
York;"
Exactly 4 day; a thousand miles"
- 4 nd the freight arrangements?
"Will undoubtedly facilitate sending goods
through at very cheap rates and without
delay"
50 In that case" resumed NJ. Alphand, q
do net think that the distance will stop any
one from going there or from exhibiting.
There is another matter which Is much more
serious. You Americans are planning to
put a heavier tariff upon our goods. Why
should French merchants and manufacturers
go TO the expense of exhibiting at Chicago
goods which cannot be sod in American"
1.-The French Government will undoubt-
edly assume friendly attitude toward the
far?" | asked.
"Oh. perfectly. But for the duty there is
no doubt whatever that the French people
will take lively interest and participation
in the fair in return for the kindly action of
America toward us when other nations held
aloof But the matter is at the bottom a
business one, moi sentimental aud any
change in the duty might affect the exhibit,
What did you think of the American sec
ton al Paris last year?"
" 1t was most excellent.
'.And the art Department."
That was very creditable to the Ameri-
can artists. OF course it was not the best,
bat that was not to be expected. 1t was
most excellent showing, considering the cir
eumstanees."
AS | said in beginning, NJ Alphand had
no definite knowledge Of the Chicago plans; ;
and he would not express any opinion con-
corning the engineering features of the pre-
paratory work. | tried to get his opin-
ion OF the project for housing all the exhib-
lis under one gigantic building with tower
in the middle and t,nt-lke roof but he
would not discuss any project whose details