Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-08
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
Report of United states Commits
siOner.


WASHINGTON, ID. c.. December o..
The President to-day submitted 10 Con-
gress the report of Major NJ. =. Handy,
OF Chicago, special commissioner 90 tho
Paris International Exposition. giving
details OF his plans.
In his letter OF transmission the Pres
ident says the report gives a clear and
comprehensive presentation Of the sltu-
alton. The Commissioner recommends
that an appropriation OF $4,000 be- grant
ed, SO that credltable display on
behalf OF the United States may DO
made. The President, I'm transmitting tho
report says:
Beside securing a much larger amount
Of space than had been reserved, Maloc
Handy obtained the gratifying assurance
that the United States would be placed
on a footing with the most-fayCred na-
lions. and that In the installation "
every important department the United
States would have location common
surate with the dignity and importance
OF the country, and one adjoining. Ia
every case, countries OF the FIRST rank.
In view OF the magnitude and importance
Of the approaching exposition. ana ot
our standing among the nations that
will there be represented, and In view
also of our increased population and aq
knowedged progress IN art, science, ans
manufactures, ! earnestly commend tt
report OF Major Handy 10 your consid@
ration, and trust that a liberal apprl-
prlation may he made. Moreover, thl
magnificent exhibit OF the French r.
public at Chicago, in 1888, on which a
million dollars were expended. should ba
a strong incentive 20 reciprocal literally
on the part OF the part Of the goyem'
ment OF the United States"
In his report Commissioner Handy tell+
how he took measures 10 feel the pulse
OF the American people as 10 the degree
OF interest they felt in the Paris Expo-
sition. by sending out vast number
OF circular-letterg to persons who hal
made exhibits at Chicago, or VINO might
reasonably be supposed 10 contemplate
making exhibits.
In Paris. the conditions were not ~
first auspicious. Many Of the onicihlf
were absent, and those he did meet to'f
the Commissioner how much they tet
GREETED the hardness shown by the United
States in applying for proper pace
The fact that the French Goyernmeh'
desired the exposition 10 be one OF eA-
cellence I'm quality rather than quahuV
was impressed on him, and the Mlhls'e'
OF Commerce told Mr.. Handy that tny
wished TO avoid the mere HluluP'ile.'.'
OF commonplace exhibits. visitors, no
said. ARE not interested In safdiit'
boxes and tomato-cans, however hume
rous or tastefully arranged" However,
In the end, the exposition authorizes
graciously yielded 10 Mr.. HandyS ~
quest that the space 10 be given 10 tAs
United States be enlarged, inasmuch -
we were entitled 10 as large an allotmeh
as any other nation. and more than
had In 1889, since the space at thclF as
posal was larger. Mr.. Handy oeHe'
that in the end we will be assigned aoo1
10000 square feet OF space. Already !"
years in advance Of the exposition ne ha
had application by intending exhibitor
for 1852. 500 feet. or more space than Na5
ever occupied by the United States IN any
foreign exposition.
The Commissioner strongly recommeni
that every intended exhibit be submltt'l
TO a critical inspection by the Oni'e
States Commissioner, In order to ke.p
out the commonplace. In view OF no
great preparations being made by Eur,
pean nations 10 excel in the quality oA
their exhibits.
The report abounds in suggestions looA-
ing 10 the adequate representation Oh o4'
country at the exposition.