The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-17
MONTANA At THE FAIR.
How Opinions Differ in Regard to
the State Building at
Chicago.
Some Say It Is a Credit and
Others Hold just the
Reverse.
The Managers Kstimate That They VIII
Need About $4,000 Moro to Conn
plote Their Work.

The Montana Worlds fair building al
Chicago ia discussed bv everyone who goes
to the fair city. but there ia a lack of una
nimity as to whether it ia worth the 49, 900
1t cost. A great many people who have
seen 1t say it is worth all it cost. and while
it is small in comparison with the struct-
ures of those states that have put from
$50.O0O to $1,000 O in their state buildings,
yet 1t is a oreditable affair. excellently we'll
arranged n nicely located. On the othcr
hand. gentlemen who have visited Chicago
and retul ned to Montana have criticised
the Montana building severely. alleging
that it Is poor in design and construction
and not worth the sum paid for it.. Execu-
tive Commissioner Bickford, talking of the
matter yesterday. said many men in whose
judgment he had confidence, who had seen
the building. had expressed themselves as
greatly pleased with IL, saying 1t was worth
all tho state had paid for it.. Mr.. Bedford
snid he had written a day or two ago to
Chief Of Construction Burnhnm. of the
Worlds fair. and asked him to examine the
Montana building, and then write TO the
board and toll the members whether or nc
he thought they had been swindled in pay
ing SIS. 600 for il. Mr.. Bickford is in re-
oeipt of two letters from Chicago, giving
the views of two gentlemen on the Mon
tana building. The first is from 3. N.
Nicholson, now in charge OF the structure,
and it is as follows:
II noticed some criticisms, both in the
Montana and Chicago newspapers. regard
ing the Montana state building at the
Worlds fair. and particularly by Mayor
I;--t~ - 4s~.-I ~ 49, -.,-A-
as examining the building during the
month Of December: and who said that
such n building could be built for about
5000. If his honor can build such struc-
lures rs our Montana building at suoh
figures he can get all the contracts no
What others me ia, when did Mr.. Higgins
examine the buildlng2 Mr.. Minokler. who
had cha go hero before l came. declares he
was not around, as no one could get in our
building without his knowledge. and I am
positive Mayor Higgins did not come in
since my arrival, unless it was during the
nigh: time. ! think when Montana people
will visit tho fair they will find our build
ing will compare %favorably with any on the
grounds, and moro 30 than q great many.
OF course. it does not loom up as large as
either the New York, Massachusetts or
PENNSYLVANIA buildings. TINT cost from
1916. 600 up to $500. coo. but nevsstheless it
40 "a . AoA viz oSSuaioAl 40 Sou9S 10
secured for the money. This is also the
opinion Of a number Of contractors and
super intendents Of buildings. who are at
work on the fair grounds"
Another letter on the same subject from
Chns. X. Leonard. says:
'As | WAS returning from the east several
weeks ago l. stopped off in Chicago for a
few days and visited the Worlds fair
buildings. 1t ia a big thing and q credit
to the United States. We saw the Montana
building, and having seen some criticism in
the PAL era about it, were particular to OK
anime it and sec how much truth was in
the criticisms offered. While the appro-
~uriation would not permit of Il grand
building. l think that Il very creditable
showing has been made for the none at
hnnd. The building is neat, and when
filled with the great exhibit which is being
prot osed, will be a credit TO the state and a
place which the people of Montana can
point to with pride. l consider it superior
to u number OF the state buildings, and
thjnk that if some of its critics could sec
it they would be able to write more intelli-
gent articles about it. ] would like to see
evety citizen OF the state use his influence
to make the Montana exhibit a SUCCESS"