The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-09
STEAM NAVIGATION
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF
 INVENTION OF ROBERT FULTON.
The Expedition at BoFdeaux Recognizes His Work-Fine Display From
 the United states.


 Washington, June s.-(special.)- The celebration by the French gov ernment of the hundredth anniversary of the inauguration of steam naviga- tion by the American inventor Robert Fulton, is an occasion which may be looked upon with peculiar interest from this side of the ocean. And the part which the United States plays in the International Maritime Exposition formally opened at Bordeaux on May 1. Is therefore 8 unique one. The ex- position will continue until October sl..
 An appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars was granted at the last ses- sion of Congress to enable the govern ment to contribute It's share In the nautical exhibit. The Department of State. in whose charge the exhibit was placed. requested that its installing be given over to the Smithsonian fnsti- tuition as the "one branch of the gov ernment service which has the exper- fence. special knowledge. and facilities requisite to enable 1t to arrange for suitable American exhibit of limited extent on the coming occasion" Sec. retary Walcott designated MT. w. dec Ravanel of ther National Museum, who has been in charge of the Smithsonian and Museum exhibit at Jamestown. to collect and install government objects at Bordeaux.
 The display of the United States, however. Is by no means limited to ar ticles of maritime interest from the National Museum. Besides the Smithr sonian Institution, under the direction of which the National Museum falls there have been contributed relics. models. drawings and photographs by tho Bureau of Fisheries, the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Bureau Of Navigation of the Department of Com merce and Labor, the Reclamation Ser vice of the Interior Department, the Isthmiap Canal Commission. the war and Navy Departments, and the Llte Saving Service of the Treasury Depart ment to be shown in the government pavilion already constructed in the great square of the Quincunxes at Ror- deaux.
 The amount of the appropriation out of which has come not only the con struction of the American pavilion. but the transportation of the collections has placed decided limits upon our governments showing. MT. Ravenel however. has gotten together much to draw attention to the accomplishments of Americans in water traffic and engi- neering.
 A number of relics of especial inter est, have been loaned by the descen- dant of Robert Fulton. Among them are included photographs and paint ings relating to Fulton and the com pass alleged to have been used on the Clermont by Pilot Acker.
 In Connection with Fulton's experl- ments and their bearing upon France, Ambassador Jusserand in an official communication to the State Depart mont said: France will exert all the more zeal in doing homage to the great inventor, as it was in our country that he conducted his first experiments, fruitless. to be sure. but significant enough to cause Napoleon to write 10 his minister, MT de Champagny; Clti- zen Fulton's proposition may change the face of the world, July Fl, leo4- It was in England under the pat ronase ot Lord Stanhope and in France with the assistance of Robert R. LlV- ingston. then United states Minister to ] France. that Fulton did his preliminary work. planned bridge construction huilt A practical torpedo, and even com nleted an experimental steamboat with a paddle wheel in the stern. Not lohs at.er. through the influence or' Li'-