The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-29
GREAT BELL FOR OMAHA.
Startling Proposition of Wong Chin
Foo to Exposition Authorities.

OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 26.-The most
remarkable proposition yet submitted
to the exposition has been received by
the department of exhibits from Wong
Chin Foo. Chinese commissioner for
the exposition. 1t is based on the as
sertion of Wong Chin Foo as expressed
when he was in Omaha the last time.
to the effect that the Chinese are the
most successful manipulatorS of iron
IN the world. He says his people have
methods of casting totally unknown in
this country and secure results which
the metal workers of modern civiliza-
ton never dreamed Of
This broad claim is borne out by the
rather startling nature of the PROPOSE
ton which Foo makes to the exposi-
ton management His letter. couched
In quaint language and showing lido
matte pecullarities here and there, in
brief, is this: He offers, for the sum
OF $4,000, to reproduce the famous bell
of Nankin, the great bell which was in
existence in this ancient Chinese city
2,7O0 years ago. This bell was quar-
tie" OF a mile in circumference and was
made of cast iron. Foo says a stroke
upon this monster bell could be heard
all over the state of Nebraska and he
suggests that 1t might be called the
nineteenth century bell of Nebraska.
Foo proposed to cast this giant bell
on the exposition ground. This would
require the labor of $50 skilled Chinese
mechanics from the greatest iron foun-
dry in China, whom Foo proposes to
import especially for the purpose, a
part of his proposition being that these
pen shall be allowed to go-wherever
they please after the bell is finished.
one OF the most peculiar things in
connection with Zoos proposition. and
one which gives color to his statement
that Chinese methods of casting are
entirely different from those in use in
this country, is his suggestion that the
casting of the bell be on regular days,
and he suggests that Saturday of each
week be designated for this purpose,
saying that on fifteen consecutive Sat
urdays the bell would be cast He
predicts that millions Of people from
all parts Of the world will come to see
the casting of "the cast iron bell of
Nankin.''
Foo provides that the exposition
management or the state Of Nebra ska
shall furnish the material needed in
casting this bell, and that 1t shall also
furnish $4,000 worth of machinery to
assist in the operation. He guarantees
to complete the bell one week before
the exposition closes, ito toll the clos
ing hours Of the exposition and never
to sound again until the next Fourth
of July"
In the latter part of his letter Foo
suggests schedule of the days on
which the great bell should be struck
in commemoration of some event of
great Importance. He suggests twelve
strokes on each Fourth of July, SIM
liar number of strokes on Washing
toms birthday and New Years day, ten
strokes on Lincoln's birthday, the same
on Grants birthday, twelve strokes in
celebration of the preservation of the
union in 1865. and lastly twelve strokes
on the death of each man or woman
who has brought up meritorious fam
lily, one of which has been benefac-
tor to the public and a patriot to his
country, and not one OF It's members
has wilfullv committed a wrong act
toward his neighbors."
This remarkable document will be
taken under advisement by the man
ager Of the department of exhibits