Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-24
Exposition Proves a Success
in Every Particular.
HIGH MARK IN ATTENDANCE
Figures Far Ahead of Best Days at
Lewis and Clark Fair.
VISITORS FROM EAST
Railroads Taxed to Supply Cars for
Overland Tourists-Some Of the
Striking Features.
BY WILLIAM e. CURTIS.


BY WILLIAM e. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence Of The Star and the
Chicago Record-Herald
SEATTLE, Wash. September II. 1909.
The Alaska Yukon-Pacif1c exposition is
a decided success in every respect. from
a material as well as scientific and an
esthetic point of view; and, what is
great satisfaction. a diligent man or
woman can see it all in one day. It is
about the same size as the Lewis and
Clark exposition at Portland four years
ago, which set high standard for man.
agement, architecture, Examinations. ex-
hibits and other particulars. and the peo-
pie Of Seattle should feel very proud that
they have attained 1t. All Of the fea-
lures taken together, the tout ensemble.
at Seattle is equal to that of Portland;
but some features are better and some
are not SO good.
Both represent about the same amount
of money, and the Seattle location, on
the banks of the lake of that name, the
campus Of the University of Washington,
is quite as attractive as that of Portland,
which was on a lagoon of the Willamette
river. The water effects are about the
same.
Up to August 81 the attendance here
had been considerably larger than at
Portland. but it should be taken into con-
sideration that at least half a million
more population lives within an easy
railway ride of Seattle. The attendance
Of eastern people has been larger than at
Portland. There was never SO many
fasteners travelling on the Pacific coast
as this summer. The Hartman railway
system Is using sixty-seven more Sleep
ing cars in its regular service than last
year. large number comes in excur
sions consisting anywhere from one to
five carloads, sleeping and taking their
meals on the trains, which are switched
on convenient sidetracks, instead of going
to hotels. The number of southern people
is also noticeable. l have seen special
trains filled with excursionists from half
Texas to Georgia. Several associations
of large membership have assembled at
Seattle during the summer. and several
other conventions are yet to be held here.
Attendance Beats Portland.
The attendance on the opening day at
the Portland exposition was 1921: at
Seattle. 91,154.
The highest attendance at Portland was
on Portland day, when S3,477 people
passed through the gates. Seattle day
has not yet occurred here, but every
man, woman and child in town who can
walk or has the price OF a car ticket will
attend on that occasion in order to dou-
BILE Portland's figures. Merchants are
going to send their clerks, manufacturers
their employees and subscriptions are
being taken up to buy tickets for school
children. If the attendance does not ex-
coed 10000 the people of this city will
attendance thus far. aside from the OPEN
day. was on Monday. July 5. which was
celebrated as Independence day, when
60, 1856 passed through the stiles.
10 GA at or
I37 days was 1897: the average at Sc
attic for 81 days up to August 81 was
25.910. The total attendance at Portland
for 1877 days was 2.51O. 1919. The total
been 2.0es. 727, and if the present average
keeps up for the remainder of the fair
the total will reach 3.476. 1911
The United States government exhibit
and is. perhaps the best that was ever
made on similar occasion. Including
the buildings It represents an expenditure
of 100000 Alaska got 100000, Hawaii
$4,000 and the Philippines $4,000, but
the local authorities In each case made
additional appropriations and liberal con-
tributions were received from boards of
trade, commercial clubs and various cor
porations and individuals interested in
having complete display. Six buildings
ment commission at cost of 25O,OOO. in
Guiding one for the life-saving service
and other spectacular branches.
Lectures on Government.
In addition to the historical display and
the object lessons which are intended to
teach the people how our government is
conducted. a series of lectures is de-
livered daily upon similar subjects in a
hall which has been provided in the
Hawaiian building. 1t is an excellent idea,
and public appreciation is manifested by
the attendance, which will average 1000
day at continuous performance from
II am. to pm. with two short inter-
missions. The hall will seat about 500
people. and it is continually crowded,
especially during the illustrated lectures,
delivered by army and navy officers. Of
fcials of the Agricultural, Interior, Treas
ury and other branches of the govern
ment. They tell people what is being
done for the defense of the country; navy
stories are even more fascinating; farm
ers are especially interested in the work
of the various bureaus Of the Agricul-
service. road building and other public
works. Treasury officials tell how the
finances Of the nation are managed. how
paper money and postage stamps are
lectures describe the Yellowstone Park.
the Yosemite, Alaska. Hawaii and the
Philippine Islands. Many people have
heard these things for the first time and
dppICC LILO pTINHSSc. L uO nall Is cool
and dark. and the chairs are comfortable,
which make the lecture hall a rest house
for tired ones-and nothing is SO tire
someas sightseeing. Many a weary soul
has found rest for the body while he
was drinking in deep draughts of knowl-
edge from the lectures.
The guide book says that the architec.
ture Of the exposition represents the
French renaissance school. with some
exceptions. and they are features like the
forestry building. which is of logs; the
California state building. which is of the
Spanish mission style. and the New York
state building. which Is a replica of the
home of William H. Seward. long sena-
tor from New York and Secretary of
State during the civil war, to whose diplo-
macy we owe the purchase Of Alaska 1t
was happy thought to reproduce his
stately home at Auburn, and what is even
more gratifying. it is intended to erect
statue in his honor. Mr.. Benjamin NJ. Will
cox, who has represented the Auburn dis
years. is the executive commissioner from
New York. and has maintained the high
reputation which previous commissions
from that state have made at every ex-
position since Chicago.
Statue to Seward.
The idea Of doing honor to the memory
Of Seward and showing an appreciation
Of his far seeing statesmanslip, was sue-
gested by Mr.. Beninghausen, Seattle
merchant. and was promptly acted uron
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