The record-union., 1892-04-29
THE WORLDS FAIR COMMISSION
AND THE STATE FAIR.

THE WORLDS FAIR COMMISSION
AND THE STATE FAIR.
The antagonism of San Francisco to the
interior is not confined alone to CONNER
cial matters and transportation condi-
tions. 1t is manifest in numberless other
ways, mainly absorbent. One of these
has been the persistent opposition of the
Mechanics Institute Fair corporation to
the annual exposition by the State Agri-
cultural Society. For twenty years the
private concern in San Francisco,
masquerading in the name of an educa-
tional institution, has done it's utmost to
prevent successful exhibitions by the
State society, an institution maintained
largely by the taxpayers of the whole
State. Why this persistent opposition is
manifested no one has yet been able to
explain; the year is long, the State large
enough for both fairs, and there is neither
rhyme no reason in any collision between
them. 1t is simple justice to say that the
antagonism has come wholly from the
San Francisco corporation and not at all
from the State Board of Agriculture,
which cannot possibly hold the State Ex-
position except in September.
The State Worlds Fair Commission
appears to have fallen into the hands of
the San Francisco Fair Philistines, and
is apparently being used, we should hope
animosity of the Mechanics Institute
Fair corporation.
1t appears that in its report to the Gov
ernor last year the State Board of Agri-
culture originated the idea of an exposi-
ton at the State Fair of the exhibits
for the Worlds Fair prior to their being
sent to Chicago. This led to consultation
with the State Worlds Fair Commission.
and proposition was made that the State
Board of Agriculture would give 5000
in premiums-S2,O 900 in excess of the
usual amount-for county exhibits at the
State Fair, in which should appear ex-
hibits intended for the California build
ing at the Worlds Fair. 1t was sug-
gested that the State Commission might
well add s., 900 more to the premium offer.
There was no objection made to any sub
sequent display of the exhibits in San
Francisco. The idea seems to have been
well entertained at first, by the commits
sion.
The State Board of Agriculture ap-
pears to have been actuated by no selfish
purpose, no desire to do aught but to en-
courage the collection of representative
exhibits and insure a large display at
Chicago; to give its experience and ma
chinery to the work of collecting a
proper exhibit of products; to give
money aid to producers by large pre-
miums to enable and stimulate them to
make large and thoroughly good ex-
hibits, and to give the people at home a
glimpse of what California at the Worlds
Fair viii or should be-
Recently the State Worlds Fair Com
mission has been prevailed upon to
make the proposed dress parade at San
Francisco in connection with the regular
Mechanics Institute Fair, with view of
making some money for the commission
which appears to have thus early got into
financial shallow waters. After that was
agreed upon a convention of district
societies was called to consult with the
commission. At that meeting the pro
iect was railroaded through, despite the
hot protests of most of the country, dele
gates.
1t is very unfortunate that it is so, but
nevertheless it is true, that action was re-
solved upon at the first meeting and bull
letined prior to the convention assem-
bling, and would appear to be purpose
fully and directly aimed at and in oppo
sition to the State Fair. The source and
spring of that action was undoubtedly
the old-time one. As if the year were
not full enough of weeks and months for
this dress parade of exhibits that are ex-
pected 10 keep unt1 the year 1898, the
date of the dress parade at the San Fran
cisco Fair was fixed to begin prior to the
opening of the State Fair, and to hold
over until long after its close, and thus
cover the only period available to the
State and District Agricultural Fairs.
To make more emphatic this purpose,
as if it were desired to send the steel
deeper into the State and district institu-
tions, the State Worlds Fair Commission
announces that it will pay the cost of
transportation of all exhibits to San
Francisco-all exhibits to the State Fair
come and go free, aud this offer was there
fore necessary. Also. that it will give
$500 to the county having tie best OK