The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-07-08

booth or enclosure is in exceptionally
good taste and is an artistic triumph.
The exhibits themselves are well chosen,
are widely representative and are q
credit to the state. 1t is said that more
money has been spent on this exhibit
than on any of the others. Evidently
the money has been well spent. and the
success of this exhibit. gives rise to the
suspicion that other exhibits could
have been made to shine if more money
had been spent on them.
To summarize the effect of the Min
nesota exhibits on the average specta
tor, it is only fair to say that one feels
that the state has not been effectively
advertised at St. Louis so far as exhibits
go. And as for the building, the general
verdict is that it does not help any.
The thoughtless citizen of the north
star state, disappointed over the fact
that Minnesota is lost in the immensely
of this great,show, is likely to blame the
commission. He would come nearer the
proper thing if he would begin by blam
ing himself for failing to do his part last
winter and two years ago to see that the
great state of Minnesota made an ade-
quate appropriation for fitting represen-
tation at the fair. The total appropria-
tion of 100000 was altogether too small
for a state of Minnesota's Importance,
especially in view of the fact that it is
one of the Louisiana Purchase states.
Minnesota spent $l50,000 on the Chicago
exposition, and the prices of building
material and labor have been much high
ed during the period of preparation for
the st. Louis fair than they were when
preparation was being made for Chicago
The cost of the Minnesota building well
illustrates how little can be obtained
for lot of money. That building cost
between $4,000 and $4,000, notwith-
standing reports that it cost much less.
The people of Minnesota seem to have
taken little interest in the showing the
state was to make at ST. Louis. Mem
bers of the commission report the most
discouraging apathy and lack of pub
lie spirit. There was almost no DISPOSE
ton to cooperate, no willingness to
give time, material or labor for the
sake of the state. Some states that
seem to have accomplished more with
their money than Minnesota had the
benefit of such voluntary assistance and
cooperation. The Minnesota lumbermen
showed no interest in forestry exhibit.
The university showed no interest in be-
ing represented at st. Louis; and these
two cases are typical of the attitude of
the whole state.
Then, again, some of the states and
foreign countries that make such sue
cessful exhibits, in addition to having
abundant funds may be described as pro-
fessional exhibitors. They have made
speciality of exhibitions and fairs. They
know before they begin just what they
want to do and just how to go about it.
California and Canada are cases in point.
Canada has a regular exhibition bureau
with a corps of trained experts always
ready and equipped by experience to
make effective displays. The "point" of
every Canadian exhibit at st. Louis is
plain. 1t is good advertisement of the
country. and will doubtless be the means
of interesting thousands in the Canadian
west. Minnesota is DESTROYS of securing |
immigration, but it is exceedingly doubt
full whether the exhibits at the fair will |
turn Minnesotaward the eyes of a sin
gle mover
The Minnesota commission has been |
determined from the start not to get |
into debt. This is policy that is condu-
Give to peace of mind to the commits
sioners. Other states, finding that their !
were altogether too small
to get results, have gone ahead, determ-
ined to make a good showing and trust
ing to the generosity of the next legis
lature to pay the bills over and above
the original appropriation. Minnesota,
on the contrary, has planned to use its
so as to pay every bill
as it is incurred and have enough money