The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1903-02-25

noon. Feb. 18th. At the depot we
were met by delegation of repre-
sentatives of the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition and taken to the
Southern Hotel. Luncheon was
hurried. and then the Electra, the
private car of the ST. Louis Rapid
Transit Co.. whirled around to the
hotel door. 1t took our party OF Il
members but minute to board this
magnificent electric vehicle. luXu-
RANT enough for a king or queen
id arrangements and comfort, and
we were soon on our way to the eX-
position grounds, eight miles dis
tant from the Southern Hotel.
The remainder of that afternoon
was taken up in trip to and from
the grounds. and while at the ground
in conference with some Of the
leading officials at the administra
ton building-the Jefferson Uni
versity, one of the finest educational
institutions in the south-the build
ingS of which have been temporarily
turned over to the commission for
it's use in directing the construc
ton of buildings and making all
other arrangements. for the greatest
show that the people of this world
have ever seen. Col. Taylor, sup
erintendent of grounds, took up
most Of our time that afternoon in
making recommendations to the
legislative committee from the Min
nesota legislature.
First, it must be stated that NJ in
nesota has been favored in the Sc
lection of a site on the grounds. The
Missouri site was a first choice
Minnesota was the second choice.
The first was given on account of
the Missouri appropriation of one
million dollars for the erection of an
immense building for the display of
its exhibits, and in the building to
carry on during the seven moths
Of the exposition next year the most
lavish entertainment of any State in
Union. AS a result of this preferred
site Col. Taylor intimated that Min
nesota owed it to herself as we'll as
the commission, to erect a handsome
building, to cost from $50. 900 to
$40. 900. In view of the fact that
Missouri on one side and Illinois on
the other would erect buildings,
from the center of which domes
would stand out conspicuously, Col.
Taylor suggested that Minnesota
should not reach out into eXtrava-
gance with a dome building, but
let the structure be in a good plain
style of architecture, npretentious,
and after the Italian Renaissance
period, standing out like the State
itself-compactly, substantially. and
boldly in the Union sisterhood. The
building ought not to be over 125 or
100 feet over all, and not have
depth of over 20 feet over all. Col.
Taylor implied that the interior
finish ought to be got practically
for nothing, the articles borrowed
from large manufacturers, or posi-
bly, paying a small sum for rental.
1t was during this extended con-
versation with Col. Taylor that we
were told that already Arkansas, Col
orado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana,
Missouri and Oklahoma States and
single territory IN the original Lou
isiana Purchase have already ap-
propriated from 500. 900 to one mil
lion dollars each for the purpose of
erecting buildings and making a
display. Bills are now pending in
the legislatures OF nearly all these
States to increase the amount. The
legislatures of Arkansas. Maryland.
New Jersey, New York, Illinois,
Massachusetts, Mississippi, New
Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsyl-