The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-09-26
NORTH OAKOTA'S
BIG INDUSTRIAL
EXPOSITION Open
First in the History of the
State-Is an Assured
Success

Commissioner GIlbREATH
PRESENTED It TO The State
Reviewed the Efforts in the Past TO
Attract Attention to States Great
MISUNDERSTANDING Of North Da.
kota's Marvellous Development
Bismarck, N. D., Sept. 26-North
Dakota's first Industrial exposition
was formally opened this afternoon in
the exposition building. With prac-
tically all of the exhibits in place,
the structure presents a fine appear
ance and the first days crowd was
we'll pleased with the show.
This afternoon there was a pro-
gram of speech making. Governor
Burke, General E. A. Williams of Bis
marck and Commissioner Of Agricul-
ture and Labor Gilbreath, appeared on
the program. General Williams well
coined the exposition on behalf Of the
city; Governor Burke accepted the ex-
position on the past of the state, Com
missioner Of Agriculture Gilbreath
previously making the presentation
address.
The exposition will continue during
period of twenty days. There have
oeen a number of special day pro-
grams announced with tomorrow the
time fixed for the big railroad pro-
gram. Presidents Howard Elliott of
the Northern Pacific and Louis Hill
of the Great Northern are both
scheduled to attend.
In his speech Of presentation, Com
missioner Gilbreath reviewed the work
that had been done in making ready
for the event. He said:
After four months of incessant toll
tlnged with pleasure; disappointments
changed into agreeable surprises; wor-
ry and vexations supplanted by Joy and
qualification the task of formulating
and constructing the first North Da-
kota Industrial exposition has been
completed. t,.
ut has been a herculean undertak-
ing, for we had obstacles to overcome
which seemed unsurmountable, diff
culties which were appalling and Sc
cret opposition which manifested its
vitality at unexpected moments all
through our work.
"In the light Of these facts, is it any
wonder that those who bore the heat
and burden of this battle have thrill
Of pride course through their veins
over this days work of formally OPEN
ing this exposition?
Il take this occasion to thank those
who stood SO nobly by me in this great
undertaking, for without their aid and
assistance would have failed. They
know who they are and I therefore
! need not mention their names. They
stood firm and steadfast when the
clouds were the thickest and no ray
OF hope or help peered through those
dark and deep Innings.
II wish to sincerely thank the Job
bers, merchants and manufacturers of
Fargo, Minneapolis. St. Paul, Duluth,
Chicago and other cities for their gen.
erous donations and especially the ele-
vator and lumber men Of Minneapolis
who were extremely liberal in their
contributions. We also owe a debt of
gratitude to the Duluth board of trade
for it's timely aid and assistance.
II desire to congratulate the Com
mercial club Of Bismarck for its cour-
age and forethought in securing this
exposition and Its willingness to CO.
operate In every way to promote it's
best interests.
II cannot permit this opportunity
to pass without Informing the public
Of the constant and unfaltertng as
sistance given by Warden Hellstrom.
But for him the task would have alb
solutely failed, for the financial bur-
den would have been too great to have
been borne. But the labor he furnish
ed and the many ways he gave aid and
! promotion to this enterprise assured
its success,
"lt has been the custom since early
days to send North Dakota's products
abroad on each great occasion, This
habit began in the territorial days
and was kept up to the present year.
The state sent an exhibit to the expo
sitions held in New Orleans, Chicago,
Buffalo, st. Louis, Portland and Omaha
and during the past six years have
taken samples of the states products
to sixty-five different. state and coun-
ty fairs. Such has been this habit
that many of our people were amazed
when it became public that we did
not contemplate taking an exhibit to
other states this year.
Progress of the State.
"a few months over twenty-one
years ago North Dakota had the
mantle of statehood placed upon her
shoulders. In 1890 her population was
about $4,000, today it is approximate
ly 100000. In 1890 there were 2.500.-
900 acres of land in this state under
actual cultivation. last year there were
100000 acres under plow, an in
crease of almost 400 per cent. The pro-
duction has grown from $27,OO0,000
in 1889 to $175.000.O0o in 1910 In
IN .