The record-union., 1896-02-12

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 1.-THE
State Board of Trade met this after
noon, Vice-President Emory occupying
the chair.
The meeting was notable as being the
first held since Secretary Filcher's re-
turn from the Atlanta Exposition,
where he had charge of the California
State Boards exhibit.
1t was expected, therefore, that Mr..
Fflcher would have an interesting re-
port to make in regard to the work
done at the exposition, and the attend
ance was the larger in consequence.
The report did, in fact. constitute the
principal feature of the meeting.
Mr.. Filcher began by stating that the
sum of S., 400 in all was contributed for
the purpose of making a proper show
ing for the State at Atlanta, the Cham
Der of Commerce of this city making
the first donation, and the various
counties of the State supplying the re-
mainder. The complete list of contri-
buttons was as follows:
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce,
$3.50; Santa Clara County, $500; Stanis-
laus, 500; Yolo, 500; Contra Costa,
$3.50; Colusa, $3.50; Kern, $3.50; Napa,
$3.50; Nevada, $3.50; Alameda, $500;
Tehama, $3.50; Monterey, $3.50; Los An
geles, $3.50; Santa Barbara, $3.50;
Glenn, $3.50; Ventura, 500; San Fran
cisco, $1,000; Sonoma, $3.50; Sacra-
mento, $3.50; Solano, 500; Placer, $3.50.
A few hundred dollars additional was
contributed by banks and individuals
about the same time, but this was utiI-
lied in paying off some previously ac-
crued Indebtedness.
OF course it would have been impos-
sible, Secretary Filcher stated, to have
made anything like a fitting State dis
play with as small a sum as that named
for expenses but for the fact that there
was already in existence the State
Board Of Trades magnificent exhibit
and the further fact that the railroad
people acted very literally indeed. The
Southern Pacific transported the ex-
hibits to New Orleans and back free Of
charge, which was equivalent to an out
right gift of 3,230, while connecting
roads also also assisted in the same
manner to the extent of $500.
Mr.. Filcher devoted some attention to
the difficulties encountered in installing
the exhibit, these being the more seri-
Gus from the fact that the exposition
was to open on September 18th, which
did not afford nearly enough time for
proper preparations to be made. Prices
for labor and material in Atlanta were
very high, and it seemed impossible to
make anybody hurry. 81 soon found"
said Secretary Filcher, ''that if
wanted anything in a hurry-and gem
orally did want my supplies that way
the only sure means of getting it was to
put it under my arm or on my shoulder
and carry il to the grounds. I tried the
plan of hiring special messengers, but
found in some instances that it took
from twelve to twenty-four hours to de-
liver my purchases
All the California material had not
arrived on the opening day, neverthe-
less the exhibit was in better shape then
than any other except that of the Fed
era1 Government. Subsequently two
carloads of material were received, and
the work of arrangement proceeded for
four weeks longer, Secretary Filcher
and his assistants doing as much as
possible of it at night.
Passing over various annoyances,
some trif1ing, some more serious, en-
countered during the continuance of the
exposition, Secretary Filcher went on
in his report to comment upon the sub
stantial good done by the sending of the
exhibit to the South.
'As for the benefits that have resulted
to California, or that will result from
our exhibit and work in Atlanta he
said, they can never be told. Tt is
fair to assume that the seed sown at the
Cotton States Exposition will ripen into
fruit that will nourish all our industries
and strengthen all portions of our COM
monwealth. Some results are already
apparent, others are promised, while yet
others will arise that are not now seen,
and, in some instances, that are not
expected"
Then the Secretary went on to dwell
upon the great inquiry and demands for
California fruits and other products
which grew out of the exhibit made on
behalf of the State at the exposition. He
knew of thirty-seven carloads of such
products having been shipped to deal
ers in Atlanta during the fair, while
previously there had been little or no
demand for anything of the kind. AS
Atlanta is the great distributing point
for almost the entire South lying east
Of the Mississippi, the Importance of
the fact noted was readily to be under
stood.
added Mr. Filcher, Il believe the results
viii be even greater, relatively, than the
increase of trade. All visitors showed a
lively interest in California, and we met
hundreds who said they were going
there-expeeted to go or hoped to 60
The people from Florida particularly
showed especial interest, and, to man
almost, said they were coming to Cali
fornia as soon as they could dispose in
some way of their Florida holdings
The complete success of the California
exhibit, as such, and the number of
first-class medals won, also received
due mention in the report.
Mr.. Filcher's report was listened to
with much attention, and when finished
was duly ordered adopted and fled
During the meeting some discussion
was had relative to the desire of the
newly organized viticultural association
to establish mutually convenient rela-
tions with the State Board of Trade
but definite action on the matter was
deferred.
BUT LITTLE HOPE FOR THOMPSON.