Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-03-08
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Peoples Forum
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Impressions of an Ashland Visitor.
Editor Tidings: San Diego exposi-
tion deserves praise. The beauties of
1t are warm in its praise. Small in
its compass, though as beautiful as a
poets dream. The buildings are all
of the Spanish mission architecture,
of ferro-concrete, which gives them
a power of expression never possible
before. Everything is Spanish and
colonial. The buildings are all beau
tiful and the grounds are more beau
tiful. The whole impression is worth
while not only for it's beauty but be-
cause OF its achievements. One of
the most extensive horticultural sec
tions ever put in operation in this
country is that of the exposition
nursery. Literally, millions of plants
have been propagated and cover thir-
ty-five acres of ground. The world
was ransaeked for 4 specimen of
every known plant, tree and vine.
The grounds are covered with thick
growth of foliage, from the tropical
palm to the pine, from the bright
blooming flowers of the equator to
the sturdy plants which thrive in the
country of ice and snow.
A visit to the grounds OF the San
Diego exposition is one of the sights
of southern California, one that is
necessary in order to gather the full
scope, character and meaning of the
exposition itself. Add to this her
hospitality; people are received splen-
didly.
The Panama-Faeifie International
Exposition at San Francisco is the
worlds celebration of the opening of
the Panama canal. 1t represents a
decade in the material progress OF
civilization and makes a comprehen-
sive showing of the achievements of
all civilized nations in all lines of hu-
man endeavor. Its location is just
inside the famous Golden Gate. 1t is
a long stretch from the ages of Greek
and Roman temples of classic design
to the present day of modern achieve
ment, but this lapse of centuries has
been spanned by the city wonderful,
built along the shores of San Fran
cisco bay for the setting of the
worlds celebration. 1t is a picture
that goes back to the long ago, when
the beautiful was The controlling
force in thoughts and accomplish
ments of men. In the grandeur of its
architectural lines, in the warmth of
its color, its dropping eucalyptus and
murmuring cypress is sounded the
key of the whole permanence.
This is one of the treasure cities of
the old, builded by artists of a for
mer day. The best of art and en-
gineerinG science have thus been
joined. This is the first time that
the world has ever seen palaces and
courts and statuary in the soft tones
of travertlne marble. Travertine
marble was first used by the early
Greeks and Romans in architecture
and sculpture. The value of traver-
tine is not in its name, nor its chem
ical combination, but for the charm
and expression that it gives to both
architecture and works of art. The
plainest walls create interest and
have a pleasing effect In sculptural
work 1t gives delicacy and richness
not to be found in any other material.
The work is highly artistic as though
sculptured by the best artists. In
the paneling, molding and ornament
al feature more than ordinary success
was accomplished, and through the
employment of travertine the Pana-
ma-Paciric exposition presents a pic
tire of beauty and tone that has
never before been seen elsewhere.
One marvels at this most admirable
and particular feature. This is the
keystone supporting the vision of
beauty. The exquisite harmony of
the color blending of the domes, tow
ers and minarets make it at a glance
a spectacle Of wonderous yet simple
splendor.
The exposition sculpture is the real
key to this great celebration. 1t SYM
bolizes the achievement and tells the
story OF this great triumph of these
United States and the devotion OF
those who toll.
Sculpture is the most important OF
arts to an exposition because II is the
most intellectual. Never before have
sculptors anywhere so completely
played their most important parts
On arches and columns, in inches
fountains aud free standing group:
they sing OF many themes, always In
harmony, but with no loss of charac
ter or individuality, the Tower o.
Jewels, the most commanding fea
ture of the entire plan.