The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-28
PATHFINDER FOR PARIS.
Talk with New Commissioners for Ex-
position of 1900.
New York Mail and Express.

New York Mail and Express.
Thomas Wilbur Cridler, third assistant
secretary of state, detailed to succeed Mai
Noses P. Handy as commissioner to pre-
pare for this country's exhibits at the Paris
exposition in 1900 sails to-day for Europe.
At the Fifth-avenue Hotel yesterday he
talked with a Mail and Express reporter
about his plans and ideas. Mr.. Cridler Is a
Well-groomed gentleman OF medium height,
whose bearing indicates energy and deter
mination, of affable manner and rapid and
impressive speech. Said Mr. Cridler:
II can truly say am familiar with the
work for which i have been designated by
the President. / followed very closely
every move made by Major Handy, and the
object of my appointment is simply to carry
out the ideas and complete the work MS
death left unfinished.
Major Handy was one of my personal
friends, and was, perhaps, the best man IN
the United States to act as commissioner
to Paris for this government. can add no
tribute to his memory to what mas alreauy
been uttered by the people and press or the
country. The major had less than two
months to do his work-to secure space
and he was wonderfully successfui conslu-
ering the means and time at his disposal
"A bill was introduced by Mr.. HIT at
washington last week appropriating $lUOU'-
coo and providing for the appointment OF
nine commissioners. and this, to my mind
will answer the requirements or this gov
eminent, if the bill is passed, and think II
will be- If we are to be represented at the
exposition our exhibit should be one when
will be credit to country SO great anu
grand as ours"
SAre you familiar with PARISH" was
"Oh. yes" he replied, at have been across
several times and know Paris and her rep
resentatiye people as we'll as l know New
York But better than all else for present
purposes am familiar with every move
made in this matter by our government ana
by Major Handy. All the reports mace by
Major Handy were drawn up IN my once
and under my supervision. This was done
during the illness Of the major, ana was
with him, aiding him, day after DAY, untli l
was just as familiar as he with the WORK.
'I was designated commissioner by the
President two days after the death OF MAJ;
Handy, though it was not given out until
recently, and then only when 1t was virtual
~ forced from me-. ..
The converse ton was held In the corrldor
of the Fifth-avenue Hotel and was inter-
rupted several times by friends OF tne conf
missioner, some of whom were anxious 20
shower concentrations upon him and 9TH
ers impatient to have him accompany them
on trip which they had In contemplation
for his entertainment. .u.
YOU any new ideas which
s'Why. yes; yes, of course, have New
conditions have arisen since the death or
the former commissioner, and new ideas
naturally follow, but ] am not gong 10
make them known to the public just yet.
inv lust at this moment would amoarraSS
the execution Of them. would very VIII
inglv give the Mail and Express anything
7 felt that consistently could, but my new
Mans are not ready 10 be given to the pub
liz as vet l will say this much. My prin"
cinaI efforts will be directed toward secur-
ing space for this couptrys exhibit.