The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1904-06-03
THE ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION.
Wisconsin Makes Poor Showing at til
Big Fair.

O
newspaper writer, feels competent to de-
scribe the beauties of the big fair. The
first impression one gets on arriving at
the grounds is the immensely of the
affair. It is too big to be comprehended
or inspect in detail in any reasonable
time most visitors care to spend il that
city. Large AID complete as we all re-
member the Columbian Exposition at
Chicago to have been, that at s.. Louis
covers more than double the ground
space, and its buildings are larger in
size and more elaborate in architectural
design. Moreover the exposition is yet
incomplete ard some weeks must elapse
before the exhibits are in place, the
grounds beautifed and everything open
for public inspection. Still there is
enough now ready to satisfy most visit
ors that st. Louis has outdone all pre-
vious expositions.
The transportation facilities for reach
ing the grounds are excellent and doubt
less ample for the big crowd that will
surely come to see the fifty million dol
lar exposition. A feature Of the show is
the Inside Inn monster hotel that can
accommodate 5000 people, whose rates
are reasonable and affords visitors
chance to see the fair as long as they
wish without leaving the grounds. Peo-
pie can stop there as cheap as S1OO a
day for rooms and live on either the
American or European plan as they de-
sire, paying Of course the usual admis-
sion fee which is each day charged in
the bill.
People of this state are of course
anxious to know what Wisconsin is con-
tributing to the display at the exposi-
ton. Generally speaking, our citizens
will be disappointed at the showing this
commonwealth has there in comparison
to many other states, which in a meas
ule is due to the small appropriation
made by our legislature of 100000,
while such states as New York, Ohio,
Illinois, Missouri Nebraska, Kansas and
others had several times that amount to
expend in preparing exhibits. The Wis
consin state building, however, compares
quite favorably with others. 1t is nicely
located and is a coy resting place, and
the people in charge welcome all callers.
In the Forestry building Wisconsin's ex-
hibit is good, second only to California
The educational exhibit for which $1,000
was expended is pronounced among the
best, and that in the Mining building
quite respectable showing Of the min
eral deposits of the state But in the
big Agricultural building covering 20
acres Of ground, where the leading agri-
cultural states have taken large space TO
display the products of the soil Wiscon-
sins exhibit is measly affair 1t is
enough to cause visitors from this state
to blush with shame when comparison is
made with the showing of other neigh
boring states. From information gath
cred from the young man in charge |
learn that but 1000 was devoted to this
exhibit which was farmed out to Mil
waukee seed firm. One-half this AMOUNT
was probably expended 10 booth, leav- |
Ing but very meagre sum to devote to
the display for great agricultural state
The grasses and grains shown are loan
exhibit from one Of our railways. Not
leaf of Wisconsin tobacco is shown any
where about the exposition. while our
state boasts of being the largest producer
of cigar leaf in the country. An explain
alton seems to be due from the commits |
sion for the apparent neglect Of giving
Wisconsin better showing Of its agri- |
cultural products. It is common re-
mark that our state has the poorest |
representation to be seen in the entire |,
building.
The devices for catching the loose |
change Of visitors are everywhere pres |
ert. The Pike" devoted to the side
shows of the big exposition, is but fair |
reproduction of the Midway at Chicago. |
and extends across the north borders of |
the grounds. Man@ of the features are
worthy of patronage and furnish not |
only amusement but instruction as we'll |
All are clean and anyone may feel free |
to visit them. The naval battle as
seen by searchlight, very realistic rep
resentation Of the genuine thing, is a |
very pretty and interesting show. The
Creation "Tyrolean Alps" Fire
Fighters" mysterious Asia" and Hag-
enback's Animal Show are all worth the |
price Of admission, whatever may be said |
of the hundred others.
When everything is complete the Phil |
ippine exhibit which the government is |
making will prove one OF the most inter
eSllng on the grOu0CS Inc aim IS to |
show all the different types Of civiliza-
ton in our island possessions and sew
eral distinct tribes in their native meth |
DDS Of living can been seen within sepa-
rate enclosures. A detachment of u. S. |
troops of enlisted Philippine soldiers has |
been sent over with superb band that |
drill daily for the entertainment of Wis |
itors. A display Of the natural and ag-
ricultural products Of the islands will be |
worth the attention Of all who visit the |
fair
Some one has asked, when is the best
time to visit the fair? Unless you can !
get away early in June and want to see
the exposition in its incomplete form, it is
best to wait until the fall months July
and August are very warm months in
st Louis. The buildings are all white
and reflect the sun, and the grounds
must be very uncomfortable during the
hot season. There is such a magnificent
distance between the many points of in
terest, people not accustomed to long
walks will find seeing the exposition very