The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-12-02

udy al the worlds Fair. All ceredI anu
Iruit exhibits in the Palaces OF Agrieul-
ture and Horticulture were deemed
legitimate prey by the mob. and Call
fornia was expected to supply the most
plunder. The exhibitors from that State
mao put everything of value out of
sight. Everything detachable that re-
NAMED In view was swept away.
me oranges and peanuts used in
decorating the pillars of the facade
were stripped off clean as far as hands
could reach. Some of the oranges were
three months old, and the peanuts had
peen there ever since the fair opened.
Everything In the way of a cereal
throughout the exhibit was snatched.
Wen-dressed women struggled for
punches Of dust-covered barley or
wheat; heads of kaffir corn were great
prizes, while a pampas plume was to
De 1ought for. Hordes of school chill
did not deem worth while carrying
away, but that was very little.
some small jars of processed vegeta-
bles were stolen. The contents may
benef1t some doctor financially. One
woman started away from the Califor-
MA building with a pillow, and seemed
surprised when made to give 1t I'D.
There was an unusual jam all day
long at the San Francisco building.
Tomorrow the hammers will ring
among the exhibits, and the Califor-
mans VIII race TO see who gets home
first.
Now that the great exposition has
closed its seven months of gigantic ex-
istence and is ready to bow itself be-
fore the ak Of the wrecker, all those
who have labored within its gates for
the good Of California have a feeling of
pride when they look back upon their
work and contemplate the results 1t has
produced and will produce. California
has a right to be proud of these repre-
sentatives and should be gratified at
what they have wrought. A resume of
the efforts put forth here by the various
representatives of California shows
only that which is creditable and
praiseworthy-shows only. results that
are pleasing. They have all worked
earnestly and intelligently. and every
section of the Golden State, from the
northern to the southern boundary
will feel the results and acquire more
population and wealth.
The California State commissioners,
]. A. Filcher and Frank Virgins, while
they have not gone in for social func-
tions, have installed and maintained
excellent State exhibits in the various
exhibit palaces, which have been in
charge Of Woodworking employees and
have been inspected and admired by a
large proportion of the millions who
have visited the fair. The California
building, while 1t has never been the
scene of any brilliant receptions, has
been visited by many thousands of peo-
pie Of all classes, who have partaken
of punch dispensed there, received lit
erature concerning the State, viewed
stereopticon pictures of all sections of
1t and even eaten their luncheons on
the porches. All Californians upon reg
istering have been given badges, and
these have been prominent all over the
fair grounds
the State has received here has been
through the collective counties exhibits
In the Palaces of Agriculture and Hor-
ticulture. The county representatives
In charge of these have worked tire
lessly and with the utmost harmony,
and the good done by the handsome
displays of products, the literature and
the verbal information given visitors.
cannot be estimated. 1t will show in
the future even greater than 1t Is show
ing now, and its effects may be felt for
years.
Besides their work at their exhibits,
the county commissioners have found
time to deliver stereopticon lectures
daily at the California building. Seven
of these lectures were given daily. the
county men taking their turns. up to
November 26. More than 1900 people a
day heard these lectures and saw the
pictures.
AT the San Francisco building the
labors in behalf of California have been
worthy of the highest praise. Prelirn-
mary credit must be given to Charles
P. Wilcomb. custodian of the museum
at Golden Gate Park. who installed the
handsome exhibit in such a way as to
make the most of 1t and show 1t all
off to the best advantage. All who
have seen his work have praised it.
Upon his departure j. W. Erwin be-
came the San Francisco commissioner
and his labors in behalf of California
and its metropolis have brought out
the highest praise and given the COM
mittee in charge of the building the
fullest satisfaction. Erwin has worked
untiringly. Besides attending to the
affairs Of the building and mingling
with the visitors to give information,
he. has delivered more than 400 stere-
opticon lectures in the hall, addressing
while here nearly $4,000 people. all of
whom were greatly pleased with the
pictures and the talks accompanying
them. Nearly 1000 school children,
brought especially by their teachers,
were among the hearers of these lee
lures. Erwin, by invitation, Will lee
ture on California at several large
churches in st. Louis while the work
of packing the San Francisco exhibit
is in progress.
AS on board the fighting craft the
man behind the guns must not be for
gotten, so in stereopticon lectures the
expert handler of the lantern and slides
must not be overlooked. AL Williams,
who was especially employed to handle
the lantern at the San Francisco build
ing, has done his work with a smooth
ness that has been a great factor in
adding to the popularity of the lectures
there. George Marsh in charge Of the
Oriental exhibit, and William Wheat
ley. in charge of the redwood art fur
niture display. have also done their
work well and interested many people.
Commissioner Erwin has sometimes
delivered as many as five lectures a
day, but the usual number was three.
There have been days when he could
have had 500 people at each lecture.
The hall held but 200, and many times
the crowd was backed up against the
wall Of the corridor outside the en-
trance.
Internationally California has beer
prominent at the fair to her lasffns
| good. She seized the opportunities to