The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-03-17
1T THE WORLDS FAIR.
Pen Picture of the Progress Of the
Great Exposition.


the wonderful exposition which is So
soon to open its doors and which il
was my privilege to visit yesterday
and today.
When the Columbian Exposition
was held in Chicago in 1898, Ameri-
cans naturally felt pride in the
taoHght that we had eclipsed every
thing that had ever been done in the
way Of Worlds Fair and that it
coHld never be surpassed. We were
no doubt justified in feeling that it
was the greatest exposition ever held
up to that time in the history of the
world. But in this day it is not safe
to assume that any achievement, how
ever great, will remain unexcslled.
The superlative Of today becomes the
commonplace of tomorrow. 1t is not
at all disparaging to the great fair
of 1893 to say that the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition will be superior
to it in many had almost said, in
every respect. 1t covers twice as
much ground and win cost twice as
much money; there will be many
more nations represented and thous-
aRds more of exhibitors. 1t is said
that immense as is the number or
acres of exhibits, five times the space
that is available has been applied for
There will be whole departments
which were unrepresented at Chicago.
Fake for example aerial navigation
which has come to attract so much
attention. The tournament of air
ships will be one of the most striking
features of the fair. The manage
ment have appropriated 100000 for
tins, $150000 of which is to be dis
tributed in prizes. Wireless teIegra-
PLY and submarine navigation also
have never before been represented
at a Worlds Fair. Many other de-
Bastments will reveal the wonderful
progress of the last decade. There is
nothing so well calculated to make us
realize that the world edo move" as
such an exposition as this.
st. Louis was very fortunate in pos
sessing in Forest Park location so
admirably suited to such an enter
prise. In the first place it together
wish the adjoining land that could be
eased) afforded all the space desired.
FRe rolling character of part of the
land made it possible 20 dispose of
the buildings with much more pictur-
esque effect than if it had been air
level 1t also made possible the
three beautiful series of cascades
which are one of the most pleasing
features and which when illuminated,
as thsytRill be, by means of many
colaed search lights, will make the
whole landscape appear as veritable
fairy land.
The question is asked by many:
Will the fair be really ready to open
its doors by the time announced
April 80? We have no doubt that it
will. Whether it will be entirely COM
pfete is another question. All the
buildings are practically |
finished. The building of the booths
or pavilions inside, however, have in |
some cases but fairly commenced. |
But this will not take long. Some OF |
the minor buildings along the Model
Street" are yet to be erected. There |
is also a great deal to be finished on |
the pike" But there are thousands |
OF men at work and the next seven |
weeks will accomplish wonders, and
no one desiring to go early (the best
time to go), need be deferred by the
fear CT missing anything of import
ance. There will be ten times more
than one can, profitably, see in a
month and the absence of some little
Insignificant detail will certainly not
be missed.
What about st. Louis ability toI
take care Of the crowds that will
throng the city? Preparations for
this are being made on gigantic
scale and we can not but believe that
it will prove adequate. The manage
ment have also made such arrange
ments with the hotels as it is thought
will prevent their charging extorion-
ate rates.
Another question of great import
ance is: Will the facilities for trans
pcrtation from the center of the city
to the grounds-a distance of six or
seven miles-prove adequate? Tina.
is question which time alone can
answer. There are three lines or
electric railway which will no doubt
Enn cars every minute or two. Then
there is railroad that has station
right by the grounds. We under
stand. that one or two other railroads
that pass near the fair intend to build
switches to the south side of the
exposition grounds. But whether
these facilities will prove adequate
to the task of transporting half a mil
lien people to the fair on single day
remains to be seen. My advice, how
ever, to those who expect to go to
the fair would be, secure, if possible,
quarters within walking distance OF
The grounds.
"A NJ. Duboc.
4 - -