, 1897-10-16
TRANSMIssIss1PP1 EXPOSITION.
Buildings Are Being Rapidly Pushed to
Completion.

Omaha, Neb., Oct. 15.-All save one
o. the larger exposition buildings are UNI
der contract and the work OF construc-
ton is being pushed with vigor. Con-
ditions have been most favorable and
the contractors, being under heavy
bonds for h prompt performance OF
their contracts, are determined to en-
o the great structure before rough
winter weather shall overtake them.
The grounds present a busy scene. Hun
dreds OF mechanics and laborers are en-
structures Of the buildings ranged along
either side OF the basin between Sherman
avenue and Twenty-fourth street. The
manufactures building is rapidly assum-
ing form and within a month the high
Ideal Of the architect will have been real
lied In the massive proportions OF this
completed structure. The administra-
ton building will within a week or two
be ready for occupancy by the officials
OF the department OF buildings and
grounds. The administration arch is
designed in the free classic" which
dominates all the buildings OF the main
court and forms the central figure OF the
group OF buildings facing the basin.
The material for the mines and min
ing building is all on the ground and
the work OF construction is progressing
rapidly. 1t will be finished December
l. Constructs for the machinery and
electricity building, the agriculture build
Ing and the liberal arts building call
for their completion in January. Plans
FOR the government building. which will
stand at the west end OF the grand court,
facing east, are nearly ready for bids.
The fine arts building. the auditorium
and the arch OF states. which will be
erected on the south line OF the exposi,
ton grounds at the intersection OF
Twentieth street. are not yet under con-
bids. The various annexes and build
irgs Of lesser degree o. enumerated
shove are not yet designed but they will
be noteworthy from an architectural
point OF view.
The bluff tract, which adjoins the
main portion OF the exposition grounds
on the east, has been set apart for the
Nebraska state building, the horticul-
ture, dairy. apiary. poultry, live stock
and other buildings of like character.
The boys and girls building, and the
Illinois and Iowa buildings will be To-
Gated on this tract near the viaduct
across Sherman avenue. connecting the
bluff and the Kountze tracts.
Work on the Nebraska state builimg
Is o under way and the plans OF the
horticulture building, which, arohitec-
turally, will be the finest building on The
bluff tract, are ready for the bidders.
The contract will be let at the earliest
possible day. The supervising architect
Of the government assures the managers
Of the exposition that the structure will
be enclosed this fall. in order that the
mechanics may continue with the inter-
ior construction during the winter
months.
Under the contracts made for the con-
struction OF the larger buildings OF the
exposition, the work must be completed
not later than February LIST, which win
AFFORD ample time for the placing OF ex-
hibits prior to the opening day, June 1,
1898.
The basin, which extends for half a
mile between Sherman avenue and
Twenty-fouruh street, is finished and
now contains about three feet Of water.
A complete system of sewerage for sani,
tary purposes and a water system have
been provided. A constant daily supply
Of water is conveyed into the grounds.
The grading is almost finished and the
landscape architect has been instructed
to proceed at once with the execution OF
his plans for identifying the grounds.
The estimated expenditures for prepar.
alton and establishment OF the grounds
and the construction OF buildings ap-
proximate ST. 0 900.