Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-03
WORK BEGUN
For tho w. rId's Exposition Il Paris In 1900.

Work has actually been begun on the
grounds where the year 1900 Will see the
Paris exposition. the greatest snow, py
long Odds that has ever been offered to
the public Of the world, says the N. y.
Herald. The spot chosen for the site ts
one partially covered with buildings. and
most of these are now In course OF DEM
clifton. In their place will rise pleasure
city that will outrank those of the tales
OF the arabian Nights"
No city anywhere. not even In the Uni
ted States. contains In Its centre an area
Of land equally available for exposition
purposes. When you stop to consider
that this wonderful show rs to be held
not In the outskirts OF this, one Of the
oldest and most beautiful Of the Euro
pean centres of population. but IN the
very heart Thereof, you will be able to
form an adequate idea of the first step
toward the construction OF what the "a
risians claim will astonish all mankind
The site for the exposition includes the
public grounds on both sides Of the Seine
from the Place de la Concord. that great
monumental square III the citys centre,
to point beyond the Pont dJena. This
includes in its sweep of territory the
Champs de Mars, the TrOcadero Palace
and park. which was the site Of the ex-
position of 1Ss9}the Esplanade des In
valides. the QuaY d'Orsay. the Quai de la
Conference. the Cour la RENE and a
large section of the Champs Elysees. this
latter including the site OF the Palace OF
Industry which was the International ex-
position of 1855. the first of the series Of
French expositions.
1t really seems as II every ingenious
schemer the world over has been devot-
ing himself TO making suggestions for
striking features for the exposition.
There Is the marvellous city in the air
to be sustained by a gigantic balloon.
The city Is to drop down to the ground
at convenient intervals and take aboard
mob a1f IN 10 t.tf
be inclined to thus rise in the world. or
to permit the debarkation of persons who
are tired of remaining so long within one
citys limits.
The woman's building. which has prac-
tically been decided upon, Is likely TO be
in the form of a composite head, this
head being made In accordance with
composite picture of the most beautifui
women in the world. The head is TO
possess many unique features. besides
containing all sorts of comforts-from
the rooms. where women may gossip In
easy chairs. to the restaurant, where
they will gam at the same time new ideas
and excellent meals.
One of the most unique ideas submitted
was that of a gigantic fountain TO be
placed in the centre of great basin or
lake Tremendous force is TO be applied
to the jets. forcing them to height OF
200 feet.
The Herald has already described at
way. the gigantic telescope and other big
features of the exposition. Among the
other propositions presented. and there
have been $50 of them. is a palace for the
accommodation of the public In general,
Il gorgeous affair. which. IL is declared.
shall contain everything that heart could
wish and money can buy.
Then there will be an exhibition OF the
works of man from an early period up
TO date This will apply particularly to
~ NOT n 10 inNantinnS of r.
lists. and will include portraits. statuary.
manuscripts, &c. A two hundred ton
clock Is under consideration. A wine vat
that will hold $500 gallons is another
suggestion. Mines and geological exhib-
its without number are among the plans
submitted. Camille Flammarion. the IA
nous astronomer. wants a tremendous
moon constructed, around which those
who desire shall circulate in balloon.
As for theatres. panoramas ana other
amusements, there are suggestions with
out number. OF course, 1t is proposed to
have the passion play. Another idea Is
to have a submarine theatre. Then
comes the usual Alpine panorama and
another which it is alleged will repre-
sent the mysteries of the ocean.
The doings of the recent expedition of
the French to Madagascar are what
some one wishes to exploit on canvas.
And SO 1t goes.
The entries have now closed, and the
members of the exposition committee
must deliberate over what is before them.
While eighty-four suggestions have been
held to be worthy of consideration really
not more than sixty-one of these projects
are at all in accordance with the general
plan of the exposition. One OF the COM
missioners has gone so far as to say that
only twenty-three of them are at all ap-
propriate but this question must be set
tied by the commissioners as a whole
To fully appreciate the immense
amount of labor required to place the
site of the exposition in proper condition
for the beginning of the erection of the
buildings. it must DE understood that the
work which is now in progress is simply
the first step-the demolition of the build
ings which now cover the site. This is
one of the facts which indicate the de-
termination of France to excel the world
Never before has an immense section of
a city's heart been torn to pieces in an
effort to provide room for an attraction
IF sufficient magnitude to make this busy
world pause and wonder.
While all the details of the architecture