The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-01
THE WORLDS FAIR.
What Is Being Done in the Matter
of Extensive Preparation.
a Californian Suggests Novel Feature for
the Big show-The Chicago Columbus
Tower to Be Erected in 1888.
Special Letter to THE CALL.

Special Letter to THE CALL
CHICAGO, Sept. %, 1S90-The past week
has been suspicious for the Worlds Column
bian Exposition. The National Commits
sioners have taken the city by storm. Their
coming was anXiously awaited. On their
arrival, like Caesar Of old, they came, they
saw, they conquered" The delay of the
site question had spurred them on TO imme-
date action. They meant business from the
instant their feet touched the city. After
disposing of the appointment of number
of committees, they at once proceeded TO
elect Director General Colonel George
Il. Davis of Chicago, who was selected on
the first ballol, was born in Palmer, Mass,
in 1870 received a liberal education, en-
tered the army in 80, was promoted TO the
rank OF major in '63, came to Chicago
in 80 with General Sheridan, re-
signed from the army May /, 1871, and
went into the insurance business. He
was elected to Congress in 1878, served
three terms, and in 1856 was elected Treas
urer Of Chicago and Cook County, which
position he h. S held ever since. On account
of being a local candidate it was at first
thought the selection would not prove salts
factory, but on account of his marked ability
TO handle large bodies Of men, universally
considered, his selection has proven to be
happy one. Be that as itmay. he was the
main spirit that secured the fair for Chicago,
and to the victors belong the spoil.
The Commissioners also wanted more
"site." They asked for it ami got it. In
addition to Jackson Park and the Lake
Front Washington Park has been added.
They now have over 1000 acres of the most
beautiful park system to be found. Chicago
has rendered her choicest spot to the gratih
cation of all, and now the Commissioners can
return to their States with glad tIdlpgs. No
longer need the live stock fraternity worry
about their feature CT the exhibits being
sighted. No amper or hand Somer place
could have been found among their native
hills. BY this addition the exposition will
have the most extensive and handsomest
site ever occupied by any exposition In the
history Of nations.
AN PATHOLOGICAL DISPLAY.
Professor Putnam, of Harvard College,
has proposed to the Directors an extensive
chronological display. His object is to erect
a great ethnographical museum, the exterior
TO be fac-simile of the great stone struc-
lures, which in prehistori, times were num-
erOus III Mexico and Peru. Here lie would
gather specimens Of all relating to pre-
Columbian times. This would include Il
collie ton of all the relics from the first
traces Of man In America, when he lived
south of the great ice-sheet, which covered
the continent north of New York, Ohio,
Mississippi and Minnesota. In the collection
would be skeletons of the mammoth, maStO-
don, reindeer, the musk OK and other
northern animals which were living at that
early period.
Following this would come an exhibit of
the Eskimo of the Arctic regions, showing
their winter and summer houses, seds,
utensils, weapons, works OF art, models Of
men, women and children made from casts
taken and c0lored from life, and dressed III
native costumes. \ similar collection would
be taken from the West Indies and eastern
portions of North America at Columbus
time. BY this plan we could contemplate
the conditions ard walks OF primeval man,
which would BE- a great object lesson Tor the
millions OF visitors to study and ponder upon.
To all this would be added a collection of
human skulls and skeletons from all parts
Of America, so that the differences ana re-
semblanceS in the structures of the peoples
shown by their bony relics could be COM
pared =.
Mr.. E. w. Keller of San Francisco has
devised a plan for CafoTnia'S contribution
to the exposition IN The novel feature of an
enormous elliptical panorama. This is about
his description OF it: Extending from emf TO
end vii! lie series of mountains formed of
rocks and soil and partly covered with
shrubs. SiirIing this Giminptiye meuntain
chain will be an elevated .ll.-".ts.-;ssad twenty
feet from the ground, permitting visitors to
view from the cars the paintiIigS:Ot CalIfoT-
MIA landscapes on: the walls, as they%are
passed IN .slrrcessiqn. The elevated track
Will be reached by cars gradually ASCEND
ing through: IA tunnel at oneend. In this
tunnel mining Operations can he shown.
hsp "a leE - 'hap IN mn
+ Alameda, san. Franciscd,. Mount EainaIpaiS
:and the.Golden Gate, will iirst:appeaT. The
ears y I'll pass tilroUgn; the: body: efone Of the
/ ':b = trees -;
=, At:appIopriate; points men will be seen
gathering frAt.alrd engaged Id. other prinei-
Of the State. Under all. this
*WlH be.aYQst sihciosure capable OF: holding
80, 600 people, for concerts or protection. iii
case>OTrain. The series of paintings will be
absu': 1900 leet: in circumference. 80
- r.: THE. GREAT. TOWER. :. =: =
g The Chicago Columbus. T0wer,H which is
to be erected iii 1898, will be 1900 feet fglrby
$50 feet at tile base constructed of steef:and
iron-and supported by sixteen great arched
legs The architecture Is Of modern Renais-
sance style and was designed by Messrs.
Klnkel and Polk of Chicago. 1t will require
oyer 1900 tons OF steel anu 5000 tens Of ron
It, estimated COSTS $1,000, QOo. In the center
will be a large dome 200 feet wide and 200
feet high. This IS calculated: for' concert
and theatrical purposes, and wi i have a
seating capacity OF $1,000 people The walls
and canopy viii be richly decorated in. or
lental style. Eighteen elevators with ca
paclty OF fifty people each VIII make twelve
trips an hour Only two elevators will run
Il distance Of 1850 ieet. Many Will take adj
vantage of the trip. Here money will Sc
cure passage for at least il short journey in
the direction which all would like to travel
AT the landing Will be a large RESTAURANT
where the travellers can rest and lunch be-
fore returning 10 earth again. AT the apex.
Will be Il great globe of lhirty-three feet
in diameter, provided with sixteen pow
erful electric lights which will be
observable fifty miles distant. Admission
fee viii be - cents, 50 cents to 400 feet anil
ST to top. When completed it will be 500
leet higher than tine Eiffrl Tower in Paris
and the greatest architectural construction
erected in the history of man. twill be the
pride OF our nation and one of the most at
trac,ive features OF the great exposition.
Now that the officers have been selected,
the committees appointed, the site chosen, a
large amount Of the subscriptions paid in,
and the plans taken a definite shape the
Directors OF the exposition are ready for
business. The time Is short for the eXlen-
sive preparations that must be made. Each
opportunity must be taken advantage of
The eyes Of the nation will anXiously watch
the daily progress. But, with the magnifi-
cent site, ana the harmony that exists be-
tween all officials, and the able officers who
have the management and are conscious Of
the responsibility resting upon them, the
exposition is destined TO even surpass in
magnitude and grandeur the highest antic-
patl0n5 OF Its most SaDguine supporters at
The National Congress.
In our next letter we will describe, among
other things, the national exhibits and
buildings. j. b. CAMPBELL
CHARGED WITH MURDER,
Second Mate Nolan blamed for. ~Boss'n