Arizona republican., 1904-04-29
The Opening of the Big Show.

Tomorrow afternoon. at l o'clock presiaent Roosevelt will press the hutton" at Washington which will in- stantly set in motion the machinery Of thc Louisiana Purchase exposition at St. Louis; the bands will begin to play the elephant will go round, and the Eteat show will be open.
 1I Is generally known that the St. Louis fair is the most pretentious ex- pasttion ever undertaken; in magnitude it fat surpasses the Columbian exposl- tion at Chicago. and all the Parisian affairs. Whether, however, the inter est of visitors will be sustained in pro portion Go the extent of the show, re- mains 10 be seen. According to those who arc best informed on the subject, there need be no doubt on this point. To quote the Hon. David R. Francis. president of the exposition:
 "In the morning of the twentieth century-April 30. 1094-there will be installed and ready for inspection in the great exhibit palaces and grounds of the Louisiana Purchase exposition at St. Louis, the most comprehensive and inspiring display of the world s work and the worlds progress to date that has ever been collected within the space of two square miles under the sun.
 ''1fhe nations are, cautiously, show ing here the best products of their arts and industries, their latest inven- lions. the choicest fruits of their cul- tufa and social institutions.
 For the first time in human history both China and Japan are competing with the great powers of Europe and the "three Americas" from Canada to Argentina. Our national government, 9uFtF-four of the forty-fve states, all pg The territories and the island pos sea&ions of our union are making an unparalleled display of the resources and .tFiumphs of civilization in the United States.
 ''And all this ocular demonstration is to be made luminous and radiant in educational effectiveness by the dis cussioas and reports of many learned and scientific world congresses in ses- sion during the exposition.
 "Ths success of our efforts has sur passsd our own hopes, and now, on the eve o fthe opening, we send greet ing and congratulations to the expect ant public everywhere, with positive assuFance that this Worlds Fair will be to all visitors a surprise and last ing delight"
 As in the case of all other exposi- tInns. the opening day will witness considerable confusion, and there will kso oll have not been completed; but this will be mere incident. Lack of transpor- tatiDn facilities from the city to the grounds is expected to work inconven- tenCs for a few days, but within week or two the railroads will be ann ply able to handle the crowds.
 According to a private letter to The Republican from St. Louis, the Arizona exhibit does not make the most won- derfaI display on the grounds; indeed, after one visit to the Arizona building the writer says he had great difficulty in finding it a second time-was unable to Ind it, in fact. There has been no claim. however, that the Arizona
 
 architecture. The commission no doubt has done all that could be ex- pecte4 with the funds at hand The legislature provided s3O,OOO, out of which salaries and incidental expenses have taken a considerable chunk; of couTse. lt is expected that the min- eral exhibit of this territory will be particularly fine, and to a degree will offset any disappointment caused by Ari&oha's diminutive building.
 It appears that Arizona people who expect 10 attend the exposition for any considerable length of time will do we'll f0 engage quarters in advance, and it will be found cheaper probab ably. to live at hotels than in furnished flats or rooms. On this point the Arizona writer says:
 "St Louis property owners have gone crazy on rents, and nothing but poor attendance in May will bring them To their senses. Five and six room rafuFnished flats bring from $75 to S1so peT month, according to near ness to The grounds. I am paying S2O0 Tor an S-room furnished house. and consider it a snap. Single rooms. one person, cost s3O to S6O, no meals. Two in room. breakfasts furnished. sS5 to S1OO month. Of course, in the poor and remote sections of town little changes are seen"
 After all, however, this does not spell very strong case against the St. Louis landlords, of whose rapacity we D,have heard so much As a matter of fact. the situation will be about the same as it was at Chicago. People can scarcely expect to attend the expos;- ton without spending some money, and all the facts at hand warrant the conclusion that it is the greatest and most attractive show the world has