The San Francisco call., 1898-02-21
THE PROFITS OF AN EXPOSITION.

~ ORDEAL voices of approval have come from 1 all parts of the Great West in response to the W suggestion of The Call that the year 1900 be marked on this coast by exposition in San Fran cisco of the first magnitude So many officials of high rank including the Governors of several States, and so many leaders of great industries have ln- dorsed the proposal and given promise of aid that the movement may be said be virtually under way, and the duty of the time is to keep 1t moving and get the project as speedily as possible into definite form and shape.
 Last year an Austrian statistician made public a careful study of the results of all important exposi tions that had been held up to that time in Europe and America The figures cited in the study showed that with but exception all expostons of suffi- cent merit and importance to attract general atten- ton had proven successful from every point of view, and even the excepted was successful when con sdered as of nstructng the people in arts and industry and developing foreign commerce.
 The conclusion drawn from this comprehensive study of the subject that all well managed ex- positions are good business ventures. They awaker the energies of the people, stimulate industry, spread abroad knowledge of the advancement made in the arts of civilization, emulation and encourage trade and commerce in thousand ways. The effect of novelty in exciting the mind and increasing the activity of the intellect is well known, and no ex- position which draws exhibits from wide area of territory fails to furnish to each visitor some novelty of sufficient interest to awaken in him de- sire for improvement and advancement.
 An increase of desire causes an increase of con sumption, and that in turn increases production to meet the demand. When money circulates the mill wheels go round. If San Francisco can draw to the Pacific Coast considerable number of people to see grand exposition of the and industries of the region she will that extent benefit the whole
 legion, for with greater knowledge of the products of the and of the advantages offered here for home seekers and investors there will surely greater demand for them and a consequent profit to all
 In interview commenting the proposed expo sition W. H. Mills stated that California had ex- pended about $7ooooo to make exhibit at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, but that $5 ooo- GOO would be low estimate of the amount spent by Californians in visiting the fair. Thus the sum we paid out to see the fair nearly ten times greater than that required to make our exhibit at it. It is therefore an economy to hold expositions at home instead of visiting those abroad As Mir. Mills has said "If an attractive exposition were projected and proved financial failure it would not cost this com monweath anything like the sums which will be expended in attending expositions elsewhere"
 Upon whatsoever ground considered the proposed enterprise is one that comments itself to the udg- ment of progressive business men. As has been pointed out by M. H. de Young the very fact that within fifty years from the date of its occupation by Americans California has been made to produce an income of $25o ,ooo in year is to which we may with pride call the attention of the entire country. In this superb record the whole of the Great West has share and it is well assured that il San Francisco and California go forward promptly with the enterprise the other States of this rapidly growing region of the Union will unite with her tc make it genuine triumph and share with her the profits arising from it.