The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-02-21
Paris Exposition Will Have a
Wonderful Map.
A PANORAMA OF THE CONTINENT
Clever Scheme to Open the Eyes of Europe
to Our Greatness-All Railroad Lines to
BE DispIayed-Maguific Scenic aud
Electrical Effects s. One Hundred and
Forty Feet High and Two Hundred and
Thirty Feet in Length-To Cost SI50, 900
Of The Sunday Post.

Correspondence Of The Sunday Post
Chicago, Feb. 15.-The plans for the
great joint American railway exhibit are
now nearing completion, although the pre-
liminaries were only first discussed in a
general meeting of railway officials held
at the Grand Pacific Hotel, in Chicago,
last December.
The feasibility Of every part of the plan
has been carefully tested and reported On
by experts. so that at the time Of the first
meeting almost every contingency had
been marked out. Before giving a minute
description OF the plans it may be re-
peated that the scheme to have all the
railways in the country represented in
one extensive, novel, and entertaining ex-
hibit has met with general favor, both on
account of the economy Of such a joint
form of exhibit and by reason OF the linn
tied space at Paris.
The coming together Of the representa-
tives of the trunk lines last December to
discuss the matter gave the plan its first
impetus. A committee composed of Cen
eral Passenger Agent Kniskern, OF the
Chicago and Northwestern; General Pas
senger Agent Eustis, of the Burlington;
General Passenger Agent Sebastian, Of
the Rock Island, and Assistant General
Passenger Agent Higgins, of the Santa
Fe, was then formed, which later agreed
on plan of action.
At the meeting / had with me a num-
Der OF small relief maps which helped to
demonstrate thecharacter of the undertake
ing. There were also present a Mr.. AL
brecht, a member of the Royal Geograph-
ical Society of England; Paul Wilhelmi.
a Bavarian artist. and Edward J. Barr.
al nf
these gentlemen spoke of the exhibit from
their respective standpOints, giving ii
hearty Endorsement. as did in general the
railway men present.
Mr. John II. McGibbons, Secretary 10
the United States Commissioner General
to the Paris exposition, explained the po-
sition Of the United States officials in re-
gard TO ii, and spoke strongly on the de-
STABILITY of the railway companies acting
together.
Since then the cordial, active and moral
support of the leading companies, and
railway interests as well, has given added
strength. At present a regular form of
agreement TO join in the exhibit is being
signed and approved daily by railway
companies in every part OF the United
States This active cooperation makes
possible a permanent organization at an
early date. and insures the inauguration
OF the work incidental TO the many parts
Of the exhibit
Panors ma of the Country.
The plan submitted 10 and first APP
proved by companies with headquarters
in Chicago provides for the construction
of an enormous upright, relief or profile
map Of the United States, on which all
the elevation and natural features Of the
country viii be shown in proper proper
lions and colors, with booths On each side
OF the spectatOrium for the use Of the
companies interested. The map itself Is
10 be on the scale OF one inch 10 the mile,
and will be 40 feet high and 30 feet In
length, approximately.
The route OF every line Of railway In
the country will be shown by electrical
devices. That is. b. turning button, the
route OF one road. for instance. will be
shown Ia miniature lights against back
ground Of the whole great map Of the
country. The name Of the road viii APP
pear in large letters al the front Of the
lecture platform, and while any particular
road + being displayed, nothing else but
the natural features Of The country Will
/ be seen. Meantime short entertaining
idlk VIII De Slbtlf SS4i4Ds ebDAA lssV par
gicular road. It's organization, the country
through 1TIeh IL passes, the products
and other similar information.
IL has also been suggested that a cine
matograph Ia the evening snA 4 kineto.
scope IN the day time showing moving
pictures taken from the trains. gay OF IN.
/ finer views on each road. would BE q
/ most attractive aajuncs 10 the iiigmina,
| ton and talks gwen " and concerning tbs
/ various roaes. To bring out into siil
| stronger relief the immense railroad sys
| ten Of the country. II Is proposed 20 SNOW
/ ali the trains Ia service on tie ysFioui
roads going into the plan. IN their approx
/ innate position, AZ = gwen hour o. ih'
/ day. This would be done b miniaiur,
/ franspaTeneiea-
/ The .inea are 20 be exhibited separated,
az described above. il alphabetical order