The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-04-28
THE WORLDS FAIR.
Steam Turned ON the Great Engine
That is to Move the Wheels
of the Fair.
Everything in Readiness for the Great
Event Next Monday The Gov
ernor's Proclamation.

CHICAGO, April p. Steam was today
for the first time turned into the receiv
ers of the leviathan engine at the
worlds fair grounds that is to furnish,
Niagara-like, the power which President
Cleveland will. next Monday, press into
activity at the touch of button The
wheels Of the giant machine revolved to-
day in a style that was declared faultless.
Except for details the plans for the
opening Of the exposition are now set
tied, promising a simple but majestic
spectacle. The multitude Of spectators.
massed on the square in front of the ad-
ministration building or lodged on the
bridges of the lagoons, will see the presi-
dent of the United States lay his thumb
on button. Instantly will arse great
roar il machinery hall and the turrets
of the great building will nod as the
countless wheels begin to turn. Then
from every flagstaff banners of all ma
tions will swing loose and stream out
under the sky in scarlet. yellow and
blue.
All winter flag makers have bee
working on bunting and they have
turned out millions of feet OF colora
which will be hung upon stalls to await
the signal. Fountains in the basin will
begin to spout and sweeps of rowing
girls in macmonnie's trireme will for the
first time lie in the water. Down at the
end of the basin French's figure of RE
public" is standing, now sheathed in d
wooden case. Before Mouday the sheath
will have been removed and drapery
substituted for it. When the button is
touched this drapery will part and Re
public" will stand forth serene ami ma
jestic. All this is to be done with one
touch of the button. The work of max
ing it possible is about the highest de-
velopment of electrical science that has
been shown on the grounds. a perfect
lace Of wires was laid up to the stand
this afternoon and thence to the build
ings, fountains and the figure of Re
public"
A salute of guns will be fired when
the president reaches the ground and
probably another salute will be fred
when the machinery starts. Then Mr..
Cleveland will go straight to the Manu-
facturers' building and take his stand in
the American section. Here he will re-
ceive the commissioners Of foreign ma
tions.
Gov. Altgeld today issued proclana.
ton setting forth that in consideration
OF the national and international char
acter of the exposition and the great
event of which it is commemorative, and
the further fact of its location in the
state of Illinois, the opening day shall be
legal holiday within the limits of this
commonwealth.
Mayor Harrison will emphasize the oc-
casion with similar official declaration
applicable particularly to the .ity of
Chicago.
This afternoon the Worlds fair M.
tional commission assembled for the
initial session of its final meeting, The
Sunday opening question was the burn
ing question before them, but no dis
cussion or action was INDUCED il, to
days gathering being merely formal and
adjournment being taken till tomorrow.
1t is not the intention Of the commis-
sioners to originate the discussion OF
Sunday opening, but it is expected that
the matter will come up in the form OF Il
fresh resolution from the local directory
and will be the subject Of heated de-
bate. The matter of opening Il" fai"
evenings will also be called up.