The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-17

caused general surprise. The time in
which exhibitors have been forced to he
ready for the opening has prevented any of
the large displays OF powerful Alameda
County machinery that could be made,
but the popular verdict is that nothing but
the most practical perseverance and ex-
ecutive ability could have accomplished so
much in so short a-space OF time.
The Tabernacle and the large annex are
filled with the manufacturing exhibits of
Alameda County and teach many lessons
that could be learned in no other way.
For many years the practice has been gen.
eral of considering Alameda County as an
djunct TO San Francisco. An idea has
been prevalent that anything requiring
more art in mauufa cturing than cement
sidewalk had to be brought from San Fran
cisco or the East. But the mission OF the
Industrial Exposition is to expell these
ideas, and it has capably performed its
mission.
Although the exposition was opened at
noon, and there was promenade concert
during the afternoon. the opening exer-
cises occurred tonight. They were as
short as possible and consisted of a few
ten-minute speeches.
Prior to making speech President
Nelson read a telegram from Govern or
DuuU SeCTeldTy SldtluS lidt his IA-
cellency could not be present.
President James w. Nelson IN his OPEN
ing speech, explained briefly the purpose
and origin of the exposition. He said
The wheels of industrial progress in Oakland,
and the State for that matter have been set in
motion by the opening of this exposition to-
night What you see here is the result OF in
telligent cooperation on the part of the ladies
of the Ebell Society, the executive committee,
the daily press of Oakland, the board OF direc-
tors of the Manufacturers and Producers AS
ISOLATION of San Francisco, and many other
good people. All who have participated in or
contributed toward making this exhibition
what it is have done so for the public good.
As citizen of Oakland, experience tonight
a pardonable feeling OF pride in presiding at
the opening of this splendid display of the
efforts of Oakland and Alameda County IN the
industrial field.
with the indu of our city and county, but
/ confess that l am surprised at the number
the variety and the excellence of the display
made under this roof, and which plainly
demonstrates that the majority OF our own
people know very little OF what is going on in
their midst or of the extent and Importance OF
our home industries. And it is with this very
object in view that the promoters OF this ex-
position have labored so industrioIsly. They
wished to give the people of Alameda County
information as IL were, as to what our home
manufacturers and producers are doing-to let
them know of the work going forward and so
bring it into review that it may be known by
everybody at home as well as to attract the
attention of people abroad.
Our city has been gradually growing in i'm
portancc as a manufacturing center. We can
point to some good work done. might refer
to the rolling mills, to the Oakland Iron
Works the cotton mills, the bag factory (now,
alas! closed by change in the tariff to some of
our iron works, whose success in these dull
times has been phenomenal, to our soap works,
our large and extensive borax refinery. TO the
fact that we once had successful hosiery es-
Enlistment, to our salt works on the shore of
the bay, our great beet-sugar industry, our car
Shops our agricultural implement works, TO
our large nurseries, our vtieultural interests,
our box factory, TO our flour mills, our canned
goods establishments and many others with
which you shall become better acquainted be-
fore you leave this building.
might say that goods made in Oakland ana
Alameda County have found sale in the most
distant portions OF our country, and have stood
the best test of all tests-unrestrcted COMPETE
ton. We have had the first nail factory in the
Western world, and trust the day is not far