The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-16
THE UNITED STATES AT PARIS.

The United States are spending money
literally on their exhibits at the Paris
Exposition. Are they making a creditable
show? Many Americans who have Wis
Ted the Exposition have expressed dis
appointmen that their country did net ap-
pear more prominently al the great fair.
Possibly their laudable love of country led
them to expect the American part of the
affair to be pretty much the whole show,
and when they found that there were
others" they were sore and chagrined.
They had not previously paid a great deal
Of attention to Italy, Austria, Switzer-
land, Russia, etc, and when they got to
Paris and found that these countries were
represented by beautiful pavilions stock
ed wi h splendid exhibits of all sorts, and
that tho United States pavilion did not
loom above everything else. they regarded
IT as in measure a personal afront and
refused to be reconciled,
1t seems to be the opinion of experience
ed and Intelligent observers however, that
the United S ates are making a most ex-
cellent showing It is true that we are
not equal to some OF the older countries
in the fine arts. The paintings and stat
usry of Italy and France may surpass
ours, and the European tapestries and
pottery may be more artistic than any
thing we are now producing But we are
not far behind in even those matters
Meanwhile we are in the lead in those
articles which indicate industrial achieve
ment and prosperity.
The United States now produce more
iron and steel than any other country
in the world, and their output of copper
equals about 60 per cent of the worlds
supply. And in the working of these
metals the United States take the lead
The finest examples of wrought iron work
are said to be among the American ex-
hihits while the American machinery, of
all sorts. is regarded as being the most
perfect, symmetrical and efficient on the
grounds. The collection of minerals and
metals from the United States is said to
be one of the most satisfactory ever
gathered together,a and the data going with
the exhibit set forth the astonishing
richness of this country in the articles
shown OF the Southern states, Alabama
is the best represented at Paris. possibly.
This is on account of her great iron, steel
and coal interests and the fact that she
is becoming the prce-maker for the
world in these products The Alabama
iron in Paris, it is said will compare ia
vorably with any other; even with that
Of W MI no bo
tation cf being the purest and best in the
world The copper of Michigan. the zinc
of Missouri the bauxite of North Carolina
ard other commercial metals besides the
precious metals from various states, are
all represented at Paris. In machinery
and electrical apparatus the United States
are in advance Of all competitors Amerf
can locomotives, dynamos. motors. light
ing plants, etc. are the wonder and ad-
mration Of all professional observers. II
has been reported that much of the Amer
lean machinery and apparatus at the ex-
position will not recross the ocean after
the big fair; that it has been bargained
for by Europeans who wish to install It
in their manufacturing es Adjustments.
Building materials occupy a prominent
place at the exposition, and in these the
United ates stand at the front No
country has a richer and more varied
selection cf woods, and none has carried
the art Of employing metals and minerals
In building to higher perfection There
are several models showing how Ameri-
cans build houses with steel frames and
Stone or brick shells, Illustrating Ameri-
can ideas that are in advance Of those of
European architects.
We cannot yet compete with France in
heavy silks. but in light silks it is said
the products of Paterson are the equal Of
those Of Lyons, while in the matter of
cottons. wooens linens, etc, there is
nothing better to be found anywhere in
the exposition than the exhibits sent from
mills in Lowell. Providence, Fan River
and other American textile manufactur-
ing centers. Trenton, too, has sent pot
terry that IS not far. II at ALL behind the
pottery of Limoges and Sevres. on the
whole there are reasons for feeling proud
of the showing that Dis being made at the
exposition by the United States.