The herald., 1893-07-02
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON TOP.
1t Is Making a Fine Exhibit
at the Worlds Fair.
Frank Wiggins Ceases His Wailings
and Brags.
A Letter About the Fair Which Indi-
Lcates Good Prospects for This Part
of the World-Chamber OF
Commerce Matters.

Ialr le cOntluu8lly In Lne a6ceuu6nt, ana
according to Mr.. Frank Wiggin's recent
letter to the secretary of the chamber OF
commerce, it is the chief constellation
OF the whole galaxy, and is running the
fair itself.
The letter is under date of June Goth,
and was written shortly after the news
of the local banks closing had been re-
ceived at Chicago. Mr.. Virgins states
that the visitors who attended the fair
expressed no anxiety over tho financial
situation here. They regarded it az
nothing unusual, as the came panic had
been touring over the country and they
were not surprised at its arrival on the
Pacific coast. They expressed them
selves as quite satisfied with the general
situation, and said they were just as
willing to risk it in California as in any
other place. The onlv people asking
about it were those from Los Angeles.
The intended settler and home seeker
felt no anxiety whatever.
The California building is crowded
every day, and the remark is heard on
every side that California is spread all
over the grounds and in reality ia run
ming the fair. The show is worth q
million dollars month to this country,
and every effort should be made to
maintain the excellent start. They are
compelled to do a great portion of the
work at night, as they are kept busy an.
swering the various questions during the
day.
A general resume of the esteem in
which the California exhibit is held at
Chicago is told by Mr.. Virgins in the
following words:
1--WE will complete filling our forms
with the fresh oranges tomorrow, and
am proud to cay that they attract more
attention than ever. will tell you what
it is, am in favor of straining every
nerve and sacrificing every other
feature in order that we may
keep up this ever-pleasipg and attractive
exhibit. Who ever heard OF running a
citrus fair at this season of the year,
Still going, with the prospect of keeping
fruit growers of this country stir with
envy while looking at our golden show.
There is illinois, Michigan, Minnesota,
New York, Iowa, New Jersey, who have
an immense exhibit of apples and ber-
ries which stand between our exhibits
in the horticultural hall which appear
to attract little or no attention as COM
pared with ours, and the HERALD of
yesterday. in referring to them, speaks
of "the dreary waste between the two
ends o. California's orange display"
"Our little orange grove is coming in
for it's share of the compliments, ae the
trees are coming out finely and the new
blossoms are beginning to set. The
hedge is also coming out nicely, making
the little court very attractive.
"Your reply to my telegram relative
to the bank trouble was quite relief to
me as was unable to quiet the fears Of
scores of people who called ON me
hourly for information relative to the
various banks in Southern California.
From the hour that the message came
that the banks in Los Angeles were fail
ing, until your message was received,
we were fairly showed under by anxious
Southern California residents. They
came from everywhere, down town, out
OF town and everywhere else, straight to
the California building for the latest
news. tried to quiet their fears and
told them that it would all be right and
knew it would only be temporary, but
until received word from you they
would not be satisfied"
Recently the chamber of commerce
sent circulars to its members to obtain
expressions from them in regard to hsv-
ing special excursion under the
auspices of the chamber to Chicago
sometime in September. Ninety an
swers have been received. Sixty of
these signifed their willingness to help
compose the excursion. They give the
ties, which altogether foot up to 140 per-
eona xr,Io mill ro Tho ofbor Q0 M
90. There are about 500 more members
to hear from and it is probable that the
excursion will carry over 200 persons to
Chicago. Five of the 80 said they
might go if the rates were lower. In
fact every one thought the same way.
The route has not yet been selected,
however, but will probably be by the
one which affords the best rates.
A large percentage of those going
state they will desire hotel accommoda-
tions. One fellow remarks that he ex-
poets. to sponge on his friends. Others
will 90 if they can take the baby along.
One man very naively sums up his con-
dition in the good, wholesome American
word, 'busted."
The recent action of the state
worlds fair commissioners in shutting
down on paying the freight on fruit and
vegetables to Chicago for exhibit, is in
line with their general foolish policy.
On May 31st, circular signed by the
president, Irving M. Scott, and ad-
dressed to tho fruit and vegetable grow
ers was issued. In it the commissioners
exhorted the growers upon the advan-
tages to be derived from good exhibits
at the fai., and especially urged them
to send fruit and vegetables Cor exhibit.
Their reference to the freight charges
was slightly ambiguous. They stated
they could pay for the refrigerating and
freight and be reimbursed out OF the
sales of the fruit. But they further rec.
commended that it would be better for
the counties to prepay the expenses.
Acting in harmony with the apparent
good faith of the commissioners, the
fruit growers and others began shipping
large amount of material to the fair.
A carload was being sent from the south
ern section every 10 days.
By this action the various counties are
put to some embarrassment and the
shipments will probably be largely re-
duced. Los Angeles county generally
sent about three fifths OF the contents of
each car, the balance being divided
among the remaining counties. Some
of them have run out Of money now and
will be unable to share the expense with
Los Angeles county 30 affairs are at a