The St. Johns herald., 1894-02-22
THE CALIFORNIA FAIR.
Now Developed Beyond Its Pro-
 jectors' Expectations.
Seventy-Five Buildings Necessary to Con- tain the Exhibiss-BeGutifuI Location Foreigners Much Interested and
 Large Attendance Expected

California's midwinter exposition, of which much has been heard in the east of late, has assumed proportions far in excess of the original plans It has grown from a mere 'bijou to an international exhibit of magnifi- cence and importance. When the idea of holding a fair on the Pacific coast first took root in the mind of M H. De Young, who was made director general, it was thought that thirty buildings would suffice, but as work progressed the plans expanded, until now it is seen that at least seventy-fve buildings will be necessary for the ex- hibits offered. The idea of holding this fair, coming so late and leaving so little time for the construction of buildings and installation of exhibits was extremely daring, but subsequent events proved that all the energy in the world was not confined to Chicago, and that beyond the Rockies it was possessed in astonishing abundance. Indeed, when the gates shall be thrown open January 1, 1894, the record for quick work will have been demolished.
 Persons living in the east and un- acquainted with the climate of Cali fornia should not be misled by the term ''midwinter'' used in the name of the proposed exposition.
 There will be no ice palaces or to- began slides, but, surrounded by the semi-tropic vegetation of one of the most beautiful parks in the world, the exposition will give the inhabitants of the temperate zone an opportunity to escape the rigors of an eastern and northern winter, to enjoy the balm exhaled by the Pacific's warm Japanese current, and at the same time to feast their eyes on the earth's choicest pro- auctions tastefully arranged. The word 'midwinter," therefore, is a contradistinctive term intended to show that such great enterprise, much of it to be appreciated only in the open air, can be carried on com fortably in San Francisco while the rest of the North American continent shivers with cold.
 The success of the enterprise is as sured, for it will receive the support of the entire population of the liberal and patriotic Pacific slope, but beyond this there will be the assistance of thou sands of visitors from the east. The regular influx of eastern tourists in the winter season numbers about sixty thousand persons, and with the added attraction of an international exposi- tion these figures should be doubled. When the turnstiles revolve for the first time on New Years day just one million dollars will have been spent. It would be strange, indeed, if at the expiration of the six months in which the fair will be open every day the million expended should not be taken in and enough more to pay the running expenses and leave cash surplus. if the books shall show an even balance on the last day the managers will be perfectly satisfied, as they will deem themselves amply repaid with the advertising their section will have received.
 These enterprising Californians are particularly fortunate in this latest enterprise of theirs. In the first place, nature is kind to them. It is in the winter that their roses bloom in great est profusion, that their palms take on their brightest hue and their golden fruit ripens. The advantages of such climate cannot be enumerated in one brief article. They offer inducements from any standpoint that may be con- sidered, whether for health. rest, pleas ure, education or work, and taken in connection with the proposed exhibi- tion, cannot be over-estimated. An other big factor faToring the pro- motors of the exposition is that the Columbian exposition closed just at time when they could get the choicest exhibits for their own show. They found the best displays, both foreign and domestic, ready made and the managers thereof anxious to coop crate. This insures pretty and com pact exposition-more so, perhaps, than any ever held.
 Another thing in favor of the fair is that there will be no dual government. All the powers, executive and admins trative, are centralized in a few men, who act in harmony and work cheer fully under one chief. Chicago taught a valuable lesson in that respect.
 Every phase of California life will be portrayed, and even the reptilian life of the deserts will be brought out. The picturesqueness of the fair will be materially enhanced by its lighting, and the liberal use of electricity will form prominent part. Some entirely new effects never before attempted will be produced, and much money will be expended in that direction. Tie plan adopted consists of thousands upon thousands of electric lights of all colors gleaming as canopy of fire over the ground court, with immense columns, arches, and avenues of light stretched through the darkness. Glistening fairy lights will dance in the branches of the trees, and Straw berry hill will be literally covered with tiny flames.
 This is only faint outline of what