The San Francisco call., 1898-12-28
Mechanics Institute Formulating Plans.
TO ASK GOVERNMENT AID
WILL EXHIBIT RESOURCES OF
 PHILIPPINES AND CUBA.
Appointment of a Special Commis- sion to Make Collections in Our New Possessions for the
 Exposition.

Preliminary plans are now being formu- lated by the Mechanics Institute for the holding Of a gigantic Colonial Fair at the Mechanics Pavilion in this city in Septem- Der, 1898. to continue for Q period Of three months.
 The fair will be entirely confined to the exhibition of the resources of our newly acquired possessions, the Philip pines and Cuba, and will also include those of the countries Of Central America contiguous to the proposed Nlcaraguan canal.
 The intended exposition will be one of such magnitude, and at this opportune time Of so great national interest, that the aid of the United States Government will be invoked, and this 1t is believed will be forthcoming. Congress will be asked 10 appropriate sum sufficient to cover the appointment of a special com mission who will visit the colonies men tioued and make collections of every ds- scription for purpose of exhibition in other countries. Provision will also be made for the transportation of the collections, and also of the natives required for the purposes intended.
 The undertaking is much too great for the Mechanics Institute to bring it's suc- cessful accomplishment about unaided- The proposition of governmental aid Is not new OIEr dIl1 the instance Is ClLE4 of the Philadelphia Museum in Pennsyl- vania, a private institution partly SUD- ported by the State Congress has ap- prOpiated s350 GOO for a commission which has been sent to China and Japan to study Oriental commercial conditions, with a view of bringing about substau- tial results. While so large sum will not be required for the commission to our new colonies, still the expense would be too great to be borne by a single institu- tion. The argument that the proposed character will, no doubt. be eTectuaI in enrolling the aid of Congress.
 F. A. Denicke, president of the Me chanics' Institute, is enthusiastic in re- gard to the movement on foot, and in an Interview last night said:
 "'The idea of a colonial fair originated with the Mechanics Institute, but we realize that the plans cannot have sue cessful fruitiou without outside aid. In order to get governmental support we are especiaLk desirOus of enltstug the assist ance of the commercial bodies of this city. 1 refer to such organizations as the Chamber of Commerce. Manufacturers and Producers Association. Associated Industries, Board of Trade and other kin dred bodies Tn a few days communfca- tiOus will be sent to them. setting forth our intention and views on the subject and requesting their earnest co-opera-
 we have already begun preliminary work by writing letters to Lieutenant Perry Hayne. of the State University, who is now in Manila making researches into the agricultural and YiticuItural pos abilities Of that country. The intention is to get some one to collect material and data that will be of use in future tnvestt- gations. 4 MT. Cole, who is also in Man. la. has been similarly addressed
 Tn this connection I will say that we would like to engage the moral support of the University of California, for we be- lIeve 1t would be invaluable.
 AS 10 where the fair will be held, I judge the Mechanics Pavilion to be the most available place, but in the event of 1t proving too small. we have large lot at Seventeenth and Folsom streets which I am sure will meet all requirements
 The resources of Cuba and the Philip pines are almost unlimited and an exposi- ton of them would be of great value in enterprises looking forward to their devel- oument. We would also exhibit the na- tfves in their mode of life and their ua- tfoual characteristics. We are sure that the Colonial Fair will attract widespread