The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-08-24
OBSERVATIONS ON THINGS
SEEN AT THE EXPOSITION

l. LOUIS. August 22.-(speeial)-
OF Two distinctive features of the
fair are the Inside Inn and the
Philippine exposition. while on rainy days
the hosiery exhibit is interesting. We were
quite faYorably impressed with the latter.
The east furnished the most interesting
patterns, the west and central west was
conspicuous for size. and the south had
symmetry.
Iaken as a whole the hosiery exhibit
was very pleasing. and did much to con-
sole visitors who were confined to the
veranda of the Inn by Indictment weather.
The Philippine exposition is the most
widely talked about and joked about at
traction of President Francis. big show.
but for some reason does not draw the
crowds. When it rains the Moros and Ig-
orrotes are almost as secure from the
gaze Of New England school teachers
and danes with philanthropic hobbies as
II they were alone in the wilds of their
native land.
And yet the Filipinos are well worth
seeing and constitute one of the real nov
eltles at St Louis. They are very amable
lttle people and withal very Independent
as regards dress. However, 1t is a mis-
take to assume that they are clad only
In smiles as photographers would have
us believe. Some of them wear cigars.
while others may be observed resplend-
ant In shoes, shirt or a can as the
case may be. They seem to be nlcxing nm
these articles of dress by degrees Some
of them have gotten no further than
shoes, while others have reached the IN.
derwear stage, but the majority of them
would make chorus girl feel overloaded
with clothes.
Perhaps the reason the Igorrotes dis
played such a diversity of garments on
this particular day was due to the fact
that cold, cherries rain was drizzling
down with such persistency that even the
Filipinos forgot to chuckle and refused
to give out any more autographs. If the
sun had been shining brightly no doubt
shirts and shoes would also have been
discarded. 1t is hardly probable that the
Igorrotes would support pressing club
and steam laundry would find very poor
pickings. They may eat dog sometimes,
although a guard stated that the natives
have been laughed at so much that they
are now ashamed to partalse of their IA
vorite dish. They were preparing the
MONDAY meal while our party was In the
village and the odors arising from the
scene of culinary operations reminded us
Of our beloved hash house down In Ala
bama more than anything else. The in
cense of onions and Irish potatoes were de-
tected In the damp atmosphere, but the
disreputable ours in the huts seemed abb
solutely feerless In the presence of the
dinner pot Rice Is also favorite dish
on the bill of fare. An amiable old lady
inquired of naked chef If he were going
to eat any dogs. That gentleman gave her
the proper rebuff by ignoring her ques-
ton entirely
There Is theatre In the Igorrote VII
lage which was visited In due time. but
the light effects were poor, there was no
scenery and the chorus was not much for
looks Two natives were prancing about
the floor beating dinner gongs and exc
cutting series of dances that were Meth
er Partisan nor oriental and were conse-
quently rather uninteresting. There are a
number of other villages and several
buildings in the Philippine exposition but
the Igorrotes may be considered the stel-
lar attraction.
1t is to be regretted that visitors are not
devoting more attention to the Philippine
exposition. The exhibit is quite extern
sive and should not be missed by any one
who is interested in Uncle Sans new CO.
lenial possessions.
The attendance at the fair has been
small thus far. As result a handsome
deficit Is piling up and free car service on