The record-union., 1897-10-28
FOREIGN MARKETS.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE ham,
BURG EXPOSITION.
Commissioners j. A. FiIcher Re-
ports on Condition of Our
Trade in Germany.

]. a. Filcher, Secretary and Manager
Of the State Board of Trade, who, while
IN Hamburg recently. in charge Of the
California exhibit at the exposition in
the German seaport, made a thorough
study Of the foreign markets for Califor-
MA products, has given to the public an
interesting article, from which we take
the following:
Pursuant to an Act of the last Leg
1slature making an appropriation OF
$4,000 from the State Treasury, for the
purpose of collecting, transporting, IN
stalling and maintaining an exhibit OF
California products at the international
horticultural Exposition to be held In
Hamburg, Germany, for six months
from May 1, 1897, and providing for the
appointment Of three commissioners
from this State to carry out the work
directed in said Act. it was the Cover
nor's pleasure to name as such commits
sioners Henry T. Fortmann OF
San Francisco, Robert Hector of New
castle, and ]. A. Filcher.
Immediately upon the receipt of their
commissions, the said gentlemen pro-
ceeded to organize by the election of Mr..
Fortmann as President and Mr.. Fitch
er as Secretary and Manager.
Previous to the appointment of the
commission, the State Board Of Trade,
which early saw the value of an exhib-
it at Hamburg, and which body it was
that asked the Legislature for an ap-
preparation to defray the expenses of
the same, had collected and forwarded,
aided by the generous assistance of GER
tain shippers and growers, and by 9TH
er organizations, such material as would
make a creditable display in Germany
of California's horticultural, vitcultur-
al and cereal products.
Hence, after the organization of the
commission, there was nothing for the
Secretary and Manager to do but pro-
ceed at once to Hamburg, receive the
material on it's arrival there and install
it for exhibition.
It is in regard to the work and con-
ditions there and the facts and impress
sions gained by me while in Germany in
reference to the effects of our exhibit in
that country as an agent in increasing
interest abroad in our State and stimu-
lating the demand in Europe for our
products, that I shall assume to speak.
In the first place, let me say in be-
half of the Governor who approved the
appropriation for the expense of the ex-
hibit, on behalf of the Legislature that
made it, and on behalf of the people OF
California who pay it, that in proper
1ion to the cost the making Of an exhib-
it at Hamburg bids fair to prove one
of the wisest moves and best invest
ments ever made in similar line of
work by the State of California
A GOOD EXHIBIT.
We had a good exhibit there, consist
sng of a full line of all varieties of dried
fruits, canned fruits, conserved fruits,
raisins, nuts, wines, oils, honey, cereals,
etc, with some samples OF our woods,
and plenty of pictures Of California
products and views of California
scenery to embellish the display. Our
space consisted of nearly 1000 square
feet, in a conspicuous location in one of
the best buildings, was handsomely dec
GRATED in appropriate colors and the ma
terial constituting the exhibit was so
arranged as to produce the best effect
and at the same time preserve the iden-
1ity of each separate exhibitor. AS
completed, California had easily the
1dl EGSAr DEob anu 4IhOol al AAoAAN C<AAAACAS
in its class at Germany's great six
months Horticultural show. This state
ment is confirmed by the fact that on
the 1st of August the Board of Judges
conferred on California the highest hon
or by awarding to US the big gold medal
for the best display of Industrial prod
ucts at the exposition.
Harburg, just across the Elbe River,
and Altoona, Immediately to the west,
are practically one community with
Hamburg. The three municipalities
embrace more than a million souls. At
a point central to this vast number of
people is located the beautiful park that
for the time being was utilized for ex-
position grounds. The attractions at
the fair being varied and great and the
price of admission being nominal, it
naturally follows that the attendance
was large. Notwithstanding the heavy
expense necessary to prepare and carry
on such a show, the exposition manage
nent at the end of the first three months
claimed to have a surplus over and
above all expenditures up to that time
of about 100000. Some days the at
tendance exceeded 100000 people, and
the average since the gates were first
opened, I understand, was something
more than 10000. This number of peo-
pie made the scene within the inclosure
constantly one of life, interest and ami
NATION. But no matter how crowded
the walks, the aisles or the buildings it
was noticeable that at no point did the
people gather thicker or linger longer
than in front of the California exhibit.
All admired it and all praised it, and
those who were dealing in such prod
ucts, whether from Hamburg or else
where in Europe, would linger and in
spect, and refuse to leave until the at
tendants in charge could find time to
answer at least some of the many ques-
tions which they propounded of a char
acter going to show the lively interest
that the display had awakened in them,
not only in regard to the fruits, but in
the State where they were grown and