Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-07-20

Chicago, July 15.-Business men of
chicago my possibly organize some
plan by which the mining exhibit at
| the worlds fair may he made a per-
manent museum for Chicago. In con-
VerSauon with two OF Chicago'S most
distinguished citizens today a reporter
was given the particulars of the en-
bryonlc movement. One of the gentle
men, a wealthy merchant who has
identified himself with the progress of
chicago and the fair, appeared to have
the plan pretty well developed in his
own mind.
1T is a shame" said he, s.to remove
so line an exhibit, when it might be
retained at little cost. The principal
outlay would be to prepare a suitable
building. If some of Chicago's public
spirited men would organize an assOcia-
rion, am sure the movement would be
most heartily endorsed by the people
Of the city and the state; and the vari-
Gus educational and geological societie
would undoubtedly give all the assist
ance in their power. City and state
appropriations might also wisely be
made. But to my mind the cost, out
side OF the building, does not present
stupendouS objection. Valuable as is
the collection, tout ensemble, the vari-
Gus factors are not excessively valuable
to the individual exhibitors. Most Of
the countries exhibiting would willingly
present their collections to Chicago for
the asking. Take that magnificent
really not worth much, intrinsically,
i'll the eyes of the Mexican government,
and with the exception of a few speci-
mems it could doubtless be duplicated
in Mexico at slight cost The most
costly portions of the mining exhibit
are the special attraction such as
the Ada Rechan statue and the dia-
"on7-cutting exhibit: but such exhibits,
while appropriate at present, would
not be desirable in such a museum as
the one proposed. But even counting
out some Of the most costly exhibits,
the collection would be practically COM
plete and upon a scale far surprising
anything which Chicago or this coun-
try might hope TO acquire even after
years Of work and at enormous ex-
pense. There is a vast difference be-
tween Chicago obtaining such col
lection effectively and obtaining it sub
jectively. The state exhibits are I'M
doubtedly very complete geological mu-
seums in themselves, and there is no
evidence that the collections shown by
the various nations are less compre-
hensive." 1at ~
"HOw would 60 about it? / should
first have a company or association
formed and plan building, purchase
a site Tor have it donated), and erect
suitable structure. The present build
ing at jackson Park is, of course. a tenn
pOrary affair, but would serve the pur-
pose until a permanent building might
be prepared. Then the association
might solicit the donation of the vari.
GUS countries exhibits, for the adj
vancement of SCIENCE and arrange for
the purchase of such exhibits as We're
wanted but could not be obtained for
the asking. So far as the minor de-
tails are concerned, / am sure it does
not require a very great amount Of
ingenuity to plan the project"
Should such a plan materialize, legis-
latiye action would be required to adj
nit such exhibits, free of duty, as are
here only temporarily under the Gus
TOMS concessions made by the govern
ment, relative to the importation OF
exhibits.