Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-12-01
Shall We Exhibit

The exhibit Of State products at the
Midwintcr Fair, at Golden Gate Park
san Francisco, the first six months Of
the coming year, is a matter which
our people are EOw called upon to de-
eide. The preliminary organization
affected here and ELSEWHERE, will amount
to nothing, unless there is a general
response and united, determined ac-
| ton.
Mr.. Cragic Sharp, the Commissioner
at large, in his talk to citizens at The
! Olympia, Tuesday, said that very
conservative estimate OF the number
Of people who will he attracted to the
coast 10y the fair will be between ,0O0,-
600, and 100000 and some intelli-
gent observers placed it as high AS
twice the larger number. 1t was esti-
mated that each of these visitors on a
general average would disburse 5000,
making from 500 900, 600 to 5000, OO0, :
600 placed in circulation where the
larger portion OF it would go into Cir
culatiOn on the coast. He said that
1000 of the choicest exhibits at Chi
cago had been secured for the Mid
winter Fair, and as each of them is
accompanied by at least 10 people,
there would be quite small city OF
exhibitors, who during the six months
life OF the fair would disburse at least
$25, 100000. The importance of at
tracing the attention of this vast
concourse of people is apparent. They
are all out on holiday, and many
on business intent. Their purse
strings are loose to meet immediate
wants and many eyes are on the alert
to discover business opportunities
based upon natural resources.
Our State has many things that
California cannot compete for, and an
exhibit cannot fail to divert many
visitors to this upper coast, before
they return home. Once here, we can
attend to the rest, so far as to convince
them by ocular demonstration that
the Manchausen-like stories they heard
are actually true.
Commissioner Sharp said that space
in the Associations buildings could
only be acquired by paving 50 per
square foot up to so feet, Sl.5O per foot
for less than 1000 feet, and 20 per
cent. reduction on the latter figures if
more than the latter figures were
taken. Space for State building
would, however, be supplied free, and
he thought that this would be much
preferable, if our people wished to dis
play their exhibit as whole. If it
went into the fair buildings it would
be distributed according to classical
ton, and unless very large exhibit
was made, would be eclipsed by the
larger showings made by communities
who have better opportunities for max
ing a large display. The State buildings
need not necessarily be expensive.
Oregon proposes to spend $4,000 for
one. Washington can do still better
by asking for donations of the shingles
and lumber, wrought in such shape as
to constitute an attractive display OF
the house-furnishing industry.
An article. on our local page, shows
the condition of preliminary organiza-
ton SO far as it has gone. Action
must be prompt and decisive. One
month only remains for preparation,
il we would participate at the opening.
An immediate appeal to the Emer-
gency Board seems to be the only al.
Tentative, under the circumstances,
for barely enough to erect the build
ing. Articles for exhibit will be forth
coming if this much is assured. To
raise large sum Of tmoney. as has
been suggested by the Seattle Cham.
Der of Commerce, is out of the ques-
ton at this time, nor do we need the
sum stated, $4,000. No 5000 per
month salaries need be paid. Many
OF our citizens would be glad to do ten
times as much as our Worlds Fair
Commission, for their board and SUBJ
sistence. Transportation rates will
doubtless be low and the displays con-
tributed.
The question is not can we afford to
make u creditable showing at the
Midwinter Fair; but can we afford to
miss the opportunity for doing soi It
will be, as Commissioner Sharp says,
q psnacea for hard times. 1t will
place new blood in the circulating me.
dunn and infuse new life in the arter.
les of trade. If you are convinced of
this, reader, do not withhold your aid,
small as it may appear. Do not ex-
pect that everybody else will promptly
act upon such plausible prospects, and
you may just as we'll save your effort.
Your neighbor may have formed the
same resolve, and the few who have,
SO far, indicated their willingness to
lead off, may be discouraged and aban-
don all effort. This would be q mis-.
fortune resulting directly from ignor-
ing an exceedingly suspicious business
opportunity.
THE SHINGLE CoMB1NE.-R. S. Dun.
niway, who was appointed at the
single meeting held in Seattle q few
ago TO canvass the States of Washing
ton and Oregon for the purpose of
effecting q permanent organization,
held his first meeting for permanent
organization at Burlington Wednesday.
A large attendance of the shingle
manufacturers of Skagit county was
secured. Every mill in the county
Joined the association except two, and
.