Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-02-27
THE WORLDS FAIR T.W.LAWSONT0BECk
RAPID work Being Done ON The
PORTLAND EXPOSITION.
The Opening of the Gates of the
Lewis and Clark Exposition will
see the 1905 Centennial Build
ingS and Grounds Complete in
Every Respect.

PORTLAND. Feb. 25.-With the opening
day of the Lewis and Clark Exposition
rapidly approaching, it is gratifying to
the officials and the people of Portland.
to note that the work has advanced to
such an extent rs to surpass the most
sanguine hopes of all
If current reports may be accepted as
a criterion, such condition is wholly
without precedent. 1t is universally y
known that in the instances OF the Chi
cago, Atlanta, Buffalo and St. Louis
exposition, upon the opening days, much
remained to be done. There was a de-.
plorable absence of the finished appear
ance which will prove a marked feature
Of the Lewis and Clark exposition.
According to an official rapport Of the
percentage of completion, issued by
Director Of Works Oskar Huber, the
buildings and landscape gardening of
the mainland and the decorative work ia
advanced in excese Of 80 per cent. In
st. Louis within three months OF the
opening day, work was adva but 80
percent.
The mere fact that the centennial is
advanced to such extent within four
months OF its opening day, is In all pro-
liability due to the ideal climatic condi-
tions which unquestionaby have materi-
ally facilitated the work OF construction.
In Portland there are none of the
climatic disadvantages which so greatly
retarded the progress Of previous exposi.
tions. From the day that ground was
first broken, work has continued unceas.
inRly, with the result that little other
than the installing OF exhibits now re.
mains to be done.
When the gates of the Lewis Clark
expositions are thrown open to the
public on June 1st. visitors may walk
through both buildings aud grounds and
to the most remote parts OF the fair site
entirely unhampered. All debris which
necessarily accompanies the hurried con-
struction of exposition buildings will
have been removed, and the great expo.
sition commemorate of the famous expe.
dition to the Northwest will be wholly
complete.
The large forces of workmen which in
previous expositions were putting forth
superhuman effort to expedite compile.
ton. and unconsciously serving to mar
the gala attire which would be charac.
teristic OF such enterprises upon their
opening days. will not be in evidence at
the Lewis and Clark Fair.
On the mainland, the principle ex.
hibit structures are practically com.
pleted. In some of them are at present
stored divers exhibits waiting to be
assembled and Installed. The admins
tration group and the imposing Colon.
made Entrance are finished. Those
buildings which we're recently deemed
necessary, inasmuch as the magnitude OF
the enterprise was necessarily enlarged
and for which contracts were let for their
construction only within a few weeks,
are being erected as fast as is possible.
Aside from these the construction of
great number OF state buildings has been
commenced and is being advanced with
all reasonable haste.
The work of landscape gardeners is
almost finished, their efforts having been
crowned with most worthy success,
and the result will prove very agree
able surprise to the visitors. In no ex-
position have the natural features been
go unusally common as they have in
Portland. and these, with the concep-
tions of some Of the most able landscape
gardeners in the world, will give the
Lewis and Clark exposition garb that
may not be equalled.
Phenomenal has been the progress in
constructing the government buildings
on the peninsula. Little more than two
months ago this tract was nothing more
than barren waste. Today the struc
lures have assumed such proportions as
to present an imposing appearance when
viewed with the grand esplanade. In
the course of another month their facades
will have been covered with the staff and
the ideas of the architects may be pre-.
sented as realized. The following ex-
cerpt from Director OF Works Huber's
report gives an intelligent idea OF the
progress up to date:
Landscaping on mainland. .9S per cent.
Building on mainlsnd .... .95
U. S. Govt Island aud bld'g.70 "
Bridge of Nations. 80
Decorations and statuary.. 80 " g.
Electrical Illumination .... 80 "
State buildings, (l2)........07
American Inn %. .....,.. 80
Grand Esplanade & terraces so "
BLAINE PHILLIPS.