Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-18
NEARING IT'S END
The Pan-American Exposition Will
Close on Time.
SUCCESSES AND MISTAKES
An Artistic Triumph. but Bust
ness Failure.
INJCDiCIOU@ ADVERTISING
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
BUFFALO, N. Y, October Ia, 1901.
The Pan-American exposition has but
seventeen more days to live. 1t will quietly
pass out of existence on the last of this
month.
Since the assassination of President Nc
kinney there has been persistent depres-
sion which has been broken but occasional
ly. The attendance has remained about the
same as it was during the early summer,
contrary to all expectations, for it was con-
fidently believed that the months of Sep
TENDER and October would exceed the most
enthusiastic estimates. There We're two
days recently which inspired hope-Septem-
Der y, railroad day. when III, 900 people
swarmed the grounds, and October 8, New
York state day, with turnstile record of
1900 These were, respectively, the
largest crowds since the opening.
Buffalo day will be celebrated on the 18th
instant. and the final effort toward the sue
cess OF the city's costly creation is being
made. There is abundance of good wishes
for the event, but truly sad state of col
lapse among the management, and par
ticularly the citizens.
Contrasts OF Opening and Closing.
In the history of expositions of this coun-
try it has invariably been the case, here,
that the closing scenes presented great con-
trast to the enthusiastic openings. 1t must
be understood, however, that this disap-
pointment is based only on the financial
side of the exposition. 1t is not only an
unquestionable success, but a triumph
well in the sense of an artistic achievement.
1t has also been considered 8 highly credit
able exhibition.
1t may appear somewhat Ike conducting
the last sad rites over that which still lives,
but this phase of the fair is the single one
now occupying the minds Of BuffaIonians.
1t is naturally enough bringing forth crit
icSm largely unfounded or p-ejudiced. The
just consideration OF the subject, as it APP
pears to who has been identified with
the exposition since its recognition and in
dofSement by Congress, may be summed
up in this way:
1t ably promoted, as was shown by
the undaunted spirit which kept the
movement alive during the suspension and
agitation caused by the war with Spain.
Postponement in such enterprises as in
ternational exhibitions generally results in
either abandonment greatly decreased
confidence in the public mind, serious fac
tor. 1t had about as good excuse
as any previous exposition-the furtherance
of pan-American relations politically, So
cially and commercially.
1t was well financed; a statement which
carries with it deserved credit for the man
ner in which the city of Buffalo contribute
ed, unassisted, to a plan which many other
cities would have lacked the courage to
undertake.
just Criticism.
1t was skillfully designed and constructed
But here criticism may be admitted. Did
not the work cost more than it should
have cost? Was not too much money
placed at the disposal of the artistic"
force, the experimenting director of color
the esthetic interior decorator, the statu-
airy director and others? It must be borne
in mind that the exposition was not ia
tended solely as an artistic triumph The
promised that it would be a good invest
ment They were not solicited to donate for
midsummer nights dream which the
public would enjoy for the price of the run
ming expenses. 1t was possible therefore
that too large a portion of the resources
was devoted to purposes bringing no Ie-
turn for the investment except in a very
indirect way. 1t should also be mentioned
parenthetically that the cost of erecting
the exhibition buildings is generally met
and sometimes exceeded by the receipts
from the sale of floor space and privileges
therein; while it is another story with the
funds expended on the grounds
The management was thought to be can
BILE until recently; now there is a slIs-
picion that weakness existed somewhere.
While the funds lasted all seemed well
The management apparently was equal to
building the exposition, but was not alto
gether suited to running a show on business
principles. Some one has said that it was
well enough to have artists and men of
intellectually, build the show but only
showmen should have been trusted to run
1t, If return of the investment and some
profit were expected.