The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE..C,ont.

It was, however, not an easy task to
assemle exhibits that could O'tly illus
trate our diversified resources and man
ufactures. Singularly enov gh, our ma
tional prosperity lessened the incentive
20 exhibit. The dealer In raw mate
him; the great factories were content
ed with the phenomenal demand for
their output, not alone at home, but
also abroad. where merit had already
won a profitable trade.
Appeals had 20 be made to the pat
riotism of exhibitors to induce them to
incur OUTLAWS promising no immediate
return. This was especially the case
where 1t became needful to complete
an industrial sequence or illustrate a
class Of processes. One manufacturer
after another had to be visited and i'm
portuned, and at times. after prom
tse to exhibit In a particular section
had been obtained, il would be with
drawn, owing to pressure of trade or
ders. and new quest would have to be
made.
The installation OF exhibits. too. en-
countered many obstacles and involved
UNEXPECTED cost. The exposition was
fits opening The French transDorta-
ton lines were congested with offered
freight Belated goods had to be
hastily installed in unfinished quarters
with whatever labor could be obtained
in the prevailing confusion. Nor was
the task of the commission lightened
by the fact that, owing to the scheme
Of classification adopted, it was impos-
sible to have the entire exhibit of any
one country in the same building or
more than one group of exhibits In the
same part of any building. Our in
stallations were scattered on both sides
Of the Seine and In widely remote
suburbs of Paris 80 that additional as
sistants were needed for the work of
supervision and arrangement.
Despite all these drawbacks the con-
tribution Of the United States was not
only the largest foreign display, but
was among the earliest in place and
the most orderly in arrangement. Our
exhibits were shown in 101 out of 121
classes. and more completely covered
the entire classification than those OF
any other nation. In total number
they ranked next after those Of France,
and the attractive form In which they
were presented secured general atten-
ton.
A criterion of the extent and success
of our participation and of the thor
oughness with which our exhibits were
organized is seen in the awards grant
ed to American exhibitors by the inter-
national jury. namely, grand prizes,
240; gold medals, 597: silver medals,
TIC; bronze medals. 541, and honorable
mentions. 322-2.476 in all. being the
greatest total number given to the ex-
hibit of any exhibiting nation. as we'll
as the largest number in each grade.
This significant recognition of merit in
competition with the chosen exhibits
Of all other nations and at the hands
Of juries almost wholly made UP of rep
resentatives of France and other COM
peting countries is not only most graf
flying, but is especially valuable, since
It sets us to the front in international
questions Of supply and demand, while
the large proportion of awards in the
classes of art and artistic manufac-
lures afforded unexpected proof of the
stimulation Of national culture by the
prosperity that flows from natural
productiveness Joined to industrial ex
cellence.
Apart from the exposition several oc-
casions for showing international good
will occurred. The Inauguration in
Paris of the Lafayette monument.
presented by the school children of the
United States, and the designing Of a
commemorative coin by our mint and
the presentation of the first piece struck
to the president of the republic were
marked by appropriate ceremonies and
the Fourth OF July was especially OBJ
served in the French capital.