Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-26
Work of the Commission to the Paris
Exposition.
MORE SPACE FOR AMERICAN EXHIBITS
Progress on the Grounds and
Buildings,
COMPARED WITH CHICAGO

Mr.. ]. E. Powell. a member of the stan
of the United States board to the Paris
exposition. has returned to his desk at the
Treasury Department, after trip to Paris
He went over to investigate the electrical
part of the exhibit to be made by the
United States. Speaking of the interest
France takes in The part to be taken by
the United States. Mr.. Powell said
Interest in France in the part which
will be taken by the United States in The
exposition of 1900 is extremely great. and
the unavoidable delay in the active work
of our country's preparation for the same.
occasioned by the untimely death of Spe-
cial Commissioner Handy, has been the
cause of much concern on the part OF the
officials of the exposition, lest the short
time remaining before the opening of the
exhibition should prove insufficient for the
preparation of such exhibit as il was
believed the United States is both DESTROYS
and capable of making. This apprehen-
sion. however. has been speedily relieved
by the arrival in Paris of Ferdinand w
Peck the commissioner general of The
United States to the exposition, accom-
panied by his staff, comprising the assist
ant commissioner. Prof. Woodward, late
of Columbia College. New York: the direct
or of affairs, MIR. Paul f. Backmar of Chi
cago, and the heads of the various depart
ments Of exhibits, constituting the work.
ing force of the exposition commission.
Shortly after their arrival they were
received by the American ambassador to
France, General Horace Porter and SUBJ
seQuently duly presented to the various
administrative officials of the exposition.
The reception also accorded Mr. Peck by
the members Of the French cabinet and
the commissioner general of the EXPOSE
ton, Monsieur Picquard. was extremely
cordial. There is a sincere desire on the
part of the French officials to establish the
most amicable and cordial relations with
the American commissioner general and
his staff.
Increased Space Granted.
lone of the principal objects of the COM
missioner generals visit to Paris at this
time to secure, if possible. an increase
in the space allotted the United States. The
demand for space is great. and any
disturbance of allotments already made so
likely to cause embarrassment and compli-
cation, that little encouragement of any
success in this direction was held out TO
the commissioner general before his arrival.
On the way over q memorial to the EXPOSE
ton authorities was prepared by him. set
ting forth the requirements of the United
States in the matter of additional space
and the reasons therefor, and this was pre-
scented t. Monsieur Picquard by the COM
missioner general at his first interview
Additional reasons were subsequently ad
duced, and of satisfactory a character
that the original allowance for space has
been increased from $4,000 to 100000
square feet. This is regarded in Paris as
extraordinary concession, and is due to
the energetic action and persistent yet dip
lomatic policy of the commissioner general
1T is confidently believed, also, that per-
mission and space for the erection of a
separate United States building will also
be received. The purpose in its erection is
to provide therein state headquarters, so
that citizens of the United States visiting
Paris during the exposition will, upon their
arrival upon the grounds, find in the build
ing referred to rooms assigned to their
respective states, in charge of persons
therefrCn, who will furnish them with the
informa ton and assistance desirable up
on occasions of this character. This, for
obvious reasons, will be a very valuable
feature.
In the matter of headquarters or offices
for the commission 1t was suggested upon
their arrival that it might be desirable to
secure them either upon the Place de rOp-
era, or in close proximity. as IT constitutes
one CT the central points Of Paris, where
the street life is both Interesting and popu-
lous and where any display in the way Of
exterior decorations and advertisement
would compel attention But this location
being about two miles from the location or
the exposition, it was considered more de-
sirable, from strictly business point of
view, to locate the office in close proximity
to those of the administration of the expo
sition. and by great good fortune a very
desirable suite of rooms at an extremely
reasonable rental has been obtained at No.
20 Avenue Rapp, on the south side Of the
tiers ca the French administrative officials.
Here detailed plans of the space allotted the
various departments of United States ex-
hibits are being prepared by the commits
sion, the general work conducted. strict
business hours maint aimed and a daily gen.
eral meeting of the staff held. On their re-
turn to this country they will, 1t is believed,
have ready all the necessary data and in
formation requisite to furnish proposed ex-
hibitorS for their guidance.
The French officials seem DESTROYS to
assist in every possible way, afford every
facility and show active interest in the
progress made.
ION the 2sth Of September the entire Of
fetal staff. both administrative and execu-
tive, and also the principal architects, art
lists and engineers of the exposition, gave
a formal reception at the exposition
ground to the American commissioner and
staff, conducted them through the various
buildings in course of construction, and ex-
planned in detail the general arrangement
and special features of their construction. |
I'm regard to the concern which has
found expression in some quarters that in |
terest in thu eastern section of our coun-
try may be unntentionally Disseminated |
against by reason of the commission hav-
ing its headqr arters in Chicago. think l |
can confidently state that no just grounds 1
exist for any appre hension in this direc-
ton. 1 know that the commissioner gen. |
eral is DESTROYS of extending to every re- |
spcDsible firm, corporation, concern or in |
d:vidUal desirols of making an exhibit the /
utmost facilities without regard TO geo.
graphical or sectional considerations, hav- |
ing solely in view that which will best rep-
resent the particular class Of exhibit which /
it is proposed to make, be most creditable |
to our country and best advance the inter- |
ests which the appropriation made by Com
gress is intended to further.
Preparing the BuiIdiaKs and Grounds
Rapid progress is being mads in the
preparation of the exposition's grounds and
buildings. Some of the latter, especially |
the Palais des Beauxarts and the Palais
del 1ndustrie, are to be permanent build
inss, and, from the models which have
seen, are to be of extraordinary beauty.
The proposed new bridge across the Seine
connecting the exposition grounds which
lie on each side. and which is TO be named