The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-02-12

marka5le for the diversified styles and
beauty Of their architecture as they are
for the marvellous CELEBRITY with which
they were designed and erected This
is wherein the AIidwinter exposition sur
passes ali the exhibitions of an inter
national character ever held anywhere.
Tt was conceived. planned and called
into being within few months, where
as the most expeditions of other EXPOSE
tions required years Of planning and
preparation before they We're ready for
the reception Of visitors
California had one superlative advan-
tare in the fact that there We're gathered
in Chicago thousands Of exhibitors who
were wiling to take advantage Of an OPS
portunitv 10 show their products and PEI
culiarit5es elsewhere before returning to
their PARKWAY homes. But that advan-
tage was Cadfornia's only because She
seized st. and might have Injured TO the
benefit Of New York or Boston had either
of those places spoken first.
That California was so quick to seize
the advantage was primarily and almost
entirely due to the foresight and sagacity
Of one man. M. 81. de Y Dung. proprietor
of the San Francisco Chronicle, who was
one of the California members of the CO..
lum bian national commission and vice
president of that body. HE conceived
the idea while attending the Chicago
fair. thought 1t over for a few hours till
he decided it was feasible, talked it over
with few Of has fellow commissioners
till they agreed with him and then called
a meeting Of prominent Californians ia
Chicago and submitted the matter to
them They all laughed at him at first,
but before he was through talking they
had subscribed 900 to the scheme,
and the Nidwinter exposition was then
launched.
That was III June last. and the magical
Sunset City has grown up since then lii
all its completeness and beauty Mr. de
y Dung IS president and director general
of it's aestinles and the ablest and most
public spirited of Caifornia's citizens
are united with him in the work. They
have not only seemed to deserve success.
but actually to com mand it. Ut VIII not
be found ia any American heart to with
hold from them a need of admiration
and praise.
The bare narration of these facts is
sufficient to show Mr.. de Y oung's great
executive ability. The history OF bis pa
per, The Chronicle, gives another illus
tration Of t. lie and lis brother Charles.
both mere boys, in 1860 started a daily
theatrical programme called The Dra-
matte Chronicle on a borrowed capital
of $50. The little sheet was distributed
gratuitously but the young editors made
it bright and newsv. and before long III
dropped its distinctive dramatic quality
and entered the field of regular journal
ism Today it IS safe To say it pays
fair income on q valuation of So, 600 900.
Not many people know that AIr. de
= oung IS responsi bic for the huge Manu-
features building at the Column bian ex-
position. 1T IS a fact, however, and st IL
Illustrates the peculiar bent Of his genius.
When the national commission was CON
sidering the plans for the great structures,
it came very near adopting one for the
Manufactures building which devoted a
large space in the center TO an open court.
But it was soon found there would not be
near enough room for the exhibits which
were then assured.
Here was d dilemma What was t0
be doneT Dir. de Dung suggested roof
Ing over the central court. Impossible.
The span was too great. He Is not fond
of admitting impossibihties and thought
his suggestion perfectly practicable. The
event proved that he was right and gave
to the world the grandesb piece Of archi-
lecture it ever saw The world would
net be worse of if it had more such
men. H. T. WHITE