Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-05
SPIRIT OF AGGRESSIVENESS.
Shown by American Representatives
at Railroad Exhibit.

The audacity and address, the spirit OF
aggressiyeness that has made the Amerl-
can business men pre-eminent throughout
the world. need no better illustration than
Is shown in scores of instances at the ex-
hibit of railway appliances on the Monu-
rnent lot. The men who have made the ex-
hibit a comprehensive collection of material
which they want to sell to the visiting oel-
egates from foreign parts are among the
foremost business men of the country, ana
they have called to their aid IN the making
of their show all those qualities that nave
pushed America to the forefront or the
business world.
One little instance of the manner in which
they do things is sufficient to show the aD-
solute lack of limitation to their capacity
When 1t had finally been decided that there
was to be first-class exhibit here, and all
plans for the actual erection of the build
Ings had been made, the ofhcers OF the com
mission in charge of the work bethought
themselves of the comfort of the visitors.
Every arrangement was made to rest weary
feet and weary eyes and bright young men
were engaged to entertain delegates with
brand-new stories, etc. This would seem to
be enough for the ordinary mortal, but
there seemed to be something lacking in
the minds of the promoters of the show. Al
first they were at loss to know what 1t
was, and finally made up their minds that
while an intellectual feast of no mean pro-
portions had been prepared, there should be
something done for the delectation of the
inner man. The cravings of unsatisfied APP
petite for things corporal in the shape of
food would undoubtedly be set in action by
"a tour through the 300 odd exhibits, and
the managers of the affair We're at their
wits end as to how to act. They knew
that something must be done but did not
know how to do it. None of them was
hotel man. and none knew just exactly
what first-class luncheon should consist
of. In addition to this they did not desire
TO serve elaborate spread. because that
would look too much like pilng 1t on the
delegates.
One day a bright idea struck Chairman
Post of the exhibit committee. He remem-
bered that when he had visited Europe
everybody stopped work in the afternoon
would be served al the exhibit to the WIS.,
ltors But how? The idea was good
enough. but not being European. and not
having any natives of that continent on
the board. Chairman Post seemed to have
struck a snag at the very outset when
things seemed to be sailing smoothly. Then
one day he happened to meet a friend who
told him of the clever scheme of a great
business firm to introduce itself to the gen.
eral public. 1T served teas, said this
friend. and has personally conducted re-
cepuons. 1t sells the kind of things that
go to make up dainty afternoon teas" he
told Mr.. Post land it's affairs are of the
very highest grade" Mr.. Post gasped.
Here was the very thing he wanted most
to get next 10.
What sort of an outfit is that you are
telling me about?" he asked cautiously
What kind of a Arm is this that serves
teas and holds personally conducted recep-
lions for itself?"
Why" the friend replied 1.-THE National
Biscuit Company. of course
That settled It. Mr.. Post called at the
headquarters of the National Biscuit Com
pany In New York and told them his trou-
bies. He wanted some one to serve tea to
the foreign delegates to the International
railroad congress, amid he wanted the tea
served In tiptop fashion. The Biscuit Conn
pany managers thought over the thing a
moment. They did not know whether they
could go into the scheme or not and asked
Mr.. Post 10 wait a While for reply to his
proposal. Mr. Post went to his office less
than half mile away, and sat down to
wait. He waited just half an hour by the
clock. when his telephone bell rang, and
the National Biscuit Company asked to
speak to Mr.. Post. He answered the 'phone
and was told that since he had left the of
flee meeting of the board of directors had
been called. and they had decided 10 do the
work for him. All they wanted was A roof
under which to serve the tea. That Mr.
Post gladly provided, and the result is one
of the handsomest booths on the exhibition
grounds. II Is one OF the larger buildings
and is completely filed with dainty tables
ana chairs Pretty girls hover about the
tables, pouring tea. coffee. chocolate and
the like for tired. hungry visitors Dainty
crackers and sweet cakes are served with
the beverages, and the visitors eve is
quiet. restfui colors. bearing the legends
familiar to Americans. "Uneeda" '.Nabis-
co. Zu-Zu." etc. And the visitors have
their tea, the guests of the America n
railway appliance exhibit and the National
Biscuit Company