Omaha daily bee., 1892-06-12
WHAT II Is.
some Historical Reference to the Greal
Protective Association.

some Historical Reference to the Greal
Protective Association.
The exposition which was opened last
evening and which occasloned SO much pop
ular interest, is by no means the first ever
held in Omaha, but it is decidedly different
from any that have preceded it. The expo
sitions of the past have been purely local af-
fairs, usually conducted by private individ-
uals as a money making schome, and hav Q
been thrown open TO every one VINO had
goods OF any kind which they might De de-
sirous of bringing to the attention OF the pen-
pie. The managers of these expositions have
usually followed the policy of charging tn
exhibitors good round price for their space
allowing them as much space as they were
willing to pay for, and at the same time
charging spectators for admission.
The present exposition differs from that of
the past IN several essential res spects. In the
first place, it is state enterprise in which
Omaha is only one of the interested cities
Again it is not a money making scheme but
is copduc cted by the Manufacturers and Con-
sumers Association Of Nebraska for the pur-
pose of awakening in the people
renewed interest in the manufac-
turing industries of the state and,
at the same time, OF convincing them of the
variety and general excellence of the pro-
ducts of their home factories. For that rea-
son only Nebraska manufacturers have been
allowed to make exhibits and, TO all such us
were willing TO Join the association, space
was allowed free of charge
In view OF the fact that the exposition has
been undertaken oy u commercinl organiza-
ton of comparatively recent origin brief
review of its history may not be out of place
in this connection.
The Crop Failure.
The failure of the crop of 1890 and the con-
sequent commercial depression succeed
ing 1t turned the attention of the
people of Nebraska in the direction of the
manufacturing industries, III seemed to
dawn upon the people OF sudden that so
long as the prosperity of this state was de-
pendent solely upon agricultural interests so
long business stagnatIon would follow upon
the heels OF crop failure. All over the state
men were saying, ''Our cities have become
too large TO live entirely from the trade fur
nished by the farm, and we must have large
ard diverse manufacturing industries, which
VIII support our growing population, in
crease the amount OF money IN general crcu-
lation ana create sufficient wealth to place
the state on u more solid basis" But how
to secure this much desired result was the
problem seeking solution. Some said we
must raise bonuses and induce manu- facturers
to move here from other states, poor men
having no money and the wealthy being un-
willing TO part with II for that purpose.
OF our state and by that means attract capi-
tai. After all the various opinions were dis
cussed and weighed the problem OF How
shall we secure manufacturing industries
ana MAKE our slate more than an agricultural
communityih was no nearer a solution.
Az this point PHE BEE commenced an in
vesligation among the manufacturers at
Omaha ana soon discovered that there were
already largo numoer of fcctories turning
out great variety of goods. but that the
majority OF these ins titutions were running
very much below the full capacity of plants.
owing To the small demand for their products
Again, inquiry into the cause of this condi-
ton, led 10 the discovery of another
fact-the people had become accustomed.
before the location OF these factories, 70 the
use OF goods OF eastern make ana were lotl,
10 change over TO goods of local anufacture.
concerning the quality OF which they were
entirely ignorant.
IL was still further noted that local manu-
facturers, disregarding the example of their
eastern competitors, who annually spend
vast sums oil money In advertising their pro-
ducts TO the consumer thus creating a de-
nand for them and compelling jobbers ana
retailers alike TO carry them in STOCK. had
wasted all their efforts in trying TO COAX
dealers TO handle goods for which there was
no inquiry. II was found that even wide
awake aud public spirited citizens did not
know of the existence OF some OF the most
important manufacturing plants In the city,
aud consequently bad gone on asking their
dealers for the OLD familiar braads, and mer-