The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-16
TO WORK MAGIC
AT EXPOSITION
Externally Big Show viii Appear
Complete by Opening Day,
Say Authorities.
ACCOMPLISH MUCH IN A DAY
Arn,y Of Workmcn Rushing Fin
ishing Touches Brooks John
son Says No Closing.
lspcciulto The Times. Dispatch.

NORFOLK, VA, April 15.--When tho
long line Of battlcsliips forming the
North Atlantic Fleet mnjcstilall,
steamed into Hampton Roads late this
afternoon, tho flag Of Rear Admiral
Evans lying at tho masthead of the
Maine, and dropped anchor in double
column off the grounds of the James
town Exposition, the thousands Of
workmcn who had just put down their
tools after days toll hud brought
to them with startling suddennoss the
nearness Of the day when thousand
guns will announce tho three hum
drcdth year OF Western civilization, ana
throw open the gates to the celebra-
ton Of that terccntcnninl. Just nine
days are to clapsn before President
Roosevelt VIII formally inangurate the
time the army of men under the drec-
ton of the Department of Works have
much to accomplish from superficial
viewpoint, but a careful analysis Of the
viii find the exposition presenting a
who will surge through its portals.
Can Get Grounds Ready.
With the exception OF the govern
ment pier the tireproof art building
and couple of State buildings, the
exposition is structurally complete.
other buildings. but they are SO far
advanced that this work will DO COM
pleted before the opening. There is no
chance OF tho government pier, which
Will be tho most prominent feature OF
the exposition, being completed on
time What has given the visitor an
impression OF the bdckwardness or the
exposition work UP to this time has
rounding the buildings. TO a very
great extent this hus been wonderful-
~ changed during The past week and
there Is nothing to cause any one to
scape work will not be finished.
Where might large exhibit build
ing is surrounded by scrap lumber
and tossed UP soIl tomorrow night it
will stand IN the midst OF alevel
plot OF sodded ground, with trans
planted shrubbery ancircling 1t; where
to-day street, If one would call 1t
such, is a Mt subject for good road
crusade picture. tomorrow night it
will have heen ploughed up, scraped to
grade, rolled solid by immense rollers
aud given Il first coating of crushed
stone.
1t is a systematic program Of deter
mined progress that IS eeins carried
out, and SO exactly is the schedule
being maintained that II the weather
holds Good the Jamestown EXPOSE
ton will give nothing but a favorable
impression, to visitors ! on, April 2Gth
With the President present, the thou
sands of soldiers and sailors in parade
and other attractions on shore, and the
half hundred mighty lighting crafts
uAout to attract the attention Of the
crowd, there will be little time 10Y a
scrutiny of the exhibits in the big
buildings. and the fact that these arc
behind in being installed will not be
so widely noticed. Externally the cX"
position will present u good front.
"Say emphatically that the eSposi-
ton will open on April Goth, and stay
open until November Soth.' said G.
Brooks Johnston, chairman of the
board Of governors, tonight. The
question Of closing has never been
idcral u