The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-10-13

tons climate, but the denizens of no other
land have more to boast Of in that regard
than he, and the Californian knows it.
Consequently he does not mind the bell,
but goes on talking climate" whenever
he thinks it pays. Of his winter climate
he is especially proud, and the annually
increasing number of visitors to his
country from regions where snow and
ice abound during that generally in
clement season ought to serve as a fair
indication that his pride is justifable.
The hope of greatly augmenting the
number of such visitors during the COM
ing winter is of course the steam that
moves the whole machinery Of the Mid
winter fair. There is no anniversary to
be celebrated, no centennial to be used
as a peg IN which to hang sentimental
draperies. It is simply what it purports
to be-ab business scheme-managed by
shrewd business men to attract visitors
in unusual numbers.
1t was conceived by some prominent
C~alifornians who were in Chicago last
June viewing the wonders of the White
City. California had done a great deal
for the success of the Columbian expo
sition, and they were proud of her eff
forts. One of them suggested that it
would be a good idea to have q similar
exposition on a smaller scale on the San
Francisco shore of the Golden Gate dur
ing the coming winter. Many Of the
best exhibits at Jackson park might be
secured for it, and it would attract trav-
elers from abroad and visitors from
other states, besides giving the people at
home who had not visited Chicago a
chance to see some of the wonders there
displayed.
The suggestion was listened to, agreed
with and Immediately acted upon. The
wires were hot that afternoon with mes
sages to California, and some of those
C~alifornians were scurrying around
among the foreign commissioners and
exhibitors interesting them in the mat
ter. The unique idea proved attractive,
and the foreigners promised generous
assistance. The people at home became
enthusiastic, and inside of a week every
newspaper in California was printing
columns about the proposed Midwinter
exposition, the people of the state We're
discussing it, the state board of trade
had Endorsed it, the governor of Califor-
mia and the mayor of San Francisco had
approved of it, a committee of promo
ton had been appointed, and, best of all,
subscriptions and applications for space
began pouring in from all sides.
By the middle of June $100, 900 had
been subscribed and a concession of 60
acres of land right in the heart of the
magnificent Golden Gate park had been
received from the park commissioners.
Early IN July the executive committee
was permanently organized, electing M.
II. de Young president and director gen
eral, Irwin G. Stump vice president, P.
N. Lilienthal treasurer, Alexander Bad
lam secretary and R. Cornely assist
ant director general. These gentlemen
represented San Francisco in the com
mittee, while the state at large was rep
resented by FELTON, G. Berry Of Fresno,
Eugene J. Gregory of Sacramento, ia
cob Fl. Neff Of Colfax and J. E. Slausen
of Los Angeles.
AS soon as congress met on Aug. 7 a
resolution was introduced recognizing
the exposition as an international one,
providing for the admission of exhibits
free of tariff duties and making the fair
grounds and buildings a bonded ware