The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-06-29
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PARIS LETTER.
33 RUE CAUMARTIN, PARIS,
lima lfh 1Q00


June 4th, 1900.
1t is not agreeable to write about
the incomplete condition of the Uni
versal Exposition of Paris, but its in
completeness is the most impressive
fact about it. 1t is what everybody is
talking about. 1t is impossible to
write the exhibits while they are still
in the boxes. | take it that the sub
ject in which your readers will be most
interested is the comparison of the
American exhibits with those of other
countries. | have tried to make such
comparison but have so far been un-
able to do so because only here and
there has an exhibit in any class
been unpacked and set up. There
is much dissatisfaction and re-
elimination but, in nutshell, the
plan of the exhibition was too big an
undertaking for the time and the peo-
pie. I've talked with a large number
of exhibitors and they agree that they
cannot under existing conditions be
ready for six or eight week. When
completed it will no doubt surpass all
other exhibitions. One of the few
completed exhibits is one in the Unit
ed States section showing the total
value of the mineral productions Of
our country as compared with that Of
Great Britain, Germany, France,
Austria, Hungry, Spain, Italy and
Canada. The United States stand
first as represented by a column fully
third higher than that of Great
Britain her nearest competitor. The
other countries follow in the order
above given. The comparison is from
statistics of 1898 since which time we
have doubtless relatively more than
maintained our lead.
The Standard Oil Company has
handsome exhibit; shelves covered
with fine glass decanters showing oil
in various stages Of preparation and
of many qualities. l was surprised
to see in the object lesson showing the
petroleum production of different coun-
tries of the world the United States
barrel, while much larger than all
others, was slightly smaller than
Russia.
There is an acre or two of immense
glass show cases in which the tailors
and modiste es of Paris have competed
with one another in the richness and
elegance of their costumed wax women
but these are things for ladies to see,
envy, criticise and adore. To man
with family, they are suggestive Of
bills and bankruptcy.
1t is to be hoped there are but few
things under our flag at this exposi-
ton as quixotic rs the so-called corn
propaganda. A kitchen has been
established in the third story in an
American annex for the preparation
and free distribution of varieties of corn
bread | understand that it is under
the management of a Mr.. Snow, who
is corn enthusiast, and who hopes
by this kitchen and is free lunch
counter to propagate CORE bread
appetite or taste amongst Europeans,
and thus increase the expectation OF
this great American cereal. But as
might have been expected, only corn
bread home-sick Americans flock
around the somewhat untidy free lunch
counter 1t utterly fails to reach the
foreigner. He does not like our corn
in that way. He takes it in beef, bacon
butter, sausage. cheese, poultry, mules
and horses, and this is the way in
which we can most proftably furnish
it. If men and missionaries would
only take advantage of natural trends
and be done with silly propagandas
what mighty economy of treasure and
happiness would result.
1t gives me pleasure to write of one
side show that is not fake and about