San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-27
Industries and Resources
Of the Nation and Its
Colonies Are Exhibited.
BY HAL OFLAHERTY.
Special Cable to the san Antonio Lig
and the Chicago Daily News.

BY HAL OTLAHERTY.
Special Cable to the san Antonio Light
and the Chicago Daily News.
Copyright, 1924.
London, England, April 26.-The
British empire exhibition opened with
full state ceremony by King George,
April %, will reveal to the world all
that is best in the British character
the traits and tendencies CLEANED from
hundreds of generations, such as hon
esty, stability, thoroughness, and,
above all, the power to maintain the
best traditions of the race in every
part of the world. The exhibition will
epitomize in most inspiring fashion
the progress of British power during
the last century in every line of hui
man endeavor, and during the course
of the next six months undoubtedly
will achieve the desired result of weld
ing more solidly than ever the ele-
ments that enter into the empire.
Since ground was broken for the
exhibition two years ago many dis
couraging obstacles have been over
come. There are details yet TO be add
cd, finishing touches here and there,
but it is to the credit of the respon-
sible officials that the exhibition has
been made ready for the opening cere-
mony.
Purposes Of the Exposition.
1t was intended originally to hold
the exhibition in 1915, but the world
war interviewed. Probably the post
ponement was beneficial, since the cx-
hibition can now be used as n means
of helping solve the postwar problems
which so seriously affect the British
empire.
The primary objects of the exhibit
ton are:
To find in the development and
utilization of the raw materials of
the world new sources of wealth.
:. To foster international trade and
open fresh world markets for prod
ucts.
To educate the world as to the lives
and qualities of an empires people.
To demonstrate the chances which
life in the dominions and colonies
offer TO those who would find a fresh
home overseas under the British flag.
1t stands TO reason that an exhibit
ton on such vast scale, giving living
pictures of every corner of the empire,
its products, manufactures and daily
life, must open TO the eyes of every
visitor the potentialities for trade and
should help TO dispense the clouds
caused by unemployment. trade stag
nation and financial depression.
The site chosen for the exhibition
is at Wembley park, twenty minutes
from Piccadilly circus. There the home
government, the great considerations
of trade and industry, the dominions,
commonwealth, colonies and protec-
torates included in the empire have
erected their palaces on a scale COM
mensurate with their resources. Not
only do these palaces contain COM
plete survey of the potential resources
of the empire but there figures in
them many interesting historical feat
ureS which have had places in the con-
structing of the empire.
For the financing of the undertak-
ing guaranty fund Of S1O,000,000
WAS subscribed.
1t is estimated that during the six
months from April to October, no less
than 2J,O00,00U people viii visit the
exhibition.
Many Interesting Structures.
Each of the colonies and dependen-
cies has erected a building suited to
its needs. Those of Australia and
Canada are the largest. From the vast
structures of the self-governing domin-
ions and commonwealth the build
ing descend in scale to the little stone
palace representing Malta and that
erected by the government of the Fiji
islands and covering just 2000 square
feet.
One of the features is the pavilion
of the British government. 1t was
deemed essential that the people
should have some idea of the duties
and responsibilities of the government
in power. In the government povilion.
therefore, an endeavor has been made
TO illustrate to the public the func-
tons of the home government of the
empire. its responsibilities in regard
10 defense. communications, settlement
and economic and industrial develop
. ment.
The palace of engineering, which is
the largest concrete building in the
world, houses every phase Of mechani-
cal and electrical development. The
largest exhibits weigh 100 tons and in
the same building are the most deli
cate testing instruments that have
ever been made. Another building
contains the electric power station
which generates the electricity for the
entire exhibition, and close by a work
ing model of a modern coal mine.
complete with pit ponies. underground
stables, and bath rooms for the
5. miners, may be seen in actual opera.
ton.
Views Of Colonial Life.
In the palace of industries are dis
plays of all those industries not in
cluded in the many forms of engineer
ing. Chief among them are the cotton
industry. the largest textile group in
the world. Next comes the wool in
dustry, while the machinery for max
ing chocolate, confectionery, biscuits.
etc, extends along $50 feet Of front
age. In these two palaces nearly
every phase of human activity has
been visualized.
Walking through the colonial Sec